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Marty Doskins' Top Ten Lists for 2002
This is the official family top ten (actually seven). Being a dad, it's not as easy to get out to the movies as often anymore. I used to wait in line with the crowds every weekend to be among the first to see the latest releases. Now I try to figure out when we can go as a family to a matinee show. Even that ends up costing more than $25 just for tickets. And don't forget the concessions. I've had to resort to having my wife fill her purse with snacks we get at the grocery store. The other change is that when I do get to see a film, it ends up being what my kids think is hot at the box office. I'm sure there are many other better movies out there, but I won't be able to see them until they show up at my local Blockbuster. Although my choices didn't make the real top t0, I think these choices will be helpful for families that can't decide what to watch at home. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was a very accurate retelling of the book. It was helped by the fact that the main characters didn't have to be introduced as was the case in the first film. This allowed for more time in actual storyline and plot development, rather than a series of quick takes designed to show us all about various aspects of the world of wizards. Let's hope the loss of Christopher Columbus as director doesn't affect the vision of the series. Any self-respecting family movie list has to include the latest offering from Disney. I was a little skeptical about Lilo & Stitch from the first commercial that were shown; however, as we got closer to the release date the ads and trailers helped fill in the story details. It's a shame that animated films can't be nominated for cinematography. The Disney animators beautifully portrayed the setting of the Hawaiian Islands. And as usual, the story was well-written and the characters, both human and alien, were funny and interesting. Fox's latest animated movie took a while to get to DVD, but it was well worth the wait. This funny film about the great migration of animals and humans as they avoid the coming ice age features a plethora of voice talent - Ray Romano (Manny the Mammoth), John Leguizamo (Sid the Sloth), and Denis Leary (Diego the Saber-Toothed Tiger). This unlikely trio takes it upon themselves to reunite a lost human baby with his tribe, and hilarity ensues. Along the way, we have short segments featuring Scrat (half-squirrel/half-rat) and his adventures with a nut. You have to see it to believe it. My daughter's favorite film comes in at number four. Of course, most little girls love horses and this movie doesn't disappoint. It's a great story about wild horses and the Old West. The filmmakers also did something unique with the horses - they don't talk like most animated creatures do, but still had the main horse narrate the film as though he was looking back in time. I wasn't sure how well that would work out, but it was a success. Big Trouble may not be for the youngest members of the audience, but my kids (ages nine and seven) thought it was pretty funny. They're getting better at paying attention and figuring out storylines rather than just looking at the scenery. They were already familiar with Tim Allen from The Santa Clause movies and TV's Home Improvement. I think that helped catch their interest and then the plot kept them going. Like I said, it may not be for the younger ones, but keep it in mind for those a little older. Spider-Man. Super hero swinging around New York City. Cool super villain. Pretty damsel in distress. 'Nuff said. And finally, no matter what adults might think of Star Wars Episodes I and II, most kids love them. The special effects are incredible, the action sequences are thrilling, and the characters are fun and interesting (yes, even Jar Jar). You may have loved the classic Episodes IV, V and VI, but these will be the next generation's classics. Don't worry, they'll appreciate the other films, too. When you have a free evening, dust off your VHS copies and pop them in the VCR. Maybe you'll bring one of them over to "the dark side".
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
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