Whisper of the Heart [1995]

Another Ghibli studio/Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece. A love story of a young girl writer and a violin-maker who needs to prove themselves they are both worthy for each other.

*photo courtesy of IMDb
*IMDb link

The Last Airbender [2010]

Adapted from the Manga/Anime of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this movie is the story of Aang, the present reincarnation of the long line of Avatars whose existence brought balance amongst the four nations - Air, Water, Fire, Earth. The young Aang was overwhelmed with the idea of his responsibility as the Avatar, yet his years of hiding brought disastrous ramifications which resulted to the rise of the greedy and power-hungry Fire Nation.

*photo courtesy of IMDb
*IMDb link

The Karate Kid [2010]

Jaden Smith is like a carbon copy of his dad! Nice movie, I should say.

*photo courtesy of IMDb
*IMDb link

Tangled [2010]

a new version of the famous fairy tale "Rapunzel"...very hilarious and entertaining! a must-see for the whole family.

*photo courtesy of IMDb
*IMDb link

Alice in Wonderland [2010]

We all know the classic story. They've just put a little bit of twist in it to keep us staying in Wonderland a bit more. Johnny Depp is amazing!

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*IMDb link

Fly Away Home [1996]

A truly inspiring movie and a heart-warming real-life story! A young Anna Paquin who performed such an magnificent role in this one. I just love it!

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*IMDb link

Stardust [2007]

It's been somewhat a relatively long time since I watched a fantasy movie, been waiting to watch this movie. I was laughing so hard to watch a Robert DeNiro acting so hilariously. Hahaha, I couldn't forget this movie because of that!

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*IMDb link

Elf [2003]

So-so. I am not so convinced with Will Ferrel's attempt to make people laugh in this movie. But for consolation, I watched it till the end. :D

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*IMDb link

Igor [2008]

Fantastic movie! Especially to kids and young by heart...like me. :D

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*IMDb link

Young Black Stallion [2003]

This is a very inspiring movie that brings hope, friendship and courage. Very fit for family viewing.

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*IMDb link

Journey to the Center of the Earth [2008]

I read Jules Verne's novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth" when I was on 6th grade. After 11 years, I've seen the motion picture. It's just awesome for family viewing.

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*IMDb link

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

This is a fantastic movie!

Fit for family viewing and made a surprising twist to the old-time favorite children story, The Frog Prince! Two thumbs-up!

-honey-

Directors:
Ron Clements
John Musker

Writers:
Story: Ron Clements
John Musker
Greg Erb
Jason Oremland

screenplay: Ron Clements
John Musker
Rob Edwards, etc.

Cast: Anika Noni Rose as Tiana (voice) Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen (voice) Jennifer Cody as Charlotte (voice) Oprah Winfrey as Eudora (voice), etc. Plot Summary: A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfill their dreams. Written by The Massie Twins -more at www.imdb.com

Finding Neverland

Unlock your imagination.

Director: Marc Forster
Writers:
Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)
Release Date: 13 April 2005 (Philippines)
Genre: Biography | Drama | Family

Cast:
Johnny Depp as Sir James Matthew Barrie
Kate Winslet as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
Julie Christie as Mrs. Emma du Maurier
Radha Mitchell as Mary Ansell Barrie
Dustin Hoffman as Charles Frohman
Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies, etc.

Plot:
This movie is the story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. *no spoilers

Comments:
The character of Sir J.M. Barrie was somewhat complicated in the sense that there was a bit of childishness in it to appeal to his playmates and at the same time having a touch of maturity to work out his marital relations and to that of his financer...but it was brilliantly played by Johnny Depp! Kate Winslet looked nice and she appeared more mature being the mother of 4 boys. Forgive me, but I wasn't able to recognize that Dustin Hoffman was there in the movie. That beard and facial hair concealed his identity really well.

I'd like to give credit to a young actor's performance in this movie. Freddie Highmore who played the character of Peter Llewelyn Davies gave an astonishing dramatic act. I first saw his movies, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)and August Rush (2007), and was impressed by him ever since. This time, he's done it again, though, obviously Finding Neverland came way before than those 2 other movies. Nevertheless, he's such a cute and talented kid. Kudos to you, boy! No wonder he's got nominations for the Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Look for more awards of the movie here.

Personal Rating: 6.5/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308644/

Inkheart

"Every story ever written is just waiting to become real. "

Director: Iain Softley
Writers:
David Lindsay-Abaire (screenplay)
Cornelia Funke (novel)
Release Date: 28 January 2009 (Philippines)
Genre: Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Cast:
Brendan Fraser as Mo 'Silvertongue' Folchart
Sienna Guillory as Resa
Eliza Bennett as Meggie Folchart
Paul Bettany as Dustfinger
Helen Mirren as Elinor Loredan
Rafi Gavron as Farid, etc.

Plot:
Mo has the special talent to bring characters out of books. One night he brings out three characters from Inkheart, a story set in medieval times and filled with magical beings. Capricorn and Basta, two villains, and Dustfinger, a fire-eater. Now, 10 years later Meggie discovers the truth and it's up to her to escape Capricorn's evil grasp. Written by Gloria

Trivia:
*Brendan Fraser was Cornelia Funke's personal choice for the role of Silvertongue, as he was her inspiration for the character. She even dedicated the second novel of the trilogy to him and sent him a signed copy. The producers originally wanted a bigger Hollywood star but on the insistence of Funke they gave in and accepted him in the role.

* Paul Bettany's wife, Jennifer Connelly, appears as Dustfinger's wife.

* The exterior scenes were shot in Italy, where the story takes place, while most of the interiors were shot in England.

* Director/producer Iain Softley said he wanted to do the film because it was a story that opened a door between the real world and our imagination.

Memorable Quotes:
Narrator: Since the dawn of time, storytellers have enchanted audiences with their words. But there is an even rarer gift. There are those, who by reading out loud, can bring characters to life. Out of books and into our world. Most of these Silvertongues, as they are know prefer to keep their skills a secret but some do not even know this gift is theirs, until it is too late.

Personal Rating: 7/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0494238/
photo by http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2978846756_2429f61cfa.jpg?v=0

Spymate

Director: Robert Vince
Writers:
Anna McRoberts (writer)
Anne Vince (writer)
Release Date: 14 January 2006 (Japan)
Genre: Adventure | Family
Cast:
Louie as Minkey
Chris Potter as Mike Muggins
Emma Roberts as Amelia Muggins
Richard Kind as Dr. Robert Farley
Pat Morita as Kiro
Michael Bailey Smith as Hugo Dulton
Musetta Vander as Dr. Claudette Amour
Debra Jo Rupp as Edith


Plot Summary:
*Minkey, a super-spy primate, and his partner Mike were the two best spies in the business. For years, they made every mission possible... But when Mike retired to raise his baby girl, Amelia, he never predicted that life would come full circle. Ten years later, Amelia -- who has invented a revolutionary chemical drill -- is kidnapped and whisked off to Japan by her hero, Dr. Farley, who is planning a highly dangerous experiment that could cause a massive earthquake and destroy the entire world. Mike and Minkey partner up one last time for their most important mission ever: saving Amelia -- and the world -- from the clutches of the evil Dr. Farley.
Written by Anna McRoberts

Good for families. Hilarious. Kids would love it!

Personal Rating: 4/10

*courtesy by http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/
*photo by http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000E8NRTO.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg