'Horton' among '08 films that deserve to be seen

I continue to be baffled by the lack of love given to the new animated feature "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!"

The movie made more than $150 million and currently ranks in the yearly top 10, box-office wise.

But few if any groups have nominated it for yearly awards. Having re-watched the film on DVD (Fox, G, $29.98), I found it pretty funny and charming.

And its messages about tolerance and acceptance couldn't come at a better time.

Of course, I'm also baffled at the coming-of-age comedy-drama "Son of Rambow." The movie was a hot commodity at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, but it pretty much tanked in its 2008 theatrical release.

(The distributor, Paramount Vantage, hasn't even announced a date for its U.S. DVD release yet.)

Other movies that are getting no love from awards — and in some cases, audiences — but deserve to be seen include:

"Baby Mama" (Universal, PG-13, $29.98).

It's too bad this fun Tina Fey vehicle wasn't released at the same time she became a "star" — by spoofing vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

"Encounters at the End of the World" (Image, G, $27.98).

Werner Herzog's documentary about Antarctica is as peculiar as it is entertaining and educational.

"Ghost Town" (Paramount, PG-13, $29.98).

The best romantic comedy that practically no one saw this year. (To be released Dec. 27)

"Man on Wire" (Magnolia, PG-13, $26.98).

Another documentary, though this examination of 1974's so-called "artistic crime of the century" is fascinating and thrilling.

"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" (Universal, PG-13, $29.98).

Amy Adams steals the movie out from under her cast members, playing a would-be starlet in this fun, '30s-period comedy.

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" (Paramount, PG, $34.98).

The live-action adaptation of the best-selling kids books was miles better than the second "Narnia" movies, that's for sure.

"Transsiberian" (First Look, R, $28.98).

Those who are looking for a good, train-bound thriller should check out this tense movie.

"Young@Heart" (Fox, PG, $27.98).

Maybe the best musical of the year, this insightful documentary profiles the members of a senior-citizen chorus — who perform songs by Sonic Youth, Radiohead, the Ramones, James Brown and others.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com