WALL*E

Directed by Andrew Stanton. Written by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter. Voices by Ben Burdett, Jeff Garlin. Disney/Pixar, 2008. ASIN: B0013FSL3E

Plot Summary: Humans have finally filled the planet earth to capacity with garbage. Human kind has left the planet until it is cleaned up - a duty which falls to WALL-E, a small robot. WALL-E is alone on earth until a female robot, EVE, seeking plant life lands, and steals WALL-E's heart. Meanwhile, humans circle endlessly in space on huge chips getting fatter and fatter and losing touch with where they came from. In an attempt to impress EVE, WALL-E ends up getting involved with a scheme to bring humans back to earth.

Critical Evaluation: This is a great movie for the whole family. Even thought the main characters are robots, the film is filled with human emotions and is very touching. Pixar has managed to animate the inanimate in such a way as it creates empathy and though into the human condition. The animation is spectacular, especially the views from space and the expressions in WALL-E's face.

Annotation: WALL-E has been left on earth alone, except for his little cockroach friend. He is supposed to be cleaning up the earth to allow humans to come back, but do they have any intention of returning?

Genre: Science Fiction/Comedy
Interest Level: 8-18
Curriculum Ties: It may be a good choice for classes focusing on the environment.
Booktalking Ideas:
Focus on what has happened to the Earth's environment.
Discuss relationship between WALL-E and EVE.
Will humans ever leave Earth?
Challenge Issues: None. If any familiarize self with the film. Research Pixar, and reviews of the film.
Selection Process: Recommended at the video store.

Twilight

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Starring Kirsten Stewart and Robert Patterson. Based on the book by Stephenie Meyer. Summit Entertainment, 2008. ASIN:B001P5HRMI

Plot Summary: Bella moves to a small town near Seattle to live with her father. She quickly begins to feel drawn to the mysterious Edward. Edward is not like the others in the town and Bella eventually discover the truth about him; he is a vampire. They both realize their strong feelings for each other and begin to try to figure out where they belong together. When a rival gang of Vampires appears in their area, Edward and his family must fight to protect Bella and her father.

Critical Evaluation: This is a good choice for tweens that are drawn to the horror/fantasy genre or enjoy romances. The acting may leave something to be desired and at times it is very apparent that this movie was made on a relatively small budget. Overall however, the locations set a great sombre gloomy mood for the scenes and it is reasonably entertaining to watch. The lack of sexual content despite the romance element also makes it a good choice for this age group.

Annotation: Bella moves to a small town on the West Coast to live with her father. She quickly meets and falls in love with Edward, who along with his family, has a big secret to protect.

Author Info: Stephenie Meyer is the author of the popular Twilight series. She has also written novels for adults including The Host.
Curriculum Ties: None
Genre: Romance,Horror, Fantasy
Interest Level: 10-18
Challenge Issues: Some may have issues with the depiction of "demons". They can be encouraged to research the genre and read reviews of the book and the movie.
Selection Process: This is one of the most popular series for tween and teens at the moment.

School of Rock

Paramount Pictures, 2003. Starring Jack Black. Directed by Richard Linklater. ASIN: B00018U9G6

Plot Summary: Jack Black plays Finn, a musician who gets kicked out of his band for being too showy. He manages to get a job as a substitute teacher in a private school. Rather than teach the curriculum, he uses the opportunity to turn his class into a rock band. He plans for his new student band to win an upcoming battle of the bands contest to show up his previous bandmates.

Critical Evaluation: This is a good choice for tweens or for a family movie. It is humorous an also a good choice for a music lover. It is well acted, by Jack Black and the group of younger actors. It is funny and age appropriate.

Annotation: Finn (played by Jack Black) becomes a substitute teacher in a private school. He teaches his class how to rock and roll but it all must be a secret from parents and the school principal.

Author Info: N/A
Genre: Comedy
Curriculum Ties: Music
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 9-15
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to read reviews of movie.
Selection Process: Recommended in Video store

Mean Girls

Written by Tina Fey. Directed by Mark Waters. Paramount Studios.2004

Plot Summary: Cady has spent most of her life being homeschooled in Africa by her Zoologist parents. Constantly living on Safari, she is adept at surviving among wild animals. This comes in handy when she starts attending an American high school. She becomes friends with two students who while they may not be the coolest, have a good sense of self and are smart, funny and self aware. The three become fascinated with "the plastics" a girl only clique that rules the school. They decide that Cady should infiltrate the clique to learn all their secrets. The only problem is that Cady gets caught up with being popular. She begins to enjoy other looking up to her for being pretty and popular rather than smart and accomplished.

Critical Evaluation: Mean Girls received a great deal of critical acclaim, and for good reason. The story sends a valuable message to young girls while avoiding being overly preachy. The movie is touching and funny and brings back memories of how painful it can be to be an adolescent.

Reader's Annotation: Cady is new to school. She has been living in Africa with her zoologist parents. She has to learn the hard way that fitting in is more complicated than it looks.

About the Author: The book is based on a non-fiction work by Rosalind Wiseman, Queen Bees and Wannabes.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Curriculum Ties: None

Booktalking Ideas: Have you ever had to lie to fit in? How did it make you feel?

Interest Level: Age 12 and up

Selection Process: I have seen it several times and believe it has a positive message for tween and teen girls.

Challenge Issues: None

Night at the Museum

Written by Robert Grant. Directed and Produced by Shawn Levy. Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney. 20th Century Fox, 2006. 108 minutes.

Plot Summary: Larry Daly is having a tough time with his life. He is a good person but nothing seems to be going his way. He gets a job as the night watchman in the famous Museum of Natural History in New York City. He hope that this will be just the thing to make him look better in the eyes of his son. His first night on the job however, is more than he bargained for when the artifacts come to life and begin wreaking havoc in the museum. The statue of Roosevelt explains to him that it is an ancient artifact that causes this phenomenon and that Larry is responsible for keeping the place in order and ensuring none of the artifacts escape. Larry brings his son in the next night in an attempt to impress him but is foiled when nothing comes to life. Larry discovers this is because the tablet responsible for the chaos is being stolen by the previous guards. More chaos ensues until the happy ending.

Critical Evaluation: This may not be the most complex or well made movie ever made, but it is a good choice for an entertaining family film. It is fairly well acted and there are moments of suspense and comedy that will keep the whole family watching. One can even argue that there is some educational value as it is set in the Natural History museum and viewers will see many familiar and well known artifacts on screen.

Viewer's Annotation: Larry Daly is the new night watchman at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. His first night on the job, he realizes that it is a much bigger job than he thought! He must try to keep order in the museum when all the artifacts come to life.

Genre: comedy, action, fantasy

Curriculum Ties: History

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Interest Level: 8-14

Challenge Issues: None. If any, recommend researching the Museum of Natural history and/or reviews of the film.

Selection Process: I actually saw this on a plane!