If you had told me a month ago that my Oscar predictions would look anything like this, I probably would have advised you to go do a little more research. “Argo” poised for the Best Picture win sans a Best Director nod? Unthinkable. Emmanuelle Riva and Naomi Watts as viable Best Actress contenders against youthful powerhouses like Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain? You’re pulling my leg.

Toys come with a lot of warnings: Not suitable for children under 3 years; Small parts may present choking hazards; Use under adult supervision. Labels on electronic toys list the voltage while others confirm non-toxic materials. If a toy proves to be harmful, it is quickly recalled as toy manufacturers make safety a priority.

“That movie would have been infinitely better if it had been shown in 3-D.” I cannot speak for the rest of the movie going population, but this is one sentence I will never utter walking out of a cineplex. That is not to say 3-D technology is completely expendable. With the right movie, 3-D can be effectively exploited and have an enriching impact on a cinematic experience. In a majority of cases though, 3-D merely acts as a shameful method for the studio to increase the ticket price. Some people buy into the assumption that 3-D makes a movie appear more realistic and integrates the audience into the action. When not properly executed, however, 3-D can have dark, dreary and distracting consequences on a film originally shot in 2-D. In that sense, 3-D not only robs the audience of an extra $3, but also takes them out of the motion picture.

‘Wreck-It Ralph’

It feels as if I already critiqued “Ice Age: Continental Drift” a few weeks ago in my review of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Like that animated sequel, this film is burdened with the excessively recognizable voices of celebrities, overdone morals, and a dire amount of repetition. Granted, “Ice Age” has persisted to be a much funnier, more charming franchise than “Madagascar.” After four films and countless millions though, it may be time for this 10-year-old series to go extinct.

It feels as if I already critiqued “Ice Age: Continental Drift” a few weeks ago in my review of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Like that animated sequel, this film is burdened with the excessively recognizable voices of celebrities, overdone morals, and a dire amount of repetition. Granted, “Ice Age” has persisted to be a much funnier, more charming franchise than “Madagascar.” After four films and countless millions though, it may be time for this 10-year-old series to go extinct.

“Brave” is Pixar’s first feature with a strong female character at its center. And while it’s not among the animation powerhouse’s best films from a storytelling perspective, it is undeniably beautiful. Among its more appealing visual elements is the wild mane of long, red curls on the head of Scottish princess Merida.

“Brave” is Pixar’s first feature with a strong female character at its center. And while it’s not among the animation powerhouse’s best films from a storytelling perspective, it is undeniably beautiful. Among its more appealing visual elements is the wild mane of long, red curls on the head of Scottish princess Merida.

When Pixar was given the opportunity to make a feature-length animation in the early ’90s, they strived to distinguish themselves from Disney by not telling a fairytale. The studio has maintained this custom for almost two decades with unique stories about monsters, toys, superheroes, and so on. Among all the Pixar films, “Brave” is certainly the most loyal to the Disney fairytale formula. The movie comes equipped with several familiar themes, such as a princess who wants more, a disapproving parent, and witchcraft. It’s interesting to see Pixar tackle a more Disney-like story and for the most part “Brave” is executed quite nicely.

When Pixar was given the opportunity to make a feature-length animation in the early ’90s, they strived to distinguish themselves from Disney by not telling a fairytale. The studio has maintained this custom for almost two decades with unique stories about monsters, toys, superheroes, and so on. Among all the Pixar films, “Brave” is certainly the most loyal to the Disney fairytale formula. The movie comes equipped with several familiar themes, such as a princess who wants more, a disapproving parent, and witchcraft. It’s interesting to see Pixar tackle a more Disney-like story and for the most part “Brave” is executed quite nicely.

Pixar is long overdue for a feature with a strong female character at its center. Now that she's arrived, it's clear that she deserves better.

Pixar is long overdue for a feature with a strong female character at its center. Now that she's arrived, it's clear that she deserves better.

When Pixar was given the opportunity to make a feature-length animation in the early '90s, they strived to distinguish themselves from Disney by not telling a fairytale. The studio has maintained this custom for almost two decades with unique stories about monsters, toys, superheroes, and so on.

When Pixar was given the opportunity to make a feature-length animation in the early '90s, they strived to distinguish themselves from Disney by not telling a fairytale. The studio has maintained this custom for almost two decades with unique stories about monsters, toys, superheroes, and so on.

Don’t you hate it when your bratty kid won’t listen to you and then they sneak off and consult a witch who gives them a curse that turns you into a bear – just to shut you up? That’s the premise of the very fun and entertaining new Pixar animated film, "Brave", but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to give kids these kinds of ideas.

Don’t you hate it when your bratty kid won’t listen to you and then they sneak off and consult a witch who gives them a curse that turns you into a bear – just to shut you up? That’s the premise of the very fun and entertaining new Pixar animated film, "Brave", but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to give kids these kinds of ideas.

LOS ANGELES — The boozy, blustery Scottish people are getting a Hollywood close-up with "Brave," the latest adventure from the animators who brought you "Toy Story," ''Ratatouille," ''Finding Nemo" and "Up."

LOS ANGELES — The boozy, blustery Scottish people are getting a Hollywood close-up with "Brave," the latest adventure from the animators who brought you "Toy Story," ''Ratatouille," ''Finding Nemo" and "Up."

As superhero summers go, this one is truly super.

As superhero summers go, this one is truly super.

In schools and backyards, for their birthdays and out with their dads, kids are gaga for archery weeks into the box office run of “The Hunger Games” and just a few months before the London Olympics.