Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

  Ireland   UK  
 
 
  You are here: Home > Reviews > Film for Families
 
 

Follow Primary Times on Twitter  
 
 

Films For Families

For all the latest movie news, follow “The Big Picture” on Twitter - @BigPictureFilm

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the new 3D family adventure “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” begins when young Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first film) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist.  It’s a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret.  

Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest.  Together with a helicopter pilot (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” is directed by Brad Peyton (“Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore”).  It also stars Michael Caine as Sean’s grandfather, Alexander Anderson, and Kristin Davis as Sean’s mom, Liz Anderson.

The film is produced by Beau Flynn & Tripp Vinson, and Charlotte Huggins from a screenplay by Brian Gunn & Mark Gunn, screen story by Richard Outten.  Serving as executive producers are Michael Bostick, Evan Turner, Marcus Viscidi, Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown and Michael Disco.  David Tattersall (“Gulliver’s Travels”) is the director of photography; Bill Boes (“Fantastic Four”), the  production designer; Denise Wingate (“Wedding Crashers”), the costume designer; and Academy Award© nominee Boyd Shermis (“Poseidon”), the visual effects supervisor

“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a New Line Cinema presentation, a Walden Media and Contrafilm production and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is released in cinemas on February 3rd 2012

THE MUPPETS

WALT DISNEY PICTURES 

Certificate: PG 

UK Release Date: February 10, 2012

Director: James Bobin

Cast: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones and Walter 

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

With signature celebrity cameos, Disney’s “The Muppets” hits

UK cinemas on  February 10, 2012.

The Big Miracle

 

Based on the inspiring true story ‘Freeing the Whales’ by Tom Rose, that captured the hearts of people across the world, Universal Pictures presents the rescue adventure Big Miracle (PG). Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and a Greenpeace volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. 

Local newsman Adam Carlson (Krasinski) can’t wait to escape the northern tip of Alaska for a bigger market,  but just when the story of his career breaks, the world comes chasing it, too.  With an oil tycoon, heads of state and hungry journalists descending upon Alaska, the one who worries Adam the most is Rachel Kramer (Barrymore) and not only is she an outspoken environmentalist, she is also his ex-girlfriend. 

With time running out, Rachel and Adam must rally an unlikely coalition of Inuit natives, oil companies and Russian and American military to set aside their differences and free the whales.  As the world’s attention turns to the top of the globe, saving these endangered animals becomes a shared cause for nations.

Big Miracle makes a splash in Cinemas nationwide on the 10 February. View the trailer online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQCiLjrW46E.

 

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE

Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” tells the story of one young boy’s journey from heartbreaking loss to the healing power of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 11. 

Eleven-year-old Oskar Schell is an exceptional child: amateur inventor, Francophile, pacifist.  And after finding a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, he embarks on an exceptional journey—an urgent, secret search through the five boroughs of New York.  As Oskar roams the city, he encounters a motley assortment of humanity, who are all survivors in their own ways.  Ultimately, Oskar’s journey ends where it began, but with the solace of that most human experience: love.

COMING TO UK CINEMAS 17th FEBRUARY 2012

Find out more at www.facebook.com/ExtremelyLoudMovieUK

Academy Award® nominee Stephen Daldry (“The Reader,” “The Hours”) directs “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” from a screenplay by Academy Award® winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump,” “The Insider”), based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s acclaimed novel.  The film stars Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks (“Forrest Gump,” “Philadelphia”) and Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”), and is being produced by Academy Award® winner Scott Rudin (“No Country for Old Men,” “The Social Network,” “True Grit”).  Celia Costas, Mark Roybal and Nora Skinner serve as executive producers.

Also starring in the film are newcomer Thomas Horn as Oskar; John Goodman as Stan, the doorman in Oskar’s building; James Gandolfini as Ron, a new friend of Oskar’s mom; four-time Tony Award winner Zoe Caldwell as the boy’s grandmother; Academy Award® nominee Viola Davis (“Doubt”) and Jeffrey Wright as a couple whose own tenuous relationship has a profound effect on Oskar; and Academy Award® nominee Max von Sydow (“Pelle the Conqueror,” “Shutter Island”) as the man renting a room from Oskar’s grandmother, who befriends Oskar and accompanies him on his quest.

 

 

This Means War

Two of the world’s top secret agents are best friends who never let anything come between them -- until they inadvertently fall for the same woman.  It’s all-out war, as the two spies battle each other with high-tech surveillance, advanced tactics, and an arsenal capable of bringing down a small country.

Director:        McG
Producers:     Robert Simonds, Will Smith, James Lassiter, Simon Kinberg
Cast:              Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy

This Means War will be released in cinemas on February 17 2012

   

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

For a disparate group of English pensioners (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup), retirement takes an unconventional turn when they abandon their homeland, enticed by advertisements for THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, a seemingly luxurious sanctuary for “the elderly and beautiful” in Jaipur, India.  

On arrival, they discover that the hotel falls somewhat short of the romantic idyll promised in the brochure, but they are gradually won over by the ever-optimistic young manager Sonny (Dev Patel), and tentatively embark on a new adventure, finding that life can begin again when you let go of the past.

In cinemas February 24th 2012

   

The Hunger Games

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games.

Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place.

She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

The official Facebook page www.facebook.com/thehungergamesUK

The Hunger Games is released March 2012.

John Carter

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present.

The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). 

In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands. 

In cinemas March 9th 2012

johncartermovie.co.uk

twitter.com/disneymoviesuk

youtube.com/waltdisneystudiosuk 

 

   

 

StreetDance 2 3D

When top street dancer Ash (Falk Hentschel) is humiliated and laughedoff stage by American crew Invincible, he sets off to gather the best dancers from around the world to take them on - with a dance style they weren't expecting.

With landmark locations, a spectacular fusion of dance styles and an unparalleled vibrancy, the sequel to StreetDance sees our hero fall in love with a beautiful salsa dancer as he discovers the magic, power and passion of dancing for the ultimate global dance off.

StreetDance 2 3D Facebook: facebook.com/streetdancefilm

StreetDance 2 3D is set for release in 30th March 2012

   

We Brought a Zoo

Director: Cameron Crowe

Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Peter Riegert, Elle Fanning, Angus Macfadyen

Acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (“Jerry Maguire,” “Almost Famous”) directs a story about finding joy, the power of family, and the triumph of hope.  A widowed father buys a dilapidated zoo in hopes of making a fresh start.  While facing enormous odds to keep the zoo open, he must find the courage to recommit to his children and to their new life together. Based on a true story.

We Bought A Zoo releases Spring 2012 from Twentieth Century Fox

   

Rock of Ages

New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. Pictures present 'Rock of Ages'!

Under the direction of Adam Shankman ('Hairspray'), New Line Cinema’s feature film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” comes to the big screen.

“Rock of Ages” tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

Their rock 'n' roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more.

The movie musical stars Julianne Hough ('Burlesque'), with actor/singer Diego Boneta in his feature film debut, Russell Brand ('Arthur,' 'Get Him to the Greek'), Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”), Academy Award® winner Catherine Zeta-Jones ('Chicago'), Malin Akerman ('The Proposal'), R&B queen Mary J. Blige and multiple Emmy®-winner Bryan Cranston (TV’s 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Lincoln Lawyer'), with Oscar® nominees Alec Baldwin ('The Cooler') and Tom Cruise ('Born on the Fourth of July').

Rock Of Ages is released June 8th 2012

© 2012 Warner Bros Ent. All Rights Reserved

The Lucky One

U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive—a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

The Lucky One releases 4th May 2012 from Warner Bros. Pictures

   

 

ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT

 

One of filmdom’s most beloved trios – “Ice Age’s” Manny, Diego, and Sid – embark upon their greatest adventure after cataclysm sets an entire continent adrift. 

Separated from the rest of the herd, they use an iceberg as a makeshift ship, which launches them on an epic seafaring quest.

Manny and the gang are challenged like never before to become heroes and do the impossible, as they encounter exotic sea creatures, explore a brave new world, and battle ruthless pirates.

Scrat’s reunion with his beloved but cursed acorn catapults him to places no prehistoric squirrel has gone before.

ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT releases 6th July 2012 from Twentieth Century Fox.

   

The Lorax in Cinemas

27th July 2012

 3D-CGI Featuring Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle and Betty White 

The 3D-CGI feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope.  The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. 

To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. 

Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. 

Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Ashley, the girl of Ted’s dreams. 

Rob Riggle will play financial king O’Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted’s wise Grammy Norma. 

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop).

The Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.  The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.”  The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.  Batman was created by Bob Kane.
           

Behind the scenes, “The Dark Knight Rises” reunites the director with several of his longtime collaborators, all of whom worked together on the “The Dark Knight.”  The creative team includes director of photography Wally Pfister, who recently won an Oscar® for his work on Nolan’s “Inception”; production designer Nathan Crowley; editor Lee Smith; and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”).  In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould, who both won Oscars® for the effects in “Inception,” supervised the visual and special effects, respectively.  The music is composed by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”).
           

In helming the film, Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX cameras. 
           

The locations span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.
           

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures.  Slated for release beginning July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

Learn more here: www.thedarkknightrises.com

 

DISNEY.PIXAR’S “BRAVE” TAKES AIM IN UK CINEMAS AUGUST 17, 2012

Pixar Animation Studios’ 13th Feature-Length Animated Film Features the Voices of Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane

With a courageous and impetuous heroine leading the way, Disney.Pixar sets out on yet another extraordinary journey—this time across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland in “Brave.” The big-screen adventure--the 13th feature-length animated film from Pixar Animation Studios—is directed by Mark Andrews (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “John Carter of Mars”) and Brenda Chapman ("The Lion King," "Prince of Egypt"), and produced by Katherine Sarafian (“Lifted,” “The Incredibles”). “Brave” is in UK cinemas August 17, 2012.

“‘Brave’ is an epic adventure chock-full of action, humor and heart,” says director Mark Andrews. "There's no more perfect setting for this powerful tale than the dark and rugged Scottish Highlands. Imagine: magic, mystery and danger—all set within a haunting and beautiful landscape. It's like nothing you've seen before from Pixar.”

The film features Kelly Macdonald as the voice of Merida, a skilled archer and the daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

“Brave” will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select cinemas.


The Hobbitt

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” will be released on December 14, 2012 from Warner Bros. Pictures.

The adventure of “The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series “Sherlock,” takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins.  Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum.  The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for “The Hobbit” films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham.  The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.

The official web site www.facebook.com/TheHobbitUK

   

 
 

 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
© Primary Times, 2010   Terms and Conditions