Today I went to the the new IMAX movie Born to Be Wild in 3D.

This movie parallels two different wildlife sanctuaries in two different parts of the world. And because the movie is filmed in 3D, with IMAX quality, viewers feel like they are right there. To top it off, Morgan Freeman is the narrator.

In Kenya the story takes you to a refuge for baby elephants managed by elephant expert, Dame Daphne Sheldrick. She and her team rescue baby elephants from the wild who have lost their mothers for various reasons and nurture them until they are old enough and strong enough to be released back into the wilderness. Half way across the earth from Kenya is Borneo, where an orangutan sanctuary – deep in the rain forest – rescues baby orangutans whose mothers have been killed. It is here that primatologist, Dr. Birute Galdikas, and her team, act as mothers to these fragile creatures until they can be released back into their natural habitat.

The cuteness factor of the baby animals in this movie is off the charts. There is a scene where a worker is pushing a group of baby orangutans in a wheel barrel, and everyone in the theater audibly sighed. There is another priceless scene where the primates are soaping themselves up in a bath. The baby elephants are playful and friendly and so darn adorable too. Some of the babies have trouble falling asleep so the workers have to stay with them to help them relax. You’ll wish you could take one home with you. I like the way the movie takes you back and forth to the two sanctuaries. The cinematography is spectacular, as it is in all IMAX movies I’ve ever seen.

Children will learn that, although wild animals are cute and friendly, they are still wild and that must be respected. The rescuers give these babies a second chance to survive and let them be the animals that they naturally are while in captivity. That way when they are set free, they have the greatest chance of survival.

Anyone, young or old, who loves animals will love this IMAX movie.

I cannot imagine anyone thinking that The King’s Speech is anything but a superior movie. From the story to the dialogue to the acting to the stage set and scenery, this is a classic film. The story is based upon the real life of Britain’s King George VI, who, in had problems with his speech, as he stuttered and was considered unfit to be King. Known as Prince Albert (a.k.a “Bertie”) the soon to be King’s wife seeks help from an unconventional speech therapist. The Prince/King and the therapist become friends, and conflict ensues. The excellent plot – involving the death of his father and the reign of his older brother – leaves you believing you are observing a true story as it unfolds.

The lead role is brilliantly played by Colin Firth, his wife is perfectly played Helena Bonham Carter and the speech therapist is played by Australian actor, Geoffrey Rush. It’s no wonder that The King’s Speech won the British Independent Film Award for Best Independent Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. It has also been nominated for 7 Golden Globes and 4 Screen Actors Guild Awards, among others. There is some profanity in the film, used in a humorous way, but nothing else objectionable for teens and older.   Your family will get a history lesson while enjoying the story. I highly recommend this movie.

Directed by the Coen Brothers and produced by Steven Spielberg, True Grit is a fabulous Western and family movie. (Rated   PG -13 due to some violence and disturbing images). I saw the John Wayne version many years ago, but this script is quite different and more believable. Jeff Bridges is brilliant in the lead male role as Rooster Cogburn, a whiskey-drinking, cigarette-smoking, rough-and-tough US Marshall. He is hired by a young girl, Mattie Ross, played by Hailee Steinfeld, to find the man who killed her father. (Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin)  She is brave and clever, and likable in every way. The acting of Matt Damon, who plays Texas Ranger LaBoef, did not impress me as much as the other 2 main characters. Against the wishes of the men, 14-year-old Mattie travels with them on a rugged trail in pursuit of the killer.

The plot of the movie is serious, but some of the lines are hilarious – especially those of Jeff Bridges. Though I must warn you that he is sometimes hard to understand, as he is a mumbling character.

What I liked most about the movie is watching Mattie Ross’ reactions to what is going on around her. Jeff Bridges physically looks so much different in the movie than he does in real life that he truly becomes his character. The plot is simple, but never boring and the ending is happy for the most part. I’m sure you like it too.

I don’t usually read other reviews of books and movies before I write one myself. But I was so impressed with Despicable Me, I had to read what others had to say about it. The thing about reviews, in my opinion, is that reviewers often over analyze movies. What is the point of dissecting an animated movie made for kids? It’s okay to say that you just really liked a movie because it made you feel good.

I read that the movie copies other movies, has stereotyped characters and does too much to try to make you love it. As for me, I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT. I don’t care what the producers borrowed from other movies, if in fact they did. And I am so glad they did too much to try to make me like it. Simply put, this movie is adorable. I smiled a lot, giggled and was charmed out of my seat.

The action-packed story is about a funny-looking, Russian-accented villain named Gru (Steve Carell), who tries to outdo another villain, named Vector (Jason Segel). Gru has flashbacks about his disapproving mother (Julie Andrews) while he plot to steal the moon. The story involves 3 cuter-than-cute little girls and a whole bunch of tiny pill-capsule-looking creatures, who work for Gru in his basement laboratory. The characters in the movie are all either odd looking or darling cute. If you are sensitive to overweight people, you may be slightly offended by some of the obese characters, many of whom are mean. But you’ll have to admit they are mesmerizing to watch – especially villain loan shark Mr. Perkins (Will Arnett) with his triangular-shaped head and mushy, southern-belle-talking Miss Hattie (Christen Wiig) from the adoption agency.

The youngest of the three girls in the movie, Agnes (Elsie Fisher), is so charming, she will melt your heart. Her voice and facial expressions are darling. And the little creatures who work for Gru generate a whole lot of laughter from the audience.

In the theater, when the movie was over, everyone in the audience clapped and cheered. One boy got up and danced through the credits. That’s how I know it was a great movie. And unless you have no heart or are one of those over-analyzing critics, you too will cheer when you see delightful, Despicable Me.