Top 10 recommended children’s Halloween movies for 2018

Hey kids! Halloween is just around the corner and Wellington City Libraries has some spooktacular DVDs in the collection for your viewing pleasure and frightful night in.

Check out this year’s top 10 Halloween movies for kids that is guaranteed to make you scream… sometimes of fear or laughter!

Let the scare fest begin!

Enjoy!… and Happy Halloween.

Goosebumps.

Based on the popular series by R.L. Stine, Goosebumps comes to life on the small screen. After moving to a small town, teenager Zach Cooper discovers that his new friend, Hannah’s mysterious dad is in fact R.L. Stine, the author of the bestselling Goosebumps series and holds a dangerous secret that bridges the gap between fiction and reality.

Also check out the trailer to the sequel: Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween.

 


Casper.

Join Casper the friendly ghost is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.


image courtesy of amazon.comMonsters Inc and Monsters University.

Mike Wazowski and James “Sulley”  P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

In Monsters Inc, Lovable Sulley and Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at MONSTERS, INC., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, monsters are scared silly, and it’s up to Sulley and Mike to get her back home. But Boo’s presence is more than just a mere accident. Now, Mike and Sulley have to face an enemy within their own ranks. Overall a heart-warming movie where guaranteed to scare and make you laugh.


Frankenweenie.

What if you could bring your pets back to life? Young Victor successfully proves that theory when he revives his best friend back to life. However problems emerge when his class mates want follow suit in bringing their pets to life and ensues disastrous consequences. Overall a heart-warming and hilarious tale about how far a boy will go for his best friend. A must see movie for Halloween.


The Boxtrolls.

A community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. The town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher, comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, so Eggs decides to venture above ground, ‘into the light,’ where he meets and teams up with feisty Winnie. Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.


Coraline.

A young girl walks through a secret door that she has found in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life, but much better. When her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents, including the Other Mother, try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.


Hotel Transylvania 1 and 2, and 3.

The Hotel Transylvania, run by Dracula, is a unique, high-end resort catering only to the finest monsters and their families. Check out The Hotel Transylvania trilogy and watch all three films back to back starting with the original film, where Dracula is preparing for an extra special weekend – his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday – when trouble arises: a human has stumbled upon the resort for the first time ever! Even worse: the human has taken a liking to Mavis!  In the sequel, everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania. Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. In third film, A monster vacation, The monster family embarks on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monster kind.


image courtesy of amazon.comHarry Potter and the philosopher’s stone… and the chamber of secrets.

An oldie but a goodie, watch Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone and relive the magic where Harry learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own, becoming a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards and having to battle some “enemies” along the way. In the Chamber of Secrets, Harry finds the second year more challenging with flying cars, trees fighting back, duelling clubs  and a fifty year old secret that threatens to destroy Hogwarts.


The Witches.

Nine-year-old Luke finds that saving the world from witches is a tall order for a boy who has been turned into a mouse.


image courtesy of amazon.comMonster Island.

When teenager Lucas (voice of Phillip Vasquez) discovers that he is not human as he always thought, his world is turned upside down as he must adapt to being a monster. Not only is Lucas troubled by the fact that his first transformation occurred at school but also that his father had kept him in the dark about his true nature. His frustrations lead Lucas to leave home in pursuit of the fabled Monster Island with the hope of learning the truth about his heritage. His journey brings him into contact with several weird and wonderful individuals, not all of whom have good intentions.

DVD Review: A Dog’s Purpose.

A Dog’s Purpose.

A heart-warming movie about the eight life journey of Bailey/Ellie/Tino/Waffles/Buddy and Bailey.. again as he tries to find himself and his purpose in life.


This movie will make you laugh, make you cry, feel warm and fuzzy, and will make you develop an appreciation, as well as respect for the aptly named man’s, as well as woman’s best friend, which Bailey/Ellie/Tino/Waffles/Buddy and Bailey proves time and time again throughout the movie, clearly staing his purpose and teaching a few lifelong lessons along the way. Be prepared to have tissues on hand. I haven’t seen a better movie dogs since Red Dog. A librarian’s choice all the way!

7/10!!!

Don Bluth Children’s DVDs in the library.

Winter has finally arrived in the Capital and in the library. Why not head down to your local library and issue some DVDs, which you can watch in the comfort of your own home, with a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa.

Why not check some DVDs produced by Don Bluth, one of the greatest chief animators since Walt Disney. Also while you’re at it, learn interesting facts about some of the movies, voice actors and encounter some uncanny (Walt Disney) connections.

Enjoy!

New in the collection:

All Dogs Go to Heaven.

“Set in 1939 New Orleans, this colourful musical animation centres on Charles B. Barkin, who gives up a stay in Heaven to a return to Earth. Charlie is a roguish German shepherd with the charm of a con man and the heart of a marshmallow. He’s out for revenge against the double-crossing former partner who killed him, a pit bull terrier known as Carface. Charlie finds himself an unlikely guardian to a lonely little orphan named Anne-Marie. Her astounding ability to talk to animals and her strong sense of right and wrong leads this unlikely pair on an adventure packed with thrills, laughs, tears and love as Charlie seeks redemption, all the while risking damnation.”–Container.

Thumbelina.

Follow your heart and nothing is impossible. A girl no bigger than her mother’s thumb feels all alone in the world knowing she is the only person her size. Her wish for a companion at last comes true when the prince of the faerys arrives at her window sill. However, the niave Thumbelina’s life goes downward from there when a toad kidnaps her. While she tries to find a way home, she begins to grow up and learns about hope with the help of the friends she always wanted.

FACT: The actress, Jodi Benson, who voices Thumbelina also voices Ariel in Walt Disney’s animated film, The Little Mermaid. Both films are based on the books written by Hans Christian Andersen.

FACT: The actor, Gilbert Gottfried, who voices Beatle also voices Iago in Walt Disney’s animated film, Aladdin.

You may also like:

Anastasia.

An animated film based on the true story of the lost Russian princess Anastasia and her quest for her true identity. A mix of adventure, romance, comedy and music.

FACT: The actress, Angela Lansbury, who voices Anastasia’s grandmother also voiced Mrs Potts in Walt Disney’s animated film, Beauty and the Beast.

American Tail Trilogy.

Three for the price of one, check out the American Tail trilogy which consist of An American tail, An American tail : Fievel goes west and An American tail : the treasure of Manhattan Island which chronicles the story of Russian mouse, Fievel and his family emigrating to the United States and having lots of exciting adventures along the way, as well as trying to settle into a new country, forming new friendships and alliance’s  and dodging feline enemies along the way.

image courtey of amazon.comThe land before time. 6 disc collection.

Six for the price of one, check out all six movies in The Land Before Time series. “Everybody’s favourite pre-historic friends are back in movies 1 to 6 in the exciting Land Before Time series. This collection features fantastic animation, enchanting songs and touching storylines that guarantee hours of fun for the whole family. You will get to know Littlefoot, Cera, Spike, Ducky, Petrie and all the other Land Before Time characters as their exciting adventures unfold. So come along and join the enchanted world of Land Before Time with stories about friendship, bravery and adventure!”–Container.

FACT: The actress, Judith Barsi, who voices Ducky in the first movie, The Land Before Time, also voices Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven.

 

Movie Review: Minons…or How the Minons met their boss.

Minons, or  as I would like to call it- How the Minons met their boss, is a spin-off/prequel to the Despicable Me franchise. Minions are small, yellow creatures who have existed since the beginning of time, evolving from single-celled organisms into beings who exist only to serve history’s most villainous masters.

After serving, (and killing) a T-Rex, an Egyptian pharaoh, Dracula, and Napoleon, and then going through stages of no master depression, the Minions (Kevin, Stuart and Bob) hitchhike to Orlando to attend Villain-Con, in hopes on  becoming the henchmen for Scarlet Overkill, the world’s first female (and diva) super villain.

However is she the world’s most villainous super villain?

Watch to the film to find out. Overall a great film for kids!

Movie Review: Inside Out.

A very funny interpretation of what happens in the human mind when emotions set in.

Produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Inside Out is set in the mind of a young girl, Riley Andersen (Kaitlyn Dias), where five personified emotions—Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling)—try to lead her through life as her parents (Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan) move the family to a new city.

Overall this is a cute movie that provides a very funny interpretation of what happens in the human mind when emotions set in, what roles each our emotions play in our personalities, how we communicate and form relationships with people.

Some very funny moments in the film, especially when Anger loses his temper, Disgust’s sarcastic and cynical behaviour and finding what role Sadness plays in our lives (Spoiler: Very important role).

Rating: 8/10

For a sneak peek of Inside Out, check out the trailer here.

New Children’s DVDs in June

Check out some new DVDs for the month of June in the WCL children’s collection!

Image from AmazonScooby-Doo! and the goblin king : original movie.
“What a predicament! The Amazing Krudsky, a failed carnival magician, steals the light magic from Princess Fairy Willow, and Scooby-Doo and Shaggy must stop him or everyone will be turned into horrible Halloween monsters! Our heroes board the Grim Reaper Railroad into the fantastic world of Halloween Land to retrieve the powerful Goblin Scepter from the Goblin King before midnight. Along the way, they encounter the infamous Headless Horseman, the helpful Jack O’Lantern and a frisky broomstick that takes them on the ride of their afterlives.” (Container)

Image from www.amazon.co.ukThunderbirds are go!. Vol. 1 [videorecording]
“The year is 2065. The location is a secret island base. The Tracy family run International Rescue, a top secret organisation whose ongoing mission is to aid humanity. With the support of five incredible thunderbirds craft, the London agent Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, her butler and ex-safe-cracker Parker and genius ‘Brains’, the Tracy family battle the forces of evil.” (Container)

Image from www.fishpond.co.nzAll grown up!. Season one / Nickelodeon.
“It’s the rugrats you’ve come to know and love … but now they’re All Grown Up! Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the rest of your rugrats favourites are now preteens going through the rigours of searching for a place to fit in, finding ways to survive girl and guy trouble, discovering their individuality and making it through junior high. Come along for the wild ride in Season One of All Grown Up. Take a listen to Susie’s awesome pipes, watch Chuckie, YES Chuckie, go head-to-head with Vice Principal Pangborn and celebrate Angelica’s thirteenth birthday!” (Syndetics)

Image from www.amazon.comMickey Mouse Clubhouse. Minnie-rella / Disney Junior
“Minnie falls asleep after doing a lot of chores and dreams that she becomes Minnie-rella and tries to make it to Prince Mickey’s Grand Ball.” (Syndetics)

 

 

Image from www.amazon.comThe Flintstones and WWE. Stone age smackdown!.
“Get ready for some raw-kin’ action in this all-new, original movie that brings some of WWE’s toughest, wildest superstars to Bedrock! When Fred loses his family’s vacation money, he hatches one of his hair brained plans to get it back. It’s a sports entertainment spectacle that involves throwing his best bud, Barney into the wrestling ring with the likes of John Cenastone, Rey Mysteriopal and even The Undertaker, with Fred himself as event promoter.” (Syndetics)

Image from www.amazon.comThe adventures of Chuck & friends. Monster Rally.
“Follow CHUCK the dump truck and his incredible cast of friends in this delightfully fast-paced, song-filled and high-energy series. Everyone who visits the truck shop where CHUCK lives fuels his imagination and with the help of his pals DIGGER, BOOMER, ROWDY, SOKU, BIGGS and HANDY, these fantasies quickly become reality!” (Syndetics)

Image from www.fishpond.co.nzLove to sing. Hearty fun [videorecording] : fitness programme.
“This fitness programme for young children has been created as a specific resource to make exercising to music technically correct, easy and fun.” (Container insert)

 
 

Image from www.amazon.comMostly ghostly. Have you met my ghoulfriend?
“The second installment of the Mostly Ghostly franchise finds the young magician Max and his ghostly pals Tara and Nicky still searching for the siblings, missing parents while trying to evade Phears, the evil spirit responsible for their disappearance, and his frightful ghoulfriend. As Tara and Nicky give Max a supernatural hand in negotiating middle school, he tries to help them foil Phears’ terrifying plot to gain dominion over the world. But can they stop him before their Halloween deadline?” (Syndetics)