TV &amp; Movies

Heroic effort to join forces

George Palathingal The Avengers has been a team-building exercise on a truly superhuman scale.

McConaughey to marry for kids

After six years together and two children, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves are ready to tie the knot.

REVIEW

How to Train your Dragon Arena Spectacular

Melanie Mahoney If you loved the movie prepare to be amazed by the awe-inspiring stage production.

Pirates, adventure and Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant stars in this lovable tale about a bumbling pirate out to prove his worth, win the prize and above all else find adventure!

Madagascar returns!

Staff Writers It’s time for another Madagascar comedic adventure and if the latest trailer is anything to go by it is going to be one hilarious ride!

Plan an escape to the reel world

Rob Lowing Kids, you don’t want to see anything that’s good for you. Parents, you don’t want your loved ones watching junk. It’s an entertainment war out there! So let your trusty Essential Kids movies guide help you through the holidays.

Top kids films for adults

For all those parents who are constantly subjected to children's films they hate here are some choices that we think you will enjoy too.

Pearls of wisdom from celebrity parents

Celebs share what they have learnt about parenthood and how it has changed their life for the better.

Abi Tucker introduces Hootabelle

Joseph Kelly There is nothing we love more at Essential Kids than visiting our friends at Giggle and Hoot. This time when Hoot called us in for a mint slice and an ice-cold glass of milk he had an exciting new friend for us to meet – Hootabelle.

Brave

Meet Disney's new anti-princess

The newest princess from Disney is more interested in shooting arrows and hunting bears than attending balls and finding Prince Charming.

Top 10 movies coming in 2012

Joseph Kelly 2012 is shaping up as a huge year for pint-sized movie buffs. Enjoy the previews of the top ten movies Essential Kids are hanging out for this year!

F-bomb

Swearing toddler causes Modern Family drama

Los Angeles An anti-profanity crusader in the US has asked the ABC television network to pull this week's Modern Family episode in which a toddler appears to use a bleeped curse word.

Williams dedicates win to daughter

Katie Carlin Michelle Williams dedicates her Golden Globe win to her daughter in a heartfelt acceptance speech.

Miss Piggy gets ready for her close-up

John Anderson The new film The Muppets reunites the old Jim Henson gang on the big screen for the first time in more than a decade and introduces a new generation (and their more mature fans) to the joys of digitally manipulated (as opposed to digital) heroes.

When adults go bananas

Children's TV has its share of decidedly grown-up antics, writes Lenny Ann Low.

The importance of being Elmo

Philippa Hawker The furry pre-schooler Muppet, voiced by the same puppeteer for 27 years, talks to and advocates for kids.

Interview

Angelina Jolie: proud to be like Po

Giles Hardie "Try not to [fight], but if you have to, defend yourself," advises Angelina Jolie.

Chrissie Swan: Motherhood trumps The Circle

Giles Hardie Logie-winner Chrissie Swan leaves The Circle to focus on radio and tuck shop duties.

Top family films

Joseph Kelly Our screens are about to be filled with brave dolphins, naughty chipmunks, dancing penguins, swashbuckling cats, mysterious lands and high sea adventures. Essential Kids has loaded up on popcorn and choc-tops to give you a peek at the best of the summer movies.

Tintin exclusive

Katie Carlin Adventure, intrigue, pirates, treasure and an old faithful dog – what else could you want in a movie? How about a young, daring journalist to lead the quest? Here is out exclusive sneak peek of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Imperfect love

Rachel Hills What kind of mother spurns her own child? Tilda swinton's new film delves into the murky emotions of maternal ambivalence.

The Puss in Boots is back!

Staff Writers This holiday season your favourite fighter, lover and sword-wielding, feline – Puss in Boots – is back with his own movie.

Junior MasterChef goes off the boil

The second season of Junior MasterChef has seen the ratings drop considerably for the junior cooking contest.

No d'oh: what's tops with the tots after Bart

David Dale The Tribal Mind NOW that The Simpsons has faded into the sunset, who can we trust to look after our children? Who will give them the tools to resist adult efforts to make money from them? Who will teach ethics, compassion, flexibility and a healthy disrespect for authoritarian dogma?

Video: Cute kid finds out she's going to Disneyland, cries

Staff writers Have you ever been so happy that you cried? That's what happened to this adorable little girl when she found out her birthday dream had come true.

Kids in the kitchen

Paula Goodyer Can a TV program featuring lots of pastry and pork belly improve the way Australian kids eat? Maybe. A small study of Adelaide primary-school students suggests that watching MasterChef improves their knowledge of ingredients and has a positive influence on their attitudes towards cooking.

Children's content could get new ratings

Rachel Wells New ratings could make it easier to choose suitable films, tv programs, computer games for children.

The dilemma of The Slap

Jen Vuk Let me make a bold prediction. The ABC is on to a winner with The Slap. Blistering with racism, misogyny and pheromones, Australian author Christos Tsiolkas’s 2008 novel made suburbia, well, kinda sexy.

Pick of the holiday pictures

Rob Lowing Rob Lowing provides a quick overview of what's what and what's not for tykes, tweens and teens.

Add youth and stir

Michael Idato Matt Moran had doubts about the junior MasterChefs but their work won him over.

Spy Kids makes an awesome return

Jake Wilson Robert Rodriguez has a lively, vulgar imagination and a fair idea of what young children are liable to enjoy: bloodless violence, groanworthy puns, flights of fancy that manage to be heartwarming and tasteless at the same time.

The Muppets are coming

In 2012 the highly anticipated Muppets movie will arrive and we have the latest teaser trailer just for you and the kids.

Disney vaults release a roar

It had us hooked from the opening scene and now the Lion King in 3D is going to attract a whole new generation of fans.

Review

Glee Live 3D Concert Movie

Jim Schembri Even non-Gleeks should enjoy this surprisingly sprightly concert film, writes JIM SCHEMBRI

Jack Vidgen crowned winner of Australia's Got Talent

Staff Writers Sydney teen Jack Vidgen, an early favourite, was ultimately crowned winner of TV variety quest Australia's Got Talent. See his interview with Dannii Minogue.