Best DVD Gift Ideas for Kids Ages 5 and Up: (Listed Alphabetically)

Despicable Me 2: (PG) 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Gru (voice of Steve Carell), his three adopted daughters, and the beloved minions are back in this sequel to the popular 2010 movie Despicable Me. Now we see Gru as a loving father, not the evildoer who wanted to steal the moon. However, problems occur when Gru is asked to track down an evil felon. Initially he’s not sure he wants to fight crime, though when partnered with the beautiful agent Lucy Wilde (voice of Kristen Wiig) he changes his mind; after all his girls have been wanted him to date more. Despicable Me 2 is a wonderful animated film for the whole family. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.

Epic: (PG) 5 out of 5 buckets
Mary Katherine, also know as M.K. (voice of Amanda Seyfried), wanted a “normal dad.”   Since her parents were divorced, and her mom had recently passed away, she needed the guidance and stability of her father. The only problem was, her father was very preoccupied. He was obsessed with the idea that there was a kingdom of tiny people living in the forest behind his house. He had dozens of cameras throughout the area; he was so determined to find the little creatures, that was his goal in life. Initially M.K. thought her dad was crazy, but then one day when she went into the forest and realized her father was right. She met the little creatures, and before you know it she became a teeny, tiny person herself. M.K. ended up bonding with the Leafman (the good guys), and helped defend them against the Baggons (the bad guys). She became apart of their world, while trying to get back to her father.  Epic is a wonderful animated film for the whole family!

Monster’s University: (PG) 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Kids typically have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, or have a dream college they want to attend. Monster, Michael “Mike” Wazowski, dreams of being a scarer, a monster who  is able to make kids scream. Mike eventually attends the Scare Program at Monster’s University, and that’s where he meets James “Sulley” P. Sullivan. The two monster’s have different strengths and weaknesses. Mike is an ambitious hard working monster, though not very scary, and Sulley is a natural scarer (he comes from a family of talented scarers), however he doesn’t have the best work ethic.Together the two monsters face various trials and tribulations, but they learn to work together and use their talents to succeed. Monster’s University is the prequel to the 2001 film Monster’s Inc. It’s a wonderful animated film, one for the whole family! Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.

Oz the Great & Powerful: (PG) 4 1/2 buckets
Oscar Diggs, also known as Oz (James Franco) is a charming and handsome man, who attracts the ladies. He is a small-time traveling circus magician, with one goal; to become rich and famous someday. After a performance in Kansas, a powerful storm hit, and Oscar was swept away to the beautiful Land of Oz. Initially he was excited; the people of Oz thought Oscar was the King they had been waited for, however things changed when he met three witches; Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams). They weren’t as convinced that he was their wizard and ruler. Now Oscar had to determine who was good and who was evil, he had to put his magical skills to use to help the inhabitants of Oz, he had become the man we are familiar with; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Oz the Great and Powerful is the prequel to the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. It is a very clever, suspenseful film for the whole family. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violence.

Smurfs 2: (PG) 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
The wicked wizard Gargamel (voice of Hank Azaria) is back, and he’s more wicked than ever. This time Gargamel has a new creation; a diminutive race of little stinkers, known as the Naughties.  The problem is, he wants to transform them into Smurfs, but he doesn’t know the secret spell. Unfortunately, Smurfette is the only one that knows the spell to make the transformation happen. So Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and takes her to Paris. Now the Smurfs and their human friends go to the City of Light, with hopes to rescue their friend. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.

The Croods: (PG) 5 out of 5 buckets
The Croods are a prehistoric family who were forced to leave their cave after a natural disaster destroyed the whole area.  Grug (Nicolas Cage), the father and leader of the household, took his role very seriously, he was determined to protect the family as they searched for a new home. However, things got complicated when they met a resourceful nomad named Guy (Ryan Reynolds). Guy was a cute teenage boy who fell for Grug’s teen daughter, Eep (Emma Stone).  Grug began to feel threatened; he wanted to be the man in charge, but he eventually realized that with Guy’s brains,  his strength, and a loving family… they could survive. The Croods is a wonderful animated, adventure film for the whole family.

Turbo: (PG) 5 out of 5 buckets
Snails aren’t typically known for their speed, but that never stopped a misfit snail named Turbo. Turbo’s (voice of Ryan Reynold) life long dream was to race at the Indy 500, though an unrealistic goal. However, with hard work, perseverance, and an unexpected freak accident, Turbo’s dream was becoming a reality and a chance to race in one of the most prestigious motorsports in the world…The Indy 500.  Turbo is a wonderful animated, suspenseful film for kids of all ages.

Best DVD Gift Ideas for Pre-teens and Teenagers (Listed by Genre)

Action:

White House Down (PG13) 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
John Cale (Channing Tatum) is a Capitol policeman in pursuit of his dream job…Secret Service Agent! There was one problem, John didn’t do that well in the military or get the best grades in college, so he didn’t get the job. After getting rejected, John and his young daughter, Emily, got a tour of the White House. Things started out great, especially since Emily was so enamored with politics and the President, however  while on the tour a group of paramilitary invaders bombed the rotunda, killing a lot of innocent people. Now it was up to John to  rescue his daughter and save the President from the awful attack. White House Down is an action packed movie one that teenagers will most likely enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content and moderate profane language.

Action/Drama/Sci-fi:

Ironman 3: (PG13) 4 out of 5 buckets
Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is back as Iron Man, and stronger than ever. In this third film of the Iron Man series, a terrorist named the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) threatened to destroy America. Unfortunately Stark’s former security guard, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) was injured in an explosion, which was caused by the Mandarin. Stark was very upset, though determined to face the evil terrorist; the problem was the terrorist got to Stark first. He destroyed Stark’s Malibu mansion, and all his high-tech toys. Luckily Stark (Iron Man) lived, though his beloved metal suit was injured. Stark had to try and survive on his own, and save the world without his protective shell. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content.

Man of Steal: (PG13) 4 out of 5 buckets
Clark Kent/Kal-E l(Henry Cavill)… a boy who was sent to Earth as a baby from another planet, a boy who grew up in Smallsville, Kansas; raised by farmers and loving adopted parents, a boy who helped those in need, a boy who became…Superman! Man of Steel is the latest version of the 75-year-old superhero story.  In this action packed film we see how Superman saves the world from General Zod, the evil villain from Kyrpton, and how he becomes the symbol of hope for all mankind. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (PG) 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets (Release date December 17)
Camp for a demigod is not all fun and games. Percy Jackson, the half-human son of Poseidon, and his best friends; Annabeth (Athena’s daughter) and Glover (a satyr) are back at Camp Half-Blood. Initially things were going well, until a mechanical bull stormed into the camp and broke the barrier that protected the demigods from strangers entering into the camp. To save their home, Percy and his friends embarked on dangerous mission to the Sea of Monsters (Bermuda Triangle). They wanted to find the mythical Golden Fleece which has the power to save their training ground and their home…Camp Half-Blood. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, based on Rick Riordan’s fantasy books series, is the sequel to Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief. It’s an action packed film for the whole family. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.

Star Trek Into Darkness: (PG13) 4 out of 5 buckets
The new enterprise crew, led by Chris Pine as James T Kirk, faces a familiar nemesis, Kahn, in the latest edition of the Star Trek franchise.   Kahn attacks a secret Star Fleet facility on earth and Kirk and the enterprise crew set out to bring him to justice.  Along the way, they venture into Klingon space, face a challenge from one of their own, and throw out humorous one liners.  Spock, Scottie, bones and Uhura join Kirk to avert a war and protect the Earth. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content.

Comedy:

Pitch Perfect-(PG13) 4 out of 5 buckets
Beca(Anna Kendrick) is a freshman at Barden University; she doesn’t love college, she doesn’t try to fit in, but what she does want to do…is move to Los Angeles!!! However, things change when she’s persuaded to join The Bellas, an all-girls a cappella group. Now Beca takes this traditional, somewhat boring singing group, and adds a contemporary flare which sets them apart from their rivals. Pitch Perfect is a comedy musical; it’s a fun entertaining movie, one that boys and girls will like! Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and moderate profane language.

The Internship- (PG13) 3 out of 5 buckets
Take your chances and follow your dreams!  That’s what salesmen, Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) did after their company shut down. They didn’t give up or lose hope, they were determined to work at the greatest place in America…Google. The Internship is a comedy about two middle aged men who pursue their goal to intern at Google. They compete and team up with college aged interns who are extremely smart and tech-savvy. Their prize…employment at Google!!! Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual and drug and alcohol contents and the excessive profane language.

Drama/Romance:

Safe Haven –(PG13) 3 out of 5 buckets
This is the story of a young women named Katie (Julianne Hough). Katie is a girl on the run looking for a safe place to call home. She finally gets the courage to leave Boston and start a new life in Southport, North Carolina. In the small town of Southport, Katie bonds with a handsome widower named Alex (Josh Duhamel), and his two young children. However, she’s still haunted by her past, and is eventually forced to reveal the truth. Based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel, Safe Haven is a suspenseful, romantic film about second chances. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual and violent contents.

The Great Gatsby- (PG13) 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
It’s been 24 hours since I saw this movie, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The characters, the setting and what the film symbolized; prohibition, the Jazz Age, one’s social status, and the American Dream. It was the summer of 1922; a recent Yale graduate named Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moved to New York for business, and rented a house in West Egg on Long Island; which was populated with people of “new money.” Next door to Nick lived a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gatsby lived in a gothic mansion, where he had extravagant parties every Saturday night. Across the bay, in East Egg, lived Nick’s cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her wealthy, blue-blooded husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton).  As the summer progressed Nick attended Gatsby’s opulent parties and became involved in the lives of the materialistic and corrupted; the wealthy Long Islanders, along with Daisy, Tom and Gatsby! Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby is a wonderful, educational film for teenagers. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and excessive drug and alcohol content.

Drama/Sports:

42 (PG13) 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) changed the game of baseball forever! It started in 1945 when he wanted to end segregation on the baseball field. He was determined to recruit MLB’s first black player, and he did. In 1947 Rickey found his man; a man from the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs, a man who was an amazing athlete…a man named Jackie Robinson. In 1947 Robinson became a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers; while he faced many vicious, racial comments and abuse, Robinson was encouraged by Rickey not to fight back, and let his talent speak for itself. That’s what Robinson did; at the end of his rookie season he became National League Rookie of the Year, and was eventually  inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 42 is a wonderful inspirational sports drama, a movie for the whole family!! Parents need to be aware of the moderate profane language.

Battle of the Year (PG13) 4 out of 5 buckets
”The Team, The Team, The Team,” that’s a well known phrase from The University of Michigan’s former football coach, Bo Schembechler, and it’s also the primary focus and belief of Coach Blake (Josh Holloway). Battle of the Year is a sports drama, not about the traditional sports such as football, basketball or hockey; this is about b-boying, also known as breakdancing. Though b-boying originated in the USA in 1970, teams from South Korea, France, Germany and Russia have dominated the sport. In this fictional story, we see how Coach Blake assembles a team of the best dancers in America, and takes them to compete in France, where they can hopefully win the battle and bring home the trophy. Parents need to be aware of the moderate language and drug and alcohol content.

Thriller
Now You See Me– (PG13)- 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Magic, Mystery and Fun! Now You See Me follows a group of illusionists, known as, “The Four Horsemen.” These magicians include one woman and three men; all very intriguing and captivating. The magicians not only entertain their Las Vegas audiences, they also reward them with stolen profits from their shows. Their performances aren’t your traditional magic acts, their tricks include a series of bank heists, where they “teleport” a member of the audience to a bank vault. Things get complicated when an FBI agent and an Interpol detective are convinced that ‘The Four Horseman’ are criminals, not magicians; they are determined to track them down and turn them in.  But it’s not that easy for the detectives, the magicians claim to be the smartest ones in the room, and one step ahead of the law. Now You See Me is  an action packed, suspenseful movie; one that pre-teens and teenagers will most likely enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual, violent and profane language throughout the film.