The best ‘Toy Story’ of all. An actual adventure with all sorts of good lessons and fun. I took two of my grandchildren to see it-ages 4 and 12- and both liked it. Usually in animated movies I get in a wonderful nap but not this time. Woody and Buzz are back along with Jessie and the potato heads.

Andy is all grown up now and getting ready to head for college. What to do with all of his old toys? Store them, give ‘em away or dump ‘em. That is the dilemma– the toys are facing an uncertain future.

Through a number of unforeseen circumstances the toys end up at a day care center being mistreated by toddlers during the day and imprisoned by a toy mobster at night.

The greatest fun was had when Barbie meets up with Ken there. It is delightful and hilarious when Ken does a private showing of his extensive wardrobe.

A ‘Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear’- Lotso for short ends up being the villain that acts like a mobster who tries to enslave our hero toys. In the process of escaping from Lotso’s organization Woody and the rest end up at the dump. For small children this part of the story is the scariest of all. For old guys like me too!

However, all ends up well as the toys help each other out and eventually find themselves in another very fine home. Obviously more stories to come.

One of the best animation flicks that I have seen in a long time. I took my grandson to see it and didn’t really expect much but rather than getting comfortable and taking a nap, I actually watched the whole thing and really enjoyed it.

The film presents a fantasy world where a Viking village is constantly under attack by dragons. the villagers had become expert dragon fighters and expert on dragons, so they thought. Meanwhile, our film hero Hiccup tries to become a dragon fighter but fails. When he finally brings down a dragon he finds that he cannot finish the job and kill him. He is a complete disappointment to his father.

He secretly befriends the dragon he could not kill and in the process learn more about the dragons than anyone else in the village. In his training to learn to fight dragons he is able to hold his own with every dangerous variety known. His only weakness is that he refuses to finish them off. Which is perceived as a weakness by his father.

The girl that he really likes –Astrid, finally finds out about his secret friend and in the end the reluctant warrior saves the day, gets the girl, and gains the respect of his father and everyone else in his village including the dragons.            *Top 

Genre: Animated, Comedy; Theater release: November 20, 2009 by TriStar/Sony Pictures; Directed by: Jorge Blanco; Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes; Cast: Justin Long (Lem), Dwayne Johnson (Captain Charles T. Baker), Seann William Scott (Skiff), Jessica Biel (Neera), Gary Oldman (General Grawl), John Cleese (Professor Kipple).

An alien from space lands on the planet and the folks respond fear, the military searches for the intruder, and the scientists want to study it. Meanwhile, the alien makes friends with the kids who try to help him get back home.

You have seen this scenario a dozen times before in E.T. and a bunch of assorted Sci Fi and Disney movies. Nothing really new here except the alien is an American astronaut from Earth.

My grandson loved it but I had trouble staying awake. Too many clichés to keep me interested. Besides Planet 51 and their culture was far too similar to planet Earth and the town featured in the film reminded me of ToonTown at Disneyland and the cars looked just like what we use to have in 50’s when I was kid.              *Top

Another excellent family picture in the “Ice Age” series. I took my 11 year old grandson to see the film and we both had fun.

Again, the main characters are about family, friends, and growing pains. This time they are sent on an adventure that reminds one of the “Journey to the Center of the Earth”—a place where dinosaurs still exist. Manny is no longer ‘the biggest’ beast around and we are introduced to a new character—a little weasel named ‘Buck’. But there is nothing small about his heart and guts as he continues a long-lasting battle with the largest dino of all.

Oh yes,  Scrat the squirrel is still after his acorn with one hilarious disaster after another but in the process finds something else to pursue or we should say someone—a lady squirrel.

If you liked the previous offerings in this series than this will be a can’t miss family winner for sure.            *Top