Kids' movies for a snow day

These were children's movies worthy of the big screen, for vivid animation, imaginative storylines, and emotional impact: Oh, joy!  For some Monmouth and Ocean County students, school is out. Fortunately there is an abundance of quality films that families can spend the day watching.

"Inside Out," from Disney Pixar. Starring the voices of Amy Poehler (Joy), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Mindy Kaling (Disgust), Lewis Black (Anger), Bill Hader (Fear), Kaitlyn Dias (Riley), Diane Lane (Mom) and Kyle McLachlan (Dad). Directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen. Written by Docter, Del Carmen, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley.

It's a bizarre concept: The inner workings of an 11-year-old girl's mind are comprised of separate characters for major emotions. When Joy is in charge, life runs smoothly. Inevitably, however, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust each take a turn leading Riley's mood.

Visually, "Inside Out" was a marvel, with Riley's mind resembling a space station and and a candy store, rolled into one. The characters are expressive and realistic, especially Riley and Mom. And there's the visually experimental sequence when the emotions enter the area of Riley's brain reserved for Abstract Thought.

But what makes the movie a Pixar masterpiece is its emotional heft. Not only are we made to understand that Sadness plays an important role as a pre-requisite for empathy, but we also learn that even some of the most cherished memories must be left behind if we intend to grow and mature. Try to get through this movie without feeling a rainbow of emotions.

Available now on DVD and Blu-Ray.

"Shaun The Sheep Movie," from Aardman Films. Starring the voices of Justin Fletcher (Shaun), John Sparkes (The Farmer) and many others. Written and directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak.

Based on the adorable British TV series, "Shaun The Sheep Movie" follows the restless farm animal as he sneaks away from the flock as a break from numbing routine. Of course, things don't go as planned, and Shaun quickly yearns to get himself -- plus all his animal friends, and The Farmer -- safely home.

This quiet little film is voiced strictly in grunts, hmphs and other non-verbal exclamations. Yet its storyline is crystal clear and the characters are well drawn. Comedic misadventures will have parents and little lambs laughing out loud. Stick around for the end credits, which nearly amount to a featurette.

Now available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

"The Peanuts Movie," by 20th Century Fox/Blue Sky Studios. Starring the voices of Noah Schnapp (Charlie Brown), Bill Melendez (Snoopy and Woodstock), Hadley Belle Miller (Lucy Van Pelt) and many others. Directed by Steve Martino. Written by Bryan and Craig Schulz, Cornelius Uliano and Charles M. Schulz.

Many "Peanuts" purists were concerned that the look of "The Peanuts Movie," with its computer animation, would detract from the nostalgic charm of the characters and the familiar storyline, much of which was based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strips and animated specials. But from the opening scenes, the movie wins you over with its spark and sass. Childhood, with its gentle pleasures and sudden bursts of confusion, is beautifully rendered.

Whether in 3-D or 2-D, "The Peanuts Movie," looks modern and feels timeless.

"Cinderella," by Disney. Starring Lily James (Cinderella), Cate Blanchett (Wicked Stepmother), Helena Bonham Carter (Fairy Godmother), Richard Madden (Prince), Sophie McShera (Drisella), Holliday Granger (Anastasia), and Derek Jacobi (King). Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Screenplay by Chris Weitz. U.S. release date: March 13, 2015.

Why would Disney re-invent the wheel, considering its definitive 1950 version of "Cinderella?"

As lovely as the animated classic is, the 2015 live action "Cinderella" brings added warmth to the story, through impeccable casting. Lily James and Sophie McShera, both of "Downton Abbey," are perfect as Cinderella and her nasty step-sister Drisella, respectively. And what more praise can be heaped upon Cate Blanchett, who excels at playing characters who are at once icy and impetuous?

Cinderella's unflagging spirit helps her through terrible times, and the helpful moral of this story is that Cinderella is eventually rewarded for her kindness and courage, rather than for her considerable beauty.

Now available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

"Paddington," by Starring Hugh Bonneville (Henry Brown), Sally Hawkins (Mary Brown), Nicole Kidman (Millicent) and the voice of Ben Whishaw (Paddington). Directed by Paul King. Written by King, Hamish McColl, and Michael Bond.

"Paddington" was released to American theaters at the very beginning of 2015, so you might've missed it or forgotten about it. That would be a shame, because the movie is a fanciful adaptation of the classic children's stories by Michael Bond, with adventure and comedy and a proper villain in steely Nicole Kidman. Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey" plays a different sort of patriarch in "Paddington," becoming more of a teddy bear than the Peruvian bear himself.

Children will identify with Paddington, and will probably want him as a pet or sibling, depending on their perspective.

Now available on DVD and Blu-Ray.