AT THE MOVIES

AT THE MOVIES

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
In Theaters June 8

After six long years, Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) still need to get back to their long-lost home at the New York City Zoo.

The colorful group of wild animals don’t really know about maps, much less how to read one if they did. An unexpected layover in France introduces the assorted gang to a group of traveling circus animals headed for America. French police Captain Chantel DuBois (voiced by Frances McDormand) takes a special interest in tracking down and capturing our animal pals as they traverse Europe.

With some help from the pesky penguins, Alex and the gang just might make it back to the States. One thing’s for sure, they’ll have to “move it, move it.” Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted will be presented in both 2D and 3D versions. Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor. 113 mins. (3D Entertainment Distribution)

Brave
In Theaters June 22

Tenth-century Scotland’s rugged Highlands provide the fairytale setting where a little redheaded girl named Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) comes face to face with her destiny. Merida is quite good with a bow and arrow. She can hit a bull’s eye from 50 paces away. Merida also happens to be a daughter of royalty in the kingdom of DunBronch. Her father is King Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly), and her mother is Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson).

In a land of traditions, Merida chooses to follow her own path. Trouble follows, and Merida seeks the help of a local witch (Julie Walters). But the wish that the witch grants Merida might not be the best thing for the stubborn young woman, or for her beloved kingdom. Pixar’s “Brave” is directed by Mark Andrews (“Ratatouille”) and will be presented in 2D and Disney Digital 3D versions. Rated PG for some scary action and rude humor. 89 mins. (Disney•Pixar)

Movies on DVD

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Available June 5

Since visiting the center of the earth back in 2008, Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) is now ready for an adventure to the Mysterious Island of Jules Verne fame. Sean’s grandpa (Michael Caine) has been sending coded distress signals from the mysterious island where strange creatures roam free. Along with his stepfather Hank (Dwayne Johnson), Sean takes helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman) and the pilot’s daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) on the adventure of a lifetime. The Mysterious Island is the home of the lost city of Atlantis. It also has a mountain of gold and bees so big, you can fl y on them. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is going to be one very wild ride of a movie for kids and their parents to go on. Rated PG for some adventure action and brief mild language. 94 mins. (New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures)

The Gold Rush
Available June 12

Way back in 1925, a talented British comedian named Charlie Chaplin captured the imaginations of kids and adults all over the world with his second feature-length comedy. The old-timey, black-and-white look of the silent movie doesn’t make it any less fun or entertaining than new movies. You might even like it better. You’ll giggle when you see what Chaplin’s “Little Tramp” character does with two forks and a couple of dinner rolls; he makes the rolls dance! The story is set in the Yukon, near Alaska, during the gold rush, when people travelled from all over in search of riches hidden beneath the frozen ground. Chaplin’s Tramp gets stuck in a snowy mountain cabin where the only thing to eat is his leather shoe. If you’ve never seen a silent movie before, The Gold Rush is a great place to start. Chaplin’s sense of humor might seem simple, but there’s a lot of magic in everything he does to make his audience laugh. The DVD includes both the original 1925 version and the 1942 version, for which Chaplin added new music and narration. Not Rated. 160 minutes. (Criterion)

Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest film critic in the world”, has been a film critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.