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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory |
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Roald Dahl's classic children's novel is brought to life in this charming musical from 1971. An impoverished young boy is one of five kids and their parents to win a tour of a magical chocolate factory. It turns out to be a place where it's not such a good idea to be a bad kid. Gene Wilder is brilliant as the reclusive Willy Wonka. |
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The Dark Crystal |
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A spectacular live-action fantasy in which no obviously human actor makes an appearance. A millennia ago the Dark Crystal was damaged by the Urskeks. Now it falls to the last of the Gelfings to find the missing shard and end the rule of evil. Jim Henson and Frank Oz use every puppetry trick in the book to make it all work. |
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The NeverEnding Story |
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Enthralling fantasy in which a magical book draws a bullied young boy into a fantasy land in need of a hero. The movie manages to get about halfway through Michael Ende's novel Die Unendliche Geschichte on which it is based. Fabulous special effects that put computer-generated FX to shame. Highly recommended. |
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The Secret Of Roan Inish |
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Another inspired movie from independent filmmaker John Sayles in which a girl confronts mythology to discover her family heritage. When her mother dies a girl is sent to live with her grandparents on the Irish Coast. There she is told stories of the 'selkies' - seals that can turn into humans. A movie for adults as much as kids. |
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Babe |
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Fabulous Australian movie and - judging by its Oscar nominations - a family classic not to be missed. Farmer Hoggett wins a piglet at the local ag-show and establishes a special connection with the animal. The pig forms an attachment to the farm border collie and becomes a champion sheep-pig. Pure heart-warming fun. |
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Shrek |
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Outstanding computer-animated tale in which a likable ogre ends up with a bunch of fairytale characters in his swamp and undertakes a quest to set things straight. Voiced by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, John Lithgow and Cameron Diaz - Shrek achieved huge popularity by injecting large doses of quality humour into the mix. |
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Harry Potter Sorcerer's Stone |
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Based on the wildly successful J K Rowling children's novel, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone (aka Philosopher's Stone) is a well-made film and a real winner with kids. A young boy neglected by his aunt and uncle ends up pursuing his destiny at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lots of fun and magic ensues. |
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Peter Pan |
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Live-action version of J M Barrie's story of the boy who never grows up, Peter Pan. Although staying basically true to Barrie's original storyline, the increased focus on the romance (albeit fairly harmless) between Peter and Wendy had some yearning for the Disney animated classic. Overall, however, most agree the film is a winning adaptation that is sure to delight. |
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