"The Artist" is a black and white, mostly silent film that is getting a lot of attention, some of it because it's a black and white, mostly silent film. But it's also getting rave reviews and plenty of awards and honors and deservingly so. "The Artist" proves a simple, but very important point: that you don't need special effects, explosions, 3D or even dialogue and color to create a beautiful, emotional and captivating film.

The story begins is 1927. French actor Juan Dujarin (who won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance) plays actor George Valentin, a very successful silent movie star. He's charming and witty, with perfect comic timing. One day a female fan (played by Berenice Bejo) literally bumps into him while trying to get an autograph. They get photographed together and soon she becomes the talk of the town.

Her name is Peppy Miller and she decides to try out to be an extra on one of George's films. They begin to fall for each other (even though George is married). At the same time, talking pictures begin taking over the movie industry and silent films, and silent film actors, are no longer needed. Peppy becomes Hollywood's hot, new thing while George has to deal with his fading career.

"The Artist" is a gem from the classic opening credits to the incredible final scene. This movie is not only an homage to a wonderful era in movie-making, but it uses the elements of the old black and white films - the dialogue cards, music and silence - to tell a story better than any conversation-filled film this year.

The story itself is simple but powerful and the performances are spectacular. Dujardin and Bejo are perfect alone and wonderful together. If other actors and directors want to know what on-screen chemistry is supposed to look like, all they need to do is watch these two. John Goodman and James Cromwell head a solid supporting cast, but the best supporting performance is provided by George's dog, Uggie, who is amazing. He adds to the authentic look and feel of the times.

And the score plays a major role. Director Michel Hazanavicius has chosen just the right music for each scene and also proves just how powerful silence can be.

"The Artist" is rated PG-13. It's appropriate for kids 12 and up. Now, because it's a smaller film, without any big American stars and especially because it's a silent film in black and white, you're probably thinking it's not for you. You couldn't be more wrong. This is the one film this year that you will stay in your seat after the credits end and think - "Wow - that was amazing!". And many of the scenes will stay with you for years to come.

On "The Official Kid Critic Report Card", "The Artist" gets an A.

As of right now it's the leading contender for the Best Picture Oscar.

The most popular and successful animated movie of all-time will soon become one of the most popular and successful DVD's of all-time.

15 years ago the first computer animated film was released. It was called "Toy Story." Since then it seems like there have been hundreds of films and thousands of characters, but there's one gang that still stands out as the best.

It's been 11 years since we've seen Woody, Buzz and company on the big screen and, as "Toy Story 3" begins, we find out that it's been a long time since any of the toys have been played with. Andy is heading-off to college, so what's going to happen to everybody?

Andy wants to take Woody with him and keep the rest of the toys in the attic, but instead all of the toys are accidentally sent to Sunnyside Daycare Center, where things start out sunny, but quickly turn bad. There are twists and turns and Woody, as the leader, has to not only try to keep everyone together and safe, but also make some tough decisions about his own future.

"Toy Story 3" has pretty much everything you would ever want, need and hope for in an animated movie. As is almost always the case with Pixar, the story is tremendous. I've written in the past that I've never cried during a movie but I almost did this time. I've loved these characters since I was very little and it's impossible not to get emotional as their saga wraps-up. If you're one of the millions of long-time "Toy Story" fans you will not want this movie to end.

There are also some exciting action scenes and loads of fun, new characters, led by Ken, who is voiced by Michael Keaton. And all the big-name voices from the first two films are back, and Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and the rest don't miss a beat. You'd never think it's been over a decade since they did these characters for a feature-length film. Just amazing.

The script and dialogue are clever and, of course, the animation is terrific.

"TS3" in the perfect example of what the movie experience should be. It has excitement, laughs, suspense, an emotional story that pulls you in, and characters you root for. And that's why it's the best of the series, one of my favorite Pixar films, and clearly the best movie of 2010 so far.

"Toy Story 3" is rated G. There are a few mildly suspenseful scenes that could trouble very little ones, but overall it's great for all ages. Both kids and adults will enjoy it and be moved by it.

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Toy Story 3" get an A (my first A in nearly three years). It is the perfect way to wrap-up this series and it establishes the "Toy Story" franchise as one of the best in movie history.

And the Blu-ray and DVD editions contain tons of extras. If you missed TS3 in theaters that's too bad, but seeing it for the first time this way isn't bad, either. And if you already love TS3 like I do, the bonus features only add to the enjoyment of this classic.

And this isn't the last time we'll be seeing some of these characters in theaters. Director Lee Unkrich has confirmed that there will be a new "Toy Story" short before next year's "Cars 2". 

And expect "Toy Story 3" to get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and, it should be a serious contender to make history and win the award. Sound crazy? Wait and see.

Of all the great Disney animated films of all-time, there's none more beloved than the original classic, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Chances are you've seen it, maybe several times, but you've never seen it like this.

This "Diamond Edition" gives us an all-new, state-of-the-art, digital version of "Snow White" in both Blu-ray and standard DVD. It still has the classic hand-drawn animation look, but is sharper and cleaner and brighter than any of the previous versions.

Plus the original soundtrack has been restored and enhanced, with high-definition 7.1 sound with the Blu-ray version.

In short...this new "Snow White" is spectacular!

The 3-disc Combo Pack includes audio commentary; games; a look at Walt Disney’s original studio; newly discovered storyboards from “Snow White Return, which many people think was a sequel that Walt was planning.

Plus there's other bonus features, music videos and a sneak peak at “The Princess and the Frog”.

Just as they did with their previous Blu-ray releases of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Pinocchio”, Disney will on make "Snow White" available for a limited time. 

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Show White and the Seven Dwarfs" gets an A. 

The studio has announced that their Blu-ray releases for 2010 will be “Dumbo” and “Beauty and the Beast” There’s enough included with this incredible “Snow White" combo pack to keep you “whistling” till then.

The Simpsons are finally on the big screen after 18 years in “The Simpsons Movie", which stars all the regulars from the show and a few new characters.

The story centers around over-polluted Lake Springfield. When Homer dumps a silo full of animal droppings from his new pet “Spider Pig” into the lake the Environmental Protection Agency is forced to put a dome over the entire city.

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are run out of town and head to Alaska, but they must return to save the day.

It took nearly four years to make “The Simpsons Movie” and it’s exactly the length of 4 regular TV episodes - 88 minutes. However the writers get away with a little more in this movie than they can on TV. That’s why the film is rated PG-13. We get some adult language from several of the characters (including Marge…which is a shocker!) And in the best scene in the movie we actually see Bart’s privates!

The regular cast of actors supply the voices and they’re all great. Albert Brooks is one of the guest voice actors, along with a MAJOR Hollywood star who’s name I’m not going to mention because I don’t want to spoil it for you.

If you’re a fan of The Simpsons you’ve been waiting for a long time for this movie and you won’t be disappointed. In the theater where I saw the movie the cheering started even before the opening credits. And if you’ve never seen an episode of the TV show I bet you’ll still laugh a lot.

I am a Simpsons fan and so on The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “The Simpsons Movie” gets an A! It’s the best time I’ve had at the movies so far this year. For you non-Simpsons regulars it’s still a solid B.

And, as always, stay in your seats till the end of the credits as you’ll be rewarded with, among other things, Maggie first word! (which is actually her second).

“Ratatouille” is Disney/Pixar’s latest animated adventure and it’s one of their best.

The movie is about a rat named Remy who wants to become a chef, and a kitchen-boy named Linguini who becomes a chef, even though he can’t cook. They team-up to and quickly become the greatest chef in Paris.

However, the current top chef at the restaurant wants Linguini to fail. And a tough food critic wants to write a bad review that will close the restaurant down.

Together Remy and Linguini form one of the great Disney/Pixer friendships, like Lightning McQueen and Mater and Buzz and Woody.

All of the supporting characters are great as well, especially Emile, Remy’s brother and Collette, the only female chef at the restaurant. Janeane Garofalo’s voice work in the best in the film.

As usual the animation is fantastic. And there are plenty of funny lines from everybody. While I may have liked last year’s “Cars” a little better, “Ratatouille” is clearly the best animated movie so far this year.

The film is rated G but don’t let that scare you adults away. When I saw it in the theater there were more adults and teenagers than younger kids and everyone was laughing a lot.

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “Ratatouille” gets an A! The DVD also includes the new Disney/Pixar animated short, “Lifted” and a never before seen short "Your Friend the Rat". Plus the “Wall-E” trailer and other stuff. 

Finally, I’d like to dedicate this review to the great film critic Joel Segal who died on 6/29, the opening day of “Ratatloulle.”

"Cars" immediately goes to the top of the list of the best Disney/Pixar movies of all-time. It is fantastic.

Rookie race car superstar Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson) has the dream of winning the Piston Cup. But on his way to the big match race he gets lost in a small town called Radiator Springs.

Lightning makes a lot of new friends, including a tow truck named Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) and along the way he learns that there's more to life than winning a championship.

"Cars" has everything. It looks great. The racing scenes are exciting. All the voices are funny. Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and real-life racing legend Richard Petty highlight a star-studded cast. My favorite character is Mater - "like Tow-Mater...without the Tow."

"Cars" is rated G. There's something for everybody. On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Cars" gets an A! And don't miss the extra scenes during the credits. I know it'll take awhile but let's hope there's a "Cars-2" in the works at Pixar. In the meantime...wear-out that DVD and all the great extras.