The Addams Family (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Tituss Burgess, Snoop Dogg, Oscar Isaac, Allison Janney, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler, Chloe Grace Moretz, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Charlize Theron

Synopsis: The eccentrically macabre family moves to a bland suburb where Wednesday Addams' friendship with the daughter of a hostile and conformist local reality show host exacerbates conflict between the families.

Review: There were times, especially at the beginning, that I thought might be too dark for the youngest viewers, hence the PG rating.  It’s got lots of funny moments for children and adults along with the antics you expect from the family.  This has a message of being one’s own self and accepting others for their differences that is more overt than other Addams Family movies.  It’s a great message for children and a great way to start a conversation as a family.

Scoring: 4

Addams Family Values

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Joan Cusack, Dan Hedaya, and Christina Ricci

Synopsis: The Addams Family try to rescue their beloved uncle Fester from his gold-digging new love, a black widow named Debbie.

Review: In a fun sequel to the first movie, we get to see the contrast between the girliest girl and an Addams. The movie splits into two equally funny stories when we see the kids at camp with “normal” children and Fester falling for the nanny. This movie may be more outrageous than the first but it’s another I love to rewatch.

Scoring: 4

Boo!  A Madea Halloween

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Horror

Starring: Tyler Perry

Synopsis: Madea winds up in the middle of mayhem when she spends a haunted Halloween fending off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, ghouls and zombies while keeping a watchful eye on a group of misbehaving teens.

Review:  This is a typical Madea movie.  If you like Madea, you’ll love this.  You’ve got all the funny lines and characters mixed with Halloween antics.  It even has the life lessons you’d expect.  It’s laugh out loud funny.

Scoring: 4

Boo 2!  A Madea Halloween

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Horror

Starring: Tyler Perry

Synopsis: Madea, Bam, and Hattie venture to a haunted campground and the group must run for their lives when monsters, goblins, and the boogeyman are unleashed.

Review:  All the fun, characters, and silliness of the first Madea Halloween but with some more scare thrown in.  I couldn’t stop laughing. 

Scoring: 4

Coraline

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher

Synopsis: An adventurous 11-year-old girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.

Review: This movie was creepy and I feel that may be an understatement.  It’s not one I’d watch again but I don’t particularly care for creepy and weird.  If you liked The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie, and similar movies, I believe you’ll like it.

Scoring: 2

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Frank Welker

Synopsis: George jumps in leaves, picks a pumpkin, and does other fun Halloween traditions.

Review: This is very cute.  I wish they’d left the songs out but other than that it’s adorable.  I enjoyed it.

Scoring: 3

Good Witch Halloween

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Catherine Bell, Bailee Madison, and James Denton

Synopsis: Whilst Cassie deals with the newest guest at Grey House, Grace seeks no advice to help deal with school bullies calling her a witch.

Review:  I enjoyed this as much as all the other Good Witch stories.  It’s got the usual town hijinks mixed with fun and drama.  As with the others, it’s easier to follow if you watch the series.  If you don’t, this might make you want to.

Scoring: 3

Good Witch: Secrets of Grey House

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Catherine Bell, Bailee Madison, and James Denton

Synopsis: The author of a series of magic-and-romance-filled novels comes to Grey House to celebrate the release of her newest book, titled "The Enchantress Unites." But it's Cassie who ends up doing the uniting, bringing together the people of Middleton to put on the special event while also coming to a special realization about Sam.

Review:  Another wonderful Good Witch story.  It blends just the right amount of mystery with romance.  It’s light and easy.  It may be difficult to follow if you don’t watch the series and aren’t familiar with the story.  If you watch the series, you know you’ll love it.

Scoring: 3

Good Witch: Spellbound

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Catherine Bell, Bailee Madison, and James Denton

Synopsis: The business owners compete for the best-decorated shop. A prophecy is unearthed in the basement of City Hall; when predictions start coming true, the citizens fear it's a terrible curse. Cassie and Sam may be the key to saving their town.

Review:  I believe this may be one of my favorite Good Witch adventures.  The twists and turns and townspeople reactions to the predictions makes it extra entertaining.  As with the other Good Witch stories, it will be easier to follow and enjoy if you watch the series.

Scoring: 4

Hubie Halloween (2020)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family

Starring:  Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Kevin James, Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, Tim Meadows, Michael Chiklis, June Squibb, George Wallace, Kenan Thompson, Shaquille O’Neal, Ben Stiller, Jackie Sandler

Synopsis: Despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem (and its Halloween celebration), Hubie Dubois is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something is going bump in the night, and it's up to Hubie to save Halloween.

Review: At first I thought this would be similar to The Waterboy.  It’s not really.  Yes, the main character appears to have some challenges but that’s the main similarity.  It’s silly, sometimes juvenile, sometimes kind of stupid.  The overall message of kindness and giving and good coming to good people is sweet.  If you like Adam Sandler give this a try.  If you don’t, skip it.

Scoring: 3

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Comedy

Starring: N/A

Synopsis: The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.

Review: Another classic from the Peanuts gang.  Poor Charlie Brown, pitiful costume and all, doesn’t get candy.  Linus convince Sally to wait with him for the Great Pumpkin.  The best part is how Linus believes with all his heart, no matter what everyone says.

Scoring: 5

The Little Vampire (2017)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Jim Carter

Synopsis: The story of Rudolph, a thirteen-year-old vampire, whose clan is threatened by a notorious vampire hunter. He meets Tony, a mortal of the same age, who is fascinated by old castles, graveyards and - vampires. Tony helps Rudolph in an action and humor packed battle against their adversaries, and together they save Rudolph's family and become friends.

Review: This was a really cute movie that families can enjoy together.  I liked the message of not judging people before you know them and the value of friendship. 

Scoring: 3

Practical Magic

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Aiden Quinn, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, and Goran Visnjic

Synopsis: Two witch sisters, raised by their eccentric aunts in a small town, face closed-minded prejudice and a curse which threatens to prevent them ever finding lasting love.

Review: While the movie mostly takes place in Fall and ends on Halloween, it’s got many of the makings of a Halloween movie.  I really liked it.  The bond the sisters have is amazing.  It kept me guessing.  It had enough spooky to keep me on the edge of my seat without being totally grossed out.

Scoring: 4

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance

Starring: Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly 

Synopsis: Students from Zombietown are transferred to a high school in a suburban town preoccupied with uniformity, traditions and pep rallies.

Review:  This is similar to the Descendants movies except the villains are replaced with zombies.  I like Descendants but the music and dancing in this film were exceptional.  It keeps a good pace and the story has a good message.  Embrace what makes you unique rather than trying hard to fit in.  The zombies aren’t gory or scary for children.  This is a fun movie.

Scoring: 4

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance

Starring: Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly 

Synopsis: A budding Romance is threatened by the arrival of werewolves.

Review:  This feels like a forced sequel. The songs and dancing are good but it almost seems like they forced a story to work around them.  I still enjoyed it and children will like it but I wouldn’t watch a second time. 

Scoring: 2