Something wonderful has happened... No. 5 is alive.

Starring: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G. W. Bailey, Brian McNamara, Tim Blaney, John Garber

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Why don't you come in my house and we can sit down and talk. Get to know each other. Communicate. Input. Come on!" - Stephanie Speck

Why watch this? OK, so yes, Johnnie #5 is more human than most folks I know.

Plot Summary: Number 5, an experimental military robot, is struck by lightning and develops artificial intelligence and consciousness. Fearing reprogramming, the now-sentient robot escapes its creators and befriends a young woman who helps it evade capture. The robot, later known as Johnny Five, seeks to convince its designers that it is truly alive and deserves to live freely.

PSO, Turman-Foster Co.; TriStar Pictures

The Jungle is JUMPIN'!

Starring: (the voices of) Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, George Sanders, Sterling Holloway, John Abbott, Louis Prima, Bruce Reitherman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Man village? They'll ruin him. They'll make a man out of him." – Baloo, the Bear

Why watch this? This is one of Disney's greatest films, pre Beauty and the Beast, that is.

Plot Summary: This children's classic follows Mowgli, an orphaned boy raised by wolves, who is forced to leave his jungle home due to the threat of Shere Khan, a man-eating tiger. Accompanied by the wise panther Bagheera, Mowgli resists returning to the human village, preferring his life with the animals. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful characters, including Baloo the bear and King Louie of the Apes, while also facing dangers from Kaa the snake and the persistent Shere Khan.
 

Dad's Preview: This is a great animated film musical about an orphaned boy who is raised by wolves, and mentored by a friendly big-bellied bear and watchful black panther. The boy is also being stalked by the notorious Bengal tiger, Shere Khan. For a cartoon, it's wonderfully complex and filled with lots of great songs, laughs, and even a few scary moments.

Walt Disney Prod.;
Buena Vista Distributing

When Kevin's Family Left For Vacation, They Forgot One Minor Detail: Kevin.
But Don't Worry... He Cooks... He Cleans... He Kicks Some Butt.

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts Blossom, Catherine O'Hara, Angela Goethals, Devin Ratray, John Candy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Down here you big horse's ass, come and get me before I call the police." - Kevin McCallister

Why watch this? Culkin is adorable as a kid who outsmarts the two dumbest crooks in NYC.

Plot Summary: Young Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind when his family departs for a Christmas vacation. Initially delighted with his newfound freedom, Kevin soon discovers that two burglars plan to rob his house. He must defend his home with a series of makeshift booby traps against the persistent, yet inept, thieves.

Hughes Entertainment; 20th Century Fox

Prepare to get weird, cause the world depends on it...

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Michael Rianda, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Lo Mutuc, Blake Griffin, Conan O'Brien

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"It's almost like stealing people's data and giving it to a hyper-intelligent AI as part of an unregulated tech monopoly was a bad thing." – Mark Bowman

Why watch this? This sci-fi adventure is packed full of family jokes, pet tropes, robots, and heart.

Plot Summary: A creative, tech-averse father forces his disconnected family on a cross-country road trip to drop his daughter off at film school. Their attempt at bonding is interrupted when a young tech entrepreneur's AI system goes rogue and initiates a global robot apocalypse, capturing nearly all of humanity. The quirky Mitchell family must work together to overcome their differences and save the world.
 

Dad's Preview: This is what might occur if the creators of Black Mirror decided to make a family adventure movie. It's the terror of SkyNet, but the Flintstone's are coming to the rescue. There's a very heartfelt sub-plot that will impact all dads and daughters in the audience. That plot even carries through when the Robots begin their world-conquering domination. There are too many witty one-liners to count, mostly referencing the sad fact that the older generation just doesn't get modern technology. It's all hilarious. This raucous, visually-stunning family adventure is fun for everyone and it drips with tech satire.

Columbia Pics, Sony Pictures Animation,
Lord Miller Prod., One Cool Films; Netflix

The Most Famous Reindeer of All Time!

Starring: Burl Ives, Larry Mann, Billie Mae Richards, Paul Soles, Stan Francis, Alfie Scopp, Paul Kligman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Let's be independent together”- Hermey, who wants to be a dentist

Why watch this? This is my favorite of the Christmas TV specials that we all grew up watching.

Plot Summary: The famous reindeer Donnor has a son. They name the little red-nosed fawn Rudolph. This nose causes lots of problems, so Rudolph leaves home in the company of Herbie the Elf, who really wants to be a dentist. Together they encounter a friendly prospector named Yukon Cornelius, and the three narrowly escape the Abominable Snow Monster.

Arthur Rankin Jr., Videocraft International; NBC

The McCann brothers have finally met their match.

Starring: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment, Nicky Katt, Kyra Sedgwick, Josh Lucas, Michael O'Neill, Deirdre O'Connell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Now, boys, you're fixin' to let those teenage hormones get you into a world of trouble." - Garth

Why watch this? The scene in the diner after Huck's heart attack defines Duvall's character in 3 minutes!

Plot Summary: A shy, introverted boy named Walter is sent by his unreliable mother to spend a summer on a Texas farm with his two eccentric, great-uncles. Rumors abound about the uncles' mysterious past and a hidden fortune, which his mother hopes Walter will help them discover. Despite their gruff exteriors and unusual lifestyle, Walter gradually connects with his great-uncles as they share tales of adventure and life lessons, profoundly impacting his coming-of-age journey.

Digital Domain; New Line Cinema

The greatest fairy tale never told.

Starring: (the voice talents of) Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, Peter Dennis, Chris Miller, Cody Cameron

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning, I'm making waffles!" - Donkey

Why watch this? Just when you think Disney owns everything, Shrek hits the scene and starts a franchise.

Plot Summary: The grumpy ogre Shrek wants his swamp back after the diminutive Lord Farquaad banishes fairytale creatures to it. Shrek, accompanied by a talkative Donkey, strikes a deal with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower in exchange for his solitude. Their journey to bring Fiona back to Farquaad leads to unexpected adventures and a burgeoning connection between Shrek and the princess.

DreamWorks Animation, PDI/Dreamworks;
DreamWorks Pictures

The Great Pulitzer Prize Play Now the Screen's Outstanding Picture!

Starring: Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Edward Arnold, Mischa Auer, Ann Miller, Spring Byington, Samuel S. Hinds, Donald Meek, H. B. Warner, Halliwell Hobbes, Dub Taylor, Mary Forbes, Lillian Yarbo, Eddie Anderson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You may be a high mogul to yourself, Mr. Kirby, but to me you're a failure - failure as a man, failure as a human being, even a failure as a father. When your time comes, I doubt if a single tear will be shed over you." – Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff

Why watch this? It's a splendid story about living a life with meaning, not possessions.

Plot Summary: An ordinary young woman from an eccentric family falls in love with the son of her wealthy, straight-laced boss. The young lovers hope for a future together despite the extreme differences between their families' attitudes towards life and money. During a disastrous dinner party, the couple's unconventional relatives collide with the snobbish, conservative family of the fiancé.

Frank Capra; Columbia Pictures

Pop's love affair is a 3-ring circus!

Starring: Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Joanna Barnes, Una Merkel, Leo G. Carroll, Charlie Ruggles, Cathleen Nesbitt, Linda Watkins

"Look, pet. I've tried to be friendly, but I'm going to marry your father, so you get used to the idea!" - Vicky Robinson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

Why watch this? It's a creative story, featuring an amazing dual-performance by Haley Mills.

Plot Summary: Teenage twin sisters, separated at birth due to their parents' divorce, unexpectedly meet each other for the first time at summer camp. Realizing they are sisters, the two devise a plan to switch places after camp to get to know the parent they've never met. Their ultimate goal, however, is to scheme to reunite their divorced parents.

Walt Disney Prod.; Buena Vista Distributing

Join the MERRIEST MENagerie in the world's best-loved legend

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Roger Miller, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Terry-Thomas, Carole Shelley, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey, Ken Curtis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You know somethin', Robin. I was just wonderin', are we good guys or bad guys? You know, I mean, uh? Our robbin' the rich to feed the poor." - Little John

Why watch this? This Disney version of Sherwood Forest may be the very best.

Plot Summary: Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, the film follows the legendary outlaw Robin Hood as he, alongside his friend Little John and other allies, challenges the greed and tyrannical rule of Prince John, who has usurped the throne from his brother, King Richard. Robin Hood's cunning and skills are pitted against Prince John's schemes and the efforts of the Sheriff of Nottingham to capture him. Throughout their adventures, Robin Hood and his merry band strive to ease the burdens placed upon the impoverished townsfolk and restore justice to the land.

Walt Disney Prod.; Buena Vista Distribution

Hang on for the comedy that goes to infinity and beyond!

Starring: (the voice talents of) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Erik von Detten

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"YOU - ARE - A - TOY! You aren't the real Buzz Lightyear, you're... you're, you're an action figure! You are a child's plaything!" - Woody to Buzz on day one

Why watch this? This is the origin story where Woody and Buzz first become friends.

Plot Summary: Andy's longtime favorite toy, Woody the cowboy doll, faces an existential crisis when a new, flashy spaceman toy named Buzz Lightyear becomes Andy's new favorite. Driven by jealousy, Woody attempts to get rid of Buzz, but a series of mishaps strands them both far from home. The two must then overcome their rivalry and work together to escape a toy-destroying neighbor and reunite with Andy before he moves.

Pixar Animation Studios; Buena Vista
Pictures Dist.

Sometimes, to survive, you must become more than you were programmed to be.

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Boone Storm, Alexandra Novelle, Raphael Alejandro

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm a robot. I do robot-y things. I seek tasks and ensure all essential needs have been met or exceeded." - Rozzum 7134 aka "Roz"

Why watch this? I thought there was no new place for a robot cartoon to go... Well, I was wrong.

Plot Summary: Rozzum Robot 7134 is the only of six human-serving machines to survive a storm. "Roz" washes up on an uninhabited island teeming of wildlife. As Roz's programming dictates, she seeks a task to perform, yet the animals fear her, even calling her a monster. She goes into "'learning mode", which helps her decipher the animal's languages. After an accident, she finds herself in the care of a baby goose. Using the only friends she has: a tricky fox named Fink, and a mother opossum, Pinktale, she finally learns her task - to raise the goose (named Brightbill), teach it to swim and fly. However, time is ticking because winter is coming and Brightbill must migrate South with his fellow geese.

 
DreamWorks Animation; Universal Pictures

From the makers of Chicken Run.

Starring (Voice talent of): Peter Sallis

"They're techno-trousers, ex-NASA, fantastic for walkies!" - Wallace

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

Why watch this? ... it's a delightfully British claymation misadventure that will leave quite an impression.

Plot Summary: Due to financial strain, Wallace and his clever dog Gromit decide to take in a lodger – a seemingly innocent penguin who quickly takes a keen interest in Wallace's new "Techno Trousers". Gromit grows suspicious of the penguin's unusual behavior, especially after being displaced from his own room to accommodate the new guest. It soon becomes clear that the penguin has a sinister plan involving the robotic pants.

Aardman Anamations, Wallace and Gromit Ltd.,
BBC Bristol, Lionheart TV, BBC Children's Int'l;
BBC Enterprises

The story of a nobody who saved everybody

Starring: (the voices of) Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Hey, I can be dark and brooding too - Guys, look, a rainbow!" - Emmet

Why watch this? A movie... using Legos... to make characters... and I love it. Wow.

Plot Summary: Emmet is an ordinary, rules-following construction worker in Bricksburg who is mistakenly identified as "The Special" – a prophesied hero destined to save the world. He is recruited by a group of Master Builders to stop the tyrannical Lord Business from using a super-weapon called the Kragle to freeze the entire Lego universe into eternal stasis. Despite being completely unprepared for such a task, Emmet embarks on an epic journey to prove that even an ordinary mini-figurine can be extraordinary.

Warner Animation Gp., DC Ent., RatPac-Dune
Ent., Lego System A/S, Lin Pictures,
Lord Miller Prod.; Warner Bros.

Sometimes Christmas is about getting what you really want.

Starring: Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley, Scott Schwartz, Tedde Moore, Ian Petrella, R. D. Robb, Zack Ward

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 100 #100 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of A Christmas Story

"In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan." - adult Ralphie, narrating

Why watch this? It's packed with memories we all experienced growing up.

Plot Summary: Set in the 1940s, the film follows a young boy named Ralphie whose fervent Christmas wish is a Red Ryder BB gun. Despite warnings that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie embarks on various humorous attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus. The film also features relatable childhood experiences and family dynamics leading up to Christmas Day.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; MGM/UA Ent. Co.

The Toys Are Back in Town.

Starring: (the voice talents of) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Annie Potts, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Wayne Knight

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You never forget kids like Emily, or Andy, but they forget you." – Jessie

Why watch this? I really do like this film more than the original; it digs deeper.

Plot Summary: During a yard sale while Andy is away at summer camp, Woody is stolen by a toy collector hoping to sell him to a museum. This forces Buzz Lightyear and Andy's other toys to embark on a rescue mission to find Woody and bring him back home. Woody, meanwhile, learns about his history as a collectible from a famous television show and meets other toys from his past, making him question where his loyalties lie.

Pixar Animation Studios; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

In Space, No One Can Hear You Clean

Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I can't just sit here and... and do nothing. That's all I've ever done! That's all anyone on this blasted ship has ever done - nothing!" - Captain

Why watch this? Wall-E will work his electronic way into your heart.

Plot Summary: Earth is a trash-filled wasteland, centuries after humanity evacuated due to an uninhabitable environment on the ship Axiom. WALL-E, the last remaining trash-compacting robot, discovers a tiny living plant, initiating a chain of events that could potentially allow humanity to return to Earth. He follows a probe named EVE to the Axiom, where they must overcome challenges posed by the ship's autopilot.

Pixar Animatoin Studios; Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures

It's Scrumdidilyumptious!

Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole, Leonard Stone

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #48 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

"Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple." - Willie Wonka

Why watch this? A tour through a mysterious chocolate factory. What could happen?

Plot Summary: Young Charlie Bucket, from an impoverished family, dreams of finding one of the five coveted Golden Tickets hidden in Willy Wonka's chocolate bars. Winning a ticket grants a tour of Wonka's mysterious and magical chocolate factory, along with a lifetime supply of candy. Charlie, joining four other children, embarks on a fantastical adventure within the whimsical factory.

Wolper Pictures, The Quaker Oats Co.;
Paramount Pictures

The director of "Splash," "Willow" and "Cocoon" brings you a comedy about life, love and the gentle art of raising children.

Starring: Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Jason Robarbs, Diane Wiest, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Mary Steenburgen, Joaquin Phoenix

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

“My whole life is have to." - Gil Buckman

Why watch this? ... it's great film about a normal family with its traumas, issues and events.

Plot Summary: The film follows the chaotic and often humorous lives of the Buckman family, showcasing the joys and tribulations across multiple generations as they navigate the complexities of raising children. The film explores various parenting styles and the challenges each family member faces, including career pressure, marital difficulties, and the struggle to understand and guide their children through different stages of life.

Imagine Entertainment; Universal Pictures

The greatest adventure is just getting back home.

Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #35 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Up

"My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you." - Dug

Why watch this? I feel-good story that requires your imagination and suspension of belief.

Plot Summary: Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, embarks on a journey to the wilds of South America in his house, lifted by thousands of balloons, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He unintentionally takes along a stowaway and young Wilderness Explorer named Russell. The unlikely duo encounters adventure, strange creatures, and a surprising revelation about Carl's childhood hero on their journey towards Paradise Falls.
 

Dad's Preview: In a crowded stable of excellent Pixar-Disney films, this one stands out for me. Perhaps it's Carl, the grumpy old man looking to get away from a world that doesn't want him any more. Maybe it's Russell, the cheeky, plump young Boy Scout trying to earn his merit badges. It could be Dug, the delightful dog who is enabled "talk" thanks to a voice modulator. Combine these quirky characters with a high-flying, creative premise, and you have a winner in my book. It packs a punch, too - You'll be bawling before the opening credits have finished rolling.

Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures

It's the story of a man, a woman, and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble.

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer (voice), Joanna Cassidy, Kathleen Turner (voice)

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way." – Jessica Rabbit

Why watch this? ... to watch, in awe, the genius it took to intertwine humans and cartoons into the same celluloid space.

Plot Summary: In 1947 Los Angeles, where cartoons and humans coexist, a private detective who loathes toons takes a case involving a rabbit toon star accused of murder. As the detective investigates, he uncovers a complex conspiracy that threatens the existence of Toontown, the animated metropolis where toons reside.

Touchstone Pics, Amblin Ent., Silver Screen
Partners III; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.