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Films & DVDs

New family films and DVD releases By David DicksteinPublished: March, 2009

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NEW BIG-SCREEN FEATURES Monsters vs. Aliens Opens March 27, rated PG Yeah, it’s another movie about aliens from outer space set on destroying Earth. But what makes this one somewhat unique is that our planet is putting its hopes on a group of monsters that, for at least one of them, was once a human. Front and center is a California girl who mysteriously grew to about 50 feet in height after an encounter with a meteor on her wedding day. Bridal bummer. The all-star voice cast in this animated DreamWorks feature includes Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Keifer Sutherland, Stephen Colbert and Rainn Wilson. 'Race to Witch Mountain' Opens March 13, rated PG Disney’s remake* of its own 1975 film, “Escape to Witch Mountain,” has a slightly different title and storyline. Sara and Seth are orphaned youngsters with extraordinary powers, and when they cross paths with a cab driver (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), a wild ride ensues that could change the entire universe. Oh, about the asterisk: Director Andy Fickman said he doesn’t want us to call his follow-up to the dreadful “The Game Plan” of last year another “The Rock project.” He prefers calling it “a new chapter within the world of Witch Mountain.” Sorry, Fickman – it’s a remake. NEW DVDs ‘Pinocchio’: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition Ages 4 and up, March 10, rated G See Disney’s animated classic about a wooden marionette who becomes a real boy. The film that introduced Jiminy Cricket and the song standard “Wish Upon a Star” is brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound. Grade: A ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ Ages 5-12, March 3, rated PG This comedy proves that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. When a Chihuahua from Beverly Hills gets lost in the mean streets of Mexico, a predictable laugher ensues. Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Piper Perabo lead the voice and live-action cast. Grade: B- ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ Ages 6-10, now available, rated PG Good, not great, is last fall’s sequel to the 2005 feature starring Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo. The animals hope to fly back to New York, only to crash land in Africa. Heard, but not seen, in this animated feature are returning Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pickett Smith.  Grade: B ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation,’ Season 7 Ages 11-15, March 24, not rated The teen drama series has featured themes such as relationships, HIV, cancer and violence since debuting in 1987. The series is more in tune with young adults than “90210” and “South of Nowhere.” Grade: A-

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