Zarafa

Zarafa

Pathé etc.

8 February 2012

Children's, Animation, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I didn't like the story, but the visuals weren't bad.  Rémi Bezançon co-wrote, and co-directed with Jean-Christophe Lie.

A Yeti Adventure AKA The Yeti Adventures AKA Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly & Simon

A Yeti Adventure AKA The Yeti Adventures AKA Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly & Simon

10e Ave

5 October 2017

Children's, Animation, Historical  Comedy, Adventure?

DVD
C-

The story has potential, but the animation and the dialogue are disappointing.  Pierre Greco and Nancy Florence Savard co-directed, and Greco co-wrote with somebody else.

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

Disney etc.

March 9, 2018

Children's, Drama (tuned out before anything magical)

DVD

C-

This modern-day adaptation of the award-winning 1960s Madeleine L'Engle's novel felt off, from the search engine to the lack of glasses.  Ava DuVernay directed, after Middle of Nowhere and Selma.

The Wild

The Wild

Disney

April 14, 2006

Children's, Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
D

Not only unfunny and sometimes pointlessly frantic, but crawling with toxic masculinity (including lack of consent). However, the 3D animation isn't bad.  Steve 'Spaz' Williams directed and co-wrote.

The Water Man

The Water Man

ShivHans Pictures

September 19, 2020

Children's, Drama

DVD
C

I liked the setting and the main character, but the mother with leukemia plot made me tune out.  David Oyelowo directed and plays the dad.

The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

Disney

April 17, 1980

Children's, Horror

DVD
D+

I didn't think this worked as either horror or a kids' movie.  This is based on the novel by Florence Engel Randall, and co-directed by John Hough and Vincent McEveety.

The War With Grandpa

The War With Grandpa

Marro Films

October 9, 2020

Children's, Comedy

DVD
D+

Stupider than it has to be.  This is based on the Robert Kimmel Smith book, and directed by Tim Hill, nine years after Hop.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Aardman Animations/ DreamWorks

2 October 2005

Children's, Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
C

While there are things I like about this world, like the set designs and inventions, I just have never been able to get invested in the characters.  Steve Box and Nick Park co-directed, and co-wrote with others.

Walking with Dinosaurs: The Movie

Walking with Dinosaurs: The Movie

Reliance Entertainment etc.

19 December 2013

Children's, Fantasy, Historical Comedy

DVD

D+

This feels like an unfunny educational videogame with nice graphics.  Barry Cook and Neil Nightingale directed.

Up

Up

Disney/Pixar

May 29, 2009

Children's, Animation, Dramedy?

DVD
D+

I think more than any Pixar movie, this made me loathe the company, especially as I found the whole "marriage in a minute" montage incredibly manipulative.  Watching the first quarter hour today, I just found the movie, well, bland, especially the character design.  But, yes, I didn't detest it, so I've mellowed.  Peter Docter and Bob Peterson co-directed, and co-wrote with somebody else.

Under Wraps (2014)

Under Wraps (2014)

Kickstart Productions Canada

October 2014

Children's, Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Direct-to-DVD

D+

Pretty forgettable, except for the Canadian pronunciation of "lever."  Gordon Crum directed.

Ugly Dolls

Ugly Dolls

STX Family

May 3, 2019

Children's, Fantasy, Musical

DVD
D+

A little unbearable, but I've certainly seen worse.  Kelly Asbury directed.

Two Brothers AKA Deux frères

Two Brothers AKA Deux frères

Pathé

7 April 2004

Children's, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Not many children's movies switch from tiger sex to a Victorian auction.  Jean-Jacques Annaud directed and co-wrote, 

Turtle Tale

Turtle Tale

Totem Films

November 7, 2015

Children's, Sports Comedy

DVD
D+

Three or four forgettable plot lines.  Luc Campeau directed.

Turning Red

Turning Red

Disney/Pixar

March 1, 2022

Animation, Children's, Comedy [I tuned out before the "fantasy" element]

DVD

D+

I didn't like the main character or her mother.  Domee Shi directed and co-wrote.

Turbo

Turbo

DreamWorks etc.

July 17, 2013

Animation, Fantasy, Children's, Sports Comedy

DVD
D

CGI snail wants to be a racecar driver, as his friends catcall a tomato.  David Soren directed and co-wrote, four year before Captain Underpants.

Treasure Planet

Treasure Planet

Disney

November 27, 2002

Children's, Animation, Sci-Fi, Adventure

DVD
D+

Setting Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island in space makes it much less interesting, but it was nice to hear David Hyde Pierce do voicework.  Ron Clements and John Musker co-directed, and co-wrote with others.

Treasure Hounds

Treasure Hounds

Trilight Entertainment

August 15, 2017 (straight to DVD)

Children's, Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery

DVD
C-

Yeah, at least Norm MacDonald does the dog's voice.  Tim Brown directed.

Toy Story

Toy Story

Disney/Pixar

November 25, 1995

Children's, Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
C-

The go-to example of how I don't like but generally don't hate Pixar.  This is my third or fourth attempt at this movie, although this time I tuned out before I actually saw Buzz.  John Lasseter directed and co-wrote.

The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone

Disney

December 18, 1963

Animation, Children's, Historical Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
D+

Kind of flat.  Based on T.H. White's novel and directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, who did four other Disney movies in this project, so far, Sleeping Beauty the best of the lot.