Truman's Flick Picks: With Truman and Cole Smithey
AT THE MOVIES
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days — In Theaters August 3
Children’s book author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney’s fourth Wimpy Kid book provides the story for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. Greg (played by Zachary Gordon) is having the worst summer of his young life. A family trip to the local swimming pool on opening day could allow Greg to get over his fear of jumping off the high dive. Still, it might also embarrass Greg beyond belief. Even a friendly game of doubles tennis against his pals Patty and Holly can go unforgettably wrong. To make matters worse, Greg’s older brother Rodrick has grown up too much and doesn’t want to help Greg out of his bummer-filled summer. The “dog days” of Greg’s summer are sure to make you laugh. Summer might not be so bad after all. Rated PG for some rude humor. 94 mins. (20th Century Fox)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green — In Theaters August 15
Magical realism plays a big part in Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Timothy (played by C.J. Adams) is born in the backyard garden of childless parents Jim and Cindy Green (played by Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton). Leaves grow from Timothy’s ankles. He might act normal, but Timothy is a very special little boy. He brings joy to everyone he meets, but Timothy is “not all that he appears.” Discover the mystery of Timothy Green in this fantasy family movie about life’s greatest gifts. Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language. (Walt Disney Pictures)
ParaNorman — In Theaters August 17
ParaNorman is a 3-D animated comedy-thriller from the people who gave you Coraline. Norman Babcock (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a misunderstood little black-haired boy with a strange ability — he not only sees ghosts, but he can talk to them, too. An ancient curse by an evil witch means that Norman must spring into action to take on zombies, ghosts, witches and even grownups in order to save his small town. Great actors like Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, John Goodman and Casey Affleck provide voices to some of the goofy characters in this imaginative animated movie. Rated PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language. (Focus Features)
ON DVD
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax — Available August 7
“Welcome to Thneedville, a city they say that was plastic
and fake. And they liked it that way! No nature, no flowers. No one seemed to mind. But a secret was waiting for someone to find.” Funnyman Danny DeVito is the voice of a mystical orange creature called the Lorax from Dr. Seuss’ popular children’s book. The Lorax is the protector of the “Truffula Trees” that once filled a lush countryside teeming with wildlife. Inspired by the wishes of a cute girl named Audrey (voiced by Taylor Swift), 12-year-old Ted (Zac Efron) goes off in search for a “real, living tree.” Yes, a tree. It seems that the town where Ted lives has forgotten all about nature. You won’t find a spot of soil anywhere. Only a strange hermit called the Once-ler, living beyond the city limits, can help Ted restore trees to his all-fake town. Delivering one of the Lorax’s special trees might just be what it takes to win Audrey’s heart. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax fulfills yet another great movie version of a children’s book classic by the late Theodor Geisel. Rated PG for brief mild language. 94 mins. (Universal)
The Pirates! Band of Misfits — Available August 28
Renewing their eye-popping brand of stop-motion animation (see Wallace and Gromit), Aardman studios create a family-friendly cinema full of pure joy. Hugh Grant is the voice of the energetic Pirate Captain who, after losing a Pirate-of-the-Year competition to the likes of Black Bellamy (Jeremy Pivan), Cutlass Liz (Selma Hayek) and Peg Leg Hastings (Lenny Henry), discovers no small amount of promise in the shape of his cherished “big-boned” pet bird Polly. The brash Pirate Captain meets up with a love-struck Charles Darwin (voiced by David Tennant) who identifies Polly not to be a parrot, but rather the last dodo bird known to man. Hoping to win the love of the notorious piratehating Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton), young Darwin leads the Captain and his crew of scalawags to London for a scientific contest for which the rare dodo bird is sure to win the big prize. Rated PG for mild action, rude humor and some language. 88 mins. (Sony Pictures)
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.
