DVD Spotlight - Kids' Krop: Nov. 26 - Dec. 2

By R. Kurt Osenlund, film critic and correspondent

The holiday season has arrived and with it comes a fine selection of children's flicks on DVD. After you take the kids to see "Bolt," whip up a batch of Jiffy Pop and treat them - and yourself - to these other animated hits.

WALL-E (now available)

Sure to be the recipient of the 2008 Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Pixar's out-of-this-world triumph about a futuristic, trash-compacting robot isn't just the year's finest family film, it's one of its finest in general. With mind-blowing computer animation and one of the most surprisingly natural love stories in light years, "Wall-E" is not to be missed.

KUNG FU PANDA (now available)
Comedy superstar Jack Black gives what may be his best performance as the voice of an overweight panda bear who unwittingly becomes the hero of his Asian village. Action-packed and beautifully designed, "Panda" is increasingly entertaining escapist fare. Additional voice talents include Lucy Liu, David Cross, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman.

HORTON HEARS A WHO! (available Dec. 9)

The best screen adaptation yet of a work by the immortal Dr. Seuss, "Horton" abandons the ill-conceived live-action approaches employed in the abominable "Cat in the Hat" and the average "Grinch," and instead renders Seuss' Who-tastic environments via colorful CGI. "Grinch" actor Jim Carrey returns as the voice of Horton the elephant and is supported by a cast that includes Steve Carrell, Seth Rogen, and Carol Burnett.