Family Films

500 Days Of Film Reviews Enders Game And Finds A Superior Science Fiction Story

The Earth is still reeling from an attack by a hostile alien race called the Formics. If it hadn’t been for the actions of International Fleet Commander, Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost.

To prevent another attack, Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training the best young minds in order to find a leader like the now legendary Rackham.

Graff believes that he has found a candidate in Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a withdrawn and yet strategically brilliant young boy who could be the world’s greatest hope of future survival.   

500 Days Of Film Reviews The Jungle Book And Finds A Stunning Film, A Superb Cast And A Wonderful Adventure

Abandoned in the jungle, little man cub, Mowgli (Neel Sethi), is found by black panther, Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), and raised by a pack of wolves.

All is well until fearsome tiger, Shere Khan (Idris Elba), discovers Mowgli and threatens the lives of everyone in the jungle if they do not hand the boy over to him. 

Unwilling to be the cause pain and distress, Mowgli decides to leave his wolf pack. 

500 Days Of Film Settles Down For A Third Helping Of Kung Fu Panda

When evil bull, Kai (J.K. Simmons), returns from the spirit world and threatens to steal the lives and powers of all of the kung fu masters in the land, it falls to dragon warrior, Po (Jack Black), to save the day.

Po needs to learn about and access his panda chi in order to stand any chance of defeating Kai. And who better to teach him than his long lost father?

Li (Bryan Cranston) takes Po to the secret land of pandas and encourages him to find his true self. Is this new community the key to Po’s kung fu destiny?

500 Days Of Film Reviews Disney Latest Animated Film, Zootropolis

Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a girl with a dream. She wants to join the police force and make the world a better place.

However, Judy is a tiny rabbit in the evolved animal world of Zootropolis - and no one expects her to succeed. 

Her parents just want her to stay at home and become a carrot farmer.

Even after graduating to become Zootropolis’ first bunny police officer, Judy's colleagues dismiss and underestimate her.

So, when Judy gets the chance to solve a major crime involving the disappearance of several Zootropolis citizens, she must prove her worth and also put her own preconceptions aside.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Goosebumps And Finds A Monster Movie That's Fun For All The Family 

When Zach (Dylan Minnette) moves with his mother Gale (Amy Ryan) from New York to the sleepy town of Madison, Delaware, he despairs that nothing exciting will ever happen to him again.

Things only start to look up when he meets Hannah (Odeya Rush), the friendly and yet mysterious girl next door.

However, Hannah’s father (Jack Black) - equally mysterious but much less friendly - tells Zach to stay away.

Undeterred, the two teens become friends. So, when Zach hears Hannah’s blood curdling screams one night, he does not hesitate to come to her rescue by breaking into her (rather forbidding) house.

What he finds there will unleash horror and chaos on the entire town. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews Labyrinth And Finds 20 Reasons Why It Remains A Magical Cult Classic

I have loved Labyrinth since forever. I have watched it so many times.

I love this film for all of its unsettling darkness and twisty humour. I love it for the amazing puppets and the brilliant sets. 

However, more than anything, I love Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie).

After the news of Bowie's death, I knew that I had to watch Labyrinth again. Of course, I wasn't alone.

Many cinemas have screened Labyrinth over the past few weeks in tribute to a man who meant so much to so many. 

It is wonderful to watch Bowie in this iconic role. 

500 Days of Film Reviews The Peanuts Movie And Finds A Sweet Yet Flawed Animation

There’s a new girl in school and Charlie Brown is determined to impress her.

He no longer wants to be viewed as a loser - he wants a chance to win.

However, as was ever the case, and despite the best efforts of Charlie’s best pooch pal, Snoopy, things do not go to plan.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Song Of The Sea And Finds An Enchanting Story Told With Beautiful Animation

Young Irish boy, Ben (David Rawle), is irritated by his younger sister Saoirse (Lucy O'Connell).

He cannot bear to be near her because, deep down, he blames her for his mother's death.

She died when Saoirse was born, leaving him and his father (Brendan Gleeson) overwhelmed by grief. 

Their grandmother (Fionnula Flanagan) believes that both children would be safer if they leave the lighthouse that is their home and come to live with her in the city. 

This decision does not go down well with Ben - especially as it means having to leave his beloved dog behind.

Saoirse is also keen to return home - for magical reasons of her own.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Bill And Finds An Amusing And Endearing Romp Through Shakespeare’s Lost Years

After being chucked out of his lute playing band, Bill Shakespeare is under pressure to find a new vocation.

You see, he promised his wife, Anne, that he would get a proper job if life in the music industry didn’t pan out.

Desperate to avoid Anne’s career suggestions, Bill decides that he will become a playwright and heads off to London to seek his fame and fortune. 

Little does he know that danger awaits him in the form of a diabolical Spanish plot. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews Cinderella And Now Wants A Crystal Coach

You know the story… Cinderella (Lily James) a beautiful, mistreated girl is about to miss the ball due to her evil stepmother and nasty stepsisters. 

All looks lost until her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) pitches up and - bibbidi bobbidi boom - off Cinderella goes to spend a magical night dancing with a handsome, eligible prince.

But the magic only lasts until midnight and Cinderella scarpers before the Prince knows who she is or where she is from. The only clue he has is one of her crystal slippers. 

Undeterred, he decides to search the land until he finds the girl whose foot fits the slipper. He will then ask for her hand in marriage.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Big Hero 6 And Finds A Gorgeous Animation With Intelligence, Humour And Heart

Hiro is a young boy with huge potential in the field of science and engineering.

When his brother, Tadashi, takes him to visit his place of work, Hero becomes inspired and develops a host of amazing microbots.

These tiny microbots can work together to build anything that a human mind can imagine.

However, the microbots attract attention from an evil figure who will stop at nothing to steal Hero’s creation - with deeply tragic results.

Hiro has to form a bond with a special robot, Baymax, in order to uncover who stole his microbots before they are put to devastating use.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Star Wars: A New Hope And Finds A True Sci Fi Classic

A young man, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), finds a recorded message from Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) asking for help to save the galaxy from the clutches of the evil Empire and its soon to be completed world destroying battle station.

He feels compelled to help and, together with a crew of unlikely allies, sets out to find Leia and join her in the fight against the dark side.

Little does Luke know that the quest will change his life forever - and that deep family secrets will be revealed.

500 Days Of Film Reviews The Lego Movie And Finds An Inventive And Hilarious Family Movie With An Awesome Soundtrack

President Business is about destroy all creativity in the Lego world as part of an evil plan to stop people messing with his stuff.

Only one Lego figure can save the day - the prophesied "special one". This Lego hero is destined to find the fabled piece of resistance and save the day and the world.

500 Days Of Film Reviews The Muppets  And Finds A Silly But Sweet Film That Will Leave You Smiling.

Number one Muppet fan, Walter, joins his brother Gary and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) on vacation to visit the Muppets’ original  theatre.

When they realise that mean oil tychon, Tex Richman, has tricked the Muppets out of the deeds for the theatre - unless they can come up with the money to buy it back. Richman plans to pull the building down in order to drill for oil.

Walter is desperate to stop this from happening and the gang decide to reunite the old Muppet cast and crew and stage one last theatre-saving performance. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews War Horse And Finds An Enjoyable, Emotional And Important Story For Its Target Audience 

Albert (Jeremy Irvine) forms a strong bond with his horse, Joey. He trains him and teaches him skills that no one believes possible. 

He is then left devastated when he finds that his father (played by Peter Mullan) has sold Joey to Captain Nichols (Tom Hiddleston) to serve in World War 1. He promises Joey that they will find each other again - somehow.

We then follow Joey and his experiences on both sides of a war that is brutal for both the men and the horses involved. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews Hugo And Finds A Poignant Family Film About The Birth Of Cinema

Hugo (Asa Butterfield) is an orphan who lives behind the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris.

His job, (left to him by his Uncle - who has since disappeared) is to make sure that all of the station’s clocks run on time. 

Hugo misses his father dreadfully. He deals with his grief by fixing an automaton that he and his father had started to repair.

To do this, Hugo needs a range of new parts. He gets them by stealing from a toy repair store in the station. However, he is soon caught by the store’s owner - the mysterious Papa George (Ben Kingsley).

Papa George is suspicious of Hugo and makes him empty his pockets - he confiscates Hugo’s stash of stolen parts and also his father’s notebook, which contain his notes on how to fix the automaton.

Desperate, Hugo befriends Isabella (Chloe Grace Morentz), a young girl who lives with George. They work together to get Hugo’s notebook back and also unlock the secrets of George’s past. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews Minions And Finds A Hilarious Adventure, A Bonkers Plot And Ba Na Na!

All Minions want to do is to serve the world's most evil villain. 

Finding such a villain is easy - keeping one - well not so much. 

Having lost a series of villain bosses through one mishap or another, the Minions find themselves on their own.

Without a big boss to serve their lives lose meaning and they become more and more depressed. Just when all looks doomed, Minion Kevin steps up and offers to try to save the day - and the Minion race.

Joined by Stuart and Bob, he embarks on an adventure to find the Minions their next big boss!

500 Days Of Film Reviews Inside Out And Finds A Charming And Imaginative Look At Our Emotions

In Pixar’s latest film, we meet Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) - a  pixie-like creature who inhabits the head of 11 year old Riley.

Joy is not alone. She is a part of a team and works alongside Sadness, Disgust, Fear and Anger.

They must work together to ensure that Riley can function in her world and access the perfect blend of emotional responses.

However, Joy cannot bear the idea of Riley being anything other than happy. When events in Riley’s life become challenging and Sadness feels compelled to play a role, Joy tries to intervene - with emotionally damaging results.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Toy Story 3 And Finds A Worthy Addition To A Fantastic Trilogy

When you think about it, there are few film trilogies that manage to maintain their quality. After the first film, the others offer ever diminishing returns.

Not so with Toy Story 3.

In this third installment, Andy is off to college and has to sort out his bedroom before he leaves. Some of his old things are to be given away and some (no guesses who) will be kept in the loft.

However, Andy's (and our) favourite toys end up being given to a local day care centre by mistake. It is then down to Woody to convince them that this was, indeed, a mistake and to get them safely home. 

500 Days Of Film Reviews Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 And Finds An Emotional Conclusion To The Series

So, it all ends here.

Secrets are revealed (about which you may or may not have to consult Google to make sure you've understood).

Harry finally understands the true meaning of his past and the role that he must play in order to defeat Voldemort.

Meanwhile, beloved characters are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in an epic battle of good versus Ralph Fiennes.

500 Days Of Film Reviews Harry Potter 7A And Finds It Strangely More Enjoyable The Second Time Around

In many ways, the point of my 500 Days Of Film Challenge is to catch up on the films that I have missed over the past five or so years. 

However, it is hard to believe that anyone missed Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (or HP7A as Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo call it on their fabulous weekly film show). 

In this, the penultimate film in the much loved series, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue on their quest to find all of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Along the way, they find out about the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world - the Deathly Hallows.