The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)

Sixteen years after the release of the original, “The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue” made its appearance on the children’s movie market. Timmy, the sickly child from the first film, is now healthy and a little bit older. Nicodemus, the prophet leader of the rats, prophesied that someday, Timmy would save them all from NIMH again, and now it’s time for Timmy to prepare for his destiny. He’s going to Thorn Valley, where the rats of NIMH have resettled, to go to school and be taught by Mr. Ages and Justin personally. His brother Martin is jealous … Continue reading →

The Land Before Time (1988)

Probably the most classic of all Don Bluth films, “The Land Before Time” takes us back to the age of the dinosaurs, long before man roamed the earth. It’s a time of great upheaval, figuratively and literally, for a small dinosaur named Littlefoot. His mother, a wonderful, caring female, is killed while protecting him from a T-rex, and an earthquake rips his land apart, causing huge gashes in the ground which separate him from his grandparents. Other baby dinosaurs are separated from their caregivers as well, including Cera, the proud and egotistical Triceratops who will have nothing to do with … Continue reading →

VeggieTales — Gideon: Tuba Warrior (2006)

I’m a big fan of VeggieTales and we have most of the movies. “Gideon: Tuba Warrior” is new to us today, and I have to say, out of all the episodes, this is the one that has spoken to me the most personally. The lesson is on trusting God, and in its simple poignancy, the film truly reminded me of God’s love for all His children. First we see the story of George Mueller, a man who lived in England and ran an orphanage with his wife. They had no money of their own, but trusted God to give them … Continue reading →

The Little Bear Movie (2001)

If you’re not familiar with the character of Little Bear, allow me to take a moment to introduce you. He began as a children’s book character, the creation of Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Later he was turned into a children’s television show which aired on Nickelodeon. He lives with his mother and father in a small but cozy cottage. His father is a fisherman and is often gone, so Little Bear spends much of his time with his mother. He also has friends – Cat, Duck, Hen, No-Feet (a snake) and a little girl named Emily and … Continue reading →

The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)

With a musical score by Barry Manilow, this animated film is, in my opinion, one of the best by Don Bluth, although due to disagreements in the production process, Bluth takes no credit for his work on the project. Renowned actor Martin Short voices Hubie, a shy Adelie penguin. It’s mating season, and all the male penguins are on a special quest – to find a beautiful pebble to present to their sweethearts to signify their engagement. I guess that’s somewhat akin to the giving of a rock to wear on one’s finger, a strange custom practiced by humans. Anyway, … Continue reading →

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

In this animated movie, called by critics “Don Bluth’s best work,” we meet a little mouse named Mrs. Brisbee. Her husband, Jonathan, was recently killed, and with four small children, she feels overwhelmed. This is made worse when one of her sons, Timmy, comes down with pneumonia and she doesn’t know how to cure him. Going to see a wise mouse named Mr. Ages, she obtains an envelope of medicine powder. He also tells her not to take Timmy outside for three weeks, but there’s a problem with that. The mice live in a field belonging to Farmer Fitzgibbons. The … Continue reading →

Antz (1998)

Gather every star in Hollywood and put their voices together in one film, and you’ve got “Antz.” Woody Allen stars as Z, a neurotic and insecure ant who’s in therapy, trying to understand his place in the colony. He feels uncomfortable with the lack of individuality he’s been taught his entire life, and wonders if there isn’t more out there. While drinking aphid beer at the bar one night, an old-timer tells him of a wonderful place called “Insectopia,” where the bugs don’t have a boss and there’s food enough for everyone. A dream is planted in Z’s heart. Meanwhile, … Continue reading →

VeggieTales: A Snoodle’s Tale (2004)

We’re huge Veggie fans at my house, and my kids were delighted when I brought home “A Snoodle’s Tale.” We’ve never seen it before, and our anticipation was not wasted. We really liked it. We start the show with Bob, who is excited to welcome Larry home from Danish Immersion Camp. But when Larry’s bus arrives, he confesses that he only attended Danish Camp for one day – then he got lost and ended up at Overdone British Literary Adaptations Camp across the lake. But not to worry – he came home with a great idea for a story, just … Continue reading →

All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996)

In “All Dogs Go to Heaven 2,” Charlie the Dog (Charlie Sheen) has been in Heaven for a little while. It’s a pretty nice place, but he’s bored. There’s no excitement – everyone behaves themselves all the time. When his good friend Itchy (Dom DeLuise) finally kicks the bucket, Charlie is so glad to see him. Maybe now there will be something to do. But Itchy’s a rule keeper and doesn’t want to stir up any trouble. How dull. Carface (Ernest Borgnine) is in Heaven too, and he’s been a very good angel. In fact, he’s just received the award … Continue reading →

Evan Almighty (2007)

Evan Almighty is a sequel to Bruce Almighty(2003). The first featured Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston in the lead roles, both actors declined to appear in Evan Almighty and that’s all right. Evan Baxter (last seen as the news anchor that Carrey tortured in the first film) has been elected to Congress. He and his family move from Buffalo, New York to the North Virginia suburbs. During Evan’s campaign, he promised to change the world, though he never clarified how. Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) stars as Joan Baxter, Evan’s wife. She suggests to Evan that he should pray to God, … Continue reading →