Daddy's Little Dragon Warrior

If dads were as sappy and sentimental as moms, I'd tell them to have tissues handy if they're going to see Kung Fu Panda 2.

At the very least, be prepared for a slight lump in the throat for this father-son story that, while it features some amazing animated Furious Five action, pierces right to the heart of the love and pride that a dad can feel for his offspring. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the look of love that Mr. Ping, Po's dad, lavishes upon his infant panda son is nothing short of the most beautiful and pure portrayal ever animated.

My two kids and I were beguiled by the nostalgic animation style and 3-D kung fu chops and acrobatics, but ultimately, it came down to Po's search for inner peace – and how he found it – that struck the right chords with me.

Sentimentality aside, moviegoers of all ages will find big action – and an even bigger version of Po on display at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on Sunset. Dreamworks Animation and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade got together to create a 42-foot tall Kung Fu Panda helium balloon, which will be on display 6 a.m.-9 a.m. on May 26 in front of the theaters. And be sure to check out the kung fu demos and traditional lion dance. Now that's the awesomest.

Fresh Flicks For Kids

We haven't had time to trek out to too many movies lately, so when we manage to get all shoes on and all bodies loaded in the car and headed for our local cinema, it had better be worth it. We loved Fantastic Mr. Fox (Jack is still breaking into spontaneous yoga/meditation poses), and I'm seeing a few promising flicks peeking up over the 2010 horizon.

One notable one – called The Secret of Kells – came to me via GKIDS, a company that has begun distributing fresh, cutting-edge films for kids (and adults) and also produces the New York International Children's Film Festival.

The movie, which has won several awards on the film festival circuit, is a mystical, magical, mythological tale set in medieval times. It is about a young boy named Brendan who goes on an unusual adventure in an enchanted forest. The animation has an old-fashioned yet inventive look that’s unlike the typical animated features today.

Although the official opening for the acclaimed Irish animated movie  isn’t until March, the film will screen Dec. 4-10 at the AMC Burbank Town Center 8 for an Oscar-qualifying run. The film's director, Tomm Moore, will be at the Dec. 6 (2 p.m.) screening for a Q&A. Movie tickets cost $10-$12 for adults and $9 for children.