This post is brought to you by guest author, Rose Miller.
Is it time to refresh the DVD collection? Choosing a selection of 2013’s best DVD and blu-ray releases was among one of my more enjoyable chores – and they’re sure to keep both kids happy and grown-ups entertained!
First, Pixar’s latest Wreck-It Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly, is full of nostalgia-tinged recreations of classic games, which parents will love. Ralph loses none of his charm for a younger audience, though – he is the enemy in the arcade game Fix-It Felix, who, in the movie’s world, wants to escape the drudgery of being a ‘baddie’ – but the whole arcade faces a bigger threat to its survival. Anything with Pac-Man ghosts and Sonic the Hedgehog can’t earn anything but a high score from me!
Looking off the beaten Hollywood track, the newest offering from Studio Ghibli (Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away) is From Up On Poppy Hill. One of the lesser-known must-watch DVD releases, also available on bluray, this beautifully-drawn animation tells the story of Uni and Shun becoming closer as they try to save their run-down school clubhouse from being demolished. If your kids have never seen a foreign film before, this could be the ideal place for them to start.
Of course, the big cinema releases still have a lot to offer on home release, not least the 3D, special effect-filled Epic. In this, a teen finds herself transported to a world of comic warriors, to save both of our worlds from the forces of evil. With recognizable voices including Chris O’Dowd, Colin Farrell and Beyoncé Knowles, this could be an Epic win for the family!
If you’re shopping for a slightly younger audience, don’t miss the captivating Rise of the Guardians. Based on the novels by William Joyce, when the Guardians are joined by Jack Frost, they’re sure trouble isn’t far away – and, sure enough, dreams begin to turn into nightmares. Kids won’t need to know the books to love the film – and the series could be a fun follow-up after watching.
Finally, to satisfy kids with even the largest Halloween wardrobe, consider the latest installment of Monster High: 13 Wishes. Howleen Wolf thinks her dreams of popularity will come true with a genie’s 13 wishes – but will it be that simple? Find out with this, or take your pick from the rest of the best recent titles on bluray or DVD!