Bridge to Tarabithia is not a fantasy adventure movie, the way it looks in the television promotions. Bridge to Tarabithia is taken from a book by the same name. I can't tell you if the movie is faithful to the book as I have not read the book. The movie is a lovely story of two middle school misfits who find each other and together create their own fantasy world that helps them cope with the trials and tribulations of the real world.

Bridge to Tarabithia paints a bald picture of the difficulties of feeling different as a young adolescent in a small town in rural America. Days are filled with school and farm chores and figuring out how to get away from bullies. Jess (Hutcherson) the only boy of five children in his family, is an artist. Jess is a lonely, unhappy boy until he meets Leslie Burke (Robb), a tomboy who outruns him in the school race.

While Jess is angry at Leslie for beating him, they soon discover that they are both imaginative and have things in common. They form a fast friendship and create a magical fantasy kingdom, Tarabithia, in the woods. They escape there every chance they get. Usually I don't like to give away any of the plot in my reviews, but before you bring young children to this movie; you should know that Leslie dies in an accident. The movie becomes extremely sad as we watch Jess try to cope with this monumental loss.

Bridge to Tarabithia is beautifully done. There is some violence among the children, no sex and no bad language. It should be an inspiring movie for children 10 and over who can handle the concept of the death of a dear friend. Adults will enjoy this magical mix of live action and computer animation that makes imagination come to life.

DREAMGIRLS
Running time: 125 minutes | Rated PG-13
Starring Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson

All I can say is "WOW"! What else can you say about a movie where the audience bursts into spontaneous applause after Jennifer Hudson's big number? The movie is beautiful, the music is terrific and look for Academy Award nominations for Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson.

The story about talent, ambition, power and control is compelling. Whether or not it is the exact story of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy doesn't really matter. Dreamgirls is the look behind the scenes of the making of stars: the sacrifice, the avarice, the payoffs, the double-dealing the unrealized love and the lack of real family life - all for money and applause.

There is implied sex, bad language, two brief drug scenes but no violence. Dreamgirls is a don't miss for kids 12 and up and parents, too.