Jingle bells, holiday’s swell, lots of movies on the way.

This is the most wonderful time of the year for children as school is out and Christmas and New Year are just around the corner with the delectable promise of presents and pigging out on seasonal goodies.

Even the cineplexes seem more magical as they line up family-friendly fare that everyone can enjoy together.

For older folks, there is the nostalgic appeal of characters and stories one might have encountered as a child in films such as The Muppets, Starry Starry Night and Alvin And The Chipmunks 3.

There is also the more grown-up appeal of movie stars in We Bought A Zoo and even Horrid Henry: The Movie, while Arthur Christmas’ sly imagining of the entire Christmas set-up would probably strike a chord in those who have experienced the corporate world.

But do not be too quick to write off a film that seems to have little adult appeal.

After all, the holidays bring out the child in all of us.

Starry Starry Night

Release date: Tomorrow

Cast: Josie Xu Jiao, Eric Lin, Harlem Yu, Rene Liu

The story: Xiao Mei (Xu) is a 13-year-old schoolgirl with a vivid imagination. She uses it to cope with her grandfather’s illness, her parents’ unhappiness and her own loneliness.

She later finds a friend in Xiao Jie (Lin) and they set off on an adventure together.

Based on Taiwanese illustrator Jimmy Liao’s picture book Starry Starry Night (2009).

Kid appeal: The young, and the young at heart, will enjoy seeing how Liao’s beautifully illustrated book is adapted for a liveaction film. Who can resist the magical scenes of origami animals coming to life or a wondrous train whistling through the painted nightscape of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night?

Children will also appreciate the way the world is seen through Xiao Mei’s eyes and that it can be a confusing and scary place sometimes.

Adult appeal: For those who remember Xu as a spirited little boy in Stephen Chow’s sci-fi comedy CJ7 (2008), marvel at how quickly the child star has grown up into a fine young actress.

There is also a lovely little coda added to the film that is not in the book. Years after Xiao Mei is all grown up (played by Guey Lun-mei), she chances upon an unusual jigsaw puzzle shop in Paris and is overcome by what, and whom, she finds there.

Liao’s artistry has a huge fanbase that goes beyond kiddy appeal. Other works of his which have made the leap to the big screen include Sound Of Colours (2001) and A Chance Of Sunshine (1999), which became the film Turn Left, Turn Right (2003).

You will appreciate how the whimsical spirit of his book has been translated on screen without the film being a slavish adaptation. Also, the CGI effects here have an emotional impact and are not merely visual showstoppers.

All in all, a winning ode to the power of imagination.

Arthur Christmas

Release date: Tomorrow

Cast: Voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton

The story: Santa Claus (Broadbent) has returned from his 70th mission to deliver presents to children all over the world when an elf discovers a wrapped gift that was forgotten.

Santa’s son Arthur (McAvoy) has to figure out a way to save Christmas for one little girl before the sun rises.

Kid appeal: Christmas equals presents, so the thought of Santa and an entire team of elves using nifty high-tech wizardry to ensure smooth delivery of every single item will be a highly comforting one.

Good old-fashioned magic is not neglected: There is the wondrous spectacle of reindeer flying through the sky, pulling along a sleigh with Santa at the reins.

There is also the inspirational and feel-good story of Arthur himself – abumbling but good-hearted young man who saves the day and finds his destiny.

Adult appeal: You might appreciate the sly portrayal of Christmas as a mega- efficient, corporatised enterprise which is, alas, lacking in soul.

There is even succession politics as retired Grand Santa, current Santa and Santa’s other son Steve all squabble for the heralded position.

Those who enjoyed the Wallace & Gromit claymation films about the timid inventor Wallace and his clever dog Gromit might be interested to learn that this is the first computer-animated film made by Aardman Animations in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Feel free to debate whether this was a good move artistically for Aardman.

For something a little more challenging, avoid looking at the cast list and then play Who’s That British Thespian? during the show.

Horrid Henry: The Movie

Release date: Dec 22

Cast: Theo Stevenson, Scarlett Stitt, Anjelica Huston, Richard E. Grant

The story: Horrid Henry (Stevenson) fails to hand in his homework yet again, setting off a chain of events that has him forming an unlikely alliance with his arch-enemy Moody Margaret (Stitt) and his annoying little brother. And he ends up, gasp, saving the elementary school he detests.

Kid appeal: The first Horrid Henry book was published in 1994 and the 20th title Horrid Henry And The Zombie Vampire was released this year. The combined sales of all the books and audiobooks is more than 16 million copies.

This led to a successful animated television series which premiered in the United Kingdom in 2006 and the show is currently in its third season.

Clearly, kids love Horrid Henry.

Adult appeal: Think of this as an updated version of Dennis the Menace.

And there could be some campy fun in Huston’s take on Henry’s terrifying teacher Miss Battle-Axe. After all, she did play the Grand High Witch in the 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic, The Witches.

We Bought A Zoo

Release date: Dec 22

Cast: Matt Damon, Thomas Haden Church, Scarlett Johansson, a menagerie of animals

The story: Based on Benjamin Mee’s memoir about buying the dilapidated Dartmoor Zoological Park in the English countryside.

In 2007, it was the subject of a four-part television documentary titled Ben’s Zoo.

In this stateside big-screen adaptation, the tale has been transplanted to Southern California.

Kid appeal: As little girl Rosie Mee (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) says when she finds out that her new home is a zoo: “Yay!”

There are two zebras and a lion among the 47 animal species so there is plenty of potential for the city slickers to be shown up by them.

Adult appeal: Director-producer Cameron Crowe proved with Jerry Maguire (1996) that he could work with children and with The Wild Life (1984), a sequel to Fast Times At Ridgemont High which he wrote and produced, he proved that he could, um, handle wild life.

There is also the top-notch cast including Damon and Church as brothers.

The busy Damon has been recently seen in fare as diverse as the western True Grit (2010) and heard in the animated feature Happy Feet Two (2011) voicing Bill the Krill. And Church is best known for his work on Sideways (2004), the hit comedy about wine and life.

If you think sex appeal is bound to be lacking in a film like this, here are two words for you: Scarlett Johansson. She plays head zookeeper Kelly Foster.

The Muppets

Release date: Dec 8

Cast: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Jason Segel, Amy Adams

The story: The Muppet Theatre is about to be torn down by greedy oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) unless the Muppets can raise $10 million in time.

But first, Kermit the Frog has to round up the gang with the help of Walter, a puppet and huge Muppets fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams). They decide to put on a show in the best Muppets tradition and turn it into a telethon.

Kid appeal: There is a timeless appeal in Jim Henson’s motley crew of goodhearted puppets whose antics run the range from slapstick – Gonzo’s daredevil stunts – to the sublimely ridiculous – Camilla the Chicken with her posse of hens clucking along to Cee Lo Green’s Forget You.

Adult appeal: Embrace the return to a simpler, sweeter and sillier time in this nostalgia fest as those in their 30s and older would remember The Muppet Show, which ran from 1976 to 1981.

The self-referential humour is there, together with a clever updating of what the Muppets are up to before Kermit gathers the group. Miss Piggy is the plus-size fashion editor of Vogue Paris while Animal is in an anger-management clinic.

Writer-actor Segel is a long-time Muppets fan and that affection is palpable on screen. You might even find a lump in your throat when Kermit and gang are back on stage and singing the idealistic Rainbow Connection.

This is the first Disney-produced Muppets film since Muppet Treasure Island (1996) flopped. The studio hopes to revive the puppets’ fortunes with this outing.

Alvin And The Chipmunks 3

Release date: Dec 15

Cast: Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler), Theodore (Jesse Mc-Cartney), The Chipettes, Jason Lee

The story: The Chipmunks and The Chipettes go on a cruise trip with the Chipmunks’ owner/manager Dave (Lee). They get up to their usual tricks and end up in hairy situations – on the ship and when they get “chipwrecked”, which is also the American title of this sequel.

Kid appeal: For some reason, kids find helium voices hilarious. Add cute little chipmunks with plump little cheeks and a penchant for getting into trouble and they are hooked.

Adult appeal: For 53-year-old chipmunks, Alvin and gang are remarkably spry. They were created in 1958 as an animated music group and later starred in a successful cartoon series Alvin And The Chipmunks from 1983 to 1990.

Meanwhile, The Chipettes are 28 years young – there is definitely a May-December thing going on here.

It also means there is an entire generation who grew up on the cartoons and are happy to relive fond childhood memories of rascally squirrels and squeaky voices.

Given the combined US$800 million (S$1.04 billion) global box-office gross of the two earlier films in 2007 and 2009, there is definite grown-up appeal for the studio honchos to plough on with the franchise.

(ST)