Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief (Movie)

Barnathan, M., Columbus, C., Morgan, M., Oseary, G., Radcliff, M., Rosenfelt, K. (Producer), & Columbus, C. (Director).  (2010).  Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Fox 2000 Pictures.

Plot description:

We start off the movie in New York City on top of the Empire State building. There are two men on the rooftop. They turn out to be the Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon and they are arguing about a weapon, but not just any weapon, Zeus’ lightning bolt, the power of his throne. Zeus blames Poseidon’s only son who is living within the city with his mother and step dad. The son’s name is Percy and he is completely unaware of his heritage until one day on a field trip to a museum. There, he gets attacked by Mrs. Dodd (a teacher at the school) who turns out to be a Fury from Hades. He is saved by his other teacher, Mr. Brenner, who turns out to be a centaur. He then gets taken to Half Blood Hill where he begins his quest at recovering the bolt and clearing his name.

Brief Review: 

I thought that the movie was good, but did not follow the book.  I feel that tweens will still watch especially if they have never read the books.  The movie may lead them to reading the book series.  The movie taught that all is possible when you open up to teamwork and don’t judge things by their face value. The special effects in the movie were done quite well but there were times where the audience became apparent of the computerization. That did not happen frequently and so, did not sour the entire movie. Tweens who like Greek mythology will enjoy the movie.

Genre Label:  

Adventure

Based on a book

Interest Level:  

4^th-8^th grade

Similar Items:

Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan

Ramona and Beezus

Di Novi, D. (Producer), Greenspan, A. (Producer), & Allen, E. (Director).  (2010).  Ramona and Beezus [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Fox 2000 Pictures.

Plot description:

Ramona is not only nine years old, she is also the middle child.  She has a classical case of jealously towards her sisters.  Ramona loves talking to Aunt Bea because she listens to her and tries to help when Ramona has issues.  Hobart, Aunt Bea’s ex-boyfriend, returns to visit his mother making Aunt Bea very distracted.  Ramona then finds out that her father has lost his job, and her mother will have to return to work to help support the family.  The money problems of the family start to take a toll on Ramona, but there is no one to talk to and no way to really help.  Ramona does try to raise some money through a lemonade stand and a car wash.  Will Ramona be able to save the family?  What will happen with Aunt Bea and Hobart?    

Brief Review: 

Ramona and Beezus was a great family movie.  I felt that the characters were relatable for the audience of tweens.  This movie not only shows the relationship of a family, but also the relationship between a tween and a teenager.  It showed that the tween and teenager can get along with each other and do love each other even though they may be at odds with one another.  Through these relationships we also see the characters taking on responsible roles in the family whether it is the cook, the babysitter, or the bread winner.  I think that tweens (and a few parents) will enjoy watching this great classic from the stories of Beverly Cleary.         

Characters/descriptions:

Ramona - middle child, 9 years old

Beezus - oldest child, Beatrice is real name; Ramona couldn’t say it when child; teenager in high school

Roberta- baby of family

Mr. Robert Quimby – vice president; sketches

Dorothy Quimby- mom, goes back to work

Howie Kemp – Ramona’s friend

Aunt Bea- really close with Ramona; younger sister of Dorothy

Susan- smart student; popular with kids

Mrs. Meacham- Ramona’s teacher

Hobart- Howie’s uncle & Bea’s old sweetheart; hasn’t been home for 10- 15 years; leaving soon for Alaska; came back for Bea

Henry – Beezus likes him

Picky Picky- cat

Genre Label:

Movie

Adventure

Interest Level:

4^th- 6^th grade

Similar Items:

The Pacifier from Walt Disney Pictures

The Chronicles of Narnia from Walt Disney Pictures

Zathura

De Luca, M., Kroopf, S., Teitler, W., & Favreau, J. (Director).  (2005).  Zathura: A Space Adventure [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Columbia Pictures.

Plot description:

Walter, Danny, and Lisa are spending the weekend with their dad who has recently moved into a new house.  The boys are playing catch with dad in the front yard before he has to work on a project for his boss.  The boys begin to argue with each other and end up ruining the project causing dad to go into the office.  Lisa is left in charge of the boys but stays in her room.  As the boys continue to play they stumble upon a game called Zathura.  Danny begins to play the game but has problems reading the card.  Once Walter finishes reading the card, a meteorite shower hits the house which is what the card had said.  They continue playing and with every card that they read things happen including: freezing their sister in her room, a gravity field, a robot, an stranded astronaut, etc.  How will this game end?    

Brief Review: 

Zathura is a good movie for tweens and their families.  The main idea of the movie is learning the value of having siblings no matter how much they are a pest to you, you still love them.  This movie would be great for male tweens, but I think that some female tweens would also enjoy it.  It has a great mixture of board games and outer space.  The movie really reminded me of Jumanji.  I thought that the special affects of the movie were good and made the story seem realistic.  The ending of the movie is happy, but was lacking something.    

Characters/Descriptions:

Walter – oldest; 10 years old; 4^th grade

Danny- youngest; 6 years old

Lisa- oldest sister; high school

Genre Label:

Film Based on Book

Space

Adventure

Interest Level:

Ages 4^th – 6^th grade

Similar Items:

Jumaji from TriStar Pictures

Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg

Tron Legacy

Bailey, S. (Producer), Silver, J. (Producer),  Lisberger, S. (Producer), & Kosinski, J. (Director).  (2010).  Tron Legacy [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Walt Disney Pictures.

Plot description:

The movie begins when Kevin Flynn disappears from Sam Flynn’s life.  No one knows where Kevin has gone, and Sam is left with his grandparents to be raised.  Sam inherits his father’s company which specializes in operating systems for computers.  Sam has not started to run the company yet, but doesn’t agree with the current managements views.  Alan, Kevin’s friend and partner, comes to tell Sam that someone paged him from the Flynn arcade office which has been disconnected.  Sam is curious and goes to the arcade to see what is going on, and he finds a secret room in the basement.  As he sitting at the computer something happens and takes him into Tron.  What will Sam discover in Tron?  Will Sam finally find his missing father?

Brief Review:

I thought that movie was well done.  I did not watch this in 3D, but I can only imagine what it would have looked like with all of the cool light features.  The one problem I had with the movie was that Clu looked too computer generated.  I understand that computer generation is need, but I thought that they could have covered this fact better than they did.  I would recommend this movie to video gamers.  I feel that they would most like the movie because of its references to games and the effects that were included.  The main idea of the movie is to work together to achieve a common goal and that family needs to stick together.

Genre Label:

Movie; sci fi or futuristic

Interest Level:

Grades 6^th +

Similar Items:

Star Wars from Lucasfilm

Tron from Walt Disney Pictures

Star Trek (2009) from Paramount Pictures

Inkheart

Funke, C., Maisel, I., Pokorny, D., Softley, I. (Producer),  & Softley, I. (Director).  (2008).  Inkheart [Motion Picture].  United States of America: New Line Cinema.

Plot description:

The movie begins when Meggie’s dad reads her a bedtime story when she is very young; it then flashes to twelve years later.  The mother has disappeared, and the father visits old bookstores and antique shops in search of a certain book: Inkheart.  He finds the only copy in a bookstore and begins to read an excerpt from the book; suddenly Dustfinger, a character from Inkheart, appears in front of Meggie; Dustfinger tries to warn Meggie and her father about the dangers of Capricorn.  Her father realizes what danger he just put Meggie in, and attempts to run.  What will happen to Meggie and her father as they attempt to run away from the characters of a book?

Brief Review: 

I found that the movie was good.  It had plenty of action in it to keep tweens engaged.  I liked the barn full of creatures because it made you think of what book they had been read out of.  I also liked figuring out the items that Meggie read out of books.  Each of these things proves what a wonderful and dangerous gift the slivertongue posses.  Meggie proves here worth throughout the entire movie; she proves that she is a tough tween that can protect and help her family.  The ending of the movie does not indicate that there would be another movie.  It does not leave the audience with an unanswered question or what might happen next thought.          

Genre Label:

Movie, Action, Adventure, based off a book

Interest Level:  

4^th-8^th grade

Similar Items:

The book series

Yogi Bear

De Line, D., Rosenfelt, K. (Producer), & Brevig, E. (Director).  (2010).  Yogi Bear [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Warner Brothers Pictures. 

Plot description:

In the beginning, Rachel comes to Jellystone Park to film a documentary on Yogi Bear, who is up to his normal shenanigans.  The Mayor wants to get rid of Jellystone Park because he wants to cut down the trees there in order to make a profit.  Yogi, with the help of Ranger Jones, ruins Jellystone Park’s 100^th anniversary party, where they hoped to make enough money to save the park.  Will Yogi Bear help save Jellystone Park and make the Mayor look like the bad guy he is, or will he let the Mayor cut down all of the trees there?

Brief Review: 

I enjoyed this movie a lot.  It was a good family movie, filled with adventures, funny moments, and picnic basket snatching.   I found the lessons presented in this movie to be quite good.  One lesson found in this movie is for people to stick up for what they believe in; by doing this, one can accomplish anything, including saving a park like Jellystone.  I also liked how this movie promoted saving the environment.  Because of this lesson, children can learn to take care of their environment from an early age.  All in all, this was a wonderful family movie that provided many benefits to the children that watch it.

Genre Label:

Movie, Adventure

Interest Level:

4^th – 6^th grade; younger children would also like and maybe older

Similar Items:

Over the Hedge from Dreamworks

Yogi Bear Cartoon TV Shows

Nim’s Island

Mazur, P. (Producer), & Flackett, J., Levin, M. (Director).  (2008).  Nim’s Island [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Walden Media. 

Plot description:

Nim’s mother is an oceanographer and her father is a marine biologist.  One day, Nim’s mother goes missing, so her and her dad, Jack, look for her on their island in the South Pacific.  While they are there, a Galileo pelican teacher her gravity, Sulky the sea lion teaches her how to swim, and she learns many other things through books.  Supply ships bring Nim and Jack the supplies they cannot make, including books, magazines, and seeds for the garden.  Alex Rover is a woman who reads one of Jack’s articles about volcanoes and emails him for help on one of her books; Nim checks Jack’s email and replies back.  During that time, Jack looks for microorganisms but is caught in a large storm which wrecks his ship in the ocean.  How will Nim save Jack, and what adventures might she have on the way?

Brief Review: 

I truly enjoyed this movie.  I found the use of advertising material in the movie somewhat annoying, like the Mac computers and Random House Publishing, yet there were so few that they did not distract from the movie.  I thought this movie portrayed many important values, including facing your fears.  The movie also highlighted the need for protection, both home and family; by showing the need to protect both of these; the movie explained how important these are to people.  I thought this movie was well written, and the music brought much to the experience.  Overall, the movie left me with a feeling of happiness, which was wonderful to experience.

           

Genre Label:

Movie, adventure

Interest Level:

4^th – 6^th grade

Similar Items:

The Water Horse from Sony Pictures

Bridge to Terabithia from Walden Media

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Brothers, E. L., Gillan, L. R., etc. (Producer), & Rozema, P. (Director).  (2008).  Kit Kittredge: An American Girl [Motion Picture].  United States of America: HBO Films. 

Plot description:

The movie begins May 2, 1932.  Kit wants to be a reporter and has been taking stories to the local newspaper since she was ten.  Several homeless children, Will and Contee, show up at Kit’s house and ask Mom if they can perform work in exchange for food; Mom tells them to come back in the morning but gives them some food as they leave.  One day, Kit and Ruthie see Kit’s dad at the soup kitchen where they are volunteering.  Later that night, Dad explains how the bank took his car dealership and the cars, yet reassures his family that they will be alright.  Later on, Ruthie’s house is robbed; many people believe Will robbed the house, yet Kit doesn’t believe Will would steal.  How will Kit and her family get through the depression, and will Kit discover the real person who robbed Ruthie’s house?

Brief Review: 

I greatly enjoyed this movie.  I liked how the movie ties in classical items, like the world’s fair.  The movie not only portrays the historical events and conditions at the time, but it also highlights values that are important in today’s society, including those surrounding friends and family.  This movie also shows how one should always have hope and to never give up on dreams, even in the direst circumstances.  Furthermore, the movie contains great music that complimented the story.  It seems to fit the time period, which adds much to the feel of the film.  All in all, I feel this was a well-rounded film that would entertain many young girls.

Genre Label:

Based on Book; Movie, Great Depression- Historical Fiction;

Interest Level: 

4^th – 6^th grade; story has a life lesson for everyone though

Similar Items:

American Girl series movies and books

Leah’s Pony by Elizabeth Friedrich

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole

Snyder, Z. (Producer), & Nalbandian, Z. (Director).  (2010).  Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole [Motion Picture].  United States of America: Warner Brothers Pictures. 

Plot description:

This movie is about some young barn owls and two rivaling groups.  At the start of the movie we see Soren and Eglantine pretending to be Guardians.  When their dad comes home, Soren and Kludd are taken on a flying lesson, but they don’t do well; they go out later that night to practice while the parents are gone.  Unfortunately, some owls from St. Aggie’s kidnap them to train them to be evil soldiers.  Kludd is chosen to be a warrior while Soren is chosen to be a picker.  Soren doesn’t like this group of owls and fights until he escapes.  He escapes with Gylfie and they head to find the Guardians.  What will happen to these adversary groups and the young owls?   

Brief Review: 

I felt that this movie was a great animal movie.  I found that the movie taught some great lessons about different aspects of life.  It also teaches tweens about family values through close owl connections, whether it be an actual family or owl colonies.  The music composer did an excellent job incorporating the musical composition in a way to make the story of the movie to come to life.  I believe that there will be more of these movies based on the popularity in the box office.  The book series also continues which also leads me to believe that they will try some more movie adoptions. 

Genre Label:

Movie, Adventure, Fantasy

Interest Level:

4^th -6^th grader

Characters/Descriptions:

Soren- main owl

Eglantine-  Soren’s sister

Kludd – Soren’s oldest brother

Nyra- Queen Owl

Metalbeak- King Owl

Mrs. Plithiver - Snake is the nurse maid

Grimble – teaches Gylfie and Soren to fly and help them escape

Ezlryb- hero of Soren; teacher

Gylfie – small female owl

Digger – first owl they meet when they leave

Twilight- 2^nd owl they meet when they escape; who brings Mrs. Plithiver home for dinner; plays the lute and sings

Allomere- Guardians; patroller

Otulissa –training to be a navigator

Similar Items:

Happy Feet from Warner Home Video

The Lion King from Walt Disney Studios

Over the Hedge from Dreamworks

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Bruckheimer, J. (Producer), & Turtelaub.  (2010).  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice [Motion Picture].   United States of America: Walt Disney Pictures.

Plot description:

The main character in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is Dave Stutler a young man living in New York City who has stumbled upon an antique store run by Balthazar Blake.  Balthazar is one of Merlin’s apprentices and after a battle between Merlin and Morgana, Merlin instructions Balthazar to find the Prime Merlinian.  The Prime Merlinian along with other Merlinians are to protect the world from Morgana and her followers.  Balthazar has collected several Morganites over the centuries, but David accidently releases one of them, Maxim Horvath.  Maxim is determined to release Morgana, and will at any cost, including stabbing other Morganites in the back.  With the release of Maxim, Balthazar begins training David in the art of sorcery who becomes distracted by Becky.  In the end though, David sees how important he is for the battle of good versus evil.     

Brief Review: 

I thought that this film was a good full length story about one of the most famous scenes in Fantasia.  The writers even put in the mopping scene from Fantasia which added to the charm and story of the movie which appeals to tween parents and other adults.  I thought that the actors and actress were a great choice for each of the characters.  With the ending of the movie, one can predict that there will be a sequel to this film.  I cannot wait to see what Disney does with the development of these characters and what additional characters will be introduced.    

Genre Label:

Movie, Fantasy

Interest Level:

4^th grade and higher

Similar Items:

Fantasia

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone