The 2006 Dad and Lad-ee Awards

As we enter 2007, Lad and I thought it might be fun to take a look back at 2006. Last year was one in which Hollywood showed a nice rebound from a poor 2005. While most critics agree the quality of movies were not on par with prior years, there were many excellent family films to fill our plate.

So, we are proud to introduce the Dad and Lad-ees: an Oscar-type award given in various categories based on votes from both Lad and myself. After days of consideration and many debates back and forth, we awarded the following with the Golden Lad-ee.

Best Family Film

Dad: "Charlotte's Web"

Lad: "Night at the Museum"

Best Animated Feature Film

Dad: "Cars"

Lad: "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown"

Worst Family Film

Dad: "Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties"

Lad: "Click" (marketing of this movie was misleading)

Funniest Film

Dad: "Talladega Nights" (maybe a little edgy for children under 10, but it was hilarious)

Lad: "Over the Hedge"

Best Film for Dads to Take Their Sons to

Dad: "Invincible"

Lad: "Flushed Away"

Favorite Character in a Family Film:

Dad: Charlotte (voiced by Julia Roberts) in "Charlotte's Web"

Lad: Larry Daley played by Ben Stiller in "Night at the Museum"

Funniest Character in a Family Film

Dad: Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) in "Cars"

Lad: Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) in "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown"

Favorite Hero in a Family Film

Dad: It's a tie: Superman played by Brandon Routh in "Superman Returns" and Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman in "X-Men: The Last Stand"

Lad: Superman

Favorite Villain in a Family Film

Dad: Boingo (voiced by Andy Dick) in "Hoodwinked"

Lad: Davy Jones played by Bill Nighy in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

Most Disappointing Family Film

Dad: "Eragon"

Lad: "Eragon"