Now in its 14th year, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival™ (RIIFF) will take place August 10-15, 2010. In its brief life span, the Festival has become a leading juried competition showcase for international independent filmmakers and their work.
Although many of the films are geared for adults—so plan a night out with out the kiddos—there are three film events George T. Marshall, Executive Director of the festival, recommends for families. I’m providing the list of film events below without my personal review since I have not seen any of the films yet. I do plan to take my two film-obsessed kids this week to see “Waking Sleeping Beauty” and one of the two days of shorts. I will let you know what they think after the films.
Waking Sleeping Beauty (See details below)
Wednesday, August 11th at 7 PM
Providence Place Mall
Cost: $10
Animation Showcase: RIIFFToons (See details below)
Thursday, August 12th at Noon
Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Cost: $8 for adults and $5 for kids
Today’s post was co-written by Anisa Raoof and local young movie critics, Flick and Flack. They LOVE movies and review their favorite children’s films on their website, FlickFlackMovieTalk.com.
Here is our list of summer movies for kids—not all are for little kids. Use the information below to help you make decisions of which ones are appropriate for your family. My boys (also known as Flick and Flack) are looking forward to seeing Toy Story 3, The Last Airbender, The Karate Kid and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. They wish they were old enough to see Robin Hood and Prince of Persia. I still have parent veto power.
MAY
IRON MAN 2 Release Date: May 7, 2010
Runtime: 124 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language.
Parental Rating: Via IMDB
Director: Jon Favreau
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson
SYNOPSIS: Based on the comic book series, this sequel to Iron Man (2008), billionaire Tony Stark must contend with deadly issues involving the government, his own friends and new enemies due to his superhero alter ego Iron Man.
ROBIN HOOD Release Date: May 14, 2010
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.
Runtime: 140 minutes
Parental Rating: Via IMDB
Director: Ridley Scott
Studio: Universal Pictures
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Danny Huston
Genre: Action | Drama
SYNOPSIS: Based on the classic tale of Robin Hood, an archer in the army of King Richard fighting against the French. While King Richard is gone, Robin travels to Nottingham and assembles a gang to prey upon the rich and help the poor.
SHREK FOREVER AFTER Release Date: May 21, 2010
Runtime: 93 minutes
Rating: Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Director: Mike Mitchell
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews
Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy
SYNOPSIS: In this fourth movie, Shrek is feeling over-domesticated. He used to send villagers running in terror, now they ask him to sign their pitchforks. To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with the crafty Rumpelstiltskin. When the pact goes wrong Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed.
PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME Release Date: May 28, 2010
Run Time: 116 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action.
Parental Rating: Via IMDB
Director: Mike Newell
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina
Genre: Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Romance
SYNOPSIS: Based on the comic book Prince of Persia later made into a video game series. Jake Gyllenhaal plays an adventurous Persian prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a world-destroying sandstorm.
JUNE
MARMADUKE Release Date: June 4, 2010
Runtime: N/A
Rating: PG for some rude humor and language
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Director:Tom Dey
Studio: Davis Entertainment
Cast: Owen Wilson, Keiffer Sutherland, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone
Genre: Comedy | Family
SYNOPSIS: Based on the comic Marmaduke found in the daily funny pages of many local papers. A suburban family moves to new neighborhood with the large lovable great dane who is prone to wreak havoc when he is around.
THE KARATE KID Release Date: June 11, 2010
Run Time: N/A
Rating: PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Director: Harald Zwart
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson
Genre: Action | Drama | Family | Sport
SYNOPSIS: Based on the 1984 coming-of-age classic, The Karate Kid (starring Ralph Macchio) about a California kid and the karate master who takes him under his wing. In this remake, the story is a coming of age story re-set in China.
TOY STORY 3 Release Date: June 18, 2010
Run Time: 86 minutes
Rating: N/A. Probably G
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Director: Lee Unkrich
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Voices: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Keaton, Bonnie Hunt
Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy
SYNOPSIS: Andy is going off to college. After he packs up his old toys they get mistaken for trash and wind up at The Sunnyside Daycare. In this action-packed adventure our favorite toys meet up with a new group of toys and need to figure out how to get back to their old pal, Andy.
JULY
THE LAST AIRBENDER Release Date: July 2, 2010
Run Time: N/A
Rating: N/A
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Cast: Jackson Rathbone, Cliff Curtis, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz
Genre: Adventure | Family | Fantasy | War
SYNOPSIS: A 3-D, live-action adaptation of the animated TV series, The Last Airbender about a young spiritual figure who looks for adventure.
DESPICABLE MERelease Date: July 9, 2010
Runtime: N/A
Rating: Rated PG for rude humor and mild action.
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Voices: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Jason Segel, Ken Jeong, Julie Andrews
Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Genre: Animation | Family
Studio: Illumination Entertainment
SYNOPSIS: Three orphan girls come into the life of a despicable supervillain who is trying to steal the moon.
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICERelease Date: July 16, 2010
Runtime:N/A
Rating: N/A
Parental Rating: Via IMDB
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Genre: Action | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy
SYNOPSIS: A live-action, modern-day retelling of the classic tale, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in which a seemingly normal kid is recruited by a Manhattan sorcerer who needs his help to battle the forces of darkness.
RAMONA AND BEEZUSRelease Date: July 23, 2010
Runtime: N/A
Rating: G
Parental Rating: Via IMDB Starring: Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett
Director: Elizabeth Allen
Genre: Family | Comedy
Studio: 20th Century Fox
SYNOPSIS: Beverly Cleary’s classic children’s books come to life, following the misadventures of the young grade-schooler, Ramona Quimby.
NANNY MCPHEE AND THE BIG BANG Release Date: August 20, 2010
Runtime: 109 minutes
Rating: PG for rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements.
Parental Rating: Via IMDB
Cast: Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Smith, Rhys Ifans.
Director: Susanna White.
Studio: Universal Pictures
Genre: Comedy | Family | Fantasy
SYNOPSIS: The magical and unusual looking governess from Chistianna Brand’s books shows up in a sequel to the 2005 family film. This time, she’s summoned to help a harried mother raise her children while the woman’s husband is away at war.
My kids have loved music since they were babies. When they were fussy, music was the way to calm them. Along with lullabies and rounds of Wheels on the Bus, they listened to Toe Jam Puppet Band, Dan Zanes and Bill Harley along with a heavy dose of Motown, The Beatles, They Might Be Giants, 10,000 Maniacs, Talking Heads, REM and The Specials.
Once they were introduced to movies and live musicals, the musical scores and soundtracks that accompany the films or shows have become some of their favorite things to listen to. Their Star Wars and Harry Potter obsession introduced them to composer John Williams. And once they learned how to use Pandora Radio, they created their own John Williams station.
I’ve been listening to Pandora Radio since it started in 2000 before my kids were born but have grown to love it even more as my time to stay on top of new music and leisurely select my favorite tunes dwindled once having kids. Pandora is a website (free if you put up with the ads and ad-free if you pay a small fee) that allows you to create your own station by entering a singer / composer / song you like. Pandora then plays similar music to your first selection. Chances are you will hear something new or not heard in a long time. You can further fine tune your station by rating the selections with your approval or disapproval.
In our house the John Williams’ station led to Danny Elfman. Some may know him from his Oingo Boingo days. My boys saw and LOVED Alice in Wonderland and have learned Elfman is Tim Burton’s composer of choice. Although they still adore John Williams, Danny Elfman is the boys’ preferred station on Pandora these days. (Click to listen to Danny Elfman station.)
When the boys are not listening to Danny Elfman I’ve been listening to The Style Council or the Sondre Lerche station. What are you listening to on Pandora these days?
Pop the popcorn, pour the juice. Get ready for a G-rated book by New England resident Gail Gibbons: Lights! Camera! Actions! How a Movie is Made.
The story begins with an excited producer waving a book that’s destined to become a hit movie. Gibbons explains the pre-production stage of hiring script writers and casting directors and finding actors and actresses for the show. As this crew grows, designers and technicians become involved. Soon, rehearsals begin.
After months of work and rehearsals, production begins. Gibbons writes how scenes are not shot in order, but instead scenes in the same location are shot together. Eventually, after shoots and reshoots, final scenes are selected and edited. Post-production begins. A soundtrack is added, the movie is completed, and it’s on to opening night.
What is a lengthy process in real life is summed up clearly in this 32-page children’s picture book. With her colorful illustrations, Gibbons gives detailed visual information to support and enhance her story. Young readers will understand new terms such as gaffers and camera operators. They’ll see behind the scenes and realize how many people are involved in making a movie.
Gibbons leaves her readers in the audience of opening night, just as the movie begins, wishing for a sequel to her story.
Lights! Camera! Action! How a Movie is Made
by Gail Gibbons
For grades 1-4
1985 Harper Collins
This book is out of print but available through the Ocean State Library system and on Amazon.com.
This feature length animated film is my sons’ top pick for the weekend and will be shown twice at the Cable Car Cinema during the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF). Find complete film details including schedule, age level, tickets and workshops on the PCFF website.
AZUR & ASMAR (France, 2006/2008)
Dubbed in English
Azur & Asmar is the story of two boys raised as brothers. Blonde, blue-eyed, white-skinned Azur and black-haired, brown-eyed, dark-skinned Asmar are lovingly cared for by Asmar’s gentle mother, who tells them magical stories of her faraway homeland and of the beautiful, imprisoned Djinn Fairy waiting to be set free. Time passes, and one day Azur’s father, the master of the house, provokes a brutal separation. Azur is sent away to study, while Asmar and his mother are driven out, homeless and penniless.
Years later, as a young adult, Azur remains haunted by memories of the sunny land of his nanny, and sets sail south across the high seas to find the country of his dreams. Arriving as an immigrant in a strange land, Azur is rejected by everyone he meets on account of his “unlucky” blue eyes, until finally he resolved never to open those eyes again. The once-beautiful child clad in gold is reduced to a blind beggar. Yet, blind though he is, little by little and step by step, he discovers a beautiful and mysterious country. Meanwhile, back in her homeland, Azur’s nanny has become a wealthy merchant and Asmar has grown into a dashing horseman. Reunited, but now as adversaries, the two brothers set off on a dangerous quest to find and free the Djinn Fairy.
“BEAUTIFUL!” – New York Times
Director: Michel Ocelot Runtime: 99 mins Age: 5 +
Historic and cultural child rearing differences expressed. Some violence.
Kidoinfo Take Away: Have kids locate France on a map. Ask you kids what it would feel like if they were Azur or Asmar?
This documentary film will be shown twice during the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF). Find complete details for all films including schedule, age level, tickets and workshops on the PCFF website. AUTOMORPHOSIS (USA, 2008)
AUTOMORPHOSIS looks into the minds and hearts of a delightful collection of eccentrics, visionaries, and just plain folks who have transformed their autos into artworks.
On a humorous and touching journey, we discover what drives the creative process for these unconventional characters. And in the end, we find that an art car has the power to change us — to alter our view of our increasingly homogeneous world.
Director-Producer: Harrod Blank Runtime: 77 mins Age: 7 +
Eccentric characters and behaviors, some personal emotional issues expressed.
• Metcalf Auditorium in RISD Museum
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at 1:30 PM.
Cost: Free
• Cable Car Cinema
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 7 PM.
Meet the owner of the “Telephone Car” on Sunday evening and see the “Telephone Car” in person at the Cable Car (weather permitting).
Cost: $7.50 General Admission, $5 Children (18 and under)
Kidoinfo Take Away: Have kids make their own “art” car out of a shoe box using paper towel tubes for wheels. Have them adorn their car with found objects from home; broken toys, beads, straws buttons, sequins, etc.
The nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards were announced on February 2, 2010. A much anticipated event in our house. There are five nominees in the category of Best Animated Feature film.
How many have you seen? “Coraline” and “Up” are already available on DVD. You can still catch “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Princess and the Frog” at a commercial movie theater. And now thanks to the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festivalyou have the opportunity to be the first in the area to see “The Secret of Kells” directed by Tomm Moore on Friday evening, February 12 or Monday afternoon, February 15.
Then you will be able to cast your virtual ballot the night of the Oscars on March 7, 2010 for your favorite animated film.
And the nominees for Best Animated Feature Film are:
• “Coraline” Director: Henry Selick
• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Director: Wes Anderson
• “The Secret of Kells” Director: Tomm Moore
• “Up” Director: Pete Docter
• “The Princess and the Frog” Director: John Musker and Ron Clements
This feature length film will be shown at the Cable Car Cinema three times during the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF). Find complete details for all films including schedule, age level, tickets and workshops on the PCFF website.
STELLA AND THE STAR OF THE ORIENT (Germany, 2007)
In German with English subtitles
New Year’s Eve 2005: in her grandmother’s old villa, ten-year-old Stella is exploring the attic when she is suddenly catapulted 100 years back into the past on a fantastic time journey. She lands in the same villa, although naturally it is furnished in a completely different way. There she meets Clementine, who is her own age, and her younger brother Gustav. Stella is utterly amazed when she recognizes her great-grandmother in Clementine. But there is no time left for explaining things to one another: the family faces ruin, the villa is going to be sold, and now Clementine can surely forget about her dream of studying to become a doctor one day. Unless, of course, the children find the Star of the Orient… (Watch Trailer)
Director: Erna Schmidt Runtime: 90 mins Ages: 8 + Showing at the Cable Car Cinema. Tickets required. (Details)
Kidoinfo Take Away: Have kids locate Germany on a map. Have your children create a story where they travel back in time. How long ago? Where do they go? Who do they meet? What happens?
Long films, short films, fantasy, documentaries, animation and real people, the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) has it all. Kids of all ages will find something that will delight, inspire and transport them to another time and place. Seeing it all on the big screen and not on the computer or at home on the TV is the icing on the cake!
To give you a taste of what will be shown at PCFF, February 12-15, 2010, I am highlighting a few of the films on Kidoinfo leading up to the festival. Many will play at least twice throughout the weekend. Find complete details for all films including schedule, age level, tickets and workshops on the PCFF website.
Who needs computer animation when we have chalk boards? This song driven short film is the updated Crockett as a “buckskin astronaut”. They Might Be Giants recreates the music from the classic 70’s television show to this 21st century, chalk line hero (pictured above). (Watch short)
Directors: Max Porter, David Cowles, Ru Kuwahatawith Animation production done by Tiny Inventions Runtime: 4 mins Ages: All Ages
Kidoinfo Take Away: Have kids make their own rocket or robot out of paper, buttons, sequins and fabric. Check out the Tiny Inventions‘ website and see how they turned a chalkboard, puppets and mobiles into this film short.
Remember when there were only three television channels (four if you counted Fox, although back then no one did), no cable, no DVD, no Internet? When I talk to kids now, they think I grew up in the Dark Ages.
But seriously, if your kids are fascinated by film, television, or animation, why not turn that into constructive action? This February, the first-ever Providence Children’s Film Festival will offer a selection of independent and international children’s films, making our city one of the few to present a film festival targeted specifically to children. This and the Rhode Island International Film Festival’s KidsEye program give families an opportunity to watch unusual films made by and for children and often provide the chance to meet and talk with directors.
For even more behind-the-scenes action, encourage your child to sign up for one of the area’s hands-on filmmaking classes, which range from a one-day workshop to a semester-long course. These educate kids on the power of images and empower them to create their own media messages. And who knows, maybe next year instead of just watching, your child will be presenting his or her film in a festival.
Apparently, rumor has it that the Newport International Film Festival, a longtime festival including programs for both kids and film students, has collapsed.
Hands-On Filmmaking Workshops
SHOOT Teen Film Program
Starts February 10, 2010, Wednesdays at 4PM (runs for 8 weeks)
Ages: 12-19
Newport, RI
Cost: Free for Boys & Girls Club Members ($25/year to become a member)
The SHOOT Teen Film Program guides teens through the collaborative process of making a film from scriptwriting, location scouting, and casting through shooting and editing. Watch some of the former students’ films on their website.
website: http://www.shootnewport.com/
Kid Filmmakers
In April, check website for details
Ages: 8-15
Providence, RI
Cost: $15 (last year’s cost)
Kid Filmmakers, a traveling year-round filmmaking academy for children, returns to Rhode Island for the SENE Film, Music, and Arts Festival in April to present a special one-day children’s film workshop.
website: http://www.senefilm.org http://www.kidfilmmakers.com/
KidsEye Camp
1 week in July
Ages: 8-16
North Kingstown, RI
Cost: $345
Presented by the Rhode Island International Film Festival, KidsEye offers an intensive five-day filmmaking camp where children ages 8 to 16 step into the roles of screenwriters, actors, directors, and crew.
website: http://www.film-festival.org/kidseye.php
Rhode Island School of Design
Ongoing
Ages: Teens, as well as programs for 12 and under
Providence, RI
Cost: $300-$465
The RISD Young Artist Prgram has a unique roster of classes for children and teens. They recently ran a VideoLab: Experimenting With the Camera for ages 12 and under where kids learn experimental video techniques. They also have a series of Movie Masterworks courses that help teens learn to analyze films as well as create them, in addition to several courses in cartooning and computer animation. A few of their upcoming courses include Lights, Camera Action (Vacation Camp) over the February break in which students ages 10 to 13 make their own short films, and Cartoon Carousel: Computer Animation Camp on April 19-23 in which students ages 9 to 13 combine traditional hand-drawing techniques with digital image processing to collaborate on an original short animated film.
website: http://www.risd.edu/kids_teens.cfm
Big Hope Films
Ongoing
Ages: under 18
Throughout Rhode Island
Cost: none
This unique organization aims to fulfill creative visions made by children and young adults under age 18 who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness.
website: http://www.bighopefilms.org
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you have the opportunity to be the first in the area to see “The Secret of Kells” directed by Tomm Moore on Friday evening, February 12 or Monday afternoon, February 15.
