Kids and adults love movies about dogs because they are so unpredictable. Some of us grew up with Clifford the Big Red Dog movies and Hallmark dog movies. We watched them over and over again.
Dog movies are endearing to watch. We don’t know what will happen in the end. The endings are either sad or happy. The tragic endings, like My Dog Skip, teach a lesson. We watch them over and over because we know what happens in the movie. Even if it is sad, we still watch it again.
Dog movies are stressful because the dogs get stolen or lost, but are returned or found at the end of each film. The dog gets hurt, and there is an emotional reunion between the owner and the dog. Most of the time, the dog survives an injury with a happy ending.
An interesting point, not many dog movies are about girl dogs. Girl dog movies are rare because of discrimination. What is wrong with a girl dog movie?
Enough said, now, let us take a look at some incredible dog movies.
1. My Dog Skip (2000)
Based on a well-known writer’s memoir, My Dog Skip takes place during WWII and stars two great talents, Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane. The dog doesn’t get stolen, but Willie and Skip are fast friends as they turn bullies into friends and tangle with ill-fated moonshiners who threaten to kill the dog. A pretty girl shows an interest in Skip, who brings her and Willie together.
The movie’s conflict centers on Willie’s dad, who thinks he should have real friends rather than a dog. But Willie overcomes that as he grows up.
The most stressful scene is near the end when Skip runs away because Willie’s temper flares up, and he kicks Skip. He apologizes for his behavior, and Skip forgives him. All in all, it is a beautifully told story. Here is the ending where you grab a tissue.
2. Beethoven (1992)
Beethoven is a classic dog movie with several sequels. Kids should first see the original film because it stars Charles Gordon and the late Dean Jones. Both actors are brilliant. Gordon plays the father who brings the lovable dog home and soon finds Beethoven growing too big for his liking. Jones, cast against type, makes his scenes entertaining. He is an evil Vet who tries to kidnap the dog. Bonnie Hunt plays Gordon’s wife and the mother of their adorable kids.
Watch the movie, and you will notice several up-and-coming actors of the time, including Stanley Tucci, Oliver Platt, and David Duchovny.
A hilarious scene is when Beethoven comes in from playing in the mud. Gordon holds his own in the scene, but the dog steals the show. Another funny scene is when George (Gordon) hits the vet (Jones). Watching that scene makes seeing the movie worth it.
3. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (1992)
Hachi is not like other dog movies. Hachi doesn’t go missing or get kidnapped. The film is based on a true story about a dog’s devotion to his master.
The story is about a dog’s loyalty to his master. Richard Gere stars as the owner of Hachi. Joan Allen plays Gere’s wife, and Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) plays Carl, the store owner.
The movie answers the question, “Why are dog movies so sad?” It is because the story is so good.
I don’t want to say too much about the movie because it is a simple but powerful tale. Make sure you have a box of tissues because the story is heartwarming and a tear-jerker.
4. Air Bud (1997)
Air Bud is your basic dog story, but he doesn’t get stolen. He ran away from the original owner because he had abused him. Bud is a golden retriever and has a knack for playing basketball well. He brightens up a high schooler named Josh by helping him play better basketball.
The best scene in the movie is when Bud has to choose between the original owner and Josh. It’s a long scene where Josh says, “Come here, Buddy.” Will Bud go back to the abusive owner or stay with Josh? Enjoy the trailer. I love the line, “Mom, remember when I had a hamster?”
5. 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Here is one of the few girl dog movies. I know I am pushing the envelope when I say it is a girl dog movie, but Perdita, the wife of Pongo, plays an important role, the mother of the stolen Dalmatians. Even though the Disney cartoon characters seemed entertaining, the movie was very stressful.
Cruella De Vil decides to steal the puppies for their fur. The clip shows wanting to buy the puppies. When I first watched the movie as a kid, I truly believed that an animal network existed, where all animals could talk to each other around the world and help one another.
With that, take a look at the bumbling criminals. They are funny in this clip.
101 Dalmatians Trailer
6. Show Dogs (2018)
Max is a Rottweiler police dog voiced by Ludacris. His latest assignment is going undercover as a show dog in one of the top dog shows in the world. His human partner Frank, played by Will Arnett, tries to stop a disaster in the dog show. The cast includes Stanley Tucci, Shaquille O’Neal, Jordin Sparks, Natasha Lyonne, Gabriel Iglesias, and Omar Chaparro.
The movie is filled with owners and their adorable dogs.
7. Dog Days (2018)
Dog Days is a movie for those who like to see personal relationships with dogs motivate the union. It touches on the theory of how dogs look like their owners. The film is worth seeing because it’s filled with vignettes of owners and their dogs. The story meanders as the characters intermingle, and romance ensues.
Here is a cute story for the whole family.
8. A Dog’s Way Home (2019)
Charles Martin Smith directed this happy tale based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron,A Dog’s Way Home. The heartfelt story is as sensitive and genuine as Bella, voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard, and her adventure—a dog embarked on a 400-mile journey home after being separated from her deeply loved human, played by Jonah Hauer-King.
Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, also voiced Olaf in the “Frozen” movies.
9. A Dog’s Journey (2019)
Director Gail Mancuso creates a film about friendships that transcend lifetimes. A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the popular movie A Dog’s Purpose, followsBailey. He finds his new fate and develops a permanent bond, driven by unconditional love and friendships. Thus begins an adventure through multiple lives filled with joy, friendship, and devotion.
During an interview with Mancuso, she mentioned that all talent and crew had dogs, except the editor, Robert Komatsu.
The movie stars Willem Dafoe as a man racing against time and the elements.
10. Togo (2019)
Ericson Core was formerly a cinematographer but directed the Disney movie, based on a true story and adapted from the screenplay by Tom Flynn. Togo follows a sled dog. In 1925, Togo led a serum run. People viewed the dog as too small and weak to pull a dog sled during an emergency race to save the lives of children.
The movie helped me become appreciative and happy about life. I loved seeing an underdog prove its worth.
Arthur is an intelligent dog who helps a man achieve his ultimate adventure.
11. Arthur the King (2024)
A true story about a dog who guides Michael Light, played by Mark Wahlberg, who is desperate for one last chance to win the Adventure Racing World Championship. Over ten days and 435 miles, a bond between a pro adventure racer and a scrappy street dog companion.
Dog Movies for Family
Dog movies are great family movies because the stories are real, even though some dogs play basketball or talk. The story can be distressing, but the tension adds to the movie’s excitement, making the happy ending even more enjoyable.
Most of the time, the dog steals the limelight because they are so cute, cuddly, and innocent, validating the fact that we watch these dog movies over and over again.
Your family wants to watch a good movie, and you need help picking a good family movie. Without spending too much time searching, I found the following movies streaming on either Netflix or Amazon.
Early Man
Incredibles 2
Five Fingers of Marseilles
Christopher Robin
A Quiet Place
Disney’s Earth
Alvin and the Chipmunks
VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life
Dolphin Tale
The Sandlot
Lady Bird
Logan
Kull: Skull Island
Boss Baby
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul
Little Italy
If you liked “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit,” you’ll like “Early Man.”
1. “Early Man”
Early Man brings laughter to the household because the movie is cute and filled with fun and likable characters. Dug, voiced by Eddie Redmayne, is a prehistoric caveman with goofy friends. The situation is hilarious, where the invaders are challenged to a game of soccer because Dug and his tribe need to win back their home.
The movie will capture your family’s attention because the kids relate to the innocence of the idiots, and adults will find the story funny. The undertone of humor in the situations makes parents chuckle. The claymation takes the story to a whole new level of brilliance.
“Incredibles 2” is just as good as “Incredibles” because Brad Bird directed both.
2. “Incredibles 2”
Incredibles 2 is an ideal family movie because it is about a family of superheroes. Other superheroes are also enthralling to see how the family adjusts to being superheroes when mom, Elastic Girl, leaves the family at home with dad in charge. Jack-Jack’s superhero powers are totally out of this world. Brad Bird wrote and directed the movie. His screenplay flies along with tight dialogue and plenty of funny moments. I strongly recommend this movie for family movie night because it is pure entertainment and will satisfy all ages.
If you want to watch back-to-back movies, I strongly recommend the prequel, Incredibles. Again, Brad Bird directs a funny and action-packed film for the whole family.
My library includes both movies because, on family movie night, we all agree to watch Incredibles. I loaned the Blu-ray to friends who haven’t seen it yet. When they return it, they profusely thank me as we discuss our favorite scenes.
Any scene with Edna is my favorite. She is such a funny and quirky character. In Incredibles 2, she goes way out and befriends Jack-Jack.
All the voice actors’ return in Incredibles 2 shows how capable Bird is as a director. Pixar will not fail you because the voice actors create delightful characters.
Finding a well-made Western is pure joy.
3. “Five Fingers of Marseilles”
Five Fingers of Marseilles is a western set before and after Apartheid in South Africa. The inhabitants of Marseilles are under the oppression of a corrupt police force, and Five Fingers is a group of rebels that stands up to it.
Tau executes two police officers, and he flees the town. The Five Fingers breaks up, and Tau chooses a life of crime and gets arrested.
Two decades later, he is discharged from prison as the dreaded outlaw known as The Lion of Marseilles.
He returns home wanting comfort and reconnection with those he had disregarded. Tau is entangled in another injustice and rebuilds the Five Fingers. Together they fight for justice.
Scripted by Sean Drummond, the story is believable and moves along quickly. Directed by Michael Matthews, the movie is in English with subtitles.
It’s a unique story about growing up, but not too seriously.
4. “Christopher Robin”
Winnie the Pooh, along with his best friends of the Hundred Acre Wood, leaves home for the big city to help Christopher Robin, who is now a father and in the workforce, become the loving and playful boy he used to be.
The journey is delightful, with silly Pooh and friends trying so hard to help Christopher. The movie will capture your heart.
Directed by her husband, Emily Blunt is so believable in “A Quiet Place.”
5. “A Quiet Place”
A Quiet Place trailer is an intense and scary movie. The story follows a family who must be quiet. Directed by John Krasinski, the supernatural thriller stars Krasinski and his wife, Emily Blunt. The film is enthralling and made so much money that the studio is producing a sequel.
Disneynature opens the world of nature to kids of all ages.
6. Disneynature’s “Earth “
Disneynature celebrates each Earth Day with the release of a documentary celebrating Earth, the environment, and animals. The first of the series was Earth, released in 2009. The movie set a documentary opening-day record, grossing $4 million from 1,804 theaters.
The concessions person explained that the movie theater had four loaded school buses for the 10:00 am showing. He talked about the kids swamping concessions with orders of sixty kids’ treat packages. Disney conducted an all-out campaign to encourage schools and families to attend the Earth Day opening, a wise move on their part.
Three Animals Tell the Story
In the movie Earth, we are introduced to a mother polar bear and her two cubs as we first catch sight of their snouts peeking out from their winter den. The movie charts several other animals, but the documentary focuses primarily on these three animals to tell the story of Earth: the polar bears, humpback whales, and African elephants. It is by far an epic film, giving the attention this endangered planet deserves.
Any movie night can become your own special Earth Day by watching a Disneynature film or one of the older Disney films about nature called True Life Adventures. Adventure movies focus on wildlife, and an Oscar-winning series initiated by Walt Disney himself. He truly loved wildlife and saw the importance of conveying the message to keep your planet sustainable. Once your family views a Disneynature documentary, you can discuss the need to change our living habits and help preserve our planet Earth, and the importance of keeping it intact for many generations to come.
7. “Alvin and the Chipmunks”
Alvin and the Chipmunks were super popular in the late 1950s and then returned in 2007 as computer-generated images, known as CGI. The three little rascals look more real than ever now. Like the movie poster says, “Things are going to get messy.”
JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, a former college roommate, rejected his most recent song. To make the story even more interesting, Dave had, at one time, a relationship with Claire Wilson, his next-door neighbor.
Favorite Scene
Alvin and his two buddies sing “Only You And You Alone.” Dave realizes he discovered three diamonds in the rough.
The movie takes off, and the Chipmunks sing the songs he writes, and he keeps them fed and sheltered. The singing and montages in the film are brilliant. Jason Lee does a fantastic job of playing off the little CGI animals.
One of my favorite scenes is when Theodore wakes up in the middle of the night, scared from a nightmare. Dave helps him feel safe by letting him sleep in his bed. Very cute; any parent or child will relate to this scene, later revisited with Uncle Ian in a rather poignant scene.
Little Rascals
But the chipmunks, being little rascals, cause some problems for Dave. But they are so adorable you can’t help but laugh, which makes this an ideal family movie. A cute scene is when Alvin tries to create the mood for Dave’s reunion dinner with Claire. The dinner becomes odd. She bails on Dave when he confesses, “My life is being sabotaged by talking chipmunks.”
Alvin and the Chipmunks want to make up for the blunder, so they record a song and get a record deal with Ian Hawke. Now, Alvin and the Chipmunks are more famous than the Jonas Brothers. The little animals are working so hard to keep up with the demand. Dave worries about them and tries to get control over the situation. With missed opportunities and Hawke’s underhanded scheme to steal the chipmunks, Dave lets them go. Hawke tells the chipmunks to call him Uncle Ian. He wants to make money off them without their well-being in mind. The little guys are overworked. They miss Dave, and Dave misses them.
Family Can Watch Together
Directed by Tim Hill, the movie is fun for anyone, but it’s one the family can watch together without worrying that parents will get bored or that jokes will go over the kids’ heads. The talented cast and voice actors make the movie. Some of the cast members are Jane Lynch from Glee, Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, Jesse McCartney as Theodore, David Cross as Ian Hawke, and Jason Lee as Dave.
Behind-the-Scenes
The Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD has a behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how they created the chipmunks’ singing. It is well worth the look, and you will discover the real singers of the movie.
VeggieTales are pure magic for the little ones.
8. “VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life”
The VeggieTales, in general, are great family movies because they are light and fluffy. The jokes are clean, and the situations are hilarious. Sure, the tales bring in the Christian faith, so what? They are fun, and kids and parents have a good time watching the veggie characters interact with each other without legs or arms, yet they still move things around in the air as if they have extremities.
They carry books and a football. The veggies don’t walk with legs. They bounce to and fro because they are vegetables.
One such VeggieTales movie that went directly to DVD is It’s a Meaningful Life – A Lesson in Being Content. The story is somewhat like Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. The classic movie follows a sad businessman as he reflects on how his life has turned out, and he wishes he had never been born. An angel guides him to the right path by showing how important his life is. The movie boasts James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, and Donna Reed.
Would Life Be Better?
The VeggieTales character Larry the Cucumber plays Stewart, who loves playing football and wants to play in the Salad Bowl. He wants to be famous for all the fortune that goes with fame. But he gets injured in a game, and his dream ends. Many years later, silly-but-sweet Stewart cares for his family and friends. He loves his job at the toy train factory.
He ponders what he would be if he weren’t injured, had become a famous football star, and had made lots of money. Would life be better? He changes the past to show Steward what it would be like if it had happened the way he wanted. A moral is learned through Christian teachings, and Stewart learns a lesson about life.
Multi-Grammy Winner – Steven Curtis Chapman
What the movie is really about is the song “Meant to Be,” produced by Steven Curtis Chapman, a multi-Grammy winner as well as a Dove Award winner. Of course, It’s a Meaningful Life has the traditional new silly song called “Goodnight Junior.”
You can even visit the VeggieTales website and download some excellent activities from the movie for kids and parents to do together. The DVD includes cool family bonus features, such as sing-along songs, interviews, audio commentary, and the Meaningful Family Life Guide.
9. “Dolphin Tale”
Dolphin Tale is a true story that follows a teenage boy, Sawyer, played by Nathan Gamble. Sawyer meets his best friend, a dolphin, washed up on Clearwater Beach in Florida. Dolphin is named Winter, who loses her tail after being snagged in a crab trap. He decides to take responsibility for Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and his life changes.
The dolphin plays herself in the movie, making it realistic for families to watch. The Blu-ray/DVD offers several perspectives on the dolphin’s story. The featurettes are entertaining but educational at the same time.
Sawyer helps find a prosthetic expert to fit Winter with a prosthetic fin—a fantastic and unbelievable feat – never been done before. I encourage families to watch this movie together because it is one of the best family movies I have ever seen. The film will tug at your heartstrings, featuring a talented cast including Morgan Freeman, Ashly Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.
10. “The Sandlot”
The Sandlotis a movie everyone in the family can enjoy because its story has both tension and apprehension, making it a film kids can watch with their parents. The film is about kids growing up in the 1960s, when kids could play on the streets and have more freedom. They didn’t need permission to go places or to stay in touch with their parents. They just played and had fun all day.
Scotty, a new kid in the neighborhood, tries to make friends with the kids who play baseball on the sandlot. It’s hard at first, but the boys come around, and the adventure begins. Scotty learns to play baseball as the story follows him and his buddies on an adventurous summer quest to retrieve a baseball with a Babe Ruth autograph. The movie entertains audiences of all ages, featuring some of the wildest moments, scary situations, and a first kiss. All nine boys grew up that summer and became best friends. The film is enchanting and a fun comedy.
Director Greta Gerwig is from my hometown.
11. “Lady Bird”
The movie is not only filmed in my hometown but also about it. I marvel at the phenomenon of connection. That’s the feeling I have toward Lady Bird because it’s set in my hometown.
Greta Gerwig’s movie follows a teenage girl, played by Saoirse Ronan, who calls herself “Lady Bird” and goes to a Catholic school similar to Gerwig’s High School.
The story is charming, no matter where you live, because it is about being a teenager with a prominent dream to go to college and be away from home.
She tries to be who she really is while contending with the crazy life of high school and her relationship with her mother.
And, Lady Bird received esteem at festivals, from the public, and the industry.
12. “Logan”
Hugh Jackman stars under the direction of James Mangold. Mangold’s notable credits include Walk the Line, which he co-wrote; The Wolverine;Girl, Interrupted;Cop Land;Knight and Day;Ford v. Ferrari; and 3:10 to Yuma.
An operation run by the government turns mutant kids into killers. Logan begins mentoring a mutant girl with two claws rather than his three. The movie is dark and gets more serious, but laughs and merriment appear toward the end.
A Harry Potter alumnus, Tom Felton, looks mighty mean, suntanned, and ready to be the wicked, bad guy.
13. “Kong: Skull Island”
Being promoted as a reimagining of the beginning of the mythic Kong, an exciting, creative venture, I acknowledge that remakes are not original. Yet, the movie is supposedly original, so don’t name it Kong.
The movie follows a diverse group brought together to research an uncharted island in the Pacific. The island is stunning, but dangerous. The group adventures into a strange and unfamiliar island, and they are unaware of exploring the realm of the mythic Kong.
14. “The Boss Baby”
The Boss Baby is a hilarious movie that the family is sure to like. The impact of a new baby’s arrival is told from a delightfully unpredictable narrator, a heatedly creative 7-year-old named Tim.
The voice of Alec Baldwin dons a suit and speaks in a sly, animated way. The movie’s heart-filled message about the meaning of family should appeal to the whole family.
15. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul”
The last Wimpy Kid movie has a new cast, and it looks entertaining, although a road trip? I could be amusing. Watch the trailer, and you might see some familiar faces from the earlier movies.
Hayden Christensen played young Darth Vader.
16. “Little Italy”
Little Italy focuses on two childhood friends, Leo (Hayden Christensen) and Nikki (Emma Roberts). The movie is directed by Donald Petrie, who brought us Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock.
As in a classic story, Leo and Nikki become attracted to each other when they are adults. Their parents’ own contentious pizzerias put a bite on their passionate romance. If you are familiar with the story, this particular one is not a tragedy. Some classic stories end unhappily, but this romantic comedy is safe for a blossoming romance.
Streaming Movies are Rewarding
Watching a good movie with the family can be rewarding on many levels. They are upbeat, funny, and honorable. Whether you rent them on Netflix, Amazon, or cable, the stories share a message that the whole audience can relate to, refreshingly.
Over the decades, celebrities have shared their pregnancies with their fans. We start with the most notable, Lucy and Dezi.
Star-studded pregnancies share the joyous moments of having a baby. Source: Pavel Danilyuk
Celebrity Pregnancies
Celebrity pregnancies generate curiosity and excitement from the media and fans. When a female celebrity becomes pregnant, it creates a buzz among her fans, with some pregnancies standing out more than others.
Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy — 1952
Just about every household in America turned on the television in 1952 when the I Love Lucy show’s star, Lucille Ball, included her real-life pregnancy in the storyline. The script couldn’t use the word “pregnancy” and substituted it for “expecting.” The last episode of the season, the birth, hit the highest ratings.
Elizabeth Taylor — 1957
Elizabeth Taylor married many times, but had one mega pregnancy. Her third husband, Mike Todd, disproves false rumors of marital difficulties by declaring with bluster to the newshounds that his wife was blissfully pregnant.
Gwyneth Paltrow — June 2004
Paltrow posed for a magazine cover when pregnant with her first child, Apple, in 2004. She explained her baby’s name on Oprah. “It sounded so sweet, and it conjured such a lovely picture for me – you know, apples are so sweet, and they’re wholesome, and it’s biblical – and I just thought it sounded so lovely and … clean! And I just thought, Perfect!”
Madonna — 1996
The release date of Evita happened simultaneously with Madonna’s first pregnancy. Madonna played Eva Peron in the musical, and she won a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar for best original song. The baby’s father, Leon, is a fitness trainer. They named the baby Lourdes, and we’ve seen her grow into a beautiful young woman.
In this picture, she is unsuccessful in incognito.
Angelina Jolie — 2006
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s relationship seemed unclear in the minds of their adoring fans. When Angelina announced she was pregnant with Brad’s baby, we all knew they were a couple. Hoping to avoid the media frenzy surrounding the birth, Angelina gave birth to daughter Shiloh in Namibia with her husband present.
The couple reportedly borrowed a private jet from Tom Cruise to comfortably travel before and after the birth. They sold their first baby pictures for $7.6 million to People and Hello! Magazines, and they donated all the profits to charity. Now, the couple is divorced, and the media captures snapshots of the kids with each parent separately.
Marie Antoinette — 1781
Marie Antoinette was a celebrity in her own right during her time (1781). Whether as a famous Queen or insufferable royalty, she influenced fashion and style.
Her first child was a girl, and the second was a boy. During these two pregnancies, she both wore and helped make the muslin dress fashionable. Such a dress hung looser and was more comfortable for women expecting a baby.
Antoinette made history by continuing to wear controversial dresses after the first child was born. Scandalous! Nevertheless, the style soon became fashionable and quite the rage for those times.
Grace Kelly — 1956
Grace Kelly wasted no time getting pregnant once she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Their cute baby girl, Princess Caroline, arrived nine months and four days after their marriage vows.
Media hounds went over the top with gossip about Grace’s pregnancy. The press photographed her often with a large Hermes purse covering her growing midsection. The large purse became known as the “Kelly bag.”
Princess Diana — 1982
The public loved Princess Diana, and when she became pregnant for the first time, scrutiny from the media hounds was inevitable. Later in life, Diana was known for popularizing dresses, hats, and other fashion items. She kept to simple outfits through both pregnancies, hoping to avoid attention.
Jackie Kennedy — 1960
The first lady Kennedy gave birth to her youngest, John-John, 21 days after John F. Kennedy won the presidency in 1960.
Jackie stayed home during her husband’s campaign because her pregnancy had complications, and she lost three babies. She still campaigned for Kennedy by participating in printed and television interviews, a syndicated column, and writing letters.
Kate Middleton, Duchess Of Cambridge — 2012
The Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy got off to a dramatic start. In December 2012, the palace announced her pregnancy when she was hospitalized for a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, best described as severe morning sickness.
Kate’s health improved, and the world giddily watched. Her child, George, is third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William. Now, they have two more adorable kids. The other two are Charlotte, Elizabeth, Diana, and Louis Arthur Charles.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Twins — 2017
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s twins are worth mentioning because their births hit the headlines with fake and real news. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the couple and their new babies are so famous that, reportedly (E! News), a celebrity’s company filed trademark documents in late June.
Why trademark your kids’ names? The trademark request relates to various merchandise, including baby items. To liven up the excitement, Jay-Z released his album 4:44. In it, he discusses infidelity rumors, his twins, and his wild and crazy friendship with Kanye West.
Loretta Young and Clark Gable’s Secret Daughter — 1935
Decades after Loretta Young’s pregnancy, Judy Lewis revealed she was the daughter of Young and Clark Gable. The pregnancy is worth mentioning because it seems unique. Twenty-two-year-old and unmarried, Young and Gable, 34 and married to Maira Langham, had a short romance while filming The Call of the Wild in Washington State.
While pregnant, she stayed in Europe to ward off rumors and a scandal. Their baby arrived on November 6, 1935. A little over a year and a half later, Young brought her home and told the media she had adopted the child. Lewis passed away in 2011 at the age of 76.
Celebrity Babies Grow Up
The news coverage of celebrity pregnancy has died down recently. The excitement is not the hot news it used to be. Though seeing the first pictures of the babies is exciting, it is even more impressive when they grow up and start looking like their parents.
Based on a true story, Dolphin Tale is a movie you and your kids will love.
Movie That’s a Family Story
If you’re looking for a movie to share with someone special, Dolphin Tale is an excellent choice for the whole family. Yes, it’s a “family-friendly” movie, but the story is about overcoming mental and physical challenges. It is a film that quickly wins your heart, as the inspirational story immediately draws you in.
The film centers on a true story about a boy named Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and his friend, Winter, a dolphin whose tail was lost after becoming entangled in a crab trap. With the boy’s help, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium nursed Winter back to health. Winter plays herself in the movie, which is pretty impressive.
The Blu-ray/DVD combo release includes several aspects of Winter’s story. The Blu-ray and DVD include behind-the-scenes footage and educational material. Imagine working with a dolphin, teaching her how to use a prosthetic fin – the first time it has ever been done. A Dolphin Tale is the best family film of the year – a movie worth watching over and over during the summer or Winter. I highly recommend Dolphin Tale.
The behind-the-scenes featurettes are educational because you get to see how they developed the prosthetic fin. Imagine working with a dolphin for the first time, teaching her how to use a prosthetic flipper.
Dolphin Washes Up on the Beach
Sawyer discovers Winter washes up on the beach. He helps her, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s emergency response team arrives to help the injured dolphin by bringing her to the aquarium.
Sawyer is the movie’s focus as we meet the Clearwater Marine Team led by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.) and his daughter, Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff).
Hazel and Sawyer become fast friends. We see Sawyer’s transformation into a more responsible person with a purpose in life. He changes from an apathetic boy with no real goal to a high-spirited, action-packed person ready to help Winter. He has a strong desire to help her get healthy so that she can live a long and happy life.
Winter is a camera charmer because she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight. The animal is doing all the movements with and without the prosthetic fin – brilliant. For comical relief, the film has a puckish pelican named Rufus – he is hilarious.
Writing Genuine Dialogue
The dialogue is genuine and propels the story forward at a meaningful and brisk pace. Never second-guessing if the story is real or spun from a simple story about saving a dolphin.
Sawyer and Hazel’s dialogue effectively conveys the challenges of growing up with one parent, yet makes them light and easy to confront.
The writing is so good that the scientific discoveries developed and engineered through Dr. McCarthy take historical precedence in helping our animals on the planet.
Winter is a camera charmer; she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight.
“Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’re broken.” Dr. Cameron McCarthy, played by Morgan Freeman
Dolphin Without a Tail
AFI Lifetime Achievement recipient, Morgan Freeman, brings a whole new level to the movie. Cast as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, a military prosthetics doctor who is sufficiently “out of the box” to make a prosthetic for a dolphin. We see an authentic Freeman character, adding the anchor to the whole process of developing a prosthetic fin for a dolphin. The McCarthy character was formulated from two prosthetic makers who had the mind’s eye to help Winter overcome her physical barrier. Both the Blu-ray and DVD offer “At Home with Winter” and “Winter’s Inspiration” featurettes, showcasing all the work that went into creating Winter’s finale. It is worth mentioning that the prosthetics makers volunteered their time to design new prosthetics as Winter grows.
The Blu-ray also features two additional extras: two animated shorts, “The Hutash Rainbow Bridge,” which tells the story Dr. Clay related to Sawyer in the movie. “Ormie and the Cookie Jar” — viewers watch an original short in the style of Pixar.
You can even visit Winter in Clearwater by visiting Seewinter.org and viewing Winter live on the webcam.
The film also stars Ashely Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Nathan Gamble.
Enjoy two hours of genuine laughs when you pop this Munsters DVD in your player. You’ll watch some rare shows and featurettes about a silly family on a TV show.
The series aired in the 1960s and continued with a decade of reruns. Do you remember where the Munsters lived?
Mockingbird Lane is where the Munsters entertained audiences of all ages. Sure, the episodes were spooky in a fun way. Kids and parents could relate to the innocence of being a silly monster family — some family members are not too bright.
For the first time in a long time, long-lost television appearances of the cast—Fred Gwynne (Herman), Yvonne De Carlo (Lily), Al Lewis (Grandpa), Pat Priest (Marilyn) and Butch Patrick (Eddie) are available to be enjoyed again in this historical and hysterical collection.
Marineland Carnival & More Lost Treasures with the Munsters TV Show Cast Members have arrived. The DVD includes the hour-long Marineland Carnival 1965 special starring the Munsters. Next is a 1966 full-color Munsters-themed “episode” with Fred Gwynne as Herman on The Danny Kaye Show.
I found the other rare skits and vintage talk show interviews funny while learning a little about the actors.
An all-new featurette called Munster Memories with Butch Patrick is fascinating. Watch before you watch the episodes if you need to become more familiar with The Munsters.
Also included is the hit music from the New Christy Minstrels. And there are guest appearances by legends Edie Adams and Joey Bishop.
This short is not on the DVD but shows the human side of The Munsters.
Watch the television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: Season 1 and 2 as four-DVD sets fromMPI Media Group. The collections contain 39 episodes, representing the complete first two seasons, 78 episodes.
The TV series was a long-running sitcom ranked high on some of the top lists of television. MPI Media Group has restored the entire library of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet from the original 35mm picture and sound elements in association with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, which preserves the aspects on behalf of the Nelson family.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet lasted 14 record-breaking seasons, totaling 435 episodes. It aired on ABC-TV from 1952 through 1966 as a positive, wholesome series epitomizing an idyllic American 1950s lifestyle.
Its gentle humor came to the screen through the real-life Nelson family, which included Ozzie and his wife Harriet with their sons, David and Rick. They portrayed themselves in a trendsetting blend of fact-meets-fiction comedy decades before semi-reality-based shows like Seinfeld.
The series humorously chronicled the daily lives of the Nelsons as David and Ricky grew up before millions of weekly viewers. Besides Ozzie Nelson being a real-life bandleader and Harriet Nelson, a singer, the series would help launch the musical career of their younger son, Ricky, who would become a teen idol with such enduring hits as “Travelin’ Man” and “Hello Mary Lou.”
The longest-running live-action sitcom in U.S. television history until It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia surpassed it on December 1, 2021, when the FXX series debuted its 15th season.
Still, Ozzie and Harriet hold the record for most episodes produced, totaling 435. Among its Emmy nominations and many other accolades, TV Guide placed Ozzie Nelson at number 21 on its list of “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time.” Others on the list include Andy Taylor, Ben Cartwright and Steve Douglas.
And now, for the very first time, in association with the Nelson family, the entire series arrives digitally restored for its 70th Anniversary with complete episodes from the original film negatives for superior picture quality.
Viewing these restored episodes, I am amazed by the picture and sound quality.
I watched season one, which contains all 39 complete, fun-filled episodes on four DVDs, starting with the premiere show and other rare adventures not seen on television in decades. The humor seems dated, but it’s clean and trouble-free.
I saw Don DeFore (Hazel) as Ozzie’s neighbor, pal Thorny. Others included guest stars from classic television and films, including Hal Smith (The Andy Griffith Show), Ellen Corby (The Waltons), Janet Waldo (The Jetsons), Joseph Kearns (Dennis the Menace), Frank Nelson (I Love Lucy) and other familiar faces.
Season two also contains 39 episodes — with more lost moments appearing for the first time since broadcast initially — on four discs and features such guest stars as Frank Cady (Petticoat Junction), John Carradine (The Munsters) and Lurene Tuttle (Psycho).
It’s hard to believe Ozzie and Harriet started visiting us on television in 1952, making this vintage series binge-worthy
“To the moon, Alice” is a familiar phrase of Jackie Gleason, as Ralph would say to his wife, played by Audrey Meadows. The Honeymooners was one of the first situation comedies of the 1950s. A half-hour show began as a segment on Cavalcade of Stars, then emerged even better on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1955.
The show developed with cast leavings, cast changes, and edited versions of close to 70 incarnations of what we call The Honeymooners. The series ended in 1971. If you look over the show’s history, you’ll realize it wasn’t a show, but it had stamina — popularity that people still recognize. So, it became a TV Sitcom.
Between 1976 and 1978, Jackie Gleason and his co-stars, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Jane Kean, were filmed in color with a live audience. Four shows were produced and filmed in Miami, Florida. The Honeymooners: A Christmas Carol was the second one made. It’s now available for your Christmas movie library.
The show opens with Ralph boasting about taking a trip to Miami with Alice as a Christmas vacation. Until his boss, played by Gale Gordon, asks Ralph to find a director for his wife’s Christmas charity play. The money raised gives homeless cats in New York City a feline Merry Christmas.
Ralph has concerns that the guy who takes the director’s job gets bumped up to the traffic manager. So, he accepts the task and tries to convince Alice that the charity play is more important than going to Miami. Charles Dickens’ play, A Christmas Carol, comes to mind, and Ralph rewrites the classic. The result is hilarious as it’s nothing like the original when Ed takes on the job as the inexperienced director. The best scene is when Ed plays both Scrooge and Tiny Tim.
Bonus features include an interview with Jane Kean and an extra episode from the 1960s sitcom.
The release gives the younger generation a chance to see how clean and straightforward a television show is possible. The Honeymooners: A Christmas Carol is everything you’d expect from a live television show of the 1960s. But this 1977 most likely will not garner fans. But if you are familiar with the show, you are in for a special treat. “Recapture my youth? If I keep this up, I’ll lose my old age!”
Directed by Stephen Herek, The Great Gilly Hopkins, is an inspiring film the whole family can enjoy. A true classic story that will capture anyone’s heart. The cast alone is worth renting or buying the movie including Kathy Bates, Octavia Spencer, Glenn Close. These talented women bring so much life to the classic young-adult novel by Katherine Paterson, who also wrote Bridge to Terabithia.
This great tale won the Truly Moving Picture award at the 2016 Heartland Film Festival. The story is about real, emotional, funny and captivating scenes featuring Sophie Nélisse, who was unforgettable in The Book Thief. She brings her same talent to this adorable movie, which also stars Julia Stiles, who plays Gilly’s mother.
The story follows Gilly as a coming-of-age story about one girl discovering what a family really can be. We met the feisty and headstrong Gilly Hopkins where she has made a name for herself in the foster system. She outwits family after family in hopes of being reunited with her birth mother.
In a comical effort to escape her newest home and overly affectionate foster mother, Mamie Trotter, played by Bates, the young girl devises a scheme she believes will send her mother running to the rescue. When her grand plan backfires, Gilly realizes she may have been wrong about everything in her search to find where she belongs.
The movie brings up questions like “What is a family?” “What is family love?”
I was touch by this film because it holds life lessons with an impressive cast from a charmingly written novel. It all comes to life with a perfect mix of characters. I laughed, cried, and loved it.
Directed by Ira Sachs, Little Men stars Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Ehle, Paulina García, and Alfred Molina. The movie is an in-depth look at the innocence of young relationships and the inevitable evolution of human connections.
The riveting drama delivers a heartfelt narrative through Theo Taplitz and Michael Barbieri as Jake Jardine and Tony Calvelli in their unforgettable performances, truly make the movie worthwhile to watch.
When a 13-year-old, played by Taplitz, grandfather dies, Jake’s family moves from Manhattan back into his father’s Brooklyn home. There, Jake befriends the charismatic Tony, played by Barbieri, whose single, Chilean mother Leonor, played by Garcia, runs the dress shop downstairs.
Jake’s parents Brian, played by Kinnear, and Kathy, played by Ehle, ask Leonor to pay a higher rent and a feud ignites between the adults. The boys take an oath of silence against their parents in protest. From there the story is endearing. Sachs coats the movie with humanism and insight, as the story is about life-defining friendship amid family turmoil.
An interesting aspect of the story is Jake’s father, Brian, when he learns that his late father’s a small business was not profitable. He can’t continue the same business practice. As a result, there is deep-rooted tension with him and the owner of the business that is renting from him. The fact that his son is best friends with the owner’s son is even more intense.
This story is true and could happen to anyone. Thus, it will make viewers think about morality or what is right or wrong when it comes to making a living and surviving. A smart business person would raise the rent because why suffer.
Still, the whole story of the adult’s and the kid’s relationships are real and honestly looked at as the characters come to terms with the situation.
The movie needs more upbeat moments to appreciate the low points in the movie. Too much angst and not enough smiles and joy. The abrupt ending could have played out a bit more with the whole story coming to a happy ending.
The two young boys are amazing on screen and worth watching if you want to see some fine talent.
I visited the Schulz museum in Santa Rosa, California for my daughter’s sake, thinking I would be bored out of my head. Boy, was I wrong, I discovered Charles Schulz, the genius who created a series of Peanuts comic strips that voiced the current social conflicts of the time and still today. Women rights, pray in schools, draft, and war. Growing up, I did read the comic strip without realizing he was bringing up social issues. As a young girl, I marveled at the expressions and characters of each personality. I watched the television specials with my family falling in love with Snoopy.
Watching Snoopy, Come Home brought memories back during the nights I’d watch the Peanuts specials with my family. I am still in love with Snoopy because he is so innocent yet creative. In this Peanuts movie, the story is quite good. It begins with him running off to visit Lila, his original owner, who is in the hospital. Woodstock goes with him, but they are captured by a rather overbearing girl who demands Snoopy and Woodstock be her pets.
Being clever the two escape, which includes some very funny and misplaced steps of amusement. Back at Charlie Brown’s home, he is concerned with finding out about Lila. Who is she? I will not share the ending of the movie, but I will tell you that it is so much fun to watch Snoopy get into many mishaps as he tries to sneak into places where dogs are not allowed.
The movie is tried and true, and now released on Blu-ray. The new format adds more of a sparkle with a widescreen format. Keep in mind parents, that the going away party for Snoopy might be a tearjerker for the kids or trouble understanding why people are so sad at a party. Still, the humor is fun to watch and offers great laughs.
