family friendly Archives - Page 2 of 4

The 2025 Nashville Film Festival Proves “We Are Family”

It’s that time of year again. Summer is fading, fall is just around the corner and Halloween is already creeping into our thoughts (well, my thoughts anyway). But before the pumpkins and ghouls take over, there’s another annual tradition to… Continue Reading →

2025 Mid-Year Misses: TV Edition

This isn’t your typical “must-watch” TV list. We’re already halfway through 2025, and it’s been a wild ride of new seasons and small-screen premieres across all kinds of shows. With so much happening on televisions everywhere, I figured it’d be… Continue Reading →

July 16, 2025

Your Heart Will Soar For How to Train Your Dragon

My 3-year-old son has reached the point in life where he has declared naps to be completely uncool. To tackle this, my husband and I have introduced “quiet time” in the afternoon, which allows him to either watch a movie… Continue Reading →

June 9, 2025

Lilo and Stitch is an Ohana Remake

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I did not walk into the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch expecting to cry into my popcorn like it was the funeral scene in The Lion King. But there I was, a… Continue Reading →

May 27, 2025

Animated Latvian Film, Flow, Receives Due Recognition

One medium of filmmaking I’ve come to truly admire is animation. Although I have always enjoyed animated films, I often viewed them merely as entertainment, rather than appreciating their deeper meanings or the true craftsmanship involved in their creation. The… Continue Reading →

December 16, 2024

If Transformers One is Canon Moving Forward…

How many times can a story get reimagined before all of its previous versions somehow merge together, becoming one amorphous blob where bits and pieces are used from each release, moving forward? What’s familiar is new again as Transformers One… Continue Reading →

November 20, 2024

Despicable Me 4 is Messy, But Fun

The Despicable Me and Minions movies deserve high praise for their blend of heartwarming storytelling, vibrant animation and infectious humor. Gru has an endearing transformation from villain to loving father and the mischievous antics of the Minions consistently deliver charm… Continue Reading →

July 4, 2024

On Top of the World with the Emotions of Inside Out 2

The 2015 film, Inside Out, painted a vivid picture of the human experience while focusing on the emotions of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. It resonated deeply with my own life as a 46-year-old single dad caring for my… Continue Reading →

June 17, 2024

Robot Dreams Speaks a Universal Language in Silence

As a film critic, I occasionally get the chance to explore movies created beyond the borders of the United States. While some prove excellent enough for me to want to share with friends, I often have a recurring inquiry: Is… Continue Reading →

January 24, 2024

Migration Feels Like an Eternity of Disappointment

Illumination has undeniably mastered the art of crafting animated films that seamlessly blend humor, heart and an infectious sense of joy. From the irreverent charm of the Minions to the heartwarming tales of unlikely friendships in films like Sing and… Continue Reading →

December 25, 2023

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

Tag family friendly