Turn on the dark

Night at the Museum The Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

Rating: ***** Current favourite

Another sequel with lots of big stars, special effects and a poor and predicatble story but kids like it. Some new characters and a new location; a some new (not) facts and some real ones!

Easter Island Head: "Did any of you Dum-Dums bring me Gum Gum? "

Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

Rating: *****

Again not a brilliant story but we enjoyed the moments and particularly Buck. Feeble excuse to onvolve dinosaurs but Buck made up for that - excellently voiced by Simon Pegg.

Buck "The name's Buck. Short for Buckminster. Long for Buh."

Ice Age The Meltdown (2006)

Rating: ****

We saw a sneak preview of this one. Not a brilliant story it must be said but we enjoyed the moments. A few new characters: the two fish that thaw out and have a couple of scenes but the possums are the best new additions, with Ellie a close second.

Vulture "Do not leave children unattended. All unattended children will be eaten."

Ice Age (2002)

Rating: *****

Another CGI film centred this time, on a unusual group of Ice Age animals, namely a Mammoth, called Manny; a Sabre Toothed Cat, Diago; and a Sloth (yes, not an ice animal), Sid. To many the star however is Scrat. He is an unusual sabre toothed squirrel type ceature with a small part but a plot line all of his own.

Sid "I'm a mammal that cares."

Wallace and Gromit - Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Rating: ***** my favourite

A must see recommendation - we cannot wait for the video so we can rewatch it a million times at home!

From the inimitable

Wallace: "Just a bit of harmless brain alteration, that's all!"

And from his alter ego,

Hutch: "Ah, the bounce has gone out of his bungy."

And the DVD is here! And yes, you see things you missed first time around. Love it.

BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs, Beasts and Monsters

Rating: *****

This box series seems to be a permanent favourite now replacing even the mighty Disney Dinosaur! It is still the big animals that are the favourites. It has lead us to this statement:

David: "When I grow up, I want to be a paleontologist"

Will he ever tire of this series?

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004)

Rating: **** holiday favourite

This was bought on holiday and turned out to be a favourite for the youngster though chosen by the eldest child. Tells the tale of the hero and his side-kick journeying to get back King Neptune's crown from Shell City but the story isn't the highlight. Packed with all the normal Sponge Bob honour and childish fun this is a winner (and one I enjoyed).

SpongeBob: "You don't need a licence to drive a patty wagon!"

SpongeBob: "Gosh Patrick, you've got a moustache!"

Return to Neverland (2001)

Rating: ****

Another run for Peter Pan and that is what does it for David. This time Wendy's daughter Jane goes on the adventure and good old Hooky is there to battle with on their arrival in Neverland. Claire enjoys the behind the scenes stuff but just the action for David. The games sometimes get a look in but rarely to be honest.

Thomas and the Magic Railroad(2001)

Rating: *****

A film that was almost straight to video but he likes it. A story about Mr Conductor's trip to Sodor to save the steam trains from Diesel 10 and his pincher.

The Magic Sword, Quest for Camelot(1998)

Rating: *****

A old one, a bit of a musical and featuring many big names: Eric Idle, Sir John Geilgud, Gary Oldham and Pierce Brosnan. A story based around King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the heroes Kayley and Garrett.

Favourite lines:

The chicken to baddie: "Do you feel clucky?"

Cats & Dogs (2002)

Rating: ***

A recent addition and he chooses dogs where Claire goes for cats. David and Claire both enjoy this one. I like the Ninja cats best and the stealth poop!

Head cat: "Send in the Ninjas"

Peter Pan (1939)

Rating: ***

We can fly! Well actually Caption Hook is more of the favourite. Maybe followed by the crocodile.

Finding Nemo (2004)

Rating: ***

This film took a while to enter his favourite list and still gets out gunned by Dinosaur. David and Claire both enjoy this one. (Who doesn't?)

Disney's Dinosaur

Rating: *****

At one point he was watching this every day. It tells the tale of an Iguanodon called Aladar and his family (of Lemurs) as they join a herd of herbivore dinosaurs heading for their nesting ground chased by Carnotaurus predators. All after a meteor shower. The graphics are okay, the story is far fetched, after all the dinosaur talk and act intelligently but he loves it.

Nera "That children, is a Jerkasaurus"

A Grand Day Out by Nick Park (1993)

Rating: ****

Nothing like good old Wallace and Gromit. It tells the story of Wallace and Gromit's trip to the moon one bank holiday to taste the cheese there. There they meet an old 'cooker' (I think) that comes to life when a coin is inserted in the slot and then the adventure really takes off! And of course it won an Oscar, Nick's second.

Wallace: "There's no cheese Gromit!"

A Close Shave by Nick Park (1995)

Rating: ****

I think the sheep make this for David. This time the heroes take on a sheep rustling duo! The action content is greater then previous outings for the hapless pair and the Aardman team do it proud, (ed. I also like the flagrant plugging of Nick's home town - where I live. There were bits where he seemed slightly scared but the sheep helped.

Wallace: "It's a cyberdog."

Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1993)

Rating: **

I was surprised he even wanted to watch this one. Too long and not enough sheep. Occasional glimpses of things that could be the moon probably got most attention and he likes Marvin!

Marvin: "Life, don't talk to me about life."