Page 46 June 2011 1. The Iron Giant (1999) (PG): When a giant robot crash-lands on Earth, he befriends a lonely boy while a paranoid government agent hunts him down. Best Original Films There are always a few original movies out there and in a sea of cookie- cutter movies, they are a relief. Here’s a countdown of the some my favorite originals. 6. Ratatouille (2007) (G): In Paris, France, a rat named Remy befriends a restaurant’s garbage boy to help him ful fi ll his dream of becoming a chef. 5. Persepolis (2007) (PG-13): Based on the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, this is her coming-of-age story as an outspoken, Iranian girl during the Islamic Revolution. This may be a little much for younger kids, but this is a very intriguing movie. 4. Shrek (2001) (PG): A quirky fairy tale about an ogre who can’t get rid of an annoying talking donkey and has to save a princess from a tower to earn back his property. It’s an original story with a butt -kicking princess and a short -tempered prince. 3. Monster’s Inc. (2001) (G): A corporation run by monsters who scare children and collect their screams to Movies Continued from page 31 give the city electricity. Hasn’t everyone wondered at some point if there really are monsters hiding in the closet or under the bed, or even just in the darkest corner of the room? 2. Chicken Run (2000) (G): A farmer and his wife are running a chicken potpie factory when one of the chickens on their farm gets smart and tries to hatch an escape plan. And when her hero, Rocky the rooster, comes to the farm, she’s sure they’ll be able to escape. With the same animators as Wallace and Gromit , the fi lm is one of the high points of animated movie making. 1. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) (G): Emperor Kuzco is used to things going his way, until his adviser and her sidekick try to poison him. When they accidentally turn him into a llama instead, they toss him in a river forcing him to befriend a peasant he was rude to in order to get back to the palace and change back to a human. This one is full of laughs. Best Disney Films Disney’s made a great many fi lms, some good and some not. This is a countdown of some of the more memorable ones. 3. A Bug’s Life (1998) (G): When grasshoppers are threatening an ant hill for food, one brave ant sets out to gather a team of bugs frightening enough to scare off the grasshoppers and save everyone. Continued on page 47 Easterbelles.com is your new home for luxury vintage jewelry, accessories and collectibles. We are also still available on Ruby Lane at rubylane.com/shop/easterbelles-emporium. If you need help picking out an exquisite piece, you can make an appointment to see our showroom by calling 480-941-7200. Stay out of the hot sun and find all your summer vintage accessories online at Easterbelles.com! Receive custom whitening trays and professional strength bleaching gel ($300 value) at your initial exam and cleaning appointment. Receive additional professional strength bleaching gel at each subsequent cleaning appointment. Offer Expires August 30, 2011. New patients only. Southtown Dental Care Dr. Matthew E. Nelson, DDS 7101 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Just South of Old Town near Thomas & Scottsdale Road at your Receive g gel at Cleanings & Prevention | Digital X-Rays | Cosmetic Dentistry | General Dentistry Call today for your appointment: 480-947-3004 www. SouthtownDentalCare .com Free Teeth Whitening for Life! for Life! Dr. Nelson is an Arizona Licensed General Dentist Contact Neil or Craig today Contact Neil or Craig today for your for your friendly friendly neighborhood discount. Craig Thorpe Honda Fleet Manager, 17 Years 9 Years at Right Honda cthorpe@RightHonda.com Neil Germundson Toyota Fleet Manager, 25 Years 11 Years at Right Toyota neilg@RightToyota.com 7701 E. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD. • SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260 (480) 778-2200 7875 E. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD. • SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260 (480) 778-2440 YOU WON’T GO WRONG AT... ONE MILE WEST OF THE 101 ON FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD. IN NORTH SCOTTSDALE bor rh rh rhoo ood dis nei ighbo g d d g bo h h h n o oo od dis i d h h n r r dis s ig o or od o o o o i s s d b d d g o o o o d e neighborhood dis See the New 2012 Honda Civic & redesigned Toyota 4Runner

Page 47 June 2011 Movies Continued from page 46 Instead, he picks up a band of bugs from a traveling circus. This could go under “Classics” or “Best Original Movie” as well, but it is one of the best Disney movies made. 2. The Princess and the Frog (2009) (G): Set during the Jazz Age-era in New Orleans, this retelling of the classic story “The Frog Prince” has lots of twists and surprises added to the original plotline such as the voodoo, black-magic magician who turns Prince Naveen into a frog so that his jealous assistant can take over the throne. The prince seeks help from a hard- working waitress under the impression that she’s a princess. As she is not, her kiss only turns her into a frog as well and now they both have to fi nd a way to turn back into humans. The animation is great and the music is even better, almost as good as the story itself. (And it’s livestream-able on Net fl ix, too!) 1. The Toy Story trilogy (1995, 1999, 2010) (G): Each movie focuses on the toys of a boy named Andy, and their adventures as they come to life when no one’s looking. This trilogy has to be the best series of fi lms Disney has ever made. Usually, the fi rst movie of a series comes out and it’s great but then the sequels aren’t quite as good. That isn’t the way it is with the Toy Story movies, as the third one is probably the best. Best Hayao Miyazaki Films Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese manga artist and prominent fi lm director and animator of many popular anime feature fi lms. Though I haven’t seen all of his fi lms, here are the three best movies out of the ones I’ve seen. 3. Castle in the Sky (1986) (PG): After escaping a fl ying ship, a girl name Sheeta is rescued by her magic crystal necklace later to be recovered by a boy named Pazu. Both wanting to see a legendary castle in the sky called Laputa, Pazu and Sheeta team up and race the military and pirates to the fl oating castle. One of Miyazaki’s older fi lms, a great movie that isn’t as popular as some, but just as good. 2. Spirited Away (2001) (PG): After Chihiro’s parents are turned into pigs after eating cursed food, she has to take a job at a bathhouse and, with the help of a boy named Haku, fi nd a way to turn her parents back into humans and escape before an evil witch traps them there for good. The strange and intriguing characters and story mix well into a movie full of imagination. 1. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) (PG): A girl named Sophie is cursed by an evil witch and transformed into an old woman. She seeks refuge in a wizard’s famous moving castle posing as a cleaning lady. There, she fi nds out that there’s more to him than the cruel rumors she’s heard. A great adventure and romance, and the English version of the fi lm has Christian Bale and Billy Crystal voicing Howl and his fi re demon, Calcifer, as well as a young Josh Hutcherson as Howl’s apprentice, Markl. Still need more? Here are a few go- to movies after you’ve exhausted the list above. Honorable Mentions 6. UP 5. Beauty and the Beast 4. Tarzan 3. Tangled 2. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 1. How to Train Your Dragon Julie Demetros is a 15-year-old homeschooler from Arcadia who writes about movies and books at http:// kidmoviekritic.blogspot.com. Since 1972 ARCADIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 5115 E. Virginia, Phoenix | 602-840-2342 Our goal is to nurture a child’s love of learning and sense of social and personal responbility using the child-centered Montessori philosophy and curriculum to develop the intellectual, compassion, physical, artistic, and academic excellence inherent in each child. Sin Openings for our new Infant Program Ages 12-18 months 6423 E. Thomas Road Open from 12-4pm daily Sat 11-2pm or by appointment Please email Kelly for volunteer opportunities: Kelleez@aol.com And join us at PF Changs (Fashion Square) for a fundraiser & silent auction to benefit Lucky Paws! June 8th @ 5pm. See you there! U U MEET SLINKY & COCO! MEET SLINKY & COCO! WE’RE 4-YEAR-OLD MALE WE’RE 4-YEAR-OLD MALE DACHSUNDS LOOKING DACHSUNDS LOOKING FOR OUR FOREVER HOME! FOR OUR FOREVER HOME! U U CONSTRUCTION m o m o C O M P A N Y , I N C . Over 35 Years Experience (602) 376-0613 www.mtoconstruction.com mtoconst@msn.com Custom Homes ~ Kitchens ~ Baths ~ Interiors ~ Exteriors Custom Residential Additions & Remodels ROC 127835 B Classes are available 6 days per week We are happy to customize a program to fit your schedule. CALL US TODAY! 602-955-1030 4514 E. Thomas Rd. (across the street from Arcadia Crossing Plaza) www.akfblackbeltacademy.com “My family and I have been coming to AKF Blackbelt Academy for years! Being a mom with two boys, this is a sport we can all enjoy together; so I can be active with them! As a result of their training, my boys benefit in all their sports by developing strength, flexibility and body control. They benefit in their music, scouts and school from the emphasis on mental focus, personal responsibility and respect for others.” ~Stacey Greene, pictured right with sons Dallas and Casey