Children's Book Adaptation

Sweet, funny and perfectly cast! George Cukor's Little Women is far and away the best of the four versions of Louisa May Alcott's timeless story of the March family. Katharine Hepburn is excellent as the tomboyish Jo.

This 1939 sepia-and-colour fantasy classic movie based on L. Frank Baum's children book is my first one which seems really wonderful special effects, amazing characters and their songs as a part of musical. The painted backdrops and old-fashioned tornado trick photography may be outclassed by modern effects. And this has a bright Technicolor print with special rare footage additions.
Judy Garland truly shines in her portrayal of Dorothy, perfectly capturing the wide-eyed innocence of her character. She definitely deserved the special Oscar she was awarded for her performance.
Billie Burke is exactly right as the Good Witch of the North, and Margaret Hamilton is wonderfully shrill and repulsive as the Wicked Witch of the West. The talents of Dorothy's friends - Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow and Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion - have been frequently celebrated, but their good humour and their shining humanity behind the grotesque makeup remain fresh eternally.

Julie Andrews is fantastic and sings ever so sweetly as the role in this favourite Walt Disney classic film. The song and dance numbers are attractively laid on, with Dick Van Dyke, as Mary's Cockney beau, giving an amusing performance. I like the scenes of Mary Poppins, Bert, two children and the chimney sweeps dancing together on the roofs.

This musical extravaganza, based on a book by Ian Fleming, is fantastic as I believe it's for the children's audience when I was a kid. I still love this musical and fantasy-adventure of the wacky inventor and his family in a car flying on the journey since Mary Poppins.

Most excellent works in the arts are seen and enjoyed at a variety of "levels." That is true of this classic movie in general and of Gene Wilder in specific.
Gene Wilder is a comedic genius who will forever be the timeless Willy Wonka. He played it so well and made it look so easy. All the kids were amazing as well, I mean the boy who played Charlie was so adorable and you felt so awful for him. You just wished for his deepest wishes to come true. The sets are also just fantastic and so yummy to look at. On of my favorite scenes was with the "inventing room", all the amazing gizzmo's.

Very clever fusion of live action, animation sequences and flying bed help provides a fun filled time. I like the animated soccer game scene that makes me can't stop laughing.

This sequel of black horse is quite okay, but good adventures with Alec, his best friend in their next journey and ride.

Marvellous and delightful fairytale film.

If you loved The Wizard of Oz, you'll like accompanying Dorothy (played by Fairuza Balk) on this second thrilling adventure based on L. Frank Baum's "Oz" books! Viewers will hear no songs nor see any Munchkins. It's very different, but equally enjoyable, trip down the Yellow Brick Road, with young star Balk outstanding as the heroine. It gets pretty scary at times and isn't all fluff and wonder like the Oz of yore. This is nevertheless a magical film.

This film adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's tale is pretty good adventure and funny. When I was 13 years old, this time spunky but lovable Pippi is a brat who manages to give me ideas about driving adults over the edge.

There's plenty for kids to enjoy as good triumphs over evil with the aid of furry creatures and the odd special effect.

Excellent comedy. Robin Williams is hysterial in his drag as a housekeeper.

Director Agnieszka Holland creates a truly gorgeous, remarkably subtle and stately version of the children's classic.
See Spot Run 3/5 - Hilarious! Some great laughs with the mailman (David Arquette) and the FBI agent dog, but except Michael Duncan Clarke's character is a bit ridiculous.

Terrifc family adventure about a boy, Mowgli, a pure-hearted hero of the jungle who raised by animals. Both parents and their children should enjoy this lavish, smartly paced film.

The most glorious and passionate adaptation of the timeless tale. Winona Ryder makes a wonderful performance as one of four 'little women' in this classic film.

Amazing adventure and hunting on an arcane board game for the older children and adults like a rollercoaster ride. Robin Williams does fantastic acting like an adventurer to save the world from wild jungle.

Great kid comedy story of a little girl with a big heart who discovers she has the power.

Excellent loving, funny and live-action version of 1961 Disney animated. It has a fun feeling and atmosphere and some great characters. I couldn't stop laughing the slapstick on stereotypical villains Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams) - these are alike Home Alone's .
Glenn Close is perfectly cast as über-villain Cruella De Vil and portrays a highly memorable character. The cute dalmations are most excellently employed. Virtually seamless integration of live action and computer animation. And also, the hosts of animals (live and animated) in the film do NOT talk in the following ultimate Disney animated classic.

Amazing family mix of live-action, stop-motion animation and computer generated special effects based on Ronald Dahn's novel.
Like such stories of this, Tim Burton used his specialty, fantasy. His style of such formula had proved to be successful in the previous years The Nightmare Before Christmas. So why not do it again? With colorful characters and imagery to be seen only while using the imagination, stop-motion was a good idea, especially for films like this.
The acting and voicing is very warm, and young Paul Terry is convincible, as opposed to many other child actors who never had the right moment. Richard Dreyfuss, Simon Callow, Susan Sarandon, and Jane Leeves offer tender voices to the lovable creatures in whom James finds a new meaning to the word 'family'. Miriam Margoyles and Joanna Lumley are hysterical, if not over the top as the orphans wise cracking, crabby, and creepy aunts. Good direction and some often pleasing music accompany the actors as they compliment this journey of courage.
The imagery is remarkable. Tim Burton has always had a unique talent for a style of imagery and picture.

An orpahned mouse Stuart is cute and funny who joins the Little family in this based on E.B. White's popular children book film.

Jim Carrey's mostly funny and best choice as the green ugly creature in this live-action of Dr. Seuss' holiday classic.

Really terrific kids' fantasty and magically.

The battle scene between Harry Potter and giant snake is fantastic. Really excellent what Harry and his best friends found mystery in their investigate of evil force.

With more twists than a sidewinder and more flashbacks than Rashomon, this family movie retains most of the ingredients of the novel, but a little breathing space might have aided some abrupt shifts in tone.
I believe this should be Shia LeBeouf's first role.

This is a perfectly cast remake of the 1977 body-switching comedy. Jamie Lee Curtis is hilarious as the adult with the teen attitude and Lindsay Lohan's equally good as the new, prim Anna who tucks in the shirts of her school friends.

This lively comedy fantasy is one of the better Cinderella variations. It should be alike Shrek in the live-action fairy tales and Anne Hathaway does a wonderful performance as Ella, who is cursed with the gift of obedience by a fairy - she does whatever anyone tells her, that was really funny with magic, slapstick and songs.

The humour of this third Harry Potter is scarcer but fun, with lovable giant Hagrid. The special effects are really thrill than the sequels.

Fine family comedy with Lindsay Lohan, some are hilarious.

Jim Carrey makes an excellent performance as the evil and greedy Count Olaf with using devilish disguises in this popular kids' books.

I like this remake movie, more funny as such as Johnny Depp's character. Director Tim Burton expertly juggles mild scares and laughs, as with the factory workers, the Oompa Loompas. The much-criticised addition of a back-story involving Christopher Lee as Wonka Snr actually works very well. The factory sets are scrumptious. Yes, even for nostalgic adults, this is better than the popular 1971 version with Gene Wilder.
The ending scene is the best.

Good heck of a wild ride with two squabbling brothers' adventure into the deepest and darkest space. It crosses between Jumanji and The Last Starlighter.

The fourth Harry Potter series is more exciting and excellent effects of magics than the past Harry Potter series.

Amazing family fantasy and adventure between the lion and white witch in battle - part alike "The Lord of the Rings".

Great fish-out-of-water hilarious comedy of a beautiful mermaid is discovered and befriended by two teenage girls. I haven't seen a sexy mermaid for a long time in any movies since Splash!.

Quite great and heartwarming family movie with horses again. A teenage daughter (Alison Lohman) of the family's mountainside horse ranch has a good courage to care about a wild mustang with love and strength.

A young British agent is okay in his own adventure since Agent Cody Banks. But I like Alicia Silverstone's character because she's a bit hilarious and cool in action against a female villiainous.

Really exciting and much hilarious film with famous people in the historical museum come alive by every night. Ben Stiller and a little monkey are so cheeky.

Spectacular special effect and exciting fantasy-adventure of the young hero and his dragon. It reminds me with the cute female dragon since Dragonheart. And I'm wondering will Eragon returns again for the next sequel while if you found out what happened at the final scene.

Not a bad fantasy adventure of a seemingly typical teenager is a chosen warrior destined to restore the delicate earthly balance between Light and Dark. The special effects, casting and screenplay are awful.

finer film celebration of the power of imagination is hard to think of. No doubt investors had prayed for franchise-sized box office returns from Terabithia. But the heavy promotion of its "magical kingdom" CG elements seemed to backfire - boring those who wanted a family movie without hairy-hoofed creatures; and confusing others who expected Narnia 2. Considering Bridge was built by the Christian-fuelled Walden Media production group, the Narnia comparison is strong.
Indeed, I'm talking about another tale of youngsters who find themeselfs in an unreal world and have to save it en route to saving themselves.
What you notice quickly aobut warm, wise Terabithia, though, is that it keeps its CG action to a minimum. And it's more interested in real world matters than fantasy.
When loner Jess and spritely oddbod Leslie (Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, both exceptional beyond their years) invent Terabithia as a sanctuary from their everyday issues - school bullies, working-class home life, parents - much of what I see is the duo acting out (not in) their invented land.
For more satisfying than the first Narnia adaptation, Terabithia salutes make-believe while reminding that playtime will end.

This fifth Harry Potter film is getting better and more exciting than the fourth series. Six of 'Dumbledore's Army' members are coolest in their actions against Voldemort and his Death Eaters - wow! And the least character, Dolores Umbridge, is the bitchest witch that I dislike her what she did to poor Hogwarts students, I don't care about her fussy, dresses and hobbies. I felt little sad to see Harry lost one of his relatives in the battle. I can't wait to look forward Harry and his gang to continue their adventures together again for the next installment.

Masterpiece and amazing fantasy-adventure film that is alike Star Wars meets The Chronicles of Narnia.
The production design and visual effects in this film are really awesome. Nicole Kidman brings experience, compassion, intelligence and insight in her role as the villianious Mrs Maria Coulter and Dakota Blue Richards is very natural instinctual performance as the child heroine Lyra Belacqua.
And the final battle scenes are superb like The Lord of the Rings.

Excitement and one of the best films based on children's fantasy book that combines the magic of the Harry Potter series, the adventure of the Indiana Jones series and the wonderment of the Narnia films, to tell a magical story the likes of which I have never experienced before! A hobgoblin is kindly hilarious, who has a liking for birds, and Freddie Highmore does a very powerful performance in this next based on the children's book movie since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Arthur and the Invisibles.

This adventure story is fast-paced, pretty and generally good fun. Jodie Foster is deftly funny, and she carries the movie. Gerard Butler, too, is on good form. The weak spot is Abigail Breslin. She underplays to the point of being dull - upstaged by her sea lion pal and a CG lizard - and a flabby middle-section plot device about a cruise ship feels flat, leaving her filling time until Foster appears. But there are neat parallels between the three stories of these essentially lonely people, and the ending makes up for a lot.

This second installment of The Chronicles of Narnia was fantastic with lots of fantasy and adventure alike The Lords of the Ring series for the family. Bigger bolder and more spectacular than its predecessor. The major battles scenes were absolutely excitement than the first Narnia film and it was great to see all the same cast return again.

I never knew this is based on the children's novel with thrilling sci-fi and adventure, it is a solid family film that most audiences should enjoy regardless of age, gender or anything else; good entertainment, and a wonderful story to remember at that.
The design of the film is great, but as in design, the beauty is found in the details.
For the most part, the casting is on target; Saoirse Ronan seems a lot more engaging and appealing here than she did just in Atonement, and Harry Treadway, although looking like a refugee from High School Musical, is just as impressive. Tim Robbins is excellent in a small, but pivotal role, as is Martin Landau (whatever became of him?) as the requisite old-guy-who-sort-of-knows-stuff. The only puzzling casting is that of Bill Murray as the town's jovial mayor; he seems glib and cheerful enough, but it almost feels like he's being ironic, rather than being a part of the story. Often, this sort of approach makes for a hammy performance, but Murray's too subtle here for pure hamminess; he's more like a square peg in a round hole.

In this plot defined more by young love and high school politics than high octance bloodsucking, Twilight is something of a departure from sexy vampire mini-epics like Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula or Neil Jordan's Interview With a Vampire. Commentators have thus labelled it a Buffy the Vampire Slayer companion piece, and there is room for that argument, but this is more self-serious and less ironic in its execution than the Joss Whedon-penned film and the subsequent and iconic long-running television programme.
There is room for that sort of shift, of course, should the rest of Stephanie Meyer's four-part series be developed into films, but it's happily difficult to imagine the coming films losing Twilight's charming naivete. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson gamely offer up more than a touch of bittersweet teen angst that is rarely brought to fruition on screen; they act, essentially, like sixteen-year-olds behave: sulky, fragile and self-involved.

This is brilliant, charming and magical family fun about bring the book characters to life by reading out loud by a "Silvertongue".
The concept's quite fascinating, especially as other childhood favourites come to life, such as Toto, conjured from L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps too scary for tots, Inkheart nevertheless ends up nicely, if a tad too neatly. Drawn-out storytelling means the first half works better in terms of intrigue and suspense, but the top cast and idea of a magical literary world appeal throughout. That's what I found out Paul Bettany's real-life wife, Jennifer Connelly appeared cameo.

This 6th Harry Potter movie was absolutely funny, fantasy and sometimes drama between Harry and his best friends, Ron and Hermione. I may have blamed the failures of the sixth film on its screenplay as Steve Kloves was glaringly absent, but a film is a team effort. It's because of the following novel I read, some scenes are mostly missing what I wanna see in the movie.
The movie impresses on many levels from an artistic point of view. The stripped landscapes and washed out colors convey a constant feeling of dread and foreboding.
Some people feel that the romantic comedy aspects played too large a role in the movie, but I felt this aspect added some much-needed lightness and human drama to the movie. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) all find themselves dealing with the vagaries of young love - from dealing with unwanted advances to finding love in unexpected places. The romance was aimed perfectly at the young teen market, and I found myself cringing ruefully at some of Lavender Brown's (Jessie Cave) love-obsessed stunts and smiling wistfully at the tenderness between Harry and Ginny.
As for the leads, Radcliffe and Watson are solid as usual, (Radcliffe showing some solid comedic chops after taking luck elixir), and Grint's Ron Weasley gets some room to break free. But it is the supporting roles that deserve notice. Helena Bonham Carter scares children, so kudos to her, and Michael Gambon's Professor Dumbledore will win even more hearts as his leader finally allows Potter into the inner circle of the plan to rid the world of Voldemort, it now being a circle of two. It is newcomer Jim Broadbent, however, as Professor Slughorn who steals the show. Broadbent is known for his many comical expressions and his rubber face is utilized to great effect here. A blowhard and man with many "friends", his jubilant smile and need to collect powerful and famous wizards for his Slug Club are ever-present, bringing some levity as well as effectively hiding the dark secret that lies beneath.

It's about time that the great Team Edward vs Team Jacob battle has finally moved on from tweets and hit the big screen. This is better than Twilight as what I was thinking of this story is kind alike William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. The narrative was greatly improved, it had a deeper plot and it was great to see the director explore new realms of cinematography and camera angles.
The acting was again much improved. For the large part, these actors are unknowns who have jumped in at the deep end. The one criticism I would have is that it'd be nice for the character of "Bella" (Kristen Stewart) to be allowed the humour and fun loving attitude that she posses in the books, to shine through into the movie. It'd also be nice to see some of the characters back stories developed more, but on a short time scale, I understand the difficulties here.

This adventure (not a horror) film is well done based on the novel. And some entertaining story of the freaks in the show that surprised me. John C. Reilly does a really great job acting so is Salma Hayek looks stunning.
Sometimes the acting and action scenes were bad. Some of the effects looked fake. And the fact that it all ended with an ordinary rumble was a disappointment. The ending seemed very rushed.

This family-fantasy film adapted from Maurice Sendak's 1963 beloved children's picture book is okay as well as Sendak's story is short than this movie.
So don't be too disheartened when you realise you're not going to see a forest grow in Max's room, even if the trompe l'oeil dissolution of his bedposts into jungle tree-trunks is the book's most outstanding image. And don't bristle too much when an aggravated sea-monster fails to rear up beneath Max's little yacht. Such moments would have made great sequences, and their absense is felt, but in all probability they'd have stuck out like sore paws.
Well written, intelligent, and very cold drama about the often challenging interactions within a closed group of people, the complexities of leadership and the cost of selfishness.
Great work on the voice cast as the Wild Things, and secondly to a knockout combination of Jim Henson Company costuming and digital face work. The latter is so subtle you barely notice it, but so effective you never question the creatures' reality. Yet it's a very different kind of physicality, the Wild Things being large, but light, and surprisingly nimble despite their burly physiques, like oversized cuddly toys - or, indeed, small children.
This is for a 10-and-up-year-old deal, too emotionally intense for the rugrat crowd.

A fantasy film based on a best-selling book series. Chris Columbus directing the first in a possible franchise. Dewy-eyed young stars surrounded by more famous and respected faces. Haven't we been here before?
The differences between Percy Jacson and Harry Potter, however, are as marked as the similarities.
Part of the fun is to see how other notable names in the casting list get to play up their gods and demon status. Uma Thurman stars as Medusa, spruced up by special effects snakes adorned on her head, which at certain points looked quite CG-ed for its own good. Or having Rosario Dawson star as Persephone in quite fed-up manner, and the lists goes on.
The plot races, Columbus mixing monsters, comic relief and emotional beats with a light touch. Seems Potter might finally have a worthy successor.

Wonderful, but only a visual masterpiece. It's hard to imagine a more ideal cinematic match for the inspired lunacy of author Lewis Carroll than director Tim Burton and his perennial leading man, Johnny Depp. Burton's Wonderland (or Underland) is subterranean kingdom of hazardous, deranged beauty than the classic Alice in Wonderland movies & TV movies. Viewed in 3-D, the sinisterly gripping place and its rogues' gallery of CGI creatures are fantastic! The story is your standard journey, emotionally, funny but all set in a very Tim Burton Wonderland about 19-year-old Alice returns for her second visit and newest adventure.
It sometimes feels like one of the Narnia films and Alice in a suit of armour looks like Joan of Arc. These Wonderland characters did memory me from the classic Disney animated film that they never changed.
Depp gives a bravura, astonishingly subtle performance of an incredibly difficult character. Helena Bonham Carter was very good as the Red Queen that is a demented version of Bette Davis's Elizabeth I. However, the prize for most astonishing debut has to go to Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska as Alice. She is phenomenal. Her journey from a timid, if somewhat unorthodox, girl into a brave and courageous young woman is wonderful and believable.

Trust director David Slade to bring the noise. While Stephenie Meyer's teen-titillating romance doesn't permit the storm of gruesomeness he rained down upon 30 Days of Night, the director's cast some dark clouds across Twilight's previously sunny horizon.
The third installment in the franchise, Eclipse is the most action-packed entry yet, with Victoria (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) returning from part one to exact her vengeance on Edward (Robert Pattinson) (the slayer of her true love) by sinking her teeth into his fragile paramour, Bella (Kristen Stewart). To fuel her vengeance, she engineers an army of "newborns", led by Riley (Xavier Samuel), who unleash fury in the Pacific Northwest as they bid to track Bella and destroy both mortal girl and her immortal protectorate, the Cullens.
Secrets are buddling to the surface in Eclipse. The Volturi are up to no good, and there's dark revelation in the form of two lively and enjoyable backstories (for Nikki Reed's Rosalie and Jackson Rathbone's Jasper). Elsewhere, Jacab (Taylor Lautner) finally confesses his passion for Bella, while old-school Ed asks for Bell's hand in marriage. Choices, both good and bad, inform the entire series, and here Bella must decide whether to admit that she loves Jacob as well as Edward. Or should she give herself fully to the latter, whom she loves the most?
Slade brings great energy to the climatic battle between the newborns and the Cullen-Wolf Pack alliance. Under his careful guidance, the series has evolved into something most unlikely: Twilight is in danger of becoming cool.

Wickedly awesome! This grand finale of the part one is the best film of the franchise so far what we can see Harry Potter himself, has grown and matured as the years (and films) progress and it becomes darker than the third to sixth Harry Potter films.
I won't waste time trying to talk about the performances, because they are all great and powerful in their own way. Never mind that many of the cast members are very talented veteran British actors - the three young actors who we have come to love and care for following the first film a decade ago, basically carry the franchise on their shoulders, and this film is no exception. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint make fantastic performance in their roles, and Emma Watson looks so beautiful and gorgeous - WOW!
Screenwriter Steve Kloves doesn't forget to add the mood and gloom to the story as it slowly unfolds, but then again he adds some light humour to the film when it needs it. The cinematography is stunning and exquisite, and it gives off a certain moody hue to the film. The editing is also crisp, it's not choppy when it doesn't need to be. I took a little tease for losing one of Harry Potter's friends who rescued him from the Malfoy Manor.
For sure at the end of film wasn't still over that made me feel little disappointed like what I wanna see the whole full story like the following novel. I have to be patient and wait for the next 7 months (July 2011) for Part 2, I can't bloody wait!

Wonderful family adventure that has elements for everyone to enjoy, such as clean humour, excitement, dangers and also psychological elements. The plot is straightforward and easy to understand. It is also filled with excitement, especially the battle with the dragon is quite breathtaking.
The relationship between Reepicheep (voice of Simon Pegg) and Eustace (Will Poutler) are funny and touching.
But alarmingly, Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) seem to have deteriorated as actors. Some of their emotions are too forced which is a pity. Not sure why, as I would expect them to improve with each film as did the young cast of the Harry Potter movies.

What an exhilarating action-packed spectacle that delivers a magnificent finish to the beloved fantasy franchise! Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are no longer kids, now young adults who have thought the film series grown up right under our eyes. This is much excitement than part 1.
David Yates assured direction has nurtured our young actors in the last four Harry Potter films to blossom into even more adept actors who convey their characters with natural tones without overacting. Radcliffe had to carry this movie more than any other and has done so brilliantly complemented with great support from his two companions, Watson and Grint. Another actor who really shines in the few scenes that he has, is Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom who we see gradually transforming over the past films from the clumsy bullied boy to a brave warrior in this final film. I think Ralph Fiennes does unbelievable job as the evil, crazy Lord Voldemoret. And the rest of the cast are also great too.
I saw the most emotional scene is Harry could see and speak his spirit parents, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin when he got the Resurrection Stone that brought me some tears to see how much Harry missed them so much and they always stayed with him forever until the end.
Production designer Stuart Craig does a masterful job portraying the devastation around Hogwarts, complimented nicely by Eduardo Serra's beautiful cinematography and Mark Day's skillful editing.

It was quite fantastic story between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) in the wedding and honeymoon scenes. The birth scene is so intense as well as the fight scenes between Cullen vampires and Jacob's former Alpha wolf pack members.
It was literally like watching a bunch of the characters finally grow up. From Bella's jitters before sleeping with the man she's loved for two years, to her reflecting and remembering the love making the morning after, to the oh so incredibly cool wolf scene (they all congregate at the lumber place and speak to one another telepathically), to Edward literally witnessing the woman he loves waste away behind this pregnancy, to the actual emotionally charged birth scene, and the cinematography of the flashbacks... the movie was shot in a totally different way than the three prior films were.
Stewart perfectly captures Bella's apprehension as she's about to walk down the aisle at her wedding. And the wedding scene is so lush, romantic and heartfelt as Edward and Bella whisper their vows.