The Sandlot

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: April 7, 1993

DVD Release Date: January 29, 2002

Plot 411: The new kid on the block spends his summer bonding with the kids from the sandlot and "the beast."

Review: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This is clearly a legend of a coming-of-age movie in my book. Bookish Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to L.A. with his mom (Karen Allen) and stepdad (Denis Leary). In an effort to make friends, he follows some boys to a dirt field affectionately called "the sandlot." Here, he is taught the great game of baseball by the local kids and is taken under the wing of Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), who is the best player in their neighborhood. However, when an over-the-fence homerun knocks a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the domain of "the beast," the boys must find a way to recover it despite their fear of the ferocious dog. Not only does this movie have it all (comedy, drama, intrigue and wholesomeness), it is especially good at relating to kids. All the little details that are so important when you're 10 or 12 years old is important in this movie. The idea of losing a baseball over the fence feels immense. Getting a kiss from a pretty girl is a life or death situation. A day can seem like a year when it's summer and you have all your friends with you. This movie captures this feeling of childhood innocence and enthusiasm like no movie of its kind. Everything is there in this film, including inspirational themes like realizing your dreams and overcoming your fears. And yet, in its purest form, this is just a movie about a summer of baseball. Genius.

Watch It: For a good amount of childhood fun and adventure that will have you reliving your own summer adventures.

Skip It: If maybe hockey is your thing and you'd prefer Mighty Ducks. I think that movie is good in its own right but it's no Sandlot. There's something about the '60s that just makes you think baseball and apple pie.

Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs 3D

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 1, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Manny and his herd discover a whole new world below theirs when they venture into it to save Sid.

Review: First of all, I think this movie would've been just fine without the 3D effect at $3.50 a pop. Unlike other recent 3D movies, this one didn't really utilize it to full effect. Besides that though, I thought this was a fun and entertaining movie for both kids and adults. There were some scary parts that younger kids might not enjoy (after all, there are dinosaurs in this one), but overall I think it was really good. It's impressive how the animation has progressed throughout the years. There's a scene when Scrat (the squirrel) and his girlfriend are falling through the sky. You can see all the individual strands of fur blowing in the wind. The technicality is amazing and yet you're still able to enjoy the artistry of it all. In this movie, Sid (John Leguizamo) is kidnapped by a mommy t-rex because he's stolen her eggs in an attempt to start his own family. The herd rushes off to save him, even though Ellie (Queen Latifah) is pregnant, like any good herd would do. They encounter a warm, tropical world where dinosaurs exist underneath their cold and icy one. They meet up Buck (Simon Pegg) down under and he helps them track down Sid and avoid the nastiness that is Rudy. Also along for the ride are Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary) and Ellie's brothers - Crash (Seann William Scott) and Eddie (Josh Peck).

Watch It: If you're already in love with the Ice Age franchise. I think the best movie is a toss up between this one and the first one.

Skip It: If you're child is too young because some of the dinosaurs are scary-looking and come with loud roaring sounds.