To determine if the Buddies franchise is "good" depends partly on one's opinion of talking animals in movies. Some might find this a disturbingly unnatural quality in a movie that does ...
Common Sense Reviewer

- Sierra Filucci
- California
- 2 kids: ages 3, 5
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Titles You’ve Reviewed

DVD: Santa Buddies
I rate this titleonand give itPopular puppy series adds a cheery holiday message.

DVD: A Martian Christmas
I rate this titleonand give itOuter space holiday cartoon beams mixed messages.
Unfortunately the build-up to the main part of the story -- the journey to Earth -- takes so long and is packed with so much backstory that kids and even adults might get lost, or just bored. Once ...

DVD: B.O.B.'s Big Break
I rate this titleonand give itMonsters vs. Aliens short too much for little kids.
The character of B.O.B. is hugely charming for all his clueless glee. His positive energy keeps the short film from turning too dark, and his mind-reading ability and general blobbiness is pretty ...

DVD: Pixar Short Films: Volume 1
I rate this titleonand give itAnimation heaven! Hilarious mini-stories will delight all.
Each of the short films is a tiny jewel of animation and filmmaking. The 13 films improve chronologically, too, with the first one being more of a record of Pixar's early work and the later ones ...

DVD: Mickey, Donald and Goofy: The Three Musketeers
I rate this titleiffyand give itToo much cartoon violence in tale of classic trio.
The story follows the classic tale of a damsel in distress, which makes it both predictable and lacking in female empowerment messages. Despite this, the tale is action-packed (if too violent for ...

DVD: Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
I rate this titleonand give itSweet, funny holiday fare with familiar, loveable monkey.
Curious George might annoy some parents, with the squeaky monkey sounds and rather vanilla storylines, but kids get a kick out of the silly monkey no matter what. This movie is no exception -- ...

DVD: All Quiet on the Western Front
I rate this titleiffyand give itClassic anti-war epic tells dire, exhausting tale.
This Academy Award-winning film, based on a book by German author Erich Maria Remarque, is a classic. The story itself is powerful -- telling the utter hopelessness and despair of young men sent to ...

DVD: The Legend of Tillamook's Gold
I rate this titleonand give itPoor acting/directing make this teen treasure hunt a bust.
The movie is based on a simple and satisfying premise -- a teen girl becomes obsessed with a legend and with some magical intervention, makes an important discovery, all while learning a greater ...

DVD: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
I rate this titleonand give itGorgeously animated fairy fantasy teaches friendship lesson.
This beautifully animated Disney movie will enchant viewers by bringing them into a lovely fantasy world filled with quirky characters. Though the plot doesn't break any new ground, it's layered ...

DVD: The Winslow Boy
I rate this titleonand give itDialogue-heavy period drama too slow for most tweens.
This film is a subtle study of character, and those familiar with the work of David Mamet will recognize the elaborate use of dialogue to draw out the drama ...
DVD: I'll Believe You
I rate this titleonand give itBland, if sweet, sci-fi comedy.
Though the actors in this low-budget movie are fine, even momentarily charming, the film suffers from being somewhat boring. The movie does little to make us sympathize or even understand the main ...

DVD: Gotta Catch Santa Claus
I rate this titleonand give itUpbeat holiday package without much in the box.
While the movie does have some unique elements, including an emphasis on science and several funny musical numbers, the overall tale is sort of blah. Never does Santa or Christmas actually seem ...
