Best Family Movies of 2011: From 'The Muppets' to 'Harry Potter,' the very best 11 in '11

At least, it had not been difficult to choose the very best family films of the season 2011 offered up a remarkably decent quantity of worthier-than-usual animated and kid-friendly movies. Usually, many of these are firmly in the household genre with PG or G rankings, with two notable (but essential to include) exceptions. Listed here are our 11 favorite family movies of '11 the entire family -- as well as the youthful in mind -- can also enjoy. Best Family Films of 2011 <strong>11. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/dolphin-tale/52009/primary">'Dolphin Tale'</a></strong><strong>10.<a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/kung-fu-panda-2/38095/primary"> 'Kung Fu Panda 2'</a></strong><strong>9. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/winnie-the-pooh/51435/primary">'Winnie the Pooh'</a></strong><strong>8. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/puss-in-boots/38097/primary">'Puss In Boots'</a></strong><strong>7. 'The Adventures of Tintin' </strong><strong>6. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/arthur-christmas/38972/primary">'Arthur Christmas'</a></strong><strong>5. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/war-equine/10037190/primary">'War Equine'</a></strong><strong>4. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/rango/35373/primary">'Rango'</a></strong><strong>3. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/the-muppets/1390395/primary">'The Muppets'</strong></a><strong>2. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/hugo-cabret/10035988/primary">'Hugo'</strong></a><strong>1. 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part II'</strong> See All Moviefone Art galleries » [Top photo: Disney Warner Bros. Disney] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

American Idol's David Archuleta Planning Mormon Mission, Puts Singing on Hold

David Archuleta American Idol runner-up David Archuleta is about to go on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Associated Press reports. The 20-year-old singer made the announcement Monday during a Christmas concert in downtown Salt Lake City. Coinciding with the mission, he will be taking a break from his music career. Watch videos of David Archuleta Church spokesman Eric Hawkins confirmed Archuletta's plans to the AP but declined to reveal where the singer will serve. Watch the announcement here, in which Archuleta says he's not giving up music entirely:

Jos Angel Santana, James Franco's Former NYU Professor, Says He Was Fired After Bad Grade

This time last year -- when James Franco was James Francoing his way all over the Internet and you couldn't make one mouse-click without stumbling onto a story about his latest art project, movie, term paper, short film, 'General Hospital' appearance or Oscar-hosting duties -- it was revealed that while enrolled in an NYU acting class, Franco received a D-grade. The irony! Well, it seems that the professor who taught Franco in 'Directing the Actor II' was subsequently fired -- and he's about as happy with that outcome as you were with 'Your Highness.' (CHEAP SHOT!) Jose Angel Santana has filed a lawsuit against NYU after losing his job, perhaps in part -- he claims -- because of the bad grade he gave Franco. "The school has bent over backwards to create a Franco-friendly environment, that's for sure," Santana told the NY Post. "The university has done everything in its power to curry favor with James Franco." This fall, Franco taught his own class at NYU. "In my opinion, they've turned the NYU graduate film degree into swag for James Franco's purposes," Santana said, "a possession, something you can buy." Santana says he gave Franco the poor grade because of excessive absences; the star missed 12 out of 14 classes in his quest for a master's degree in fine arts. In the complaint, which Roger Friedman at Hollywood411 claims to have, Santana blames racial discrimination as a major reason for being fired, and states that "another professor, Jay Anania, also the brother of the late Elizabeth Edwards, had it in for him." Anania wrote and directed the 2010 film 'William Vincent,' which featured Franco. Last year, Franco -- who was famously photographed asleep while attending a lecture at Columbia University in NY -- said he was OK with people underestimating his commitment to academia. "If they want to paint the picture of the stoner going to school, it's kind of OK with me because it actually takes a lot of pressure off," he told Movieline. "If that's the way they want to depict me, it's fine. Because my schoolwork isn't a performance. I'm going there because I'm getting so much out of it and I'm getting to work with all of my favorite writers or professors. So if that's how they want to depict it, it's not taking away from why I'm there. And it takes pressure off. So you kind of have to roll with it." Franco's representatives have not yet responded to Moviefone's request for comment regarding the lawsuit. [via NYP] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Work of Art's Lola on Jerry's Guilt, Her Deal with Kymia and What Went Lower while using Sucklord

Factor of beauty, Lola Heading to the final judgment on Wednesday's Factor of beauty, Lola Thompson, the mischievous and provocative artist whose mother dated Al Pacino for just about any decade, thought her conceptual portrait of the couple of historian-fanatics stood a real shot at making the best 3. As well as the episode, indeed, colored the idol idol judges as requiring to produce a tough call although evaluating the portraits of people located in the village of Cold Spring, N.Y. Nobody stuck to be exceptional or possibly an overall total flop. "It felt such as this. I don't think anybody really understood what can happen," Thompson, 24, mentioned. "I used to be certainly surprised. I used to be type of wanting and thinking maybe I'd achieve the finale. So, it absolutely was really sad after i didn't.Inch Thompson, who states she's presently being a nanny for "two gorgeous youthful women," spoken with TVGuide.com about giving judge Jerry Saltz (unintentional) grief over her elimination, why it came out she put Dusty beneath the bus, and also the real factor between her and Kymia. Plus: Her final word round the Sucklord. Jerry is completely beside themselves with guilt! He feels as if eliminating you'd be an enormous mistake. What must you say relating to this? Lola Thompson: Getting an chance to satisfy and consult with Jerry is probably the reasons I desired to accomplish the show to start with. I'm really flattered by various nice encouraging things he's developed in his recaps about me. It's slightly frustrating that the couple of occasions now he's mentioned, "Oh, searching back, I really thought Lola's piece was great,"[or] "searching back, she should have won the job.In . If perhaps he may have found that insight throughout your competitors. I really, wanted the chance to invest a couple of several days just making artwork. But yeah, I believed his recap actually was funny. I understood in those days that firemen together with a loyal and sentimental work like [Sara's] was likely to be difficult to deal with. I like that Jerry recognized that. Work of Art's Dusty on why Jerry was wrong and becoming their very own short shorts Just like a viewer, it absolutely was surprising that will help you break lower throughout your critique. Had you been surprised you responded by doing this? Thompson: I used to be somewhat embarrassed seeing myself cry. Clearly, there has been a number of other regions of the critique where In my opinion I used to be safeguarding myself more coherently than that moment. However, you realize, the whole experience actually was hard. It absolutely was really emotional. There's a good deal at risk money-wise and work-wise, in addition to just psychologically. With this stage, you've just put a great deal energy and lots of yourself inside it, which i certainly got defensive when Jerry referred to as me defensive [Laughs]. I kind of wish I'd not divided, but exactlty what can you do? This is the way i had been feeling, and... I'm not so effective in controlling my feelings. Furthermore you spoke out when the idol idol judges mentioned they loved the chocolate was falling from Dusty's piece, which came out unintentional on his part. Thompson: The strange factor about watching the show is always that there's a great deal discussion in many in the critiques from a lot of us. Everyone really took part in most out of the critiques. There's plenty of peer-to-peer critique and commentary. It definitely is removed as me being bitchy and like I'm attacking him, nevertheless it wasn't such as this. I had been obtaining a conversation, and a lot of questions were elevated throughout everyone's critiques. They were talking about this part of Dusty's piece a great deal, and you also know, his aesthetic is super neat and just what he makes is really well-built, and so i thought it had been valid to question if the actual fact it absolutely was failing was intentional or else, and what meaning. It was not a person attack on him. How will you go through the means by that you've been referred to around the program? You gaze to own been known as since the household troublemaker, although a playful one. Thompson: It's been strange watching it! It's surreal to check out myself on television and clearly you'll find some moments where If perhaps I really could use a while and tell myself to seal up. I used to be just trying in truth in regards to the experience I used to be getting. I'd no filter. I wasn't trying to become super careful of anyone's feelings - which i do not believe very most of us we're doing that. In my opinion everyone at certain points belittled each other but they maybe shown a little much more of me doing that than these. Work of Art's Michelle which went wrong, the Kymia debate and why poop is actually an optimistic factor Was there really bad blood stream between you together with Kymia? Thompson: There has been a couple of moments of hysteria. The stakes were over the top, and that i have mentioned many occasions that we felt very competitive towards her because she's smart together with a great artist. But we're still pals. We really love each other. For people, it certainly didn't feel as tense and dramatic and catty since it looks on television. And that means you two resolved the sticker problem following a street art challenge? Thompson: That was done only at that episode. Nothing really moved over. I mentioned sorry inside the critique, I mentioned sorry in your house. However mentioned sorry although standing since it is street art, but marking can be a legitimate kind of street art plus it was part of the idea of my piece. But yeah, I apologized for doing harm to her feelings after which it absolutely was done, i had been totally awesome, which we're still. I consult with her frequently. I'm speaking about maybe she actually was effective in hiding her feelings and was independently despising me the entire time, however felt like i had been pals. Jerry has written that he's really loved the pieces you earn which entail sketches coupled with text, however i am curious to know how you describe your individual artistic aesthetic. Thompson: Hmm, in truth I'm still trying to find that out. In my opinion that transporting this out show was a good chance to produce things while using freedom of just just as one artist and not being this sort or that. I'm certainly considering using text - I write a good deal, Someone said a good deal, but the idea of writing is a part of my work, whether inside the title or putting the writing inside the work. However I am the first one to express my tasks are altering. I'm just beginning. Work of Art's The Sucklord the way the children challenge destroyed him Which was your chosen piece? Thompson: I love the primary one I created for the NY Occasions challenge, enter in the Libyan rebels, i truly loved the piece I created for the pop art challenge. I wasn't inside the top or perhaps the bottom therefore i didn't get plenty of feedback about it, however made every one of these toy cell phones and iPads and apple apple ipods and many types of fraxel remedies as well as the title was "We're Live Streaming while using Ancestors and forefathers of Tutankhamen Why I'm So Alone?" or something like that like this such as this... I believed that piece actually was whimsical and funny and I've been exploring making projects based on that same idea. What else are you currently presently concentrating on now? What's next to suit your needs? Thompson: I'm still fighting to balance my artistic existence getting employment where I make money. I have less than merged people two areas of my existence yet. Since the show, I've been trying to create work and supply myself permission to experiment and take risks very much the same that we did around the program, that's very difficult. It's harder throughout my everyday existence to throw myself available and fail completely. How will you go through the ultimate 3? Thompson: In my opinion they all are smart artists but a lot of us that have been inside the Final 5 should remain in the best 3. I don't think anybody was undeserving. I certainly want it to be me instead of whoever else, however understood that Youthful might be inside the Final 3. He's super smart and extremely calculating - which i signify within the simplest way. There's absolutely no way he wasn't can make it. I used to be happy he did. I'm excited to look for the things all of them do afterwards but, yeah, I'm certainly jealous. I'd be remiss not to request: Are you currently presently inside the Sucklord? Maybe it had been ever a genuine factor? Thompson: [Sighs] Yes, I'm still pining away for your Sucklord [Laughs]. No, I'm totally inside the Sucklord. He's a great guy, I love him. Sadly, I am unable to consult with him any more because his girlfriend is very jealous but very angry at whatever flirtation we'd. Nevertheless it was pretty harmless. Hopefully he keeps doing his Suck-y factor.

'The Artist' tops with Las Vegas crix

"The Artist" continues its winning ways among critics' circles as the Las Vegas Film Critics Society 2011 bestows its highest honor on the silent pic. In addition to winning the Sierra for best picture, the Michel Hazanavicius flick also took home wins for best actor for Jean Dujardin, best score for Ludovic Bource, costume design for Mark Bridges and art design for Gregory S. Hooper. In the other acting categories, Michelle Williams won best actress for her turn as Norma Jean in "My Week with Marilyn," while Albert Brooks ("Drive") and Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids") rounded out the supporting nods. Brooks was also honored with the org's William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award. Nicholas Winding Refn won for best helmer for "Drive."The LVFCS is made up of selected print, television and internet film critics in the Las Vegas area. Contact Erin Maxwell at erin.maxwell@variety.com

'Young Adult' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals

Garry Marshall's star-packed ensemble pic New Year's Eve opens this weekend at the domestic box office and is widely expected to wrest the No. 1 spot from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, which has dominated the box office for three weeks.our editor recommendsYoung Adult: Film ReviewNew Year's Eve: Film ReviewTinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Venice Film ReviewBox Office Report: 'Twilight' Leads Second Slowest Weekend of 2011 With $16.9 Mil Early and mid-December are always sluggish at the domestic box office, and New Year's Eve is only expected to open in the low $20 million range, far less than the $72 million bow of Marshall's Valentine's Day over the four-day Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend in 2010. PHOTOS: 'New Year's Eve' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals New Line and Warner Bros., however, expect the $50 million film to have a strong multiple and play through New Year's Day, since it's the only holiday romantic comedy. The pic's cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Lea Michele, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Hilary Swank and Seth Meyers. Also opening nationwide is David Gordon Green's R-rated comedy The Sitter, starring Jonah Hill in his first starring vehicle. The 20th Century Fox pic is tracking to open in the $9 million to $11 million range, although some think it could skew slightly higher. The Sitter, which cost under $25 million to produce, is tracking strongest among younger males, who have been notoriously absent from the multiplex in recent months. PHOTOS: 'New Year's Eve' Film Stills In the film, Hill plays a college student on suspension who is prodded into babysitting the kids next door. Things go askew when he takes them for a wild ride across NY City after being promised sex with his girlfriend. Michael De Luca produced the comedy. Martin Scorsese's 3D family friendly film Hugo continues its roll out this weekend, expanding its theater count from 1,840 to 2,600. Through Wednesday, Hugo's domestic gross was $26.8 million. Hugo is among a slew of awards contenders positioning themselves as The Hollywood Foreign Press Association prepares to announce Golden Globe nominations on Dec. 15, preceded a day early by SAG nominations. On Saturday, 20th Century Fox will hold sneaks of Cameron Crowe's Christmas film We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson in hundreds of theaters across the country. The pic, which also snuck over Thanksgiving weekend in a bid to build buzz, opens Dec. 23. Specialty pics opening this weeked that hope to ride the wave of awards attention include British espionage pic Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, based on John Le Carre's bestselling book and starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy. Directed by Thomas Alfredson from an adapted screenplay by Peter Straughan and the late Bridget O'Connor, Tinker Tailor was produced by Working Title and StudioCanal. Tinker Tailor has already done strong business in the U.K., where it opened in mid-September and has grossed nearly $22 million to date. In the U.S., Focus Features opens the critically acclaimed film in four theaters in Los Angeles and NY. Paramount opens Charlize Theron starrer Young Adult -- which reteams director Jason Reitman with Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody -- in eight theaters NY, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Minneapolis, where Cody got her start as a stripper. A number of other platform pics will continue to expand this weekend as awards season heats up, including Fox Searchlight's The Descendants, which adds 300 theaters to its run for a total locaiton count of 874. The Alexander Payne-directed film has grossed a stellar $19 million to date. Searchlight's Shame, hoping to overcome the stigma associated with the NC-17 rating, adds 11 theaters to its run for a total count of 21. Directed by Steve McQueen and headlining Michael Fassbender, Shame opened last weekend to strong numbers despite the rating. The Weinstein Co. expands awards darling The Artist, which played in six theaters in Los Angeles, NY and San Francisco last weekend, into an additional 10 theaters. Madonna's W.E., from the Weinstein Co., and Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay's edgy indie film We Need to Talk About Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly, both begin one-week award qualifying runs this weekend in Los Angeles. Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired U.S. rights to We Need to Talk About Kevin out of the Cannes Film Festival in May. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Biggest Box Office Bombs Related Topics Box Office New Year's Eve Young Adult Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Hugo The Sitter

ITV Confirms Simon Cowell Returning To Boost Britains Got Talent

Deadline contributor Tim Adler files this international report: Simon Cowell will return as one of the judges on next years Britains Got Talent, ITV boss Adam Crozier has confirmed. The X Factor impresario will resume his seat on the talent show following the recent exits of judges David Hasselhof and Michael McIntyre. Speaking to press this afternoon in London, the ITV boss also hinted that ITV Studios may be in the market to buy an American production company, pointing out that the US is the second-liveliest market for independent TV producers apart from the UK. For now though, Crozier is concentrating on wiping out the 612 million worth of debt he inherited by year-end. When you inherit something that isnt working, the worst thing you can do is start bolting things on, he said. The ex-UK postal service CEO was self-deprecating about the size of the task facing him in turning ITV around. Group turnover rose 4% to 1.5 billion over the first 9 months of the year. If this was a school report, I would summarize it as, good solid progress but plenty more needs to be done, he said. Were about one third of the way to where we need to get to. Regarding Cowell, Crozier ruled out flying him in next fall to perform a rescue mission on The X Factor which is losing out to BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing (aka Dancing With The Stars in the US) almost every Saturday night. Crozier shrugged off mutterings that British audiences are finally tiring of The X Factor, which is in its 8th season. X Factor is still the most watched television show when you combine the Saturday and Sunday viewing figures, he said. He was keen to talk up the success of ITVs in-house production division, ITV Studios (which is seen by observers as a millstone round ITVs neck because the broadcaster has to keep commissioning ITV Studios rather than throw open the commissioning process completely for independent producers). So far, ITV Studios has increased its share of all shows commissioned this year to 55% compared to 47% in 2010. Half of those shows have been sold overseas including the Titanic miniseries airing on ABC that’s gone to 57 territories. Titanic is a very good example of how we work now, Crozier said. The program was in profit before we started making it.

Yahoo Shutters Four Entertainment Blogs

Disney and Pixar's 2009 animated film Up featured a colorful home with a lot of character The house was so inspiring to some that they build a replication of it.our editor recommends15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore PosseAnimated, Documentary and Foreign: 3 Key Oscar Categories Analyzed The Utah home has been bought by two Disney fans, Clinton and Lynette Hamblin of Petaluma, CA, completing their long search for a home that had similarities to the one in the movie. PHOTOS: 15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore Posse The couple had been looking mainly in California for a home that had either a colorful exterior or a bright blue kitchen like the one in the film. They then learned about the home in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman, Utah, that was built based on the film. The home, which was officially recognized by Disney as the Up house, had a $400,000 price tag on it. "We just love the message of the movie - adventure is out there," Lynette Hamblin told The Salt Lake Tribune. STORY: Hollywood Studios Accused of Pushing Liberal Agenda Through Children's Films The home in Up is basically another star of the film. It is the home of Carl and Ellie Frederickson after they get married and as they navigate the trails and triumps of their lives together. After Ellie dies, Carl becomes a curmudgeonly hermit, spending most of his time alone in the colorful home until he sets out on an accidental adventure with a young member of the "Wilderness Explorers." Adam Bangerter built the Utah home, telling The AP that he chose to replicate the movie home because it played such a memorable role in the film. "It illustrates what homeownership really is, and it's not an investment. It's part of the American dream to have a house to care for, to improve and to make part of your family," Bangerter said. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore Posse Related Topics Pixar