Reel Life with Jane -- October 2011
by Jane Louise Boursaw
Hugh Jackman mixes it up with some giant robots, a classic dance movie gets a remake, and those swashbuckling musketeers return to the big screen. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new in theaters and on DVD this October.
REAL STEEL
PG-13 for some violence, intense action, and brief language. In theaters 10/7. OK for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.steelgetsreal.com/
It seems we haven’t had our fill of giant robots from the Transformers franchise—now they’re in the boxing ring. This sci-fi action flick stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when massive steel robots took over the ring. Now a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough cash piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When he hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender and get one last chance at a comeback. Directed by Shawn Levy (The Pink Panther, Night at the Museum), this Disney movie also stars Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, and Kevin Durand. Picture a more high-tech, edgier version of The Champ, the 1979 Oscar-nominated movie starring Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder.
FOOTLOOSE
Not yet rated; likely PG-13. In theaters 10/14. OK for kids 14+. Reel Preview: 3 out of 5 Reels. http://www.footloosemovie.com/
It’s always risky to remake a classic movie, especially one as iconic as 1984’s Footloose (or Dirty Dancing, also up for a remake in the near future). No one can take the place of Kevin Bacon (or Patrick Swayze), but newcomer Kenny Wormald gives it a go in this updated version of Footloose, directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan). Wormald plays Ren MacCormack, a Boston transplant who relocates to the small Southern town of Bomont, where the community was recently rocked by a tragic accident that killed five teenagers after a night out. Bomont’s councilmen and the town’s beloved Reverend Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid) respond by prohibiting loud music and dancing. Of course, we all know what happens: Ren challenges the ban, revitalizes the town, and falls in love with the minister’s troubled daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough).
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
PG-13 for sequences of action/adventure violence. In theaters 10/21 (3D/2D). OK for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://www.threemusketeers-movie.com/
Ready for some dashing swordsmen? Me too! This reboot of the classic Alexandre Dumas story finds the hot-headed young D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman) joining forces with three rogue musketeers (Matthew MacFadyen, Luke Evans, and Ray Stevenson). Their task is to stop the evil Richlieu (Christoph Waltz), face off against Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Milla Jovovich), and foil a plot that threatens all of Europe. This action-adventure was shot in state-of-the-art 3D (in other words, the 3D effects weren’t tacked on as an afterthought). It’s also directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, in a departure from his usual brutal/gory style (Death Race, Pandorum, the Resident Evil franchise).
JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN
Rated PG for mild action violence, rude humor, some language, and brief sensuality. In theaters 10/28. OK for kids 11+. Reel Preview: 3 out of 5 Reels. http://www.johnnyenglishreborn.com/
This movie could be really funny or really dumb. I say that because I find Rowen Atkinson to be a hit-or-miss performer. Some of his stuff is hilarious, like his elementary dating standup routine or his acerbic Blackadder in the 1980s TV series Blackadder Goes Forth, but I’m lukewarm on his Mr. Bean franchise. This sequel takes place eight years after the last movie, and Atkinson returns as the improbable secret agent Johnny English. His challenge is to round up a group of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos. Think James Bond meets Inspector Clouseau.
NEW ON DVD
PLANET EARTH: SPECIAL EDITION
TV-G. On DVD/Blu-ray 10/4. OK for kids 7+. Reel Review: 5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon. Official Site: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/planet-earth/
This 2006 BBC documentary, narrated by David Attenborough, won four Emmys, including Best Nonfiction Series and Best Cinematography. This edition features new commentary and lots of extras. The project took 40 camera teams shooting at over 200 locations around the globe for five years and delivers stunning, high-def cinematography of our gorgeous planet. For the air shots, a special camera was able to zoom into single animals from a kilometer away without disturbing them. An excellent series for parents, teachers, and kids.
ELMO’S SHAPE ADVENTURE
TV-G. On DVD 10/11. OK for kids 2+. Reel Review: 4 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
Elmo and the Sesame Street gang continue to be relevant because they feature special guests from current times. This DVD features a story from a 2011 episode, in which Elmo, Rosita, and Telly are Shape-O-Bots who help guest star Andy Samberg to stop people from crashing into him with an octagon. The ‘Bots also introduce a variety of other shapes, including circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, and hexagons, to kids. With a cool theme song and excellent animation, it’s perfect for preschoolers.
JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER
PG for some mild rude humor and language. On DVD/Blu-ray 10/11. OK for kids 7+. Reel Review: 2.5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon. Official Site: http://judymoodymovie.com/
Based on the books by Megan McDonald, this movie follows the adventures of Judy Moody (Jordana Beatty), a third-grader with big ideas for an exciting summer full of dares, scares, and thrills. But those plans are quickly dashed when she learns that two of her best friends are going away for the summer and she’ll be left at home with second-best friend Frank Pearl, her brother Stink, and her Aunt Opal (Heather Graham), who turns out to be full of surprises. Although not as good as the Ramona and Beezus movie, this film does a good job of preserving the vibe of the books. It’s geared for kids aged 7 to 10.
HAPPINESS IS … PEANUTS: SNOW DAYS
Rated G. On DVD 10/18. OK for kids 4+. Reel Review: 4 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
This new collection of Peanuts stories celebrates every kid’s favorite thing about winter: snow days! She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown (1980) finds Peppermint Patty training for a figure-skating competition with Snoopy as her tough coach and costume designer. Also included is an episode of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1985) featuring three short tales: “The Play,” in which Charlie Brown reflects on Christmas past; “Sweet Babboo!,” which finds Sally preparing for Valentine’s Day; and “Snoopy’s Story,” in which Patty writes an essay about Snoopy.
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. Syndicate her family movie and TV reviews in your publication; visit her at Reel Life With Jane; follow her on Twitter ; become a friend on Facebook ; email jboursaw@charter.net.
