TV & Movies
Gosling's childhood celebrity sweetheart
Staff writers Ryan Gosling is one of Hollywood’s most swooned over stars but he recently revealed that there was once a time when Britney Spears was the only girl for him.
Dad stands up for the rights of boys to watch princess films
AMBER ROBINSON Dad stands up for the rights of boys to watch princess films
Finding Dory
DeGeneres hooked for Nemo sequel
Karl Quinn Ellen DeGeneres is going fishing again with a sequel to the animated blockbuster Finding Nemo.
Holiday movie hits and misses
Rob Lowing Rob Lowing presents her trusty guide to holiday viewing, so grab some popcorn and take your pick.
Your least favourite princess
AMBER ROBINSON From Aurora to Ariel, we name and shame the lamest animated heroines of recent times.
Vivienne Jolie-Pitt's hefty acting fee
Staff writers Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s youngest daughter is only four-years-old but she has been paid considerably well for her first foray into film.
Sesame Street creates 'True Blood' for kids?
Staff writers Sesame Street made a string of spoofs based on popular TV shows that are both entertaining for parents and educational for kids.
Top ten movies coming in 2013
KATIE CARLIN With a touch of the prehistoric, tales of fearsome giants and adventures of Epic proportions you are sure to find something to keep you and the kids entertained this year at the movies.
Meet the youngest female to ever be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
"Whenever they said you might make it to the Oscars, I was like, 'Who's Oscar? I don't know Oscar'."
Keeping kids and parents happy
Ben Pobjie All children's TV is insane, but there's good insane and bad insane.
Family life helps McConaughey fly higher
Nicole Evatt Actor Matthew McConaughey credits his growing family for his 2012 success.
Best big screen role models
Robert Dex Harry Potter's wholesome sidekick Hermione Granger has been voted the best big screen role model in a poll of young film fans.
Summer holiday movie guide
Rob Lowing Rob Lowing casts her critical eye over a lively array of children's holiday films.
Best and worst parenting films
CHRISTINE SAMS The festive season can test your patience but these classics remind us dysfunctional families are the norm, writes Christine Sams.
Wiggling it one last time
Megan Doherty If any more proof was needed that the Wiggles are held dear by generations of Australians, one need look no further than the funky Canberra night spot the Transit Bar on a certain night in December, 2007.
Elmo actor resigns amid new sex allegation
Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has resigned from Sesame Street in the wake of a new allegation that he had sex with an underaged youth.
Elmo puppeteer cleared of child sex allegations
Agencies The man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having sex with him when he was a teen now says it isn't so.
Sesame Street stands down Elmo puppeteer after child-sex allegation
The puppeteer who performs as Elmo on Sesame Street is taking a leave of absence from the popular childrens' show over allegations he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
Jolie's new movie a family affair
Agencies Angelina Jolie will apparently be joined by two more of her children in her new movie Maleficent.
Square Eye
Life at 7
Christine Sams with staff writers The success of the developmental documentary series Life at ... may see its protagonists followed into their teens.
Ben 10 live show a winner
Sarah Wiedersehn The Ben 10 live show doesn't disappoint the loyal and enthusiastic fans of the hit children's TV series.
Dinosaur show offers thrills for kids
ADAM FULTON When a woman wrote to Erth to complain that their lifelike dinosaur puppets had terrified her grandson and he couldn't sleep, the theatre makers felt they had done a great job.
Off with the fairies: Tinker Bell and the Secret of the Wings review
Paul Byrnes Disney's 'Fairies' franchise produces a visually captivating tale.
What to watch these holidays
Rob Lowing Here's the pick of what's good — and what's appropriate — at the movies, writes Rob Lowing.
Dads drop and roll with the lunches
Paul Kalina Nine hopes the struggles of four stay-at-home fathers will prove to be fertile territory.
Angelina Jolie lands daughter in film role
Staff writers Angelina Jolie is making her new movie Maleficent a family affair after landing a role for her daughter Vivienne, according to a new report.
Review
Step inside Andy's Wild Adventures
KATIE CARLIN What do you get when you combine the BBC’s amazing Natural History footage with a puppet and an enthusiastic, slightly humorous children’s show host? The CBeebies’ new hit show Andy’s Wild Adventures.
Child star 'crying with happiness' over Hughes arrest
Karen Kissane with staff writers After a two-year investigation and a three-month global hunt, former TV star Robert Hey Dad! Hughes was last night behind bars in London, accused of molesting five girls more than 25 years ago.
Man of Steel Trailer
After the remakes of Spiderman and Batman, it is now time for Superman to shine.
Hilarious footage of parents watching Olympic gymnast perform
Staff writers If you've ever wondered what it's like being the parents of an Olympian, take a look at this video of US gymnast Aly Raisman's parents nervously watching their daughter in a qualifying round for the uneven bars.
How did a 'good son' fall so far?
Karen Hardy My nine-year-old son wants to go and see The Dark Knight Rises. I'm not going to let him now. Not that I was definitely going to let him in the first place but what happened in Aurora, Colorado, is a tragedy of the grandest proportions and so now the answer is no.
Exclusive Madagascar 3 sneak peek
Staff writers We don't have too much longer to wait before Madagascar 3 hits our cinemas but in the meantime Essential Kids has an exclusive clip from the movie to share.
The first Disney princess who doesn't want to get married
CLEM BASTOW Why this new kids movie is genuinely Brave.
Rise of The Guardians trailer is here
Staff writers All the magical make-believe characters from your childhood are about to join forces in one action-packed movie and we have the long-awaited trailer.
A world of 11-year-old voices
Reviewed by Philippa Hawker What would 23 eleven-year-olds from around the world share about their life if given the chance? Genevieve Bailey's documentary 'I Am Eleven' finds out.
Tinker Bell's latest theatrical adventure
Staff writers Gather your little Tinker Bell fans around the computer for a sneak peek of her latest theatrical adventure Tinker Bell and the Secret of the Wings.
The Story of Scratch
AMBER ROBINSON Three months ago, we published a beautiful story by writer Rachael Turk, about a heartbreaking decision to give away a family pet because of a new baby with a severe allergy. It’s now being made in to a short film starring Claudia Karvan – yes, really.
Inside the Wardrobe
Jason Treuen When it comes to wizards and witches, the Powerhouse Museum is fast becoming the place to be seen in Sydney.
Arrietty
Sacha Molitorisz Gentle, subtle and family friendly, Arrietty is another beautiful production from Studio Ghibli.
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
