Memories of Childhood

Narrated animals, David Bowie and long forgotten cartoons - these were my absolute favourites when I was a youngen. 

1. Ferngully: The Last Rainforest; Bill Kroyer Click here to see trailer

Crysta (Samantha Mathis) is a fairy living in Ferngully, Australia, which has remained untouched by humans for so long the fairies believe they are extinct. But when a logging company begins to destroy their forest, they inadvertently release an evil spirit Hexxus (Tim Curry). Crysta accidentally shrinks one of the workers, Zak (Jonathon Ward) and their relationship blossoms as she tries to show him how important the tiny world she lives in is. 

2. The Adventures of Milo and Otis; Masanori Hata Click here to see trailer 

When a pug dog and farm cat make best friends, they stray from the farm they grew up together on and now must find their way in the dangerous wide world. This strange little ditty of a film had me in fits of hysterics - right up until I read of the animal cruelty allegations made against the film makers, some speculating they killed twenty different cats with the crazy stunts and situations they were put in. 

3. The Pagemaster: Joe Johnston and Pixote Hunt Click here to see trailer

Richard (Macaulay Culkin) has a slip on a library floor and wakes up in a cartoon fantasy land full of famous literary characters. He is guided through this world by his book friends Fantasy, Horror and Adventure. 

4. Drop Dead Fred; Ate de Jong Click here to see trailer

So it turns out I had terrible taste as a child - with a Rotten Tomatoes score of a whopping 9%. When an unhappy housewife (Pheobe Cates) finds a box which stored her imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall), she accidentally releases him into her world. He begins to cause havoc, and has her questioning her sanity. 

5. The NeverEnding Story; Wolfgang Peterson Click here to see trailer

Troubled youngster Bastian (Barret Oliver) discovers a large and beautiful book titled "The Neverending Story" and begins to read it, hid away in the school attic. The story is about a magical land which is being threatened by 'The Nothing' which can only survive with the help of a human child, but the more he reads the more he realises that perhaps the story is not as fictional as he had thought. This movie has it all - stunning sets, a little humour, a myriad of lovable characters, suspense, and every girls' crush, Atreyu.

6. The Princess and The Goblin; József Gémes Click here to see trailer

Princess Irene (Sally Ann Marsh) is playing in the woods when she is attacked by goblins. She is saved by a young mining boy, and as they make friends quickly become trouble makers- attracting the attention of the Goblin King and Queen. This is a European film adapted from the 1872 novel, so expect something little different. 

7. Labyrinth; Jim Henson Click here to see trailer

Teenager Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is left to babysit her loud and upset baby brother (Toby Froud), and manages to say the magical words that invite the goblin King (David Bowie) to come and take him away. Sarah now has to journey through a mysterious and magical maze to get her brother back. The soundtrack is awesome, the puppets are enchanting and David Bowie's pants are... tight. 

8. Jumanji; Joe Johnston Click here to see trailer

Youngsters Peter (Bradley Pierce) and Judy (Kirsten Dunst) find a strange jungle-themed board game in the attic of their new house. When they being to play they release Alan Parish (Robin Williams) who was sucked into the game more than a decade ago, who had to survive among the wild animals, omnivorous plants, and evil poachers.