MOVIE NEWS: Ice Age: Continental Drift

Hey blog readers, OWL Assistant Editor Kendra Brown is back with another movie review. This time, she’s here to tell you all about Ice Age: Continental Drift.

Who’s looking for a break from the summer heat? Because Ice Age: Continental Drift is crashing into theatres today! I caught a sneak peek last week, and I’m here to share my thoughts.

This is the fourth film in the Ice Age franchise, bringing back your favourite prehistoric pals, Manny, Diego, and Sid, for another icy adventure. This time, the trio are setting out to sea after an earthquake (which Scrat the squirrel may have had a little something to do with) separates them from the rest of the herd. Set adrift on an iceberg in the middle of a vicious storm, Manny, Diego, and Sid, along with his toothless granny, must find a way home. But bad weather, creepy sea creatures, and even some pirates, are just a few of the obstacles in the way. Will they return home to reunite with their friends and families? Obviously, I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out!

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1. It’s cute. This movie is packed with adorable animals, including some of the cutest critters I’ve ever seen (check out the video below to see the chubby little creatures I’m talking about). Plus, lots of gags and jokes kept me giggling throughout the movie.

2. It’s cool. Literally. All of the cold, icy scenes in this movie were a huge help on the hot day I went to see it. The 3-D animation is also very cool. Icebergs and water were splashing right out of the screen at times, making me feel like I was right there in the middle of the ice age (which, again, helped during that heat wave last week). The awesome animation is definitely one of the best parts about the movie.

3. It’s full of famous voices. There’s Drake as a wooly mammoth named Ethan, Nicki Minaj as another wooly mammoth named Steffie, and Jennifer Lopez as a saber-toothed tiger named Shira (just to name a few). See how many voices you can recognize, if you watch it!

Overall, I thought this movie was a lot of fun. The plot was a little bit predictable, but maybe it’s just hard to be original on the fourth film in a franchise. Still, it’s a cute, funny flick with awesome-looking animation.

So what do you think? Will you go see this movie? If you do, come back and tell us what you thought!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

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MOVIE NEWS: Brave

Let’s hear what OWL Assistant Editor Kendra Brown has to say about the new movie, Brave.

Pixar, the creators of Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and more, are back with their thirteenth animated movie, Brave. It opens in theatres today. And for the first time in Pixar film history, we finally have a female heroine. About time, right? Anyway, I got a chance to catch a screening of Brave this week, and I’m here to tell you about it!

Merida is the fiery and feisty daughter of Scotland’s King Fergus. She may be a princess, but not a traditional one. She rides horses, shoots a bow and arrow, and is determined to fight against the traditions of her kingdom. Her mother, Queen Elinor, tells her that she must marry a suitor from one of three Scottish clans, but Merida refuses. She wants her freedom and is not ready to get married.

When Merida defies her mother, chaos erupts in the kingdom and Merida flees, seeking out a mysterious witch to help change her fate. The witch agrees by granting her one wish. But when the wish goes terribly wrong, Merida must find a way to undo the curse before it’s too late.

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1.    It’s magical. The breathtaking Scottish scenery, a spectacular castle, an ancient curse, and one very courageous hero make for a movie bursting with magic and wonder. There’s also an enchanted forest, fairies, and a witch (with a whiskery chin and all). Basically, this flick’s got all of the fixings needed for a good old-fashioned fairy tale!

2.    It’s mischievous. From Merida’s unruly red locks to her rowdy triplet brothers, Harris, Hubert and Hamish, this movie’s full of fun and mischief. Even Merida’s father, King Fergus, gets up to no good a few times. But the triplets are definitely the main troublemakers, providing most of the movie’s hijinks. Those boys will do just about anything to get their hands on a pastry.

3.    It’s moving. In addition to all the magic and mischief, there’s a strong moral to this story. It’s about fate, freedom, and being brave enough to change the course of your life. Merida is at the heart of this tale. And I bet her story of bravery will warm your heart, like it did mine (and maybe even make you shed a tear or two).

Overall, I loved this movie. My favourite part was the main character, Merida, not to mention those gloriously curly red locks of hers. I’ve always been a fan of fairy tales, and this one goes down as one of my all-time faves.

But just a little warning for our younger readers: there are some scary scenes that might make you jump in your seat. I know I did once or twice!

What do you think, blog readers? Will you go see Brave this weekend? If you do, come back and tell us what you thought!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

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MOVIE NEWS: Marvel’s The Avengers

OWL Assistant Editor, Kendra Brown, weighs in on the new movie, Marvel’s The Avenger’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How many superheroes does it take to save the planet? A lot in Marvel’s The Avenger’s! This highly-anticipated new comic book movie hits theatres today. I was lucky enough to catch the Canadian premiere earlier this week, so I’m here to tell you what I thought!

Similar to many comic book movies, this one begins with a discovery that the world is in major danger. Superhero Thor’s evil brother, Loki, has just come to Earth with plans to overthrow it. Luckily, the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. is immediately on the case. The agency’s director, Nick Fury, is ready to assemble his team of mighty heroes, including Captain America, the Black Widow, Hawkeye, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, and Thor. But are they ready for battle?

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1. It’s a superhero extravaganza. You’ve got not one, not two, not three, but six superheroes fighting to save the planet in this movie! Thor, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, and Black Widow are all very different characters, so it’s especially fun to see them come together as a team on the big screen. It really does make for one seriously super-powered movie!

2. It’s awesome. This movie is fun, funny, fast-paced, and full of incredibly impressive special effects that look amazing in 3-D. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most awesomely action-packed flicks I’ve seen in a long time.

3. But it’s a bit too long. I mean, it’s almost two and a half hours. And that’s a long time to sit in a theatre, if you ask me! But I’m sure there are fans out there that didn’t even notice the length. Sure, it’s a really fun, exciting, action-packed movie, but it would’ve been even more fun if it were under two hours. Just saying.

Even though I’m not a big comic book fan, I was a big fan of Marvel’s The Avengers. Aside from the length, I just thought it was a really fun flick all around!

But a warning: this movie is full of action and fighting scenes. If that’s not your thing, you might want to skip this one!

Have a look at the trailer and tell us what you think.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-cztiy0FyE]

So, blog readers, are you excited about this movie or not? Let us know!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

 

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MOVIE NEWS: Chimpanzee

Editor’s note: today’s blog is courtesy of the lovely OWL assistant editor, Kendra Brown.  Enjoy!

Hey blog readers, do you know what animal shares 98% of our genetic material? Hint: it’s the title of Disneynature’s newest documentary (and the title of this blog post). That’s right — chimpanzees are our closest living relatives. And while I was watching this new movie, I could totally spot the similarities between us.

Chimpanzee introduces us to Oscar, a young chimp living in the African rainforest with his family. Life is good for Oscar. He sleeps, eats, and plays all day (sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?). But Oscar’s life is changed forever when a rival band of chimps puts his family in peril. And after losing his mother, Oscar is forced to fend for himself… until a very surprising friend steps in.

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1. It’s playful. Young chimps are incredibly playful animals. I mean, those little guys really know how to have fun! I loved watching them be silly and swing through the trees. And I think actor Tim Allen (you probably know him as the voice of Buzz Lightyear) also had fun narrating the film.

2. It’s educational. I learned a ton watching this movie. Did you know that chimps use tools? For instance, they use rocks and wooden logs to crack open tasty coula nuts to eat. And that’s just one of the many handy skills they pass down through the generations! I have to say, this movie really opened my eyes to the incredible world of chimpanzees.

3. It’s heartwarming. There are definitely some sad moments in this movie, but overall, it was a sweet, touching story. As hard as it was to watch Oscar lose his mother, it was amazing to watch him form a bond with his new friend. And I bet you’ll agree with me, if you see it for yourself!

Overall, I liked this movie a lot. It was really cool to get up-close and personal with Oscar and his chimpanzee family. Plus, Disneynature will make a donation for every ticket sold during opening week to the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization that works to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. And what’s not to like about that?

But just a warning: there are some intense scenes, especially when enemy chimps confront Oscar’s family. So, if that’s not your thing, you may not want to see this in the theatre.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI5BjbI_IZ8]

What do you think, blog readers? Will you go see Chimpanzee? If you do, come back and tell us what you thought!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

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