Films & DVDs

[For ages 10-16]

The Golden Compass
Opens Dec. 7, not rated at press time
goldencompassmovie.com
    As a young girl travels to a wintry fantasy world to rescue a kidnapped friend, she winds up also hoping to save the world. Based on the first novel of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy, the fantasy-adventure stars a slew of otherworldly CGI-drawn creatures, in addition to Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as 12-year-old heroine Lyra Belacqua.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Opens Dec. 21, not rated at press time
nationaltreasure.com
    Treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) follows an international chain of clues tied to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in this sequel to the 2004 hit that hinted of a Disneyized “Da Vinci Code.” Jon Voight, Ed Harris and Helen Mirren also star.

[For ages 4-10]

Alvin and the Chipmunks
Opens Dec. 14, Rated G
alvinandthechipmunks.com
    Fifties’ TV stars Alvin, Simon and Theodore, rodents better known for their high-pitched singing than their collection of nuts, make their feature debut in this hybrid, computer-animated and live-action comedy. As the band manager David Seville, Jason Lee (“My Name is Earl”) has his hands full with Alvin’s antics, leading up to the trio’s reunion concert at Staples Center.

The Perfect Holiday
Opens Dec. 12, Rated G
theperfectholidaymovie.com
    While other children ask Santa for toys, pets and their 2 front teeth, the only thing  little Emily wants is a boyfriend for her divorced mother (Gabrielle Union). This film also stars Queen Latifah and Terrence Howard.

[dvds]this month

Angelina Ballerina: The Silver Locket Special Edition (not rated; now available) This story is a pirouetting pleasure that teaches preschoolers about owning up to one’s mistakes. When Angelina borrows her mother’s locket without permission and loses it, the rascally rodent learns that the truth will set her free. Grade: B

Garfield Gets Real (not rated; now available) Clever premise has Garfield playing himself as a comic-strip star, but bored with life in newspapers, he escapes to the real world. His days as flesh and blood are numbered when he learns that his comic will be canceled, along with his 9 lives, if he doesn’t revert back to his ink-drawn self. Grade: B

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (PG-13, available Dec. 11) Thrills and adventure await in this adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s fifth novel, but because this is a coming-of-age story, mystical mayhem is kept in check. Grade: B+

The Simpsons Movie (PG-13, available Dec. 18) “Just OK” doesn’t cut it when you wait 18 years for the much-anticipated movie version of TV’s longest-running animated series. Mankind faces extinction due to an ecological disaster caused by Homer’s new pet pig. Grade: C+