kids Tagged Articles at Cinematical

As 'secular' holidays go, Halloween is easily my favorite. You can keep your Valentine's Day hearts and your St. Patrick Day benders, and give me a jack o' lantern any day of the week. It's a holiday that I never fail to celebrate with too much candy and as many horror movies as I can get my hands on, and even though I may not trick or treat anymore, I am highly observant when it comes to All Hallows' Eve. Maybe my love for the season is that it really is the perfect holiday for the movie lover, and I always remember gearing up for the big day as a kid by watching scary movies. I still keep that tradition alive as an adult, but like they say; it's all about the kids -- unfortunately for parents, most horror movies aren't.

There is plenty of horror for the grown-ups of the world, and we've got our choice from everything to high concept ghost stories to so-called torture porn, but it's a lot trickier when you start to look for something for something that is a little more family-friendly. So there has to be some middle-ground between G-rated fare like The Great Pumpkin and a Dario Argento splatter fest, right? Well, of course there is, so I thought I'd share five movies that you could show kids without worrying about dooming them to a lifetime on a therapist's couch:

After the jump; my recommendations for kid-friendly scares...

As I've watched Harry Potter mania spread around the world like something out of The Stand, I've been feeling a little left out of the phenomenon (having never been a huge fan of the fantasy series). But as the kids line up around the block in their 'Snape capes' and plastic spectacles, I've been thinking back to my own days as a 'rugrat' and the fantasy flicks I used to love. So without getting too specific (remember, nobody ever asks a lady her age), the movies I loved as a child were made in a wild and crazy time better known as the 80's, and what a decade it was for fantasy.

The 80's brought us some of the most iconic fantasy flicks ever made, like Conan, John Boorman's Excalibur, and Highlander. But today isn't about ranking the best and the worst -- it's about my favorite fantasy flicks of the 'me generation' and, who knows, you might just find some recommendations for the little ones in your life once that boy wizard finally exits stage left.

After the jump: my fantasy favorites, and a glimpse into the world of prime 80's cheese...

I mean this is the nicest way possible, but what the hell has happened to Brendan Fraser? Let's all think back to the year 1998 when I was convinced Fraser was going to get the credit as an actor he so deserved after starring in Gods and Monsters. Then, when he took his spot as Indiana Jones' heir apparent in The Mummy, it seemed like he was slated to be the next big thing. But, here we are 10 years later, and let's just say I'm glad I didn't put any money on my earlier claims. Fraser has been happy to hang in the kiddie flick ghetto, and judging by this latest announcement, he has no plans on leaving any time soon. Variety reports that the man has just signed to star in the family-friendly flick Furry Vengeance for Summit Entertainment (since I will give credit where credit is due, I have to admit I do like the title).

Fraser will star as a land developer whose new subdivision encroaches on a band of angry critters out in the wilds of Oregon. Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert (Mr. Woodcock) wrote the script, and Roger Kumble (College Road Trip) will direct. Considering the director and the writers are famous for slightly raunchier comedies, you have to wonder what inspired them to take a walk on the 'G' side of life.

Fraser will be heading back to drama soon enough, as he has signed to star alongside Harrison Ford in the medical drama, Crowley. Not to mention, there is talk that Fraser will be popping up in G.I. Joe later this summer, too. So while I've got nothing against family films, there is still a big part of me that hopes Fraser decides to pick more projects that require a little less mugging and a lot more acting.

Furry Vengeance will start production this summer.

Before I get started, I should probably let you know that I was a child of the 70's and 80's, so I'm used to a little more grit in children's entertainment (I mean, have you seen Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang?). But, the times have 'a-changed', and now parents are afraid to let their kids read Charlie Brown in case they get too depressed. Which is why I have to ask myself (and you) whether Neil Gaiman's Coraline will be too scary for its own audience? Focus Features have released the final trailer and an extra clip from Henry Selick's stop-motion animated tale, and it's as chock full of freaky imagery as you would expect from the man who brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas. But you still have to wonder: who was the film made for? Because it really isn't scary enough for the grown-ups, and yet it might be too intense for the kiddies (especially the wimpy ones ... only kidding).

The story of Coraline could have been taken right out of a fairy tale (like most of Gaiman's work). The action centers on Coraline, a young girl who enters a fantastical universe where everything seems to be the exact opposite of her life at home; attentive parents, constant entertainment, you name it. But here's the catch: to stay, you have to be willing to sew buttons over your eyes – and yes, it looks as creepy as it sounds.

To be honest, there is very little I remember from Escape To Witch Mountain, so the upcoming remake doesn't really have me worried that another childhood memory is about to be ruined. The Hollywood Reporter recently announced that Andy Fickman has signed to direct an updated version of the 1975 film, based on Alexander Key's sci-fi novel of the same name. The story centered on two siblings with paranormal abilities who are forced to go on the run as they try to figure out their "interstellar ancestry." Directed by John Hough, the film starred Ray Milland and Eddie Albert, with Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann as the galactic duo.

A script for the remake has already been completed by Matt Lopez, and Disney seems to be keeping this project in the family, since Lopez also wrote the script for their upcoming Adam Sandler comedy, Bedtime Stories. This is also Fickman's latest in a series of deals with the mouse, having already completed The Game Plan with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and having just signed for the family comedy Pool Rats. Fickman also seems to be all about the remakes lately, having reportedly signed to direct the Fame remake for MGM. Now that he seems to be a little preoccupied, maybe they are going to have to start looking elsewhere to revive their 80's musical. Disney has reportedly marked Witch Mountain as a high-profile project. Since they already have their script and their director, we should get word of casting soon.

After seeing the new poster for Alvin and the Chipmunks, I just have to start off by asking, "What the hell has happened to the Chipmunks"? The Movie Blog now has the first look at the one-sheet for the CGI and live action update of Ross Bagdasarian's (a.k.a. David Seville) original creation, and while I'm up all for modernization (they were created in the 50's after all), I can't help but wonder why they decided to outfit the trio in thug wear. For God's sake, Simon is wearing what looks like a kangol.

Bagdasarian first debuted the Chipmunks all the way back in 1958 under the original name David Seville and the Chipmunks. At the time, he had already made a name for himself as the composer of a few novelty hits in the 50's including The Witch Doctor -- you can even hear an inkling of the Chipmunk voices to come in the "ooh ee ooh aah aah" portion of that song. Eventually, a cartoon was based on the "group" (The Alvin Show) and Alvin and the Chipmunks was born. There was also a cartoon series that was created in 83' and ran until 1991 -- although I think most of us could have done without the Chipettes.

Back in March, Monika broke the unfortunate news for Jason Lee fans that he had joined the cast as the put-upon manager/father David, who is for some inexplicable reason the guardian of three singing rodents. The movie was directed by Tim Hill, who you might remember was also responsible for Garfield -- and that really isn't making me feel better about the whole idea. Since this is a family film, it's no surprise that Fox has chosen December 14th as a release date -- tis' the season for family fare. Considering what they've done to the Chipmunks' appearance, I can only imagine what they have planned for Christmas Don't Be Late.

It seems that the interests of kids are changing just a little bit. This new, media-saturated age group (2-12) is no longer interested in the kiddie mainstays that we grew up with. The love for toys and all types of movie merchandise has been falling secondary to the digital realm of Internet websites, digital cameras and cell phones. This new generation has been named by marketers as KGOY -- "kids getting older younger." Perhaps it would better be defined as KAATA -- "kids actually acting their age." We seem to forget that Romeo and Juliet weren't old enough to drive, so maybe we're now hitting an era that isn't fast-tracking or stunting the maturity process.

Whatever the case, movie companies have a lot of merchandise re-jigging to do. According to Variety, things are very different now than a decade ago, when films like The Lion King could rake in huge merchandising bucks. These days, it seems that all of those fun toys that once appealed to the 8-10 year-old demographic -- action figures, dolls and stuffed animals -- are now getting bought by kids under 6. While the little folk head towards digital entertainment, sales on action figures went down a whopping 9%. According to an executive at Disney, it will come down to guessing future play patterns. So sure, there's some re-imagining to do on the toy front, but at the very least, it will mean less junk to be manufactured and then ripped apart through years of savage play. Besides, there's that whole adult, money-to-burn, toy-collecting demographic for manufacturers to focus on.

NPR talked about the onslaught of children's films at the box office lately on Day to Day last Friday and wondered about the quality control going on behind the scenes. They interviewed film historian Charles Solomon, who comments that the scarcity of animated and children's films used to make them an important part of a childhood experience, but things have changed. These days, the sheer amount of films pile on so quickly that before you blink, three different animated movies have been released at the box office. Suddenly you're buying everything from Flushed Away action figures to Over the Hedge video games, but your kids aren't getting the same messages and experience that you had when you saw The Rescuers for the first time.

It's no secret that kid's movies can rake in a ton of dough; the studios are busy falling all over themselves trying to make them. It seems like as more get churned out, fewer of them that have great stories and characters. They'll just market the hell out of them so that every box of cereal, kid's TV show, and billboard is plastered with images of the upcoming film and your children will refuse to eat anything green or brush their teeth until you take them to see it.

Now, I love animated films probably more than an adult should, but the problem is pretty rampant with the films aimed at children that are being released today, as we posted about previously on Cinematical. The trouble is that for every Spirited Away released, there comes a slew of films like Happy Feet, Barnyard, and The Ant Bully. These films took some critical hard hits, but they've made bags of cash (the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of Happy Feet has almost cleared $200 million already). Studios are more concerned with cranking out a product in a timely manner, even if it's sub-par and relies on fart jokes and recycled plots. As a result, quality children's entertainment is getting harder and harder to find. Parents may appreciate the fact that they can now take their kids to see a movie aimed at children almost any weekend now, rather than having to wait ... but at what cost?

What do you think, parents? Is the onslaught of animation worth the decrease in quality kiddie fare? Or is it enough just to be able to plunk your tot down for 90 minutes with a kiddie-pack combo, even if what they're seeing isn't quite up to the standards you remember from your own childhood hours at the movies?

Okay, so here is where I show my age ... which is none of your business thank you very much. I am not at all familiar with the Bratz dolls, other than the fact that they look like underage hookers and have really disproportionate heads and bodies. But, since little girls seem to love them, there are already magazines, albums, a TV show and now a live-action movie on the way.

Back in May, Erik reported on the live-action film which is being put together by MGA Entertainment and Crystal Sky Pictures, but a director had not yet signed on. However, it was announced on Tuesday that Sean McNamara (Raise Your Voice) would hop onboard and take over helming duties on the project. The screenplay follows Yasmin, Ari, Cloe, and Jade bonding over social pressures at Lewis & Clark High School -- it sort of sounds like Mean Girls, except with no actual point. I mean they're dolls, people! I always thought Barbie was a bit of a "good time girl" but these gals dress like Soul Train dancers and wear as much makeup as a Vegas cocktail waitress. Yeah, it's kind of disturbing.

Production is set to begin this February.