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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Films & DVDs
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[dvds]this month CARS (Rated G; available Nov. 7; for ages 7-12): Pixar and Disney take the checkered flag with this winning computer-animation feature. Owen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, a cocky rookie racecar that learns a lesson after causing an accident in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs. Grade: A THE CHEETAH GIRLS 2 (Not rated, PG equivalent; available Nov. 28; for ages 8-12): Brimming with energy and wholesome pop music is this pleasing sequel that follows the adventures of a four-girl singing and dancing group. Headlining is Raven-Symone of “Cosby” fame, and more recently “That’s So Raven” on the Disney Channel. Grade: B+ ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN (Rated PG; available Nov. 21; for ages 7-10): Manfred the woolly mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) and Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary) saved a baby boy in the 2002 animated original, but for this acceptable sequel it’s all about saving their own kind. All the animals are delighting in the end of the Ice Age, but our heroic trio discovers that the miles of melted ice will soon flood their valley. Time to move their prehistoric patooties! Grade: B SUPERMAN RETURNS (Rated PG-13; available Nov. 28; for ages 11-18): Superman’s return on film isn’t on par with the “Spider-Man” popcorn flicks, but is nonetheless a dazzling combination of action, story and a solid find in Christopher Reeve’s successor, Brandon Routh. Grade: B+ [For ages 8-12] The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Opens Nov. 3 Rated PG Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at … Santa? It’s a winter of discontent for Kris Kringle, who has his white-gloved hands full trying to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas. Tim Allen dons the jolly red suit for a third time and Martin Short co-stars in this second sequel to the 1994 holiday hit from Walt Disney Pictures. Can a third time be a charm? Odds are against it, except that this is about Santa Claus. Flushed Away Opens Nov. 3 Rated PG Life really stinks for a pampered British mouse after he accidentally gets flushed down the toilet, computer-animated plumbing courtesy of Aardman Animation of “Wallace & Gromit” fame. It’s a busy month for the versatile Hugh Jackman, who provides the voice of Roddy, the upper-crust rodent, in addition to a strict daddy penguin in another animated movie released a fortnight later. Kate Winslet and Ian McKellen also are heard, but not seen in a movie that has been ripped apart by test audiences. Perhaps Roddy isn’t the only thing deserved of being flushed. Toilet humor is hard to pull off well, mostly because it tends to be inappropriate. [For ages 7-13] Happy Feet Opens Nov. 17 Rated PG If a documentary titled “March of the Penguins” could be the sleeper hit of 2005, then logic dictates that the sky’s the limit for a computer-animated feature about a dancing penguin. The tux and tale belong to a young Emperor penguin who goes by the handle of Happy Feet because he is a fantastic tap dancer. His singing is atrocious though, which is the kiss of death for any penguin yearning to attract a soul mate. So much for his chances on “Antarctica Idol.” Heading up the voice cast are Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Robin Williams. Coming attractions seem to point to a holiday hit. David Dickstein is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine. |
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