This mesmerizing tale of two rival Victorian-era magicians bent on revenge proves once again that Director Chris Nolan (with the help of his screenwriting brother Jonathan) is one of the world’s most innovative filmmakers. Viewers will puzzle over the films mysteries along with the stellar cast. Full of twists and turns, this morality play will keep you riveted and guessing until the end.

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6.  OVER THE HEDGE

• DVD Release Date:  October 17, 2006

• Theatrical Release Date:  May 19, 2005

• Rating:  PG (for some rude humor and comic action)

• Genre:  Cartoon, Family

• Run Time:  90 min.

• Directors:  Tim Johnson, Karey Kirtpatrick

• Actors (Voices):  Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, Steve Carrell, Thomas Hayden Church, Nick Nolte, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes, Avril Lavigne, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Allison Janney, Omid Dajlili

Usually in a given year you will see one stellar CGI film (usually from Pixar) and a handful of others that attempt to be as good. This year that computer animated field of play got especially dense, and the end result was a list of largely mediocre films. Rising above the fray, however, was Dreamworks entry, “Over the Hedge.”  Both clever and hilarious, “Hedge” pulled off the rare feat of being both great for kids, and interesting for adults. In this film, a merry band of forest critters wakes from winter hibernation to discover suburbia has arrived at their front door. This subtle dig at American materialism, through the eyes of these wonderful characters, never gets too heavy handed to distract from the high-jinks, when animal-kind have to deal with their new two-legged neighbors.

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7.  AKEELAH AND THE BEE