Fat Jack's Summer Family Flick Preview

As far as young kids are concerned, they aren’t in to documentaries and independent films. Not too many 8-year-olds should go to see the fantastic piece of cinema “Duck Season.” But there are a number of films (good and maybe not so good) coming out for the young-ins this summer. Summer is a subjective term for me as you will notice that one movie, “Over the Hedge,” opens this weekend (May 19). As always, my list is in order of my preference, and not by release date.

“MONSTER HOUSE”
In Theatres July 21
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

One of my favorite genres, horror, is finally adapted for young audiences in this adventure-thriller monster movie. Three teens discover that the house down the street is not just creepy, not just haunted, but it is a living, breathing monster unto itself. But no one, of course, believes them. It’s up to them to stop the monster house.

This is my top pick for the upcoming children’s movies. Kids love to be safely scared, and this little movie hopes to be a change of pace from the typical animated animal storyline. It’s produced by Spielberg, after all, who has made some of the great children’s classic cinema.

Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. Directed by Gil Kenan. Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jon Heder, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Catherine O’Hara, Kathleen Turner and Fred Willard.

“OVER THE HEDGE”
In Theatres May 19
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site

Vern the tortoise and his woodland friends wake up from a long winter’s nap to find that a new monolith hedge has sprung in their home. Vern is comfortable with his pastoral life, but a raccoon new to the woods is working to convince the other creatures that the grass is greener on the other side. But be careful what you wish for. This looks to be a wonderful choice this year, second only to “Monster House.”

Directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick. Starring: Bruce Willis, Steve Carrell, Garry Shandling, William Shatner, Thomas Haden Church, Wanda Sykes, Nick Nolte, and Avril Lavigne.

“HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS”
In Theatres August 25
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

(Poster art not available)

The first day at a new school is hard enough without having a run-in with the school bully. In order to save face in front of all the other fifth graders, Billy agrees to the bully’s bet to eat 10 worms. Based on Thomas Rockwell’s classic children’s story of the same name. This is a live-action film.

Let’s be real about this. Kids are just going to eat this up, what with all the nasty worm-chomping going on. It’s worth a ticket and popcorn just to see your little ones squirm with disgusting delight. And this has something that our other family choices do not: a chance introduce literature to your child by reading this book to them (or with them). Book learnin’ and slimy guts -- the perfect recipe for a fun, old fashioned family time together.

Directed by Bob Dolman. Starring: Timothy Patrick Cavanaugh, Kimberly Williams, Thomas Cavanagh, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, James Rebhorn and Clint Howard.

“THE ANT BULLY”
In Theatres August 4
Not Yet Rated
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Official Site

We all know what runs downhill. The same is true for 10-year-old Lucas who is the target of the neighborhood bully. Lucas turns his frustration toward the ant hill in his yard, attacking it with his pre-emptive water bombings. The ants fight back by shrinking him with their magic elixir. To pay for his crimes, Lucas is sentenced to a life of hard labor. He soon finds himself on a new journey of respect and understanding.

Directed by John A. Davis. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Paul Giamatti, Larry Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Cheri Oteri, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Lilly Tomlin.

“HAPPY FEET”
In Theatres This November
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

In the world of Emperor Penguins getting the girl is all about the sweet song. Poor old Mumble can’t carry a tune in a bucket. While all the other boys are wooing their mates with their siren-songs, he sends the girls packing with his caterwauling. Can Mumble find his place in the world, and win the girl to boot, with his unusual gift? The singing and dancing in this flick is sure to please the kids and offer a better children’s movie than the last live-action penguin piece of documentary tripe.

Directed by: George Miller. Starring: Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, and Nicole Kidman.

“OPEN SEASON”
September 29
Not Yet Rated
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Official Site


A domesticated circus bear rescues a wiild mule deer from a hunter and the two find themselves deep in the wild with the hunting season on their heels. The two must work together to find safety before they end up two trophies on some hunter’s wall.

Directed by Roger Allers, Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi. Starring: Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Messing, Billy Connolly, Jon Favreau, and Gary Sinise.

“CARS”

In Theatres June 9
Rated G
See the Trailer
Official Site


Cocky race car Lightning McQueen finds himself smack dab in the middle of the little country town, Radiator Springs. Unlike his fast paced world, Lighting McQueen discovers that there is more to the race of life than the checkered flag.

Directed by John Lasseter. Starring: Owen Wilson, bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman, John Ratzenberger, Tony Shalhoub, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Keaton, George Carlin, Bob Costas, Cheech Marin, Jenifer Lewis, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Paul Dooley.

“BARNYARD”
In Theatres October 6
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site


Carefree cow, Otis, finds himself in the middle of a disaster when the farmer disappears. The barnyard is run amok without order. So Otis realizes that it is time for responsibility to take over.

Directed by Steve Oedekerk. Starring: Kevin James, Courtney Cox Arquette, Wanda Sykes, Megan Cavanagh, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, David Koechner and Andie MacDowell.