The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

It’s Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Bianca (Eva Gabor) to the rescue again!  This time they are coming to the aid of a young boy, who has been kidnapped in Australia.  The boy, Cody, knows the whereabouts of a rare giant golden eagle and unscrupulous poacher McLeach (George C. Scott) has kidnapped him; in the hopes of getting him to tell where it is.  It’s a race against time as Bernard and Bianca traverse the wilds of the Land Down Under with their guide Jake, who just might romance Bianca away from Bernard (who’s working up the courage to ask her to marry him)!

An exciting follow-up to ‘The Rescuers’, this film features the original voices of Bernard and Bianca.

1hr. 17min.

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943)

This musical stars Deanna Durbin as a young schoolteacher from China, who, through the help of an aging sea captain, Mr. Holliday (Harry Davenport), evacuates nine war orphans.  Bound for America, the ship is torpedoed and Mr. Holliday is presumably killed.  The trouble begins when they reach America and none of the children are citizens.  So, the natural solution to the problem at hand (according to the wily Barry Fitzgerald), is for Durbin to pose as Mrs. Holliday!

This film was originally intended to be Durbin’s dramatic debut, but the studio insisted on songs being added.  The score was nominated for an Academy Award.

1hr. 37min.

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

In this hilarious blending of comedy and horror, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello work as baggage clerks somewhere in Florida. After they make a delivery to McDougal’s “House of Horrors” Wilbur (Costello) opens one of the crates and sees it contains a coffin…with Dracula (Bela Lugosi) in it!  This scene sets the pace of frantic comedy and action to follow as the two come face to face with some of greatest monsters of all time.

1hr. 23min.

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

All his life Po (Jack Black) knew he was destined to be a Kung Fu master, the only problem is that he’s a Panda.  Not exactly Kung Fu material.  Then he’s chosen by Grand Master Oogway to be the Dragon Warrior and his peaceful existence as the son of Mr. Ping (a goose) who owns and runs a noodle shop, is forever changed.  Just as he begins his training it is learned that Tai Lung, who once sought to be the Dragon Warrior (and was denied) is on his way to fight him.

1hr. 35min.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Young Charlie Bucket doesn’t have time to dream much, with going to school and working to help his mother make ends meet.  But when he does, it’s about the mysterious Wonka Factory, that appears dormant and yet produces the most delicious candies.  So, when a contest is announced involving finding golden tickets in Wonka candy and being able to see inside the factory itself, Charlie dreams of finding one.  And when he does, it’s just the beginning of a strange and amazing adventure that will change his life.

The original score, that features the classic “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination” was nominated for the Academy Award.

1hr. 39min.

The Clock (1945)

A young soldier (Robert Walker), far from home, is given a 48hr furlough in NYC.  Almost as soon as he gets off the train in Grand Central Station, he literally get’s tripped over by a young stenographer (Judy Garland).  There is an immediate attraction between the two and as circumstances keep pulling them back to each other, they end up spending almost the entire 48hrs together; seeing the city and falling in love.

One of the few films that Judy Garland made at the height of her career that wasn’t a musical, this film is full of charm, humor and romance.

1hr. 31min.

Wreck it Ralph (2012)

It’s just a game, or is it?  In Ralph’s world it’s his job to play the bad guy in the game ‘Fix-It Felix, Jr’.  But in his everyday life he is treated as the bad guy.  Tired of this, he decides to do the unthinkable and “Game Hop” to another game and win a hero’s medal. This sets off a chain of events that could shut down his game and his world.  He meets fellow outcast Vanellope von Schweetz in ‘Sugar Rush’, a racing game.  The two strike a bargain to help each other and change their future.

1hr 41min.

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)

This wartime film is set in a small town called Morgan’s Creek.  It tells the story of an over patriotic young woman (Betty Hutton), who while attending a farewell party for some soldiers, becomes intoxicated and marries one of ‘the boys’.  The next day he’s gone and she can’t remember his name or where they got married.  More complications arise when she realizes that’s she going to have a baby.  She gets help from her sister (Diana Lynn) and her ever faithful friend (Eddie Bracken).

This film expertly mixes comedy and drama and was nominated for best original screenplay.  It was written and directed by Preston Sturges.

1hr. 38min.

Ratatouille (2007)

When young Remy is separated from his family and finds himself alone on the streets of Paris, he (through a series of events) decides to pursue his dream of being a chef.  The only problem is that he’s a rat!  Teaming up with unassuming human Linguini, they make a dynamic duo, taking the cooking world by storm.  This is to the chagrin of Chef Skinner (Ian Holm), who wants to keep from Linguini that he is heir to a famous restaurant, and head food critic Anton Ego (award winning actor Peter O’Toole) who doesn’t believe the motto that “anyone can cook”.

The film was winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

1hr. 51min.

August Rush (2007)

A modern retelling of Oliver Twist, this story follows young Evan (Freddie Highmore) as he searches for his parents in the streets of NYC.  Along the way he encounters the enigmatic “Wizard” (Robin Williams) who is the leader of a group of kids who are street musicians.  When Wizard realizes Evans’ musical gifts, he is eager to make a profit, but through a run in with the police they are separated.  Evan finds his way to a mission that takes him in.  When they too discover his gifts they decide they must be shared, much to Evan’s delight who feels that this way his parents will be able to find him.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Keri Russell co star in this touching and uplifting film.

1hr. 53min.