Let's go to the movies
It's mid term time, which can be great, for the kids anyway. Typically, we adults are still working. What to do with all that free time if you don't have camps or play dates lined up?
The movies tend to be a go to for mid term perhaps more than any holidays during the year. Typically the weather isn't great, so you don't feel bad staying indoors. And a cinema outing is always a treat, whether you're a little one or grown up.
Here are some new movies that have just dropped in cinemas that are perfect to bring your kids to.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic has zipped into theatres and it's ideal for a family with varied ages. The kids will love the cheeky titular blue hedgehog while older audience members will laugh-out-loud at Jim Carrey's antics. The film follows our titular hero on the run from the evil Dr. Robotnik, making a friend for the very first time (Nawww!) along the way.
The Call of the Wild
'The Call of the Wild' hits cinemas mid mid term break as its release date is Wednesday 19th February. Since dogs are always great, you can safely assume that dog movies will follow suit. This one tracks the tale/tail of a St. Bernard-Scotch Collie named Buck who is dognapped then brought to Alaska. He joins a herd of snow dogs and eventually becomes companion to Harrison Ford's John Thornton. But Buck can't help but feel he's meant for more.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood
'A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood' is rated PG so it's for slightly older children, especially given it deals with mature topics such as depression. Not to give the game away but it all ends up OK and delivers a powerful message that will leave the family beaming. Storywise, it sees a journalist named Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) interview real life children's TV icon Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks) and form a unique friendship with the celebrity.
Emma
This is another one for slightly older children, purely on the basis that the language incorporates fancy English that can be hard to understand. Still, little girls in particular are going to adore its funny, romantic story and gorgeous costumes and hair designs. The titular heroine is a busybody who loves setting up matches to help young women rise in the world. She neglects the desires of her own heart until it may be too late.
Dolittle
We reeeeally don't recommend this because it's a terrible movie and ends in a rather disgusting climax (just read the review). But if you're totally stuck for something to bring young children to, the whole talking animals thing should tide them over. Robert Downey Jr. plays Doctor Dolittle with a Welsh accent, for no apparent reason. We really hope his career doesn't go in the same direction as Johnny Depp's after this...
STILL SHOWING...
Here are some movies that have been in cinemas for a while but are still showing nationwide. Some you might have missed, or wouldn't mind a second watch of.
Jumanji: The Next Level
You'd benefit from seeing 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle' to get all the jokes in this sequel. But it isn't totally necessary either. A bunch of kids get sucked into a video game but one of their grandfathers (Danny DeVito) and his friend (Danny Glover) get dragged in too. There are some great comic turns by DeVito, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan in this.
Little Women
Probably everyone has seen 'Little Women' by now. If you haven't, go see it now! If you have, heck, see it again! Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Timothee Chalamet and Florence Pugh, it follows the March sisters as they go through the growing pains of life in 1860s New England in the aftermath of the American Civil War.
Spies in Disguise
'Spies in Disguise' is a surprisingly enjoyable, fresh and funny animated feature so it's well worth checking out. Will Smith voices Lance Stirling, the world's slickest spy. Tom Holland voices Walter, a geeky inventor waiting for his big break. When Lance needs to go into hiding, he enlists Walter's help. But then he gets turned into a pigeon.
Playing With Fire
As with 'Dolittle', we don't think 'Playing With Fire' is a very good movie. It just felt a bit like it wasn't even trying. Still, it's chockoblock with that gross-out, toilet humour that tykes aadore. Regarding the plot, it sees former-wrestler-now-kinda-actor John Cena play a fireman forced to care for three trouble-making siblings alongside his colleagues at their station.