Reel Life with Jane -- June 2011
by Jane Louise Boursaw
I’m super-excited about all the great movies coming out this month! There are lots of great flicks to look forward to, including a new X-Men installment, that kid-lit icon Judy Moody’s film debut, and those loveable Cars, speeding off on an international thrill-ride. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new in theaters and on DVD/Blu-ray in June.
MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS
Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for mild rude humor and some language
Released in Theaters: June 17, 2011
Genre: Family, Comedy, Based on a Book
Runtime: 95 minutes
Directed by: Mark Waters
Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, Ophelia Lovibond, Madeline Carroll, Jeffrey Tambor, Maxwell Perry Cotton
Official Site: http://www.popperspenguins.com/
SYNOPSIS: Tom Popper is a divorced, workaholic real estate shark who doesn’t mind evicting people from beloved New York City landmarks to make way for new skyscrapers. But things start to change, including his relationship with his ex-wife and two children, when he inherits six lively penguins and transforms his luxury apartment into a winter wonderland.
Sex/Nudity: Tom’s ex-wife has a boyfriend, but you can tell there’s still a spark between her and Tom. They go on a couple of dates and eventually kiss. There’s a reference to Viagra (Tom proclaims his vigor and “Viagra-tality”). A teenage girl hopes a boy will ask her to a school dance. An affectionate penguin is jokingly accused of fathering the eggs of three different penguins.
Violence/Gore: It’s a Jim Carrey movie, so expect plenty of slapstick humor and physical comedy. A zookeeper is hit in the face—with his own hand. Penguins cause havoc everywhere they go, including disrupting a fancy gallery event and knocking people over.
Profanity: Fairly mild, but lots of references to penguin “poo” and “pee” (and a few scenes of actual penguin poo). Also mild insults like “dumb,” “stupid,” and “crazy.”
Drugs/Alcohol: A reception at an art gallery includes alcohol. People drink champagne at a fancy party.
Which Kids Will Like It?: Kids six and older who are familiar with the book by Richard and Florence Atwater or who like Jim Carrey’s family-friendly movies and physical comedy.
Will Parents Like It?: It’s a really cute, but predictable, movie that’s fun for both kids and adults.
REVIEW: I came home from Mr. Popper’s Penguins surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. The reason I say that is because you usually know what you’re getting into with a Jim Carrey movie—some goofy faces, lots of jokes that either hit or miss the mark, perhaps a scene where he topples over a chair. If it’s a family movie, expect a heartfelt talk in there somewhere.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins has all this, but it also has … penguins! Cute, cuddly, emotional penguins who tear at your heartstrings and make you love them in all their adorable penguin-ness. Yeah, I realize penguin-ness isn’t a word, but this review needs that word, so there you have it.
Carrey stars as Tom Popper, a successful commercial real estate developer in New York City who will do whatever it takes to seal the deal, with help from his faithful assistant Pippi (Ophelia Lovibond), who speaks solely in alliterations beginning with the letter P. You get the feeling that Tom’s workaholic tendencies are the reason behind his divorce with ex-wife Amanda (Carla Gugino), giving them shared custody of their two kids, Janie (Madeline Carroll—loved her in Flipped) and Billy (Maxwell Perry Cotton).
But things start to change when Tom gets an unexpected inheritance from his deceased father—six penguins who are like fish out of water in his New York apartment. He’s just about to turn them over to the Central Park Zoo when Billy arrives and thinks they’re a birthday present for him. So Tom decides to keep the birds in his apartment—which, of course, causes all sorts of mayhem.
Here’s where you see that Tom isn’t some ruthless guy with a cold heart. He really loves his kids. He just doesn’t know how to interact with them, because his own dad was absent during much of his childhood. But soon, Tom isn’t keeping the birds just for the kids. He actually becomes attached to them.
And, as mentioned, the penguins—a mix of real and CGI birds—are completely adorable as they follow him around, leaving chaos in their wake. One of the best parts of the movie is the birds’ fascination with watching old Charlie Chaplin movies on TV. Way to include a comedy legend in a family movie.
All of this has dire consequences for Tom’s business, because he’s supposed to be wooing the elderly Mrs. Van Gundy and convincing her to sell her prime real estate—Tavern on the Green. She’s played by Angela Lansbury, 85, and it’s lovely to see her in this perfect role.
I haven’t read the book this movie is based on, but I’m guessing that since it’s 70-some years old, the story has been updated for modern times. And that’s OK, because the movie’s message is timeless—that family is more important than any job, and it’s OK to daydream and think outside the box.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins has the sort of predictable ending you’d expect from a classic Disney film starring Angela Lansbury, but I’m OK with that. I would have been disappointed if it had ended any other way. It’s a solid comedy that’s entertaining for the whole family and on-target with the PG rating.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality, and innuendo.
Released in Theaters: May 20, 2011 (2D, 3D & IMAX 3D)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Sequel
Runtime: 137 minutes
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/pirates/
SYNOPSIS: The fourth movie in the Pirates franchise finds Capt. Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embarking on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter Angelica are after it, too.
Sex/Nudity: Lots of innuendos and double-meaning jokes from Capt. Jack. He and Angelica’s sword fight turns into a flirty roll on the floor. Some talk of their long-ago affair. Rowdy pub patrons are shown kissing and cavorting. Angelica’s cleavage is shown throughout the movie. Mermaids are bare from the waist up, but their long hair covers everything. A mermaid’s tail turns into legs, and a man quickly covers her up with a shirt.
Violence/Gore: Much sword fighting and swashbuckling, although not much blood is shown, and the body count isn’t as high as previous Pirates movies. Some gun use and a brief explosion. A mermaid is captured and threatened with death—she’s enclosed in a box and nearly suffocates without air. A large group of mermaids turn vampire-like and attack people in the water. A pirate is sent off on a small boat from the main ship and then burned with a fire-throwing device. A character is poisoned, and a few people nearly die.
Profanity: A few uses of “damn” and “my God.” Some insults, usually directed at Jack.
Drugs/Alcohol: Some pirate drinking and rum-related jokes.
Which Kids Will Like It?: Fans of the first three Pirates movies, action-adventure films, or Johnny Depp.
Will Parents Like It?: It’s a very entertaining film, and the PG-13 content is less violent than the other films.
REVIEW: Even though the trailers looked good for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Johnny Depp took a more active role in the filmmaking, I didn’t hold a lot of hope that this fourth movie would put the franchise back on track. But guess what? It’s very entertaining and indeed breathes new life into a series that was nearly dragged under with the second and third movies. They cut out all the bloat, made the story lean and mean, and put the focus back on Jack, which is exactly where it should be. And he’s less of a caricature in this film and more of a real person than the cartoonish, rum-drinking pirate we’ve seen in the previous films.
I was worried that the absence of Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom would leave me feeling sad, but I didn’t really even miss them. Their story was tied up nicely in the third movie, and Tides brings a fresh new start to the franchise with the addition of Penelope Cruz as Angelica Malon, the daughter of Blackbeard, played with delicious villainy by Ian McShane.
In place of the puzzling plotlines that marked Gore Verbinski’s second and third films, director Rob Marshall has created an easy-to-follow story about the Fountain of Youth. Jack’s not getting any younger, after all. He’s probably starting to think seriously about what’s ahead. And so after a caper involving a judge impersonation, a daring escape, and a quick meet-up with his dad (Keith Richards, whose pirate-ish presence has me craving a spin-off movie), Jack is back in action and working with Barbossa to find the elusive Fountain of Youth.
He quickly crosses paths with Angelica, a long-lost lover with whom he still shares abundant amounts of chemistry. Their playful banter is charming and fun, and she’s a strong and feisty opponent with both words and swords.
This movie also introduces us to the mermaids, a population of undersea creatures who can be sweet one minute and freaky-frightening the next. Don’t get them riled up! They’re in demand because in order to access the Fountain of Youth, you need two chalices and the tear of a mermaid. Not an easy challenge for the pirates.
Astrid Berges-Frisbey perfectly inhabits the role of Syrena the mermaid—sweet and young, with an ethereal quality. She’s also the perfect star-crossed lover to Philip (Sam Claflin), the man of God who’s concerned for her welfare.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a fun popcorn movie. It features lush locations, an action-packed storyline, a gorgeous soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and flamenco-guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, and, most of all, that loveable rogue Capt. Jack Sparrow. Ready for more? If so, you’re in luck: a Pirates 5 script has already been delivered to Disney.
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
Not yet rated, likely PG-13. In theaters 6/3. OK for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://www.x-menfirstclass.com/
Before mutants revealed themselves to the world, before Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) became archenemies and took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. They were also close friends, working together with other mutants to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a grave rift between them opened, sparking the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and the Professor’s X-Men. With a cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, January Jones, and Kevin Bacon, this movie seems likely to erase some of the memory of 2009’s less-than-stellar X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER
PG for some mild rude humor and language. In theaters 6/10. OK for kids 7+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://judymoodymovie.com/
Based on the Judy Moody books by Megan McDonald, this family comedy stars Jordana Beatty as the beloved third-grader who sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life. It’s directed by John Schultz (Aliens in the Attic) and also stars Heather Graham as Judy’s fun-loving Aunt Opal and Parris Mosteller as her little brother Stink. Look for this movie to have a sweet tone similar to 2010’s Ramona and Beezus.
THE ART OF GETTING BY
PG-13 for thematic elements, including sexual content, language, and teen drinking. In theaters 6/17. OK for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theartofgettingby/
It doesn’t seem that long ago when Freddie Highmore was a wee lad starring in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and here he is all grown up. He stars as George Zinavoy, a lonely, fatalistic teen who’s made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work. But his attitude and outlook on life starts to change when he’s befriended by free-spirited classmate Sally Howe (Emma Roberts). Directed by Gavin Wiesen, this romantic dramedy also stars Elizabeth Reaser, Rita Wilson, Michael Angarano, and Blair Underwood.
GREEN LANTERN
Not yet rated; likely PG-13. In theaters 6/17 (3D & 2D). OK for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://www.greenlantern.com/
Can Ryan Reynolds bring the iconic Hal Jordan/Green Lantern to life on the big screen? With his handsome good looks and fun sense of humor, I say yes. The story follows his entrance into the Green Lantern Corps, a brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, with each Lantern wearing a mystical ring that grants superpowers. With the encouragement of fellow test pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), Hal may become the greatest Green Lantern of all, helping to restore order to the universe after the evil Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power. Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), the all-star cast includes Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Jon Tenney, Geoffrey Rush, Tim Robbins, and Michael Clarke Duncan.
CARS 2
Not yet rated; likely G or PG. In theaters 6/24 (3D/2D and IMAX 3D). OK for kids 6+. Reel Preview: 4.5 out of 5 Reels. http://disney.go.com/cars/cars2/
Those loveable cars are back! Owen Wilson returns as the voice of racecar Lightning McQueen and Larry the Cable Guy as tow truck Mater. They’re heading overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car, but Mater gets sidetracked by a top-secret spy mission through the streets of Japan and Europe. Directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis, the fast-paced film also features the voices of Emily Mortimer, Joe Mantegna, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, and Tony Shalhoub.
NEW ON DVD/BLU-RAY
THE SUPERMAN MOTION PICTURE ANTHOLOGY
Rated PG-13. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/7. OK for kids 13+. 4 out of 5 Reels.
I was just thinking that there really hasn’t been a great Superman anthology released for Blu-ray yet, and look what just came out! With Smallville ending soon and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel hitting theaters in 2012, this anthology couldn’t have come at a better time. The 8-disc set includes all five movies released from 1978 to 2006, plus 20+ hours of bonus features, including extended editions, Warner Bros. cartoons, commentary, and making-of featurettes. Seriously, you could spend weeks watching everything on this set. Just be sure to lay in plenty of snacks and invite all your Superman-fan friends.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE / ORDER OF THE PHOENIX / PRISONER OF AZKABAN (ULTIMATE EDITIONS)
Rated PG-13. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/14. OK for kids 13+. 4.5 out of 5 Reels.
The first of these Harry Potter ultimate editions were released last year, and you have to wonder if it’s worth buying yet another copy of each film (because you probably already have one or two around the house, right?). For diehard fans, I’d say yes, they’re worth it. Each DVD includes tons of special features not previously available, including Creating the World of Harry Potter: Magical Effects, which goes behind the scenes of each movie to reveal how portraits come to life, time reverses, potions transform, and more.
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexuality, and a violent image. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/21. OK for kids 13+. Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels.
This action-thriller stars Matt Damon as David Norris, an ambitious politician on the brink of winning a U.S. Senate seat. When he finds himself falling for beautiful ballerina Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), David learns he’s up against the agents of Fate, a.k.a. The Adjustment Bureau—a secret agency that controls everyone’s lives and does not want David and Elise to be together. It’s a thoughtful, interesting film based on a short story by Philip K. Dick (who also wrote the stories on which Total Recall, Minority Report, and Blade Runner were based).
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY: EXTENDED EDITIONS
Rated PG-13. On Blu-ray 6/28. OK for kids 13+. 5 out of 5 Reels.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a staple in our household. Not only is it an epic fantasy from a master storyteller, but the films are really well done. If you’re not yet acquainted with Tolkien’s tale, this Blu-ray edition is the perfect way to meet the myriad residents of Middle-earth. Learn about the legendary hobbits, elves, dwarves and humans led by the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) and the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) on their quest to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Includes tons of bonus features.
BEASTLY
Rated PG-13 for language, including some crude comments, drug references and brief violence. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/28. OK for kids 13+. Reel Rating: 3 out of 5 Reels.
This updated take on Beauty and the Beast finds Alex Pettyfer playing Kyle, a handsome teen who loves humiliating less attractive people. But he spurns the wrong girl when he turns on misfit Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), who casts a spell and turns Kyle into a repulsive beast. The only way to reverse the spell is to find someone who can love him for who he is. Could that person be Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens)? Also starring Peter Krause as Kyle’s dad and Neil Patrick Harris as his blind tutor.
SEASON OF THE WITCH
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, violence and disturbing content. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/28. OK for kids 14+. 3 out of 5 Reels.
Nicolas Cage stars as Behman, a medieval knight who returns from his travels to find his homeland in central Europe decimated by the Black Plague. While searching for food and supplies at the Palace in Marburg, he and trusted companion Felson (Ron Perlman) are ordered by a dying cardinal (Christopher Lee) to deliver a peasant girl to a remote abbey where her powers can be destroyed—she’s believed to be the witch responsible for the Plague. This supernatural thriller is a cross between The CW’s Supernatural and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven. For that reason, I don’t recommend it for kids younger than 14.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is a family entertainment writer specializing in movies, TV and celebrities. Contact her at jboursaw@charter.net.
