Plenty of Humor and Thrills: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Release Date: June 23rd, 1989
Runtime: 93 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

I had a blast watching Honey, I Shrunk the Kids back in the early 90's, and I appreciate it just as much now. Who couldn't have fun watching kids run though a forest of giant grass, ants that you can ride and legos you can sleep in?

Wayne Szalinski, an obsessed scientist, can't seem to get his miniaturization machine to work. He's stumped as to why it only seems to blow things up. Then one day one of the neighbor's kids next door hits a baseball though the attic window and it hits his machine which gets it working.When the kids next door come over to apologize and get their baseball back they get miniaturized along with Wayne's kids. Wayne accidentally sweeps all of them up and takes them out in the garbage. From there it's up to the kids to find their way back home through the now terrifying back yard with giant bugs, hurricane-like sprinklers and the lawn mower...

If for some reason you haven't seen Honey, I Shrunk the Kids yet please do, or please at least show it to your kids. It seems they don't make too many gems like this any more.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on IMDB
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Trailer

If you've seen Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and enjoyed it you may also like: Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, Goonies, The Ant Bully, The Borrowers

Loopy but Enjoyable: National Treasure

Release Date: November 19th, 2004
Runtime: 131 min
Rating: PG for action violence and some scary images
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

I'll just come right out and say it, National Treasure was silly. It had one of the most unrealistic plots I've seen in a long time, but I had a blast watching it.

National Treasure is about Ben Gates, a man who comes from a long line of treasure hunters who have all been hunting for the same treasure originally hidden by the founding fathers. The founding fathers apparently left clues as to its whereabouts hidden in plain site all over the county. When Ben finally thinks he's found where it is he finds yet another clue, a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Ben then learns that one of his associates plans to steal the Declaration and in order to protect the world's greatest treasure Ben must now steal it himself.

A deep and thought provoking plot? No. A super fun film to watch? Yes. If weak plots don't bother you and you're looking for some good fun filled entertainment for the whole family National Treasure is a very good choice. It's also extremely family friendly.

National Treasure on IMDB
National Treasure Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen National Treasure and enjoyed it you may also like: National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets, The Da Vinci Code, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Delightful Classic Fantasy: The Neverending Story

Release Date: July 20th, 1984
Runtime: 102 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 8 and up

The Neverending Story is another film I've watched many times while growing up. It's still fun to watch today as an adult and has only lost some of its magic for me through the years.

The Neverending Story is the tale of a lonely young boy named Bastian who is bullied by several of his classmates. One day when Bastian is running from the bullies he takes refuge in an old book shop. In the shop he is attracted to a strange leather bound novel. The store keeper warns him to keep away from it and that it is dangerous. Unable to resist Bastian "borrows" the book and retreats to an attic where he begins reading the story. The book is about a magical world called Fantasia that is in peril and on the brink of destruction by the storms of "nothingness". The gravely ill childlike princess sends a young warrior named Atreyu to find a way to save the kingdom. As Bastian becomes more and more immersed in the story he realizes that the characters are becoming aware of him and he's being written into the book.

The Neverending Story is an enjoyable ride where we see all sorts of fantasy creatures, strange lands and some unforgettable characters. I'd definitely recommend this for a fun watch to anyone but the wee little ones.

The Neverending Story on IMDB
The Neverending Story Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen The Neverending Story and enjoyed it You may also enjoy: The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, Eragon, The Dark Crystal, The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Spirited Away

Engaging and Honest: Holes

Release date: April 18th, 2003
Runtime: 117 min
Rating: PG for violence, mild language and some thematic events
Appropriate for Ages: 8 and up

One of the things I liked most about Holes was that unlike many other kids flicks out there this one does not insult one's intelligence. It's full of effective metaphors, inspiring dialogue, and witty humor.

A boy named Stanley Yelnats, wrongfully convicted of stealing, is sent to 'Camp Green Lake' a detention camp located in a dry lake bed in the middle of the desert. At this camp the mysterious warden and her cohorts force the camp-mates to dig holes every day to supposedly "build character". Stanley eventually musters up the courage to escape the camp with a fellow inmate and he stumbles across  a secret that will finally expose whats really been going on.

This film is probably best suited for older children starting with those around the middle school ages. So if your looking for something to enjoy with your (older) kids this is definitely a must see.

Holes on IMDB
Holes Trailer on Traileraddict

If you've seen Holes and enjoyed it you may also like: Hoot, How to Eat Fried Worms, Bridge to Terabithia

Full of Family Values: Disney-Pixar's Finding Nemo

Release Date: May 30th, 2003
Runtime: 100 min
Rating: G
Appropriate for Ages: All ages

Finding Nemo is a father-son underwater adventure story that is sure to be enjoyed by the entire family. The Graphics are absolutely stunning, the story is fun and imaginative and it's stuffed with family values.

Finding Nemo follows a overprotective clownish father named Marlin on his journey to save his son Nemo after he gets taken by a scuba diver on his first day of school. Together with Dori, a forgetful blue tang, he ventures beyond the Great Barrier Reef into dangerous water filled with all sorts of friendly and not-so friendly marine life. Meanwhile, Nemo and his companions, who are being held in a fish tank in a doctor's office in Sydney Harbor, plan escape from their captives to get back to the harbor and live free once again.

Finding Nemo is an incredibly fun watch. It's funny and smart and just plain good natured. The animation is phenomenal as well, with the bright vivid chorals and plant and animal life. This really is a film that the whole family can sit down together and enjoy.

Finding Nemo on IMDB
Finding Nemo Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Finding Nemo and enjoyed it you may also like: Bee Movie, Shark Tale , Ice Age, Monsters, Inc., Antz, Shrek, Wall-E

Never a Dull Moment: Home Alone

Release Date: November 16th, 1990
Runtime: 103 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

I grew up watching Home Alone. I loved this when I was a kid and I still appreciate it now. The plot is completely ridiculous and unbelievable but incredibly fun to watch.

Home alone is about an 8 year old boy named Kevin MacAllister who gets forgotten and left behind when his whole family heads to France for their Christmas vacation. At first he has a blast living on his own. With no adult supervision he is free to eat junk food, order pizza, jump on his parents bed, and watch TV programs he otherwise would not have been allowed to watch. Everything seems to be going great until he finds out the criminal team called the "Wet Bandits" plans on breaking into his house and rob it on Christmas Eve. Kevin acts quickly and sets up a very elaborate maze of booby traps to avert the bandits and bring them to justice. Ultimately Kevin ends up learning about the importance of family.

Home Alone is definitely full of a ton of laughs for the whole family so long as you don't take it seriously.

Home Alone on IMDB
Home Alone Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Home Alone and enjoyed it you may also like: Home Alone 2, The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story, Richie Rich

Simple and Sophisticated: Shrek

Release Date: May 18th, 2001
Runtime: 90 min
Rating: PG for mild language and some crude humor
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Let me just start off by saying I love this movie. I've Shrek several times and it just never gets boring. The plot is easy for kids to follow and enjoy, but what makes Shrek stand out so much is its also smart and quick with jokes that go right over kid's heads. Some of the best parts of this move were actually aimed at an adult audience.

Shrek is set in a colorful fairytale land populated by dragons and ogres, princess and princesses, and many notable fairytale characters. When Lord Farquaad, the ruler of Duloc, banishes all of the fairytale beings to the woods, Shrek looses the privacy he had in his nice quiet swamp. Shrek then sets out with a loud-mouth donkey at his side to find Lord Farquaad and get him to take the fairytale beings back. When Shrek gets there Faquaad accepts on the condition that Shrek must rescue Princess Fiona who is to become Faguaad's bride. On their quest Shrek and Donkey run into all sorts of interesting characters and situations.

If you haven't seen Shrek yet you absolutely must. Even people who don't usually like movies that fall into this genre will probably get a good laugh or two out of it.

Shrek on IMDB
Shrek Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Shrek and you enjoyed it you may also like: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Stardust, The Princess Bride, Madagascar