REEL LIFE WITH JANE
By Jane Louise Boursaw
Family Movie & DVD Reviews N
ew on the big screen in July for kids and teens is a sweet alien tale, a beloved animated plane, and another “Step Up” dance movie. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new in theaters and on DVD and blu-ray this month. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
EARTH TO ECHO PG for some action and peril, and mild language • In Theaters 7/02 Ok for Kids 7+ Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels ET phone home? Maybe. In this family adventure from director Dave Green and Walt Disney Studios, Tuck (Astro), Munch (Reese Hartwig) and Alex (Teo Halm) are inseparable friends whose neighborhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that’s forcing their families to move away. Just two days before they must part ways, the boys begin receiving a strange series of signals on their phones and team up with another friend, Emma, to figure out what’s going on. Turns out an adorable little alien is stranded on Earth and needs help to–you guessed it–get back home. LIFE ITSELF Not Yet Rated; likely PG-13 In Theaters 7/04 • Ok for Kids 12+ Reel Preview: 5 of 5 Reels Documentarian Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”) is the perfect filmmaker to adapt the memoir of Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and American icon Roger Ebert. This film is funny and passionate, much like the subject himself, and is both a retrospective of Ebert’s amazing career and an intimate look at the end of his life–a life well lived with wife and soulmate Chaz. The film, produced by Oscar-winner Martin Scorsese, received standing ovations when it played at Sundance.
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Not Yet Rated; likely PG-13 In Theaters 7/11 • Ok for Kids 13+ Reel Preview: 5 of 5 Reels Ten years after the events of 2011’s “Rise of The Planet of the Apes,” the super-smart ape Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his followers come into conflict with the human survivors of a deadly virus. Who will win? Well, let’s just say the title is a dead giveaway. Director Matt Reeves takes over the reins from “Rise” director Rupert Wyatt, with a cast that includes Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo, and Judy Greer. This film continues the franchise with impressive special effects and a dark storyline that’s sure to be a hit with moviegoers. JUPITER ASCENDING Not Yet Rated; likely PG-13 In Theaters 7/18 (3D, 2D, IMAX 3D) Ok for Kids 14 Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels In a near-future dystopia, Mila Kunis plays Jupiter Jones, a lowly janitor who might also have a genetic claim on Earth. This doesn’t sit well with the King Of The Universe (Eddie Redmayne), who sends Caine Wise (Channing Tatum) to kill her. Then, of course, things get complicated. Written and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski (“Cloud Atlas”), this is an ambitious film with similarities to “The Matrix” universe (a chosen one battles the forces of evil) . PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE Not Yet Rated; likely G In Theaters 7/18 (3D, 2D) Ok for Kids 4+ Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels I’m all for any children’s film where they play a tune by AC/DC in the trailer (“Thunderstruck,” in this case). This sequel to “Planes” (a spinoff of “Cars”) finds Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dane Cook) now a world famous air racer. But when he learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he shifts gears and joins an elite aerial firefighting unit, including veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger, spirited super scooper Dipper, heavy-lift helicopter
Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie, and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero. Directed by Disney vet Roberts Gannaway (Disney TV’s “House of Mouse” and “Timon & Pumba”), the animation is more sophisticated than “Planes,” and the story more appealing, especially given the raging real-life wildfires out west this year. HERCULES Not Yet Rated; likely PG-13 In Theaters 7/25 • Ok for Kids 13+ Reel Preview: 3 of 5 Reels I do love Dwayne Johnson, but only the box office returns will determine whether he’s the actor to de-slump the Greek myth-inspired movie genre. Directed by Brett Ratner and based on the Radical Studios graphic novel “Hercules: The Thracian Wars” with a screenplay by Ryan Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos, this ensemble action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth, set in a grounded world where the supernatural does not exist. Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules is a mercenary now who, along with five faithful companions, travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage warlord, Hercules must again become the hero he once was. Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt and Rebecca Ferguson also star. STEP UP ALL IN Rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive material In Theaters 7/25 (3D, 2D) NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2014
6/22/14 8:15 PM