Ice Age: Continental Drift

Family Faire: Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) Things are changing, once again, with the gang in this fourth installment of the Ice Age animated series. Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) find themselves on a floating iceberg after they are separated from their friends and family as the continents begin to drift apart. Now, the trio must battle the sea and pirates to get back to their loved ones. This is a film that kids will love, due to the heavy action and the loveable characters, but it's also a film parents will hate, due to the lack of any sort of creativity in the storyline. This film has a number of singers who can carry a tune, such as Queen Latifah, Nicki Minaj, and Jennifer Lopez, but there is a song in the middle of the film that makes no sense (this isn’t a musical) with Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) singing. Young children will like this film, but adults will be bored out of their minds.  There is something to look forward to when seeing this film. There is a funny four minute The Simpsons animated short that stars Maggie, the baby, as she tries to save a butterfly from another day care kid.  My Rating: Cable   Ice Age Continental Drift Website

Indiefest: Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) A six year-old girl named, Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis), lives with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), in a community in the southern Delta called, “The Bathtub,” a low water area in front of levees. Wink knows that he is sick and probably is going to die from a bad heart.  Then, adding to his troubles, any sort of storm could wipe out his home.  Wink's stresses lead him to be tough on his daughter, Hushpuppy, but he feels he’s just trying to teach her how to survive on her own in this rough world.  It’s a magical film set partly in reality and partly in fantasy, and you never quite know if what you are seeing is real or not. Wallis as Hushpuppy is amazing in this film and gives such a strong and multilayered performance that some adult actors wouldn’t be able to do.  After seeing this film, you will feel richer for having experienced it.   My Rating: Full Price   Beasts of the Southern Wild Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#17 Worst Film

Dondi (1961) Based on the comic strip of the same name, Dondi is an Italian orphan who is adopted by an American G.I. (David Janssen). David Kory is in the title role, and I feel, is one of the worst child performers ever to appear on screen.  His performance is made even worse by a fake Italian accent that comes and goes throughout the film.  I think this line from the film sums up the quality of the writing: “How many people do you know who cross the Atlantic with only a hunk of Salami as luggage?”   Dondi Info

Forgotten Film: The Snapper (1993) After a wild night, Sharon Curley (Tina Kellegher), discovers she is pregnant.  She refuses to name the father which causes quite a fuss around the small Irish community where she and her father live.  Her family rallies around her, though, and her father (Com Meaney), who at first is outraged and embarrassed by his daughter’s actions, comes around to support her in the end. This is a funny film, full of quick dialogue, and Kellegher is fun to watch as the feisty, beautiful daughter.  It's Meaney’s performance, though, that adds a special quality to this film as he gives a brilliant portrait of a father who is willing to support his family in any way.  My Rating: Full Price   The Snapper Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD): Senna (2011) One of the best documentaries of last year about the Brazilian Formula One race car driver, Senna who won three world championships before he died at age 34. This film gives good insight as to what it takes to be a world class racer and also shows a man who was at the top of his game when he suddenly loses his life.   My Rating: Full Price   Senna Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): The Babymakers (2012). After a guy fails to get his wife pregnant, he hatches a plan to break into a sperm bank to steal a “deposit” he made when he was younger.   The Babymakers Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Beasts of the Southern Wild: Pig adoption services

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Hope Springs (2012) A couple, after 30 years of marriage, decides to go to a weeklong counseling session to try and save their marriage. The actors playing the couple are Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep, and their counselor is Steve Carell.   Hope Springs Website

Until Next Time!