Not only the my pick of the week but one of the best films of the year, Just released this past week on dvd/blu-ray and a recommendation not only to see but own as well.

I’m a tough critic when it comes to G-rated children cartoons since I’m not a kid anymore and usually with a Part 3 there is a serious dip in quality but this one really shines. This is a really funny, cute, touching and captivating story with heart and wonderful characters. This really is for everyone and I can’t imagine someone not at least walking out liking it. I loved it. It more than just a kids story but for adults they will see the theme of nostalgia and “Letting go” and “Moving on”, some pretty deep stuff.

The target audience/children won’t get it for a few years but that won’t stop them from loving the story in itself. It’s been 10 years since I’ve seen the first two and while I’ve enjoyed them this one I guess because of how much time has passed made me more appreciative of the themes.

The story is simple, with it picking up 10 years after the last one, Andy is going off to college and he has to decide what he wants to do with all his old toys. Although it’s been a long time since he’s played with them, he still feels the need to hold on to them. But after a mix up the gang, Woody, Buzz and the rest end up at a day care center.

At first it looks to be a dream come true that they will now be forever played with but as it turns out to be a nightmare. They are saddled with the younger kids in the center who don’t quite know how to take care of the toys. A choice is soon made that they must return to Andy no matter even if their fate means being put in the attic.  After seeing this in theaters I felt the need to buy the previous installments and watch them again. I saw the first one when I was 17 while working at a theater and on the second I took it home over the weekend when I worked at a video store. This third one really comes full circle and wraps things up beautifully.

It’s now been 15 years since the first one and I realized that most of those kids who were taken by their parents are now adults, mostly in their early to mid-twenties. But these characters look and sound the same and that is comforting to me. A lot of new characters are added this time around like Ken, Big Baby, Lotso and a new favorite for me Chuckles. But they don’t take the spotlight from original beloved characters, if anything they are great support.

I would have no problem seeing this again and smiling and getting a little misty –eyed, if this is indeed the end of the franchise that have truly gone out on top. I give it 5 out of 5 STARS Toy Story 3” is rated G (General audiences). Some of the mean toys might be a little scary, and the danger the nice toys face becomes pretty intense at times.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Review/recommendation by Paul Mueller

Based on Jeff Kinney’s hit tween book series ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ is my movie recommendation of the week. It’s a delightful family-friendly comedy that is tailor-made for kids aged 7-12, but it can also be a pleasant surprise for the adults as well. What’s great about it is the fact that everyone has had to go through that awkward transitional period of going from elementary school to the big bad junior high school. The movie does have a cartoonish sensibility to it; yet it still feels relatable in many ways.

If you don’t know anything about the book series its about the misadventures of misfit Greg Heffley and his best friend Rowley as they embark in their first year of junior high at the bottom of the pecking order of cool.  They do their best (with often disastrous results) to move on up on that cruel list. Greg has the added pressure of trying to fit in among other kids who have suddenly sprouted up size due to puberty while he still hasn’t grown a lick. The obstacles Greg having to put up with include his jerk older brother, Rowley and now bullies from both sexes. This new environment also threatens the friendship of Greg and Rowley – the price of making new friends and the shift of their status on the popularity list- it is this element that hit home for me and I know it all too well.

While I have not read any of the books in the series, but judging by the tone of the film, it feels to be very much in the spirit of ‘How to Eat Fried Worms’. It has fair share of gross out humor involving boogers and rotted cheese but it also has heart and the lead character played by 11 year-old Zachary Gordon is very appealing even when his character may go to far with some of his antics to get ahead. Maybe me still being a kid at heart too but I found this to be an amusingly sweet film about the discomfort of having to fit in and the need to grow up. It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve had the (dis)pleasure of attending junior high (I’m 32 now) and I remember feeling very much the way Greg does- in fact I still do on certain occasions so I was very much drawn in to the story of these characters and all the trouble that followed. It opened last spring and it did well enough that a sequel is already on the way. It is available on dvd to buy or rent. I give Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 out of 5 STARS

It is Rated PG for some rude humor and language

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For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, you should for sure check it out!  I am sure your partner’s will love this one too!

Despicable Me is my movie recommendation of the week. It is a very cute and funny animated feature that whole family can enjoy this summer. It’s a James Bond villain meets “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The story follows Gru (voiced by Steve Carell using an indistinct Eastern European accent), a super villain who really isn’t much of either and is always trying to win the approval from his impossible to please mother (Julie Andrews).

Along with his mad scientist/sidekick Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and his mostly indecipherably voiced minions, Gru’s next evil plan is to steal…THE MOON!! The problem though is the new wannabe villain in town named Vector (Jason Segal). Vector not only want to take Gru’s place but also has the device Gru so desperately needs for his plan. In order to steal it, Gru has to do the unthinkable and adopt three little girls, Margo (iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fischer). At first, these girls are just a means to an end for his scheme to get into Vector’s fortress. After a while though, he starts to feel like a father and the kids become the most important thing in his life.

While the story is nothing new it has enough clever one-liners and sight gags to keep everyone either laughing or smiling throughout. I personally loved the a little bit about the Bank of Evil and a “Saturday Night Fever” dance number.

Ask anyone who has seen it and they will tell you that the two standouts here are the goofy Twinkie shaped minions and the adorable little Agnes, who I’m sure has the catchphrase of the summer with “It’s so flufffyyy!!”

While the 3-D visuals are very cool between roller coaster ride at an amusement park and an end credit sequence involving the minions, this works just fine in the normal 2D format if the 3D prices are too high.

While it has been out now for over a month it is still going strong because of word of mouth. It has already grossed well over $200 million at the box office and a sequel is now in the works. I have already seen online Halloween costumes for the most of the characters including Agnes. This is a great movie for the family to see and for kids of all ages.

This get 3.5 out of 5 STARS. Despicable Me is rated PG for rude humor and mild action. 95 minutes

Paul Mueller

Just like under the Design section, I am sure many are wondering what is up with the Movie of the Week section of this blog!  Well, with crib bumpers, product reviews, and baby safety being all such serious topics, we thought it would be a little fun to mix things up, and add a section that is not only fun, but refreshing!

Join Paul, for Paul’s Picks weekly. He will be reviewing movies, and suggesting them.

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