Jane's Review: Horton Hears a Who

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: G
Released in Theaters: March 14, 2008
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Kids
Runtime: 88 minutes
Directed by: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Cast: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher, Jonah Hill, Amy Poehler, Jaime Pressly, Josh Flitter, Jesse McCartney, Charles Osgood (narrator)

SYNOPSIS: One day, Horton the elephant hears a cry for help coming from a speck of dust. In reality, that speck is actually home to the city of Whoville, presided over by The Mayor. Horton agrees to protect the tiny Whos, but his jungle pals aren’t so willing to believe in something they can’t see. Horton holds fast to his commitment, insisting, “A person is a person, no matter how small.”

Sex/ Nudity: None.

Violence/Gore: Mild comic action, including monkeys who attack Horton with bananas, then throw him into a cage and try to destroy the speck. Vlad the bird also threatens Horton and manages to steal the speck away from him.

Profanity: None, although the kangaroo, monkeys and bird verbally abuse Horton. There’s also brief potty humor. Upon hearing that the mayor’s large family all share one bathroom, Horton wonders what a bathroom is.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 4 and older who like animated cartoons with talking animals and/or Dr. Seuss tales.

Will Parents Like It? Yes, there’s nothing objectionable here and the message is good: everyone is important, always keep your promises, and protect those who can’t protect themselves.

REVIEW: This CG-animated family movie tells the familiar story by Dr. Seuss, a.k.a. Theodor Seuss Geisel. Horton (voiced by Jim Carrey) is an amiable elephant minding his own business in the jungle of Nool, until one day, he hears a tiny cry for help coming from a speck of dust.

Horton soon realizes there’s someone on that speck – and not just someone, but the entire city of Whoville, led by the Mayor (Steve Carell). If Horton doesn’t protect them, their entire world could be annihilated.

Horton’s jungle pals don’t share his enthusiasm for this weighty matter. In fact, they think he’s crazy for believing in something they can’t even see, especially Kangaroo (Carol Burnett), the self-appointed moral compass of the jungle who takes every opportunity to tell Horton what a dimwit he is. She even hires some thugs – Vlad the Bird (Will Arnett) and the Wickersham monkeys -- to work him over and steal the speck.

But Horton stands strong and vows to save that speck, because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” He tries to put things into perspective for his skeptical friends: “If you were way out in space, and you looked down at where we live, we would look like a speck.” They don’t buy it.

Horton decides the best place for the speck is high atop a mountain, so he goes about the task of delivering the speck there. He can do nothing less, given his life philosophy: “An elephant's faithful 100 percent.”

Meanwhile, back in Whoville, the Mayor is having his own problems. He’s trying to convince his constituents they’re in danger, but the Whos will have none of it, preferring to believe everything is fine in their perfect world. The Mayor’s wife (Amy Poehler) stands by him, but she’s got enough on her hands trying to keep their 96 kids in line, including son Jo Jo (Jesse McCartney), a loner-teen with a good heart.

While my kids and I thought the movie dragged a bit in the middle, we all agreed it’s a colorful tale appropriate for all ages. The story strays here and there from the book, but I love that some of the book’s rhyming lines are incorporated into the movie.

Other voice talent includes Seth Rogen as Horton’s pal Morton the Mouse and Isla Fisher as brainy scientist Mary Lou LaRue, as well as Jonah Hill, Jaime Pressly, and Josh Flitter. To be honest, though, I probably wouldn’t have picked out most of these voices had I not known they were in the movie. Carrey and Carell are definitely the highlight.

You can’t go wrong with Dr. Seuss, a gifted wordsmith, storyteller, and philosopher whose stories always deliver a message. In this case: 1) always honor your commitments; 2) help those who can’t help themselves; 3) everyone is equal, no matter how large or small; and 4) we’re all interconnected, as is demonstrated when Horton tries to cross a rickety bamboo bridge while the Mayor is at the dentist.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Review: Penelope

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language
Released in Theaters: Feb. 29, 2008
Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance
Runtime: 102 minutes
Directed by: Mark Palansky
Cast: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant

SYNOPSIS: This modern-day fairy tale tells the story of Penelope, a young heiress who’s born with the nose of a pig. The family curse, cast by a wicked witch generations ago, can only be broken if Penelope finds true love with “one who will love her faithfully.”

Sex/ Nudity: Some romantic overtones and kissing between characters, but nothing overt.

Violence/Gore: Comic action when potential suitors flee for their life once they see Penelope’s face (they crash through a window, and a guard tackles them). A photographer is injured trying to get a picture of her.

Profanity: “Damn” and “hell”.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 8 and older who like romantic, modern-day fairy tales like “Enchanted” and “Shrek” (though those movies are better).

Will Parents Like It? Yes. Although it’s a rather pedestrian take on the fairy tale, there’s nothing objectionable here, and the message is good: love yourself, and be true to yourself.

REVIEW: This likeable little movie harks back to the days of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, when evil witches, family curses, and handsome princes were the norm. Only this movie is set in a modern day metropolis and tells the story of Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), a beautiful young girl except for the fact that she has the nose of a pig.

It’s all because of a family curse that dates back a couple of generations. The town witch, miffed that her servant daughter was scorned by a Wilhern, placed the curse on the family, giving the next-born female the pig of a nose. To break the curse, Penelope must find true love with “one of her own kind who will love her faithfully.”

As you might imagine, finding a wealthy socialite to love a girl with a pig nose is a challenge. Hidden away in her family’s estate, Penelope’s overbearing mother (Catherine O’Hara) and hen-pecked father (Richard E. Grant) parade a string of suitors through the house in the hopes that someone will love the girl for who she is.

Hidden behind a one-way glass, Penelope chats with the guys via microphone, including a blue blood named Edward (Simon Woods). All is well -- until they get a look at her nose and run screaming from the house in horror. All except for one, that is – Max (James McAvoy).

The only problem? Max is working with a photographer named Lemon (Peter Dinklage) who’s desperate to get a shot of the pig-nosed girl. Also, Max has a heart and may not be the person he claims to be.

Penelope finally escapes from the house and goes into the real world, where she sips beer in a pub (her first!) and makes friends with Annie (Reese Witherspoon), an edgy delivery girl who takes her for a ride on her Vespa.

I think this is one of those movies that could have been really good – but isn’t. Christina Ricci hits all the right notes as a girl plagued with a curse beyond her control, and Reese Witherspoon and James McAvoy are adorable, as always. You’re really pulling for Max to make it work with this girl.

Over-the-top Catherine O’Hara is too much of a caricature to be believable. I’m not even sure why Richard E. Grant was in the movie, because he really doesn’t do much at all.

Still, the message is good, especially for young girls dealing with school cliques and self-esteem issues: Believe in yourself and love yourself for who you are. Don’t try to change for someone else.

Too much like a fairy tale? Maybe, but maybe life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Review: 101 Dalmations on DVD

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: G
DVD Release: March 4, 2008
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Family, Animated

SYNOPSIS: Pongo and Perdita are two lonely Dalmatians who meet in a London park and arrange for their pet humans to marry so they can all live together. Soon after, the dogs become the proud parents of 15 pups, who are quickly stolen by the psychotic, fur-loving Cruella De Vil.

Sex/ Nudity: None.

Violence/Gore: Comic action by Cruella De Vil’s henchmen, as they chase the pups all over the countryside. Young kids might be scared of the cigarette-smoking villainess (note the word “devil” in her name).

Profanity: None

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 4 and older who like Disney tales with talking animals, and who aren’t scared by villainous cartoon characters.

Will Parents Like It? Yes, the imperiled animals work together to set things right.

Special Features:

Disney's Virtual Dalmatians: Adopt, name, train and care for your very own virtual puppy, with over 101 possibilities.

Puppy Profiler: Find out which dog you're most like.

Fun with Language Games: Geared toward young preschoolers, it teaches numbers and the names of common household items.

101 Pop-Up Trivia Facts: Discover 202 amazing things you never knew about the movie as you watch it, with 101 pop-up facts for the family and 101 for the collector. Includes tons of film trivia about the voice talent, Disney animators who worked on the film, and technical devices, such as multi-pane shots and the Xerox process.

All-New “Cruella De Vil” Music Video: The classic song gets a contemporary twist when teen Disney Channel star Selena Gomez performs it in a brand new video.

Redefining the Line: The Making of 101 Dalmatians: Go behind the scenes with the animators, writers, historians, producers, and story men, and learn about the technological innovations employed in the film.

Cruella De Vil: Drawn To Be Bad: Marc Davis, an animation legend and one of Disney's immortal “Nine Old Men,” reveals how this iconic character, inspired by flamboyant actress Tallulah Bankhead, came to be.

Sincerely Yours, Walt Disney: A 12-minute dramatization of the correspondence between Walt Disney and author Dodie Smith.

Deleted Songs. A variety of deleted and abandoned songs, as well as many alternate versions used in the final film.

All-New Digital Restoration with Enhanced Picture and Sound.

REVIEW: It’s the familiar story we all know and love. Pongo (voiced by Rod Taylor) is the Dalmatian companion of Roger Racliffe (Ben Wright), a single song-writer living in London. Thanks to some fancy footwork, Pongo helps Roger to meet Anita (Lisa Davis) and her female Dalmatian Perdita (Cate Bauer) in the park one day.

Soon after, Roger and Anita are married, and Pongo and Perdita are the proud parents of 15 puppies, each with their own personality. The joyful birth leads to the visit of Anita’s over-the-top school chum, Cruella De Vil, who wants to buy the pups and make a fur coat out of them.

Refusing to take no for an answer, Cruella hires two bumbling minions, Jasper (J. Pat O’Malley) and Horace (Fred Worlock) to steal the puppies. They transport the scared pups to a ramshackle country mansion where 84 other dogs are awaiting their doom.

Thanks to the quick thinking of Pongo and Perdita, and some helpful old-fashioned networking among other animals in London, you can bet a happy ending is in the works.

By the time this movie was made, Disney was suffering some financial woes from the disappointing revenue returns from “Sleeping Beauty.” In short, they had to cut costs wherever possible.

As we learn in the special features, Un Iwerks came up with the idea of Xeroxing the drawings rather than animating every frame hand by hand. The result was a cost savings, but it also created some compromises. For instance, you’ll notice in some scenes where the foreground characters are fully animated, but the background looks more one-dimensional and static.

The highlight of the movie is the dastardly Cruella De Vil. With her operatic entrances and exits, wildly coiffed hairdo, and clouds of yellow smoke trailing her everywhere, she’s truly one of the great animated female villains of all time.

All in all, while not as technically advanced as other later Disney classics like “The Jungle Book” and “The Aristocats,” “101 Dalmatians” scores high with little ones because the puppies are so darn cute.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

On DVD: Martian Child

Martian Child, now out on DVD, features John Cusack as a single man who adopts a 6-year-old boy who thinks he's from another planet. The movie highlights some of the ups and downs of single parenthood, and Cusack said his role made him realize how serious fatherhood is.

“I have the ultimate respect for (fatherhood) and I would not take it lightly," he said in Malaysia's TheStar.com. "It’s pretty incredible."

Jane's Review: Snow Buddies

By Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: G
SYNOPSIS: Those cute little Buddies are back in an all-new adventure that takes them to Alaska and dog-sledding territory.
Sex/ Nudity: None.
Violence/Gore: Some mild scenes, involving sled crashes and a sled-through-the-ice scene that puts dogs in peril.
Profanity: None.
Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 5 to 10 who liked “Air Bud” and the other “Buddy” movies, or who like family movies featuring talking animals.
Will Parents Like It? Yes, parents who’ve followed the Buddy movies will love this G-rated installment of the franchise. Aside from a few gratuitous passing-gas scenes, this movie is fun for the whole family.
DVD Extras: Audio commentary with the dogs; blooper reel; hip-hop-style music video of “Lean on Me” by “Hannah Montana” star Mitchel Musso; Behind-the-scenes “dog-u-mentary,” giving a tour of the set from the perspective of B-Dawg, Rosebud, and Mudbud; featurette on the film’s visual effects.

REVIEW: With the opening credits brings the all-too-familiar music taking us back to Fernfield, Washington, home of Buddy, the athletically gifted Golden Retriever who kicked off this popular franchise with several movies of his own.

Picking up where “Air Buddies” left off, we find Buddy (voiced by Tom Everett Scott) and his main squeeze Molly (voiced by Molly Shannon), in search of their puppies -- Buddha (the zen puppy), Mudbud (the dirty one), Rosebud (the fashionable one), Budderball (the lover of fine food), and B-Dawg (the hip-hop dog). Unfortunately, the Buddies inadvertently find themselves on an ice cream truck and then a plane bound for Ferntiutuk, Alaska!

As the puppies touch down in snow country, we’re introduced to Adam (Dominic Scott Kay), a boy who dreams of leading a sled-dog team, and his Husky, Shasta (voiced by Dylan Sprouse of “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”). Because of a previous accident wherein Adam’s father lost Shasta’s parents, the family is opposed to Adam’s dream of leading a dog-sled team.

Meanwhile, the Buddies take refuge in the family’s shed, and Shasta tells them the only way they’ll get back to Fernfield is by plane. It just so happens that the airport is also the finish line of the Ferntiutuk sled-dog race. They decide to help Adam and Shasta fulfill their dream, with help from wise Husky, Talon (voiced by Kris Kristofferson).

Without his father’s blessing, Adam breaks open his piggy bank and registers for the annual sled race, while a member of an opposing team, lead by the villainous musher Jean George (John Kapelos) takes the opportunity to intimidate the pups. Don’t worry, though. They’re not easily deterred, and they continue to train for the race and find their way back home. Little do they know that their parents, Buddy and Molly, are already en route to Alaska, having scoped out the clues to their whereabouts.

Throw in a daring rescue, near-blizzard conditions, and some cut-throat competition, and you’ve got the makings of a thrilling adventure that’s fun for all ages.

I have to admit, I love the Buddies. They’re fun and innocent, and it’s a hoot to watch their mouths move when they talk. And they always have a good message or two about helping each other and honoring their commitments. Yep, I give the Buddies four out of five reels – not because they’ll win an Oscar, but because there are so few age-appropriate movies for little ones that parents can watch, too.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Review: Hannah Montana

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus:
Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour in 3-D

Reel Rating: 3 out of 5 reels
MPAA Rating: G
Released in Theaters: Feb. 1, 2008
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Family, Tween
Runtime: 74 minutes
Directed by: Bruce Hendricks, Kenny Ortega (stage director, producer)
Cast: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers

SYNOPSIS: Miley Cyrus hits the road with her 54-city concert tour last year, sharing the stage with the Jonas Brothers. This movie includes bits of behind-the-scenes stuff, but it’s mainly concert footage.
Sex/ Nudity: None, although Miley dons a few mini skirts and struts some racy dance moves – but not many.
Violence/Gore: None, although dancers accidentally drop her during a stage sequence.
Profanity: None.
Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 7 and older who love Disney Channel shows like “Hannah Montana,” “Life With Derek,” and “High School Musical.”
Will Parents Like It? Yes. Although both my 10-year-old daughter and I wish they would have included more behind-the-scenes footage. The bulk of the movie is concert footage.

REVIEW: Miley Cyrus, the beloved sweetheart of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” series and daughter of singer Billy Ray Cyrus, stars in this movie chronicling her 2007 concert tour. It’s in 3-D, which sort of makes you feel like you’re at the concert. On the other hand, makes you realize how much you missed by not being at the concert.

If you were able to snag tickets to Cyrus’ actual concert, you probably shelled out thousands for them – a price that outraged many parents of tween girls begging to attend. Tickets for the movie are high, too, selling in the $15-$18 range. Why? Because it’s all a giant money mill! On the other hand, it’s a small price to pay to make your little Hannah/Miley fan happy. Or, you might say, it’s the best of both worlds.

The movie opens with 14-year-old Miley (her age at the time of the tour) donning her trademark blonde wig to go on stage. On “Hannah Montana,” the wig is what “disguises” her from her alter-ego – although my daughter and I laugh about that, because she looks just the same, only with a blonde wig!

The first half of the concert, she’s Hannah Montana. The second half, she’s Miley Cyrus. There are plenty of wardrobe changes throughout, which means lots of frenzied quick-change sessions back-stage.

While the Hannah segment is wholesome and saccharine, the Miley part gets a little racier. Though she never goes over the line, Miley’s mini skirts and half-seductive dance moves might raise a few parents’ eyebrows.

The songs themselves are addictively catchy, from favorites like “The Best of Both Worlds” to the punchy “I Got Nerve.” Cyrus joins the Jonas Brothers – also Disney Channel favorites – for “We Got the Party.” Between musical numbers, we see tiny glimpses of her life off-stage, including teaching her dad a song she wrote. Not nearly enough, in my view. I would have liked to see more of her real life, and less of her onstage persona. As a performer, however, she’s truly amazing and never shows a smidgeon of nerves.

As mentioned, the movie is in 3-D, although aside from a few flying guitar picks and confetti blizzards, we don’t really notice it that much. I found the 3-D distracting and would have preferred to see the entire movie in regular format.

And all I could think through the whole movie was, here’s this 14-year-old girl who’s getting all this attention and who’s the center of a huge money machine and media frenzy. I can’t imagine letting my kid do this or giving her such a huge responsibility for so many people.

And at one point, her mom says, “They finally brought me into the loop to help dress her between sets,” and I’m thinking, you mean, you weren’t in the loop before? Man, if it was my girl, I’d be there every second. I mean, maybe she was, but it didn’t come off that way.

Plus, during one of the concert sequences, some dancers accidentally drop Miley during a lift. She gets a little spooked and doesn’t want to do the stunt, but her mom and director encourage her to do it, saying they’ll change the moves so there’s no chance of dropping her.

Again, it just seems like they’re laying a lot on this girl, and I hope she doesn’t fall into the downward spiral of so many young stars.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Giveaway: Hannah Montana DVD

Our very own film reviewer extraordinaire, Jane Boursaw, is giving away two copies of the new Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (rated G and green-lighted by Jane for ages 7 and up) over at her Film Gecko blog. To be in the running, click here and add a comment. Good luck!

Jane's Review: The Game Plan (DVD)

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 3 out of 4 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild thematic elements.
Theatrical Release: Sept. 28, 2007
DVD Release: Jan. 22, 2008
Genre: Family, Comedy, Sports
Runtime: 110 minutes
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Cast: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Joe Kingman), Madison Pettis (Peyton James), Kyra Sedgwick (Stella Peck), Roselyn Sanchez (Monique), Morris Chestnut (Sanders).

SYNOPSIS: A rugged quarterback learns he has a 7-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Now he has to figure out how to juggle football practice and parties with bedtime stories and Barbies.

Sex/ Nudity: None, but Joe is shirtless in many scenes and insinuates that he scores with the ladies.

Violence/Gore: Lots of football violence and slapstick comedy (Joe bumps into ballet dancers and knocks them over, Peyton causes him to spatter a blended health drink all over the kitchen).

Profanity: None.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 7 to 14 who like sports, physical comedy, or tough-guy-turns-softie stories. Also, since Madison Pettis is a regular on “Cory in the House,” fans of that show and/or the Disney Channel will like it.

Will Parents Like It? Yes. There’s nothing new here, but it’s a cute movie with a good message about what’s truly important in life (family).

DVD Extras: ESPN’s SportsCenter: The Rock Learns to Play QB; Bloopers With Marv Albert; Drafting “The Game Plan”; The King in Search of a Ring; Deleted Scenes; Peyton’s Makeover Madness. Available subtitles/audiotracks: English, Spanish, French.

REVIEW: Like so many movies that have come before it (think Vin Diesel in "The Pacifier"), this one follows a pat formula: Tough guy gets thrown into a situation with kids and learns life lessons, such as 1) family is important; 2) fame and fortune aren't everything; and 3) it's ok to let down your guard.

Joe Kingman (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) is a star quarterback who parties hard, earns a big paycheck, and plays the field in both sports and romance. But his livin'-large lifestyle gets an overhaul when 7-year-old Peyton (Madison Pettis) shows up at his door claiming to be his daughter. Will Mr. Big-Shot Football Player step up and take responsibility? Or will he pass the buck to someone else?

We know where this is going right from the beginning. It's the "how we get there" that's the question. In Joe's case, he doesn't want to mess up a good thing. His team is on the cusp of a big championship, and he's wanted it for a long time. But how can he focus on that while learning how to be a dad? Bedtime stories, ballet lessons, and Barbies are all new to this muscle man.

And Peyton's girlish antics aren't going over so well. She decorates his trophy football with rhinestones, puts a pink tutu on his bulldog, and turns his workout pool into a giant bubblebath. Joe's uber-intense agent, Stella (Kyra Sedgwick) is no help, since she doesn't have a clue about parenting and is only interested in how much money Joe can earn.

After a series of misadventures involving young Peyton, Joe discovers there's more to life than a big bank account, mega endorsements, and thousands of adoring fans. It's the Disney plot we all know and love – even if we've seen it a thousand times.

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Review: High School Musical 2

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: G
DVD Release: Dec. 11, 2007
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Family, Teen
Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel

SYNOPSIS: The teen fun continues in this sequel to 2006’s “High School Musical.” School’s out, and the gang spends the summer working at the Lava Springs Country Club, owned by Sharpay’s parents. But things get awkward when Troy tries to further his career by hanging out with the rich folks. Gabriella says she doesn’t know him anymore..sniff… It’s Disney, though, so you can count on a happy ending, along with loads of catchy new songs.

Sex/ Nudity: Mild flirting and a few kisses.
Violence/Gore: None.
Profanity: None.

Which Kids Will Like It? Kids 8 and older who loved “High School Musical” or who enjoy innocent teen movies or Disney Channel shows.

Will Parents Like It? Yes. As with “High School Musical,” there’s very little objectionable content here. All issues are resolved, and lessons are learned about the importance of friends, staying true to yourself, and standing up for what you believe in.

Special Features: This “Extended Edition” includes a sing-along feature, rehearsal cam (watch the dance rehearsal footage along with the movie), High School Karaoke (sing the lead vocals with help from optional on-screen lyrics), music videos, and a never-before-seen music sequence.

REVIEW: Riffing off the 2006 tween fave, “High School Musical,” this sweet flick brings back the entire cast for more songs and fun. School’s out for the summer, and Troy (Zac Efron) needs to build up his college bank account. So Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), hoping to score some points in the romance department, gets him a job at her family’s posh country club.

Imagine her chagrin when Troy manages to score jobs for the rest of the East High gang, including girlfriend Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), buddy Chad (Corbin Bleu), and Gabriella’s friend Taylor (Monique Coleman).

Snooty Sharpay realizes she has to kick it up a notch. So she tempts Troy with influential friends, a coveted basketball scholarship, and a fast-track to the high life. Troy’s torn between his dreams for the future and his high school friends. It doesn’t help when he gets preferential treatment from the club manager (Mark Taylor).

Ok, so the storyline probably bears little resemblance to real teen life. No drugs, sex, bad language, or gang warfare in this movie – and that’s a good thing! What a pleasure to watch an innocent movie that still has plenty of teen angst and clique issues.

The songs and choreography are even better than the first movie, including the high-energy opener, “What Time is It?,” Troy and Gabriella’s duet, “You Are the Music In Me,” the hip-hoppish “I Don’t Dance,” Troy’s golf-course solo, “Bet On It,” and the ensemble finale, “All For One.”

My 10-year-old daughter particularly loved Sharpay’s poolside tune, “Fabulous,” and Gabriella’s tearful “Gotta Go My Own Way.”

Disney Channel fans: keep an eye out for Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) as an extra!

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Jane's Review: The Water Horse

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for some action/peril, mild language and brief smoking.
Theatrical Release: Dec. 25, 2007
Genre: Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Jay Russell; based on the children’s book by Dick King-Smith.
Cast: Alex Etel, Emily Watson, Bruce Allpress, Ben Chaplin, Brian Cox, Eddie Campbell, Carl Dixon, Priyanka Xi
SYNOPSIS: With a nod to the Loch Ness Monster, this movie tells the story of a
young boy, Angus, who finds a mysterious egg on the shores of a Scottish loch during World War II. Soon enough, the egg hatches a lizard-like creature that looks to Angus for love and guidance. But when the beast gets too big to contain, Angus must make the decision to free it into the loch, all the while hiding it from the grown-ups – except for one handyman who comes into his life at just the right time.

Profanity: None.

Sex/ Nudity: An older couple flirt, dance, and kiss, as amused children look on.

Violence/Gore: Things get pretty wild towards the end when soldiers fire at the giant beast with rifles and cannons. The beast retaliates by snapping at humans, picking them up in its powerful jaws, and swinging them around in the loch. Also, when a dog mysteriously quits barking off-screen, we assume it was eaten by the beast. Adult characters fight both verbally and physically.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 9 and older who love fantasy adventure movies like Eragon and The Golden Compass.

Will Parents Like It? Yes, it’s a sweet family story that ties in history (World War II) and legend (the Loch Ness Monster) with the power of love and family. Grown-ups will love the lovely Scottish manor, beautiful scenery, and Celtic soundtrack.

REVIEW: Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) is a young lad living in Scotland during World War II. He and his family, including mother Anne (Emily Watson) and sister Kirstie (Priyanka Xi) are the caretakers of a grand old manor complete with meandering staircases, four-poster beds, and a library filled with dusty books.

In his father’s workshop -- adorned with magazine clippings, maps, and war-related items -- Angus eagerly marks off the days when his father will return from the war.

One day, during an outing on the shores of a nearby loch, Angus finds a mysterious, barnacle-encrusted item, which he takes home and hides in his father’s workshop, only to discover that inside is a brilliant blue egg, out of which hatches a creatures that’s a cross between a seal and a lizard. Angus names him Crusoe after “Robinson Crusoe.”

At first, Crusoe is a cute little guy who loves playing in the bathtub inside the house. But he grows at an incredible rate, tripling in size each night until he can’t fit in either the bathtub or the fountain in the courtyard.

With the help of Kirstie and a handyman named Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chaplin), Angus sadly releases Crusoe into the loch. Mowbray wonders aloud if it’s a legendary creature called a water horse. He explains to Angus that there can only be one in the world at a time, and before dying, the beast lays an egg for another to take its place.

Meanwhile, the war rages on. The Royal Army sets up camp in the house, pointing their cannons at the loch and any German subs that might be passing through. All of this is told in flashback, by an old man in a current-day pub to two young people listening in rapt attention.

The story meanders pleasantly in the first half of the movie. We get a sense of the era and characters – mainly, Angus, who needs a reason to live while his father is away at war. Crusoe offers that reason, as well as a lesson in letting go.

I love this movie because everything fits together seamlessly: beautiful Scottish scenery complete with abandoned castles, dark-grained interiors of the grand manor, a family struggling during World War II, and a lovely Celtic soundtrack.

The computer-generated beast is very life-like, and the action gets a little scary for kids (and, ok, adults). For this reason, I don’t recommend it for kids younger than nine. That said, my 10-year-old daughter and I really enjoyed this movie.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.
And be sure to check out Lori and Jane's Hollywood style blog, Ruby Shoes.

The Holiday's single-parent speech

Jude Law plays a sweet, smart widower with two children in "The Holiday," now out on DVD, a tear-jerker love story about two women (Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz) who swap homes in London and L.A. to heal their heartaches. Law is Winslet's brother who meets and falls in love with Diaz, who discovers later that he's a single dad, not a man-about-town with lots of ladies phoning him. Why did he conceal this, Diaz wants to know. Here's what he said:

Until I get to know someone really well, it's easier for me to be a normal single guy, because it's way too complicated to be who I really am.

I'm a full-time dad.

I'm a working parent.

I'm a mother and a father.

I'm a guy who reads parenting books and cookbooks before I go to sleep. I spend my weekends buying tutus. I'm learning to sew. I'm Mr. Napkin-Head.

I'm on some kind of constant overload and it helps to compartmentalize my life, just till I figure this out.

This past weekend, the children were with their grandparents. And when they're gone, I get to be somebody who doesn't have hot chocolate spilled on his jeans.

I have no idea how to date and be this.

And I suppose there's the possibility I'm afraid of what another person might do to who we are and how we get from one day to the next.

Play&Do: National Treasure/Book of Secrets

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for some violence and action.
Theatrical Release: Dec. 21, 2007
Genre: Family, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 124 minutes
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel.

SYNOPSIS: Everyone’s favorite droopy-eyed adventurer is back, and this time he’s looking for a lost city of gold. Oh, and trying to clear the Gates family name by proving that one of their own didn’t orchestrate the assassination of President Lincoln. Throw in a bitter ex, two squabbling parents, and a cave full of goodies, and you’ve got the makings of a fun caper.

Profanity: None, although the insults fly fast and furious among squabbling ex-spouses.

Sex/ Nudity: A female character passionately kisses a guy to distract him. Mild kisses between characters.

Violence/Gore: A young boy sees his father shot and killed, then the gun is turned on the boy (but he’s not shot). Lots of fast-paced action, including car chases, shooting, perilous teetering on a ledge inside a cave, rushing water in which a character drowns (shown only briefly). Also, President Lincoln’s assassination is shown in a flashback, though we don’t see the shooting.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 8 and older who love adventure movies and aren’t scared by lots of action.

Will Parents Like It? Yes, although I could have done without the gun pointed at the kid’s head in the opening scene. And really, why even include it? It’s not like it moved the story forward in any way. It’s just creepy.

REVIEW: Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) and his entourage are back. This time, they’re searching for a lost city of gold and trying to clear his family’s name of any involvement in the assassination of President Lincoln.

But first, let’s catch up. Much has changed since we last left our droopy-eyed adventurer. Apparently, he used some of that treasure he found in the first movie to buy a beautiful mansion and fill it with extravagant antiques. Not only that, he and Abigail (Diane Kruger) got hitched. Then divorced. Or they’re in the midst of a divorce. Or something.

At any rate, Abigail kicked Ben out of the house, so in order to retrieve some important stuff to help him on his quest, Ben enlists old pal Riley (Justin Bartha) to break into the house, just as she’s coming home from a date. Awkward!

But Ben has bigger matters on his mind. While presenting some new information about John Wilkes Booth, a guy named Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) comes forward with evidence showing that Ben’s great-grandfather, Thomas Gates, helped to orchestrate Lincoln’s murder.

Well, that just can’t be! Ben sets out to prove him wrong, enlisting Abigail, Riley, and his parents (Jon Voight and Helen Mirren) to help out. The elder Gates couple haven’t spoken to each other in 32 years, which makes for an interesting adventure.

The clues lead to Buckingham Palace, the White House, and Mount Rushmore. Oh, and somewhere along the way, Ben is forced to (sort of) kidnap the President (Bruce Greenwood) to find out about his Book of Secrets that contains – you guessed it -- all of the nation’s secrets, including Area 51, the JFK conspiracy, and something on page 47 we never figure out, but which I’m sure will lead into the next sequel (I hope). Could Ben’s next caper be a top-secret mission for the President? Hmmm…

Ok, so at 124 minutes, this movie is a tad long, but the action, intrigue, and chemistry between the characters keep things moving along fairly well. The audience laughed in all the right places (especially at Riley’s funny comments) and held their collective breath in all the right places (especially during a perilous teetering-platform-in-a-cave scene straight out of one of my nightmares). And that Helen Mirren! She can do anything.

Overall, a fun movie for the whole family, but because of some of the action and violence (especially an unnecessary scene involving a gun pointed at a child), this movie is best for kids 8 and older.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Play&Do: Alvin and the Chipmunks

by Jane Louise Boursaw
Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor.
Theatrical Release: Dec. 14, 2007
Genre: Family, Comedy, Musical
Runtime: 90 minutes
Directed by: Tim Hill
Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Jane Lynch.

SYNOPSIS: Cute chipmunks? Check. Fun songs? Check. Family story? Check. Aside from some crude humor and sexy background singers, this live action/CG movie stays true to the 1960s cartoon series that made Alvin, Simon and Theodore household names. The story centers on their vintage tune, “The Chipmunk Song,” but also blends in new songs like “Bad Day,” “Funkytown,” and “Follow Me Now.” Maybe I’m a dork, but I thought this movie was very cute and fun for kids and adults.

Profanity: Some suggestive language, like “Make love to the camera,” “She wanted you,” and “You’re hot.” Also a few insults between the chipmunk brothers.

Sex/ Nudity: Background singers dress in tight outfits and dance suggestively. The chipmunks try to “romance up” Dave’s place (music, lighting) when a girl comes over for dinner.

Violence/Gore: The chipmunks fall out of a tree, dodge crowds in an office building, and trash a house. Dave gets bonked on the head and passes out. Security guards try to ban him from a concert.

Which Kids Will Like It? Ages 5 and older who love cute talking animals, the Chipmunks cartoon series, or family stories.

Will Parents Like It? Yes, although they could have done without the provocative singers. Also, a few scenes include potty humor (a chipmunk eats poop to cover for his brother!). Overall, though, cute movie with cute songs. I enjoyed it, and so did my 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. The chipmunk voices didn’t even grate on me like I thought they would.

REVIEW: I had to dig around in my mom’s cabinets, but reigned supreme in my quest to find a vintage Chipmunk album: “Christmas With the Chipmunks,” released in 1963. It’s the one with Alvin, Simon and Theodore in Santa’s sleigh with a pile of toys. Ah, that takes me back.

This movie is fun and musical and stays true to the original cartoon series, while adding a fresh, modern take on the loveable trio. The story begins in the forest, with Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), Theodore (Jesse McCartney), and Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) collecting acorns for the winter, cheerily singing “Bad Day.” The chipmunks are computer-generated, but the rest of their world (most of it) is the real deal.

When their tree is rudely chopped down by woodsmen, the little guys accidentally get hauled into the big city, smack into an office complex where Dave Seville (Jason Lee, of “My Name is Earl”) is striking out yet again in his pursuit to sell songs to a record company. After a mad dash through the crowds, they end up in a basket of muffins that Dave has swiped in disgruntlement.

He discovers them back at his house, and thinks he must be losing his mind. Talking chipmunks? What the heck? So he tosses them out of the house, but has another thought upon hearing them croon outside the window. He’ll write the songs. The ‘munks will sing them. They make a deal to live with Dave in exchange for singing the tunes. They’re innocent, but not dumb.

And so it goes, with the message that perhaps a family doesn’t have to consist of blood relatives – or even the same species, for that matter. When the chipmunks fall under the spell of the rich-and-famous lifestyle – nudged along by cash-hungry record producer Ian (David Cross) -- Dave has to step in and pull them back from the brink. He gets a little help from Claire (Cameron Richardson), who has a press pass into the events.

The chipmunks are cute as the dickens, and I’m happy to introduce my kids to the little guys I remember as a kid. This movie could have done without the provocative backup singers and poop humor, but overall, a good message about the importance of family, treating others respectfully, and learning that celebrities are rarely ever the happiest people on the planet.

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 Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.