The new IMAX feature: "Hubble 3D" is a film you really should check out with the entire family. The film centers around the May 2009 trip by astronnauts into space to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. The movie also tells the history of Hubble .

We also get a look at some interesting pictures that Hubble has taken over the last 20 years, which include places in space that are trillions of miles away. Leonardo DiCaprio does an excellent job narrating the 45 minute documentary.

It's only out in a limited number of IMAX theaters and only for a limited time but it's worth finding.

It's been 46 years since "Mary Poppins" was released. Four and a half years ago a new British nanny arrived in movie theaters. I didn't see the original "Nanny McPhee" when it came out in 2006, or on DVD, because it looked like a bad rip-off of the Disney classic. And I had low expectations for this sequel - "Nanny McPhee Returns", but, as I've learned several times before, you can't judge a film by it's trailer.

Emma Thompson reprises her role as the mysterious Nanny McPhee. This time she decides to visit a family that lives on a farm because the mother (Maggie Gyllenhaal) needs help trying to handle her three children while her husband (their father) is away at war. And two snotty cousins from the city have also shown up to live with them.

The kids need help, too. They won't stop fighting with each other and generally being crazy. So Nanny McPhee decides to teach them some lesson, by having them help each other through some difficult situations. The big issue is trying to save the farm.

This sequel, like the original, is adapted from the popular Nurse Matilda book series. But, even thought the title character of the movie is Nanny McPhee, she isn't the main focus of the story. The plot mainly centers around the mother and the kids, which surprised me.

The first half hour of "Returns" is just awful. It's filled with the kids fighting and screaming, mud and poo jokes, and more fighting. But when Nanny McPhee arrives on the scene, she not only saves the day, but she saves the movie. Once "small "c" big "P" (as she calls herself) starts working her magic, the script starts working and we begin caring about the individual characters and their problems. Yes, it may be predictable and silly at times, but it's also very sweet and enjoyable.

The performances are all pretty good. The five children each have their moments on screen to shine, and they're all o.k. Veteran British actors Maggie Smith, Ralph Fiennes and Ewan McGregor all have small roles. The special effects are cheesy, on purpose. The swimming pigs are fun to watch.

It's rated PG for some serious elements (which I wasn't expecting, but most kids will understand). It's appropriate for all ages and kids and parents will enjoy watching this one together.

"Nanny McPhee Returns"...and just in time. It's one of the best family films of the summer. On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, it gets a B.

Thompson (who wrote the script and is one of the film's executive producers) has confirmed that a third "NMcP" movie is in the works. After seeing "Returns" I hope we won't have to wait another four and a half years for the next one.

I need to say right at the start that I am not a gamer. That may be one of the reasons why "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", which is basically a movie set inside a video game, doesn't work for me. But there are a lot of other reason why it simply doesn't work, period.

Scott (Michael Cera) is a 22 year old who lives in Toronto and plays in a band. He's dating a high school girl named Knives, but he sees this new girl in a dream, meets her and ends-up falling in love with her. But in order to have a relationship with Ramona, Scott has to fight and defeat her Seven Evil Exes.

The movie's look is a combination of a video game and a comic book. It's based a popular six-volume graphic novel series. The look is kinda cool in the beginning. In fact, I liked the first half-hour of "Scott Pilgrim", as you get to know the characters and can enjoy the unique style of the film. There are some laughs and some smiles.

But once the evil exes begin showing up all the fun comes to an end and the movie turns into this long...long series of  fight scenes that aren't exciting or interesting. It's the same punching and kicking over...and over. You stop caring for the characters or how things are going to work out.

Now, I guess if you're a person who enjoys playing video games for hours and hours with the characters battling each other for points and coins then you'll probably enjoy the last hour and a half of "Scott Pilgrim". That's just not my idea of a good time in real life, or in a movie.

There's a pretty good cast: Anna Kendrick ("Up in the Air") plays Scott's sister, Jason Schwartzman is the 7th evil ex and two superhero stars - Brandon Routh (Superman) and Chris Evans (Human Torch and Captain America) are also evil exes (a nice touch for the comic book fans). But the performances are overshadowed by the look of the film, which is the real star.

"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" is rated PG-13 for some adult subject matter, action-violence (which is stylized and shouldn't bother anybody) and some language (but most of the "bad" word are bleeped out). It's appropriate for younger kids, but is clearly meant for the teen to young adult gamer crowd.

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Scott Pilgrim..." only gets a D+.

Maybe if there were only three or four evil exes it would be tolerable for everyone. But, instead, this movie will only be a big winner with video game fans.

Write a comment

• Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Carl Winslow
Posts: 9

Re: Movie Reviews
Reply #9 on : Sat August 21, 2010, 22:25:27

---

I had written a long response, but realized it was pointless to use reason when considering responding to a Kid "Critic."

You are wrong. Taste is subject, but since you clearly lack taste buds, this does not apply.

Vic
Posts: 9

On Target
Reply #8 on : Tue August 17, 2010, 16:53:03

---

Hi there, Jackson.

I've been reading some of your reviews, and I think you've got quite a knack for interpreting and criticizing films. This one in particular seemed right on the money. I had some trouble following the plot, at one part I was unsure why he had to fight those two guys with the weapons. I felt very lost in this film, and the overall presentation seemed sloppy and lacking of any great production value. It reminded me of a film called Superbad, probably because that is the last time I've seen Michael Cera. It seems like these films are more geared toward teenage audiences who enjoy "Twilight" or "Spy Kids". Anyways, I'd pass on this one personally.

See you at the movies!

Guy
Posts: 9

Re: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG-13) D+
Reply #7 on : Mon August 16, 2010, 15:32:57

---

The fight scenes were boring? Since when is someone chopping through another human being with a Katana created from the power of love that turns people into piles of coins boring?

Take it easy fella, you're still a kid. Don't you ever have wishful thinking of being the hero who saves the girl? You don't have to be a gamer to feel that way.

Jill Housel
Posts: 9

Disagree
Reply #6 on : Sun August 15, 2010, 19:52:04

---

I'm sorry Kid Critic but I respectfully disagree with the opinion you have provided in this review. Scott Pilgrim is clearly not a D+ but at least.....a B-. I believe maybe you should try playing some video games and than you might have a better understanding of how significant this is to gaming culture and the world as a whole. Thank You for your time.

kevin
Posts: 9

Re: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG-13) D+
Reply #5 on : Sun August 15, 2010, 19:52:02

---

i just wanted to add that this movie deserves more than a d i mean really this movie is one the unique style of movie thats come around since avatar now its not on the level of avatar at all but the uniqueness of this movie should bring it up to at least a c. not to mention the soundtrack is one of the greatest i have ever heard flawlessly bringing the two generas of indie punk and 8 bit videogame soundtracks but also somehow making you aware of it by weaving it into the the action sequences. which by the way are not all the same granted the first to are quite similar. but once you get to the fourth and fith there all quite differnt. the twin evil exes are so great that whole scene is amazing for videogame to movie to music fans that its borderline impossible not to like this movie. i went and saw this with my mother sister brother and father my mother and sister both loved it for the romanticism my father thurly enjoyed the action aspect of the movie. my older brother was thrilled by the nostolgia factor of it by old video games that he once played that they weaved into the movie. while i loved it for the music aspect because i personally am a huge punk fan. all in all i think this movie is great for anyone and you cant go wrong and deserves a much better rateing then d

Hobo Joe
Posts: 9

.....? What....
Reply #4 on : Sun August 15, 2010, 06:39:19

---

Jackson, what is this? You give Scott Pilgrim a D+...yet you give Step Up 3D a B, which is only a cash in on the gimmick of 3D itself? But then again, mabye you weren't in the mindset for the movie

jekiwi
Posts: 9

Scott Pilgrim vs. LCJ
Reply #3 on : Sat August 14, 2010, 01:08:06

---

Although it's perfectly fine to have your own opinion about a movie, I believe that you should re-watch this movie when you're much older. Mind you, this is no attack to your young age, but there are things that you haven't picked up from this movie. There is an underlying subtext to the film and, in all honesty, I don't believe you picked up on it simply because of your lack of experiences in life. This is a film that carries much more meaning than just punches and kicks. There's a reason behind each fight. Not just to get closer to Scott's goal, being Ramona's boyfriend, but much more. Without wanting to give too much of the subtext, this is, beneath the video game references and fighting, a coming-of-age movie.

In all due respect,
jekiwi

Jack
Posts: 9

Re: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG-13) D+
Reply #2 on : Fri August 13, 2010, 14:01:55

---

Sometimes when you have to review a movie you can switch off and enjoy it. If you really are a kid then I think you're taking the movie reviewing a bit too seriously. If you honestly thought that the fight scenes were boring and that they needed to be cut then you're a pretty closed off kid who can't feel much for emotion. Scott Pilgrim is what every man wants to be. A guy who can be heroic and fight for his woman. Which since you're a kid you wouldn't understand.

raab
Posts: 9

Re: The Kid Critic
Reply #1 on : Thu August 12, 2010, 21:17:36

---

Guess he didnt read the books, or grow up on games. Im glad i dont trust this kid with what movies i see

The first two "Step Up" films ('06, '08) were surprisingly popular with movie goers, grossing a combined worldwide total of $262 million dollars. This third edition takes the series to a whole new dimension. But will it pay off?

"Step Up 3" (which I saw in 3D and therefore is called "Step Up 3D") is a combination of "Fame", "High School Musical" and "The Karate Kid", with a little "Glee" thrown in. Just take away the singing and Kung Fu and replace it with dancing.

The plot is nothing new: There's the college freshman who's parents want him to be an engineer, but he wants to dance. His name is Moose and he joins-up with Luke, who owns a studio where his team of dancers practice and live. The Pirates, which they call themselves, need to win the big dance competition to pay-off the bank or they'll lose the studio. And there's the mysterious girl who joins the group and becomes Luke's girlfriend. But is she who she says she is?

Oh, and Moose has a best friend (Disney Channel's Alyson Stoner). They're "just friends", though everybody but them know they really like each other.

The biggest problem with "Step Up 3D" is the 3D. The dance scenes (which make up most of the film) are extremely in your face, to the point where it gets very creepy. And there are way too many cheap 3D gimmicks, having objects flying at the screen just to show off the 3D. We hardly ever have things flying directly at us in real-life 3D so why do filmmakers do it in movies? I'm more convinced than ever that 3D was made for animated and fantasy films, not for live-action films.

There's nothing new of original in "SU3D". The script is pretty corny and most of the performances are weak. Stoner (who I met a few years ago) gives the best performance because she's an actor playing a dancer while the rest of the cast is made up of dancers trying to be actors.

However, the dancers are very good at what they do and most of the dance scenes are great to watch. And I'm sure I would have enjoyed them even more in 2D.

On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Step Up 3D" gets a C. It's rated PG-13 for some brief language, but there's really nothing for parents to worry about.

If there's another "Step Up" film in two years it can't be made in 4D, so maybe it'll just be a regular film. And maybe the writers will step-it-up with a better script.