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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Directed By: George Lucas

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mahew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 1m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: VFX Game Changer

Weakness: Standard Plot Line

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

December 17, 2019

A Farmhand from a backwater planet is caught in the crossfire of an intergalactic battle between dark and light when he receives a distress call from a captured princess and decides to help.

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In Adventure, Action, Children's Movies, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, A New Hope, Episode IV, 1977, George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mahew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, PG, 5 Stars
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The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Directed by: Brian Henson

Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: This Movie Is Perfect

WEAKNESSES: -

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

December 13, 2019

A retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel featuring the Muppets.

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In Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Children's Movies Tags 1992, 5 Stars, Brian Henson, Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire, G
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Willow (1988)

Directed By: Ron Howard

Starring: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Adventure, Story Structure, Characters

Weakness: A Little Slight

Willow (1988)

November 8, 2019

A Dwarf is tasked with delivering a child, chosen to fulfill prophecy, to those who will protect it from the evil Queen Bavmorda.

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In Adventure, Buddy Movies, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Willow, 1988, Ron Howard, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty, PG, 4 Stars
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Last Action Hero (1993)

Directed By: John McTiernan

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 10m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Arnold, Nostalgia, Meta

Weakness: Length, Kid Acting

Last Action Hero (1993)

September 20, 2019

When a movie obsessed kid gets magically transported into his favorite action series of films, he finds out the difference between a movie world hero and a real life one.


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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien, Last Action Hero, 1993, John McTiernan, PG-13, 5 Stars
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Hook (1991)

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 22m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design

Weakness: Tinker Bell, Length

Hook (1991)

August 16, 2019

Peter Banning is a your classic workaholic father. When he travels to England with his family to visit the woman who adopted him so many years ago his children are kidnapped by a magical pirate and Peter must face his past and destiny as the real Peter Pan the story-books were based upon.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Hook, 1991, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, PG, 4 Stars
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Time Bandits (1981)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcom Dixon, Jack Purvis, Craig Warnock

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 50m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Imagination, Fun

Weakness: Child Acting

Time Bandits (1981)

August 1, 2019

Kevin’s parents barely notice him between their TV watching and wishing for every new invention being offered to them on TV so when a gang of diminutive, bickering, time-traveling robbers accidentally end up in his room one night he is only too eager to go with. 

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcom Dixon, Jack Purvis, Craig Warnock, PG, 1981, Time Bandits, 4 Stars
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Directed by: Chris Colombus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis

Rated: PG for Scary Moments, Some Creature Violence and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Directing, Pacing, Some Production Design, Some Acting

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

July 31, 2019

The boy wizard Harry Potter continues his education and misadventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Mystery Tags 2002, Chris Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis, PG, 3 Stars
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The Incredibles (2004)

Directed by: Brad Bird

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Wallace Shwan, Brad Bird

Rated: PG for Action Violence

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Animation, Humor, Soundtrack, Excitement

WEAKNESSES: A Few Small Plot Holes

The Incredibles (2004)

June 21, 2019

A family of superheroes, while trying to live quietly in suburban life, are forced to save the world. 

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Crime, Fantasy, Superhero, Sci Fi Tags 2004, Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Wallace Shwan, Brad Bird, PG
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Finding Nemo (2003)

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe

Rated: G

Running Time: 1h 44m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Characters, Animation, Story, Hilarious

WEAKNESSES: -

Finding Nemo (2003)

June 20, 2019

A fish must find his son in the open ocean.

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In Animated, Children's Movies Tags Karl Nagurski, Finding Nemo, Pixar, Andrew Stanton, Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Animation, 5 Stars, G Rated
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Brave (2012)

Directed By: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G Rated

Run Time: 1h 33m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Setting, Wild Magic, Atmosphere, Demographic Target

Weakness: Humor

Brave (2012)

June 20, 2019

Merida faces the same foe as any princess her age; a mother who doesn’t care what she wants for her life, a national and family duty to marry on her birthday, and a highland witch who promises to change everything for her. You know the old fairy tale adage; Be careful what you wish for when speaking to a witch.

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In Animated, Adventure, Children's Movies, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Brave, 2012, Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, John Ratzenberger, G Rated, 4 Stars
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A Bug’s Life (1998)

Directed by: John Lasseter

Starring: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Humor, Originality, Story, World Building, Characters

WEAKNESSES: -

A Bug's Life (1998)

June 19, 2019

A misfit ant travels to the bug city to find warrior bugs, but mistakenly hires a failing circus crew instead. 

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, War Tags John Lasseter, 1998, 4.5 Stars, Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger, G
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Wall-E (2008)

Directed By: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, John Ratzenberger, Fred Willard

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: First Act

Weakness: The Rest

Wall-E (2008)

June 19, 2019

A lone robot cleaning up the garbage congested surface of Earth has his world turned upside down when he gets a visit from another functioning robot from off world.

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In Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Wall-E, 2008, 3 Stars, G Rated, Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, John Ratzenberger, Fred Willard, Andrew Stanton
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Monster’s Inc. (2001)

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi

Rated: G

Running Time: 1h 32m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Animation, Characters, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Glaring Plot Hole

Monster's Inc. (2001)

June 18, 2019

A monster city is kept alive by the screams of children, until one child escapes.

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In Animated, Children's Movies Tags Karl Nagurski, John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Animation, 4.5 Stars, Pixar
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Toy Story (1995)

Directed By: John Lasseter

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G Rated

Run Time: 1h 21m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Story, Humor

Weakness: None

Toy Story (1995)

June 18, 2019

When Andy’s two favorite toys are lost they must set aside their rivalry and work together to find him again.

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In Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Fantasy, Children's Movies, Buddy Movies Tags Michael McDonald, Toy Story, 1995, John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, 4 Stars, G Rated
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Coco (2017)

Directed by: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina

Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach

Rated: PG for Thematic Elements

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Coco (2017)

June 17, 2019

An aspiring musician enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer, to receive his blessing. 

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In Adventure, Animated, Coming of Age, Children's Movies Tags Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina, Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, 2017, 4 Stars
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Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise

Starring: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki

Rated: PG for Some Scary Moments

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Story, Characters, Fun, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: -

Spirited Away (2001)

May 30, 2019

A young girl wanders into the realm of the spirits and begins working at the magical bathhouse that resides there. 

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In Adventure, Anime, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery Tags Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise, PG, Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, 2001, 5 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Production Design, Visual Storytelling, Final Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Uneven Pacing, Uninteresting Villain

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

May 20, 2019

After a dragon hunter threatens Berk, Hiccup and Toothless search for a place where dragons and humans might live together in peace.

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington, Dean DeBlois, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Worldbuilding, Story, Consequences, Characters, Emotional Connection, Music

WEAKNESSES: Supporting Character’s Subplot

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

May 20, 2019

After Hiccup and Toothless discover a mysterious new Dragon Rider, they find themselves at the center of a battle.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington, PG, 2014, 4 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

Rated: PG for Sequences of Intense Action and Some Scary Images, and Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Cinematography, Production Design, World Building, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

May 20, 2019

A young Viking who lives in a village that is perpetually attacked by dragons takes a new approach to handling the beasts.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant, 5 Stars, 2010
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Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Directed By: Clyde Geronimi

Starring: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 15m

TMM Score: 4

Strengths: Gorgeous Animation

Weakness: Slow, Uneven Tone

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

May 8, 2019

When Princess Aurora is born he is blessed by three fairies but also cursed by an evil sorceress. Will the prince, fairies, and forces of good triumph over evil? Of course. This is a Disney film.

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In Animated, Adventure, Children's Movies, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Clyde Geronimi, Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, 1959, Sleeping Beauty, G Rated, 4 Stars
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