Armchair Commentary

The Surging Popularity of Films Based on Young Adult Books

Films based on young adult novels are hot right now--so hot they're breaking box office records. While a cursory look suggests that young adults have a much larger discretionary income and more autonomy in spending it than ever before and that filmmakers are just capitalizing on that opportunity, the audiences filling the theaters for these young adult films represent a surprisingly diverse age demographic. Why? Because both young adult fiction and films have become much more popular with adults in in the past few years thanks in part to better writing, more universal themes, and cross-genre marketing. The result is a sharing of experience between young adults and adults that translates not only to money at the box office and bookstore, but to a common ground between generations that's filled with promise.

Do we hand the credit to J.K. Rowling and say it all started with the Harry Potter books and films? Or did it really start with films like The Lord of the Rings? How do children's stories like the Lorax and The Borrowers or comics like Tintin fit in to the equation? 

 

 

The Hunger Games is certainly the most recent example of how insanely popular a young adult film can be and the film's momentum from its record-breaking first couple of weekends doesn't seem likely to slow down anytime soon. Of course, the books of the Hunger Games Trilogy have also been hugely popular with both teens and adults for the last several years. The idea of a dystopian world where kids are dropped into the wilderness and pitted against one another in a fight for survival is nothing new (think William Golding's Lord of the Flies way back in 1954), but the powerful way this story is told, both on the page and screen, absolutely captivates both teens and adults.

 

  

The Twilight Series of novels by Stephenie Meyer were ravenously devoured by the target young adult female audience, but what was a bit more surprising was how appealing these romance novels about vampires, werewolves, and true love were to adult women. Likewise, the first Twilight film was madly popular with women of all ages, fueled by the popularity of the books and some serious hype about the contemporary fascination with vampires and the promise of a tale of first love like no other. New Moon was equally strong as Bella battled a broken heart and came face to face with the Volturi. Eclipse explored a love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob which, if not completely believable in its presentation, was certainly compelling as was Bella's steadfast determination to give up virtually everything for true love. Filmmakers decided to break the final book into two films and Twilight Breaking Dawn Part One deals with the decidedly mature subject of childbirth gone extreme--suddenly what began as a young adult saga has matured into an adult story that's basically unsuitable for all but the oldest end of the young adult market.

 

 

Where does one begin with the eight iconic Harry Potter films that broke box office records and drew huge fans from every conceivable age group? Literally everyone was reading these books--kids, parents, and young adults alike--just as fast as they came off the presses. And how about the block-long lines of people that camped out to see the films at midnight on opening night? Harry Potter was truly a phenomenon unlike any other--one that brought together young and old in a powerful shared experience that created memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

 

 Hugo is another film that bridges the gap between the young adult and adult markets. It's a story of a young orphaned boy struggling to solve a mystery left by his father while simply surviving, but the story transcends the situation into a universally appealing message about hope. Five Oscar awards isn't too shabby for a young adult film!

 

 

Tolkien's classic Lord of the Rings Trilogy took on truly epic proportions in the three Lord of the Rings films that absolutely re-defined the role of animation in live-action films. A young adult book series to be sure, but the films are definitely now considered classics in the adult film genre.

 

 

 

The Secret World of Arrietty is a film based on Mary Norton's The Borrowers--a classic book that's captivated the imaginations of generations of young adults. Sure, the film is rated G and is great for kids, but like many of Miyazaki's best films, it's just as appealing to adults. 

 

 

 

The Adventures of Tintin is based on the classic comic by Herge, but again, the film transcends age barriers and appeals not only to kids and adults with fond childhood memories of Tintin comics, but animation fans of all ages.

 

 

 

 Dr. Seuss' The Lorax may look like a kid's film based on a kid's picture book, but it really deals with the very grown-up subject of environmental preservationism. Of course, the movie throws in a whole new sub-plot about young love as another lure to the young adult market. 

 

Other notable young adult films:

I Am Number Four--A young adult fantasy in which an exile seeks to discover his own heritage and the powers hidden within himself while experiencing his first love.

The Golden Compass--An orphan girl sets out on a perilous journey in search of truth and a lost friend.

The Chronicles of Narnia Series--Adventures of good versus evil that culminate (thus far) in a personal war against the darkness within.

Alice in Wonderland--An adventure tale that celebrates the strength of one young woman.

What's Up Next?

Plenty more young adult novels are coming to the movies in the next year or so including J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit, Lois Lowry's The Giver, Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Ally Carter's Heist Society, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. And I hear that Scott Westerfeld's Uglies is also in production!

So what's so important about the rise in popularity of young adult films? Authors of young adult fiction are selling more copies of their books than ever before and filmmakers are breaking records for money grossed at the theaters--that certainly helps the economy. But in my mind, an equally important result is that young adults and adults are finding a common ground through entertainment--their shared experiences reading these books and watching the films are forging a connection between generations and opening avenues of communication that might not otherwise exist. Does that mean that your teen is going to suddenly confide their deepest, darkest secrets and insecurities to you on the drive home from the theater? Or that your newly-on-his-own 20-something will call you up to solicit advice about his personal life? Probably not, but you never know where a conversation about Harry's complicated relationships with his classmates and teachers, Bella's struggle to choose between Edward and Jacob and then live with the far-reaching consequences of her decision, or Katniss' determination to survive without losing her own sense of humanity might lead.

 

--Tami Horiuchi

“The Muppets” Have Arrived

Here at Armchair Commentary, we are unabashedly, head-over-heals in love with the Muppets and are  huge fans of the new movie.  So we were delighted when the masterminds over at Muppets-central brought us the opportunity to have a Q&A with the frog himself, Kermit T.  We polled our fans on Facebook and dug deep within our team to get the real dirt from Kermit about working with (human) celebrities, the backstage politics, and of course, his long-term relationship with the consummate diva, Miss Piggy.  The Muppets is available now on DVD, Blu-ray and at Amazon Instant Video.

• In 5 words, what is your favorite part about your new film The Muppets?

Being together again, of course.

• What was it like working with Jason Segel and Amy Adams?

They were both great. Working with the Muppets isn’t easy if you’re new to it. (Actually, working with the Muppets isn’t easy if you’ve been doing it for a very long time, like me.) But Jason and Amy got into the swing of things right away. Jason would do anything for a laugh…plus he co-wrote the script. (I bet you didn’t even know we used a script.)  And Amy…well, she is such a beautiful and talented actress, I could have spent forever talking with her. But, unfortunately, Miss Piggy wouldn’t let me go anywhere near her.

• Who was your favorite guest star/cameo to work with in the movie?

We had so many amazing and surprising people show up to be in our movie, but for sheer good will and good humor, I have to say Jack Black. After what we did to him in this movie, I’m surprised he’s still talking with us. Actually, come to think of it, maybe he’s not.  Who can blame him?

• Have those old critics up in the box EVER given you a positive review?

You mean Statler and Waldorf. Well, they mean well, even if they’re mean sometimes. But to tell you the truth they give us the best review of all just by showing up for each and every performance. We must be doing something right…Either that or they’re glued to their chairs.

• Besides Miss Piggy of course, which co-star do you enjoy working with on all the Muppets projects?

Yes, you’re right. I have to say that Miss Piggy is, of course, the co-star I most enjoy working with. I have to say that. She might be reading this.  And while I have a great time with all the Muppets, I must admit that there’s something special about working with Fozzie Bear.  He’s got a big heart….not a lot of good jokes, but he’s the best friend a frog could have.

• How have you and Miss Piggy had such a successful relationship? What are your 3 favorite things about her?

We have a great relationship; in fact, it’s the longest-running interspecies relationship in Hollywood history.  As for my three favorite things about her. Well, uh, gee, it’s hard to limit it to just three things, cause, after all, she will be reading this….but let’s give it a try.

One, she knows what she wants. Two, she never gives up until she gets what she wants. And three, once she gets what she wants, she never ever lets it go.  Believe me!

• What’s it really like being with Miss Piggy?

It’s indescribable, in every sense of the word.

• What are the backstage politics?  Is there anyone gunning for your position as emcee?

Gee, I wish there was. Being emcee is very stressful. The chaos, the crises, the squawking chickens, nervous cows and b’wakking penguins. I’d be happy to share this, but no one else seems to want it. Oh well, that’s show biz.

• When you get envious, do you turn a different color? Or sick—“green(er) around the gills,” so to speak?

Hey, good one. A frog joke, so to speak. Do you mind if I share that with Fozzie? I’m pretty sure he’ll work that into his comedy act.  But, to answer your question: when I get envious or sick, I just turn a darker green…kind of the shade of brackish pond water. Not a pretty sight.

• What has been your favorite gig so far?

I love ‘em all. But my favorite is whatever we’re in the middle of.  I just love putting on a show.

• Why don’t you do the news anymore?

Technology. Frogs have trouble tweeting. We prefer to croak.

 

• When will you and Miss Piggy have little ones? We want to see Tadpoles and Piglets!

 

No plans for this….at all. And I’d appreciate your not mentioning it to Miss Piggy.

• Why isn’t it easy being green? What are the most difficult things about being green?

Well, like the song goes, you tend to blend in with all sorts of ordinary things and not stand out or get noticed. You’re just…green.  But that’s okay, I like who I am.  As for the most difficult part of being green: For some reason, pigs like short green frogs. Go figure!

• What is Gonzo, really?

Oh, that’s easy. Gonzo is a…well, he’s not exactly a….he’s kinda more like a….I know, let’s just say he’s a “whatever” and leave it at that.

Best DVDs of 2011: Kids and Family

You could say that 2011 was the year of the book in the kids and family DVD genre. There were Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, and Winnie the Pooh--all movies based on childrens and young adults books. It was also the year of the unexpected--writers took a Shakespearean romantic tragedy and made it into high comedy and called it Gnomeo and Juliet, mashed the genres of animation and spaghetti Western together in Rango, completely reinvented a bunch of classic fairytale characters in Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, and added a whole new back story to the classic Rapunzel fairytale and renamed it Tangled. The end result for viewers is a comfortable familiarity juxtaposed with a sense of the impending unexpected that keeps the entire family guessing. Check out my top ten kid and family picks for the year below and then head over to the Best of 2011 in Movies & TV store to see the best of lists in other categories.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2: Though I hesitate to put a film rated PG-13 at the top of a best of list for children, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was far and away the best film released on DVD in 2011.  And while the Harry Potter films are certainly not appropriate for the very young, families with older children have grown and bonded over the Harry Potter films for a full decade. This final chapter in the series is a masterful mix of romance, adventure, and magical effects that stays true to the author's intent, is visually stunning, and, most importantly, provides a satisfying ending to a truly epic journey.
2. Rango: A chameleon starring in an animated Western is one strange idea, but clever writing, skilled animation, and great voice talent combine to produce a film that's highly entertaining for both kids and adults--on two completely different levels, of course. 
3. Kung Fu Panda 2: Sequels often fall short of their predecessors, but Kung Fu Panda 2 is funny, well animated, and full of action. Po has definitely grown up in this second film, but he hasn't lost his most lovable qualities, or his penchant for steamed buns, and when he and the Furious Five wage a fierce battle against a mysterious and deadly new weapon, it keeps everyone on the edge of their seat. Equally interesting is Po's quest for inner peace, which really just boils down to dealing with his own insecurities.
4. Tangled: Not your typical imprisoned princess, the impulsive and maybe even a bit schizophrenic Rapunzel leaves her tower to embark on a quest that will forever change the lives of herself, Flynn Ryder, and the entire kingdom--not to mention the way viewers think about this classic fairytale character.
5. Megamind: An interesting look at a villain whose destruction of the world's last hero also destroys his own sense of purpose and happiness.
6. Mars Needs Moms: An intriguing adventure with some interesting characters and a message that speaks to both kids and adults--even if the story is rather far-fetched and the characters act a bit predictable at times. The motion-capture technology is pretty cool too.
7. Rio: While this film doesn't really offer anything new plot-wise, it's a visual feast of color that pits cute, lovable characters with the best of intentions against some not-so-smart bad guys in a battle that spans from a dingy back room to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and even the middle of a Carnaval parade. Throw in a little romance, some fun Brazilian music, and a little self-discovery and you've got a recipe for family fun.
8. Mr. Popper's Penguins: While the script writers and filmmakers took some serious liberties with the  original book, Jim Carrey did a great job of capitalizing on the comic possibilities of caring for a flock of penguins in the middle of New York City. This movie is funny, heartwarming, and has a great message about the value of family.
9. Gnomeo and Juliet: Garden gnomes acting out the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet is absolutely ridiculous, but somehow the film actually works. Romantic tragedy turns comedy thanks to a heavy dose of humor and a commitment to pushing everything way over the top. Tons of famous voice talent doesn't hurt either.
10. Winnie the Pooh: Because who doesn't love a Winnie the Pooh film? Especially one that's as well done as this one.

What are your favorite kids and family DVD picks for 2011?

--Tami Horiuchi

 

Amazon Goes to Pixar

A few weeks ago, two lucky Amazonians got the chance to travel down to Pixar Animation Studios for a campus tour and a chat with the creators of Cars 2. Watch our blog and site for the resulting interviews with John Lasseter, Denise Ream and the lead animators and artists of Cars 2. In the meantime we wanted to share a little bit of our behind the scenes experience at Pixar.  - Megan Newman

 

 Entrance

Pixar is located in Emmeryville, CA, adjecent to Berkeley.  Specifically it’s located on Park Avenue. The street name has inspired a New York themein building names across the campus. The main building, and home to the poshest offices, contains the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. We also saw a sign pointing to offices a little further out that were named, appropriately, Brooklyn.

 

 

 

Luxo Lamp and Ball

Located right outside the main office the Luxo Lamp and ball greet employees and visitors.  The Luxo lamp and ball play an important part in Pixar’s early history and have been incorporated into their logo. It’s also one of the most popular spots for visitor photos on campus.

 

 

 

 

 

Howdy Partner

Several of Pixar’s main characters guard the entrance to the main building and are scattered throughout. Lego Buzz and Woody are particularly impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Building

The Pixar campus opened in 2000. It was built on the location of an old canning factory and the factory vibe inspired the architecture. Steve Jobs, one of the Pixar founders was heavily involved in the design. He wanted Pixar's main building to serve as a central gathering place where employees would come several times a day to interact and share ideas. In service of this goal a cafeteria, coffee shop and the employee mail room were clustered within steps of each other within the atrium of the main building. Pixar lore is that Jobs was so obsessed with the idea of all employees venturing to this area at least once a day that he advocated for only having one bathroom on the campus. He was overruled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bathrooms

Speaking of bathrooms, Boo Peep for the ladies and Woody for the men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upstairs Galleries

Lining the main building’s upper floor are two mini-Pixar centric art galleries. The right side (the Upper East Side) features art from, or inspired by, the current release. Cars 2 inspired art ranged from photos from the crew’s reserach trips to the clay figures used to help model the characters. This side changes every year to focus on the current film release. The left side (i.e. The Upper West Side) features art created by Pixar employees. The art featured in the gallery is a myriad of different subject types and provides an outlet for Pixar artists that is separate from their work. Unfortunately no cameras were allowed upstairs.

 

 

Awards

One of the coolest displays is the awards, a case full of Academy Awards, Baftas and more prominently displayed by the entrance. One Oscar we spotted was inscribed “Awarded to Brad Bird” for “Ratatouille”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Café Luxo

When Pixarites need a caffeine fix they visit Café Luxo. Drip coffee is provided gratis to employees. They can enjoy their caffeine boost while they peruse the cereal bar, also free, featuring dozens of different cereals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Screening Room

The main building holds at least one screening room (we suspect there are more.) Velvet couches fill the mini movie theatre which is used by employees to view, edit and discuss movies in production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Café & The Evil Dead 2

It’s not all kid’s stuff at Pixar. Screenings of a wide variety of films are held regularly for employees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amphitheatre & Campus

Pixar's campus has plenty of green space. Adding to the collegiate vibe is the amphitheater located directly outside the main building.

In addition to company meetings, smaller groups of employees gather here. Upon our arrival we saw a small group sword fighting, a one-off clinic to ensure accuracy for their upcoming film Brave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye!

Until next time. Thanks for letting us visit, Pixar!

The Best Movies & TV of 2011 So Far

In picking our Best of 2011 So Far list, we took everything that released between January 1 and August 15 of this year, put the names in a jar, shook it, and wrote down whatever pieces came out at random.

Just kidding. But we DID get in a room and debate the merits of a great movie in a mediocre Blu-ray release vs. a mediocre movie with a spectacular Blu-ray release; how to compare a great movie that released this year vs. the re-release of a classic movie; and the comedic chops of one Russell Brand (be assured, this did not derail our conversation too much). Without further ado, here's a look at our editors' picks on DVD, Blu-ray, and Instant Video.

Top 10 on DVD
1. The Social Network
2. The King's Speech
3. Mad Men: Season Four
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I
5. True Grit
6. Black Swan
7. The Fighter
8. Tangled
9. The Walking Dead: Season One
10. True Blood: The Complete Third Season
>See the rest of the top 50 on DVD

Top 10 on Blu-ray
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part I
3. The Social Network
4. Black Swan
5. True Blood: The Complete Third Season
6. Tangled
7. The Fighter
8. Raging Bull (Two-Disc 30th Anniversary Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
9. The Incredibles (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)
10. The Walking Dead: Season One
>See the rest of the top 50 on Blu-ray

Top 10 on Instant Video
1. Black Swan
2. Biutiful
3. Dexter: Season Five
4. Waiting for Superman
5. Justified: Season Two
6. The King's Speech
7. Tangled
8. The Fighter
9. The Killing
10. The Walking Dead: Season One

What are your picks for the Best of the Year So Far? --Ellen

Rank the Pixar Films Best to Worst

Few would argue with the statement that Pixar Animation Studios puts out the best animated films in the industry. Not only do Pixar films look amazing thanks to the utilization of the latest cutting-edge animation technology, each film tells a powerful story about characters that viewers genuinely care about and features top-notch voice talent. Where there is room for debate, is in ranking the Pixar films.  Personally, I don't think there's a bad Pixar film out there, but I do have my preferences and with Cars 2 out last weekend, it seems an opportune time to rank the other eleven full-length Pixar films from my favorite to least favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Toy Story 3. Drama, action, and humor are perfectly balanced in this third Toy Story film that puts the talking, feeling toys we love so much at a crucial crossroads between destruction and mothballing.
2. Up. Definitely not the movie I expected from the trailers, Up is sweet, heartbreaking, and funny all at the same time. The very fact that a film about such an unlikely hero appeals so strongly to both children and adults is a tribute to the true genius of Pixar. 
3. Monsters Inc. In some ways, this is my favorite Pixar film. I can't get enough of these rich characters and I absolutely love the whole idea of taking something like nightmares and monsters that kids are so universally afraid of and looking at it from a whole new perspective which somehow transforms it into something warm and wonderful. I keep asking myself whether I should have rated this one higher. 
4. Toy Story. Toy Story was truly a magical gift from Pixar--it was the first animated film that really took a child's perspective and portrayed it in a way that made it seem absolutely genuine to viewers of all ages. Thank you, Pixar, for the chance to become absolutely emotionally invested in a world of talking, feeling toys without a glimmer of self-consciousness.    
5. The Incredibles. The incredibles represented a real shift for Pixar into the superhero genre, but what makes this film different from all the other superhero movies out there is that, in addition to possessing extraordinary powers, its heroes are real people with genuine emotions, problems, and connections to other people. It's not easy to make a superhero movie that appeals to everyone in the family, but Pixar did it, and did it well. 
6. Wall-E. Implausible as it sounds, this romantic comedy about two machines finding true love and saving the earth from man's greedy ways is sweet, funny, and a huge success with kids and adults alike. Who knew humans could fall in love with a trash compacting robot?
7. Finding Nemo. A simultaneously endearing and scary story about a young clownfish who's captured and the perilous journey his friends and father undertake to rescue him, Finding Nemo is a visual feast with a moving message about the value of friendship and family.
8. Ratatouille. Implausible doesn't even begin to describe the premise of this film--only Pixar would even contemplate making a film about rats in the kitchen. Nonetheless, viewers everywhere overcame their compulsive disgust of vermin in the kitchen long enough to see the movie and fall in love with a rat with a taste for the gourmet.
9. Toy Story 2. Even though it's the weakest of the Toy Story trilogy, Toy Story 2 is a beautifully animated adventure story with an important message about the power of friendship.
10. A Bug's Life. Maybe it's because I never had that almost obsessive fascination with bugs that some children have, but I didn't love A Bug's Life. I certainly appreciate the novel perspective of looking at things from a small bug's point of view and the film was truly a marvel of animation, but the story just didn't do that much for me.
11. Cars. I like the moral of an uppity sports car learning some important lessons about life from an old hick work truck and the whole allure of a route 66 road trip, but the film was just okay for me. Then again, the worst Pixar film is better than many other animated films out there.

So where do you think Cars 2 will fit into the list?

What would you have rated differently? Why?

--Tami Horiuchi

Best Movie Dads

With Father's Day approaching, it seems appropriate to celebrate some of the great dads in the movies. While there have been plenty of decent dad role models throughout the history of film, some movie dads just stand out as spectacular; for successfully filling the role of both mother and father, showing unexpected personal growth, or overcoming incredible odds or life-changing events.

Single or widowed dads who successfully took on the roles of both mother and father:

 

 

 Sam (Tom Hanks) in Sleepless in Seattle. Sam may be a grieving widower who's struggling to put his life back together following his wife's death, but he is above all a caring father whose first concern is always the well-being of his son Jonah. Sam has apparently taught his son well, because Jonah's first concern is always his dad!

 Robert (Patrick Dempsey) in Enchanted. Robert is a single father trying his best to help his daughter Morgan become a confident young woman by providing strong female role models and discounting fairy tales and feminine stereotypes. He definitely bumbles his way through love and parenting, but he's a great dad at heart.

 Robbie (Billy Ray Cyrus) in the Hannah Montana television series and movies. Robbie is another single dad who will do just about anything, including put his own career on hold and create an elaborate dual existence for himself and his family, in order to help his daughter Miley succeed and find a balance between normalcy and being a teenage pop-star. It's hard to imagine what this dad wouldn't do for his daughter.

 Charlie (Billy Burke) in Twilight: Charlie is a small-town sheriff who leads a quiet, almost reclusive life.  When his ex-wife and teenage daughter Bella aren't getting along, Bella moves in with Billie who, despite his awkwardness and inexperience with teenage girls, finds a way to support and love his daughter through a variety of challenges.

 

Dads who experience a life-changing event that dramatically alters their attitude toward their children and the level of involvement in their lives:

Steve (Greg Kinnear) in The Last Song. Steve is a divorcé who suddenly becomes re-involved in his children's lives after several years apart. While he may not have been there for his kids for the last few years, he definitely works hard to make up for his absence.

Definitely earning the craziest good dad title is Daniel (Robin Williams) in Mrs. Doubtfire. A man estranged from his wife and desperate to change his ways and become an integral part of his kids lives, Daniel will do absolutely anything, including impersonating a female nanny, in order to gain access to his children. While he certainly isn't your typical father role model, he gets big points for fighting to be involved in his children's lives in a positive way.

 

Men that turn out to be great dads against all odds:

 

Messer (Josh Duhamel) in Life As We Know It. Messer goes from being carefree bachelor to co-parent with a woman he despises in an instant when his best friend dies and leaves him and his wife's best friend as his little girl's guardians. The road is definitely bumpy, but in the end, Josh turns into a pretty decent father.

Joe (Dwayne Johnson) in The Game Plan. Joe is a self-absorbed athlete who is suddenly thrust into taking care of a daughter he never knew he had. Concerned only with himself and his football prowess, he's an abysmal father at first, but eventually becomes a good and caring dad in spite of the damage it does to his reputation.

Sam (Sean Penn) in I Am Sam.  The mentally disabled Sam may have the mental capacity of a 7-year-old, but he's done a good job of raising his daughter Lucy and he fights hard to regain custody of her after a series of misunderstandings.

Desmond (Pierce Brosnan) in Evelyn. Desmond is an unsuccessful tradesman with a penchant for the local pub, but when his wife leaves him and Irish law demands that his children be sent to an orphanage, he takes his case all the way to Ireland's supreme court in order to get his children back.

 

So it seems that in the movies, the most unexpected man sometimes turns out to be the best father. Who are your favorite movie dads?

--Tami Horiuchi

Best Movie Moms

Being a good mother is much more than meeting a child's basic needs--it's a complicated balancing act of unconditional love, discipline, emotional support, forgiveness, moral guidance, and encouragement. Just like moms in the real world, movie moms struggle to connect with their kids, support them, and prepare them for adulthood--and while the movies certainly show that no mom is perfect, every mom deserves to be celebrated on Mother's Day and every day.

Animated films probably paint the simplest picture of motherhood, and each of these movies features a mom who excels in her own way:

• Mars Needs Moms
• The Incredibles
• Shrek Forever After
• Rio
• Ponyo
• 101 Dalmatians
• The Lion King
• Aristocats

 

Mothering gets complicated when kids hit their teenage years, and while the moms in these films have wildly differing styles and parenting strategies, they all manage to be a good mother in their own way:

• Ice Princess
• Cadet Kelly
• Freaky Friday
• Camp Rock
• Thirteen
• Anywhere But Here

 

Step-parenting, nannies raising children, and extreme family situations like chronic and terminal illness and financial crisis really complicate the job of mothering, but somehow these moms and mother figures manage to get the job done in spite of difficult circumstances:

• Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
• My Left Foot
• Stepmom
• Beaches
• Eloise at the Plaza
• Mary Poppins
• The Sound of Music
• Ramona and  Beezus

 

And sometimes, it's the most unexpected person that excels at mothering:

• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Mr. Troop Mom
• Nanny McPhee
• Horton Hears a Who
• The Game Plan

 

 

Moms on weekly television shows (both past and present) may just provide the best glimpse of how complicated mothering can be on a daily basis:

• The Good Wife
• Desperate Housewives
• Dennis the Menace
• Leave it to Beaver
• The Cosby Show
• Family Ties

 

So celebrate the mother figures in your life this Mother's Day and give thanks that you didn't grow up with one of the nightmare moms from these films:

• Enchanted
• Another Cinderella Story
• Despicable Me
• Tangled
• Mommie Dearest

 

 

--Tami Horiuchi

 

First Trailer: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"

It feels like we've been blogging about Harry Potter movie trailers forever, but it's just occurred to me that this the LAST first trailer of a Harry Potter movie we are ever going to talk about. (And this is the only one in 3D.) This is the one everything has been building up to, and we can't believe it's almost over. --Ellen

 

 

The Greatest Stories Ever Filmed

Easter is a great time to reconnect with the great Christian and Biblical stories, many of which have been captured in splendid and moving cinematic versions. Stirring films of the life of Christ and the saints can inspire the whole family. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. The Greatest Story Ever Told: Max von Sydow gives the performance of a lifetime as Jesus, equal parts godly and human, showing nuance, grief and deep love for his fellow (flawed) men. The Greatest Story Ever Told takes its sweet time in unfolding the life of Jesus, and some parts seem slow--but all of it is deeply felt and deeply moving.

2. Song of Bernadette: There was a time in the '40s and '50s when most of Hollywood was eager to star in or direct religious features. Song of Bernadette (1943) features one of the era's biggest stars, Jennifer Jones, as Bernadette, the simple French peasant girl who claimed to see visions of a "beautiful lady" near the town of Lourdes. Jones won an Oscar for Best Actress for her subtle yet fervent performance, and the cinematography is gorgeous as well.

3. Lilies of the Field: Sidney Poitier won an Oscar for his role in Lilies of the Field, playing a handyman passing through a small town in New Mexico. He ends up staying and helping a convent of nuns build their chapel, and faith takes form among the small group of new friends.

4. Jesus Christ Superstar: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were in top form when they composed this rock opera, and the score alone created pop-culture history. But the story of Jesus, told through a more earthy lens, is also very moving, and the conflict of some of the villains in the traditional telling--like Pontius Pilate--is portrayed with nuance. (Honorable musical mention to Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

 5. Jesus of Nazareth: This masterpiece by Franco Zeffirelli was originally made as a TV miniseries, detailling every known minute of the life of Jesus. Its all-star cast, including James Mason, Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey and Stacy Keach, is so glittery it's almost distracting, but the attention to period detail and the sense of solemnity give Jesus of Nazareth gravitas as well as accessibility. Watch this over the course of Easter Week.

6. The Last Temptation of Christ: Martin Scorsese's controversial film (not suitable for little ones) is actually quite moving in its way. Whether or not Jesus had a wishful dream that he could have been a regular man, and be spared his ultimate sacrifice, it doesn't diminish the choice he made to fulfill his destiny. If you haven't seen this film based on the protests that greeted its release in theaters, you owe it to yourself to watch it. Clearly Scorsese is a man of deep faith.

7. The Ten Commandments: Even now, Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 epic telling of the Old Testament saga of Moses and the Israelites is impressive. Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner have never been more magisterial, and the sheer size of DeMille's vision is moving and thought-provoking.

--A.T. Hurley