by Kimberly Gadette

Now that we're officially into summer, where the best place to combat July's blast is the local Cineplex, Hollywood heats it up with onscreen friends both old and new. We'll explore the even earlier days of the Ice Age, where mammoths mix it up with dinosaurs. Harry Potter and his schoolmates return to fight for right against might in this, the sixth chapter of his tale. New friends include some height-challenged beings, both of the furry variety ("G-Force") and human ("Shorts"). While some plots look back, the film industry keeps leaping forward, showing off its latest breakthroughs in CGI (computer-generated imagery), IMAX and Digital 3D.

If only we could wear those 3D glasses out on the beach…

7/1/09

"ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS" (in Digital 3D)

Voice cast: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah

MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and peril

Plot: The sub-zero heroes from the two prior "Ice Age" films return: Scrat's still after his acorn, Manny and Ellie await the birth of their baby mammoth, Sid steals some dinosaur eggs and Diego worries that he's turning from tiger to housecat. The gang unwittingly crashes down to an underground world replete with dinosaurs, foreign plant life and a one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck. And, no surprise, Sid will need to rely on his friends for rescue.

Concerns: The two prior PG-rated films cited "minor language and innuendo" and "minor peril." Since this latest sequel has been filmed in 3D, the peril may not look as minor, especially when it involves bigger, more menacing animals threatening to devour our prehistoric friends. Kids may be confused with the concept of dinosaurs living in the Ice Age; parents might want to be prepared to offer some solid, earth science explanations!

7/15/09

"HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE"

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman

MPAA Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality

Plot: In this sixth installment, the final battle with Voldemort is fast approaching. Rather than continuing to treat Harry as a child, Dumbledore prepares him for the deathly conflict ahead. New character Horace Slughorn holds a valuable key to unearthing secrets from Voldemort's past. The Hogwarts students, now well into their teenage years, battle their own feelings of the heart, adding some humor to balance the darkening plot.

Concerns: Though Voldemort only makes brief appearances in flashbacks, his presence pervades the whole. (Ralph Fiennes' young nephew plays the sullen, 11-year-old version of Voldemort.) Echoing the books, each new installment reflects a darker tone as it marches toward the last volume. A recurring character that Harry Potter audiences have loved since the beginning is murdered. (On the other hand, if children have previously read the book, they won't be surprised.)

7/24/09

"G-FORCE" (in Digital 3D)

Bill Nighy, Will Arnett with voice cast of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan

MPAA Rating: PG for some mild action and rude humor

Plot: Talk about using a film as a guinea pig: "G-Force" combines live action 3D with comedic, computer-animated guinea pigs to enact a story about covert, elite crime-fighting rodents who've been trained to infiltrate and stop evildoers in their tracks. Bill Nighy ("Pirates of the Caribbean") plays the evil billionaire, while Will Arnett carries the human comedy as the cynical FBI guy trying to muzzle the creatures.

Concerns: Minor. Since this is Disney, it should be kid-friendly all the way. With visual effects maestro Jerry Bruckheimer as producer, the action promises to be non-stop. Tracy Morgan voices the rowdiest guinea pig of the bunch, while Penelope Cruz speaks for a seductive Mata Hari in fur. Convincing depictions of talking animals are usually a surefire hit with the younger set – this offering should prove to be relatively mild, silly fun.

7/31/09

"ALIENS IN THE ATTIC"

Kevin Nealon, Robert Hoffman, Doris Roberts, Tim Meadows and Ashley Tisdale

MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG

Plot: Arriving at their vacation home in Maine, the Pearson family kids discover some unexpected roommates have moved in upstairs. Namely, an alien crew. (The initial confrontation between the youngest girl and the friendliest alien is a virtual steal from "ET".) But since the aliens' mind control guns only work on adults, it's up to the kids to save their parents and the rest of the world from a world-destroying invasion.

Concerns: Minor, if any. It's a kid-oriented comedy/adventure, with lots of physical comedy (look to see Grandma somersaulting through the air), pratfalls, battles on skateboards, using any household item that's not nailed down. The knee-high aliens aren't all that disturbing, even for the youngest crowd.

8/7/09

"SHORTS"

Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings

MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and some rude humor

Plot: 11-year-old Toe Thompson isn't happy living in Black Falls, a bland town where everyone's employed by the same company. When a rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, he discovers that the rock is able to grant wishes for anyone who holds it. Soon, ill-advised wishes crowd the town (tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, eccentric beasts). But it's not until the grown-ups seize the magic rock that the trouble starts. Toe and his friends must join forces to save Black Falls from itself, discovering that what you wish for is not always what you want.

Concerns: Minor. The exaggerated creatures may startle the youngest audience members, but all-in-all, the children will be heartily engaged by the wacky fun of a magical neighborhood run amok.

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