I can’t remember my first 3D film but I do remember, even as a child, I was not terribly impressed. I’m still not. Very few films need 3D and those that do probably cannot stand on their own. I waver between thinking the technology is purely gimmick or real value. I tend to the former.

I’ve enjoyed some 3D films but never because they were 3D. To name just two I’ve seen recently: Avatar is a visually stunning film with or without 3D while Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows3D was a complete waste of an extra five dollars. Avatar 3D, at the least, added some nice “depth” to the incredible panoramic scenes and made the creatures seem more real. With Holmes I found there to be no advantage and the 3D was distracting.

Of course TV manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, Sharp and Panasonic, among others, are desperate for 3D content but at what cost…the alienating of an already overwhelmed customer base? I now need a 3D HDTV and 3D Blu-ray player and have to replace all my recently purchased Blu-ray discs with 3D. And, I see very little improvement from the original 3D from 50+ years ago. I don’t blame the manufacturers, and they did bring us an excellent product in HDTV, but I’m waiting for the next technological advance. Till then they can do without my few dollars.

My true gripe is the exorbitant price charged to see the “new 3D.” Often I have to pay four or five dollars extra just so I don’t have to travel across town to the only theater with the traditional format. I have seen a couple of adult 3D films that at least gave me the sense I was getting value for my dollar (they were much less than I paid for Avatar).

Now the exception to my new rule (not paying to see 3D): at a recent showing of trailers the re-release of Titanic in 3D was included. It was phenomenal. I might actually pay to see the re-release, it truly looks stunning (but no promises).

I have to pay 8 dollars for popcorn, 6 bucks for pop and 13+ for a 3D film. Add my favorite candy and I’m well over 30 bucks per person. I used to take my grand kids at least 6 times a year. I’m now down to 2. I want the movie industry to survive, but not when I have to pay 21st century prices for mid-20th century products.

My second pick is War Horse. The trailer looks phenomenal, it’s directed by Steven Spielberg and what better type film to watch at Christmas: a war picture with people dying in droves. It really should be an excellent film but probably not one for kids (except really violent ones).

The third choice for me is We Bought a Zoo. I like the story, the cast seems solid and I’m hoping it could be fun. I’m a bit reserved but with Matt Damon and Scarlet Johannson in the lead how bad could it be. Forget I said that, but at least the kids should love it…how can they not. Let me know what you think!

Hugo is a a brilliant film done simply but beautifully by the great Martin Scorsese. The young Hugo is a newly orphaned savant from a family of superlative watchmakers, and he is stuck in a train station. Hugo’s father has died, his uncle disappeared and Hugo lives barely by stealing food from vendors around the station.

Hugo’s nemesis, the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen), is an emotionally underdeveloped casualty of WW1, as is the entire city of Paris. Until Hugo (Asa Butterfield) manages to become involved with one of these victims, a toy shop owner named Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley) his life is bleak. Méliès is a bitter filmmaker whose exceptional career died after the horror that was the Great War. Movie goers no longer wanted the beautiful, uplifting wonder of his pictures. Georges was forced to give up his studio and settle for a tiny toy shop in the station. Hugo, in an attempt to rebuild an automaton his father discovered, steals parts from the aging shop owner.

Hugo is the story of these very different people and their voyage to the discovery that Méliès is not forgotten and Hugo no longer alone. With Hugo and George, with the help of young Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz) and her charming smile and sense of wonder find that life still holds hope and splendor.

The story is fun, the plot solid, if simple, and the casting inspired. Brilliant direction, beautiful cinematography and exceptional performances make this wonderful film a joy to watch and one certain to bring people back to Hugo again and again.

I heartily recommend Hugo to adults and children alike and suggest seeing Hugo with young people. Only then may you get the entire impact of Martin Scorsese’s latest masterpiece.

Hugo is five large popcorn tubs out of five!