I SPY Montreal » Movies

Montreal movies in the park

Jessica Howard — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:17:40 +0000

Family movie night in Hampstead.

In the summer, various municipalities show family-friendly movies in local parks, either for free or a small fee. You bring your own chair or blanket, and watch a movie under the stars! It’s one more way to get out and enjoy summer while it lasts.

Here’s a roundup of some family-friendly movies being shown in Montreal parks this summer. If language isn’t indicated below, check the municipal website, or call ahead to find out.

Boucherville
July 28: Rio (in French) at the public market on Lionel Daunais St. Animation as of 8 p.m., film begins at sundown. More info.

Hampstead
Sunday, July 24 at dusk at Hampstead Park: Gnomeo and Juliet (English).

Montreal West
Aug. 16 at dusk: Movie night and corn roast in Montreal West, with barbecue and live entertainment. More information.

Kirkland
Aug. 3 at sundown: Rio at Ecclestone Park. More information.

Notre Dame de l’Ile Perrot
July 30 at 9 p.m.: A family-friendly movie will be shown at Pointe du Moulin Park, as part of the Delights at Twilight event, which features a bonfire and several other activities. More info.

Ste. Anne de Bellevue Family Thursdays
Thursday, July 28 at 9 p.m.: Rango (French version)
Thursday, Aug. 4 at 9 p.m.: Rio (French version)
More information

St. Lambert
Aug. 9 at Mercille Park at sundown: Shrek. More information.

Town of Mount Royal
Aug. 18 at sundown at Recreation Centre Park: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. More information.

Virgin Radio Movies in the Park
The Montreal radio station has started its annual Movies in the Park series, but most of the movies are for grownups. The child-friendliest movie on the 2011 agenda is Never Say Never (the Justin Bieber bio-pic).
July 27 at sundown (barbecue at 7 p.m.) at Centennial Park in Dollard des Ormeaux. More information.

Winnie the Pooh movie hits Montreal

Jessica Howard — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:42:15 +0000

It’s great to see that Winnie the Pooh is getting his due. (And why did it take Hollywood so long to spotlight this character that legitimately allows kids to indulge in toilet humour?)

The new movie, which opens in Montreal theatres on Friday, July 15, got five out of five stars in the Montreal Gazette.

What’s interesting is that the film is getting high marks for going old-school: hand-drawn animation, zero 3D, and no smart-alecky pop culture references. It lasts only 68 minutes, which makes it a great bet for a young child’s first movie experience.

Aug. 4 update: Although Winnie the Pooh opened at several Montreal theatres (AMC, Angrignon, Colossus, Kirkland, Lacordaire, Marché Central, Sources, Sphèretech and Taschereau), less than three weeks later, it is now only on in French at Starcité. When I called a downtown theatre to ask why this 5-star film was no longer playing, they said that with so many summer movies coming out, plus the Smurfs movie opening, they had to make room. Hmmm. So why is Cars 2, which opened several weeks ago, still playing at that same theatre?

If you take the kids to see it, come back and write your own review!

African Cats

Jessica Howard — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:10:55 +0000

The film African Cats opens in Montreal, appropriately in time for Earth Day. The film centres on the lives of two families in a Kenyan game reserve: a pride of lions, and a cheetah and her five cubs. Though reviewers love the film’s gorgeous footage, most say that the felines’ “stories” feel a bit contrived.

The Montreal Gazette gives the film 3 out of 5 stars, and based on the review, it sounds best for older children (age 8/9) who are well aware that these cats are not hunting for Whiskas. Here’s an excerpt from the review:

“If you can get past the goofy devices, African Cats is entirely worthy as kids’ entertainment, and nature-lovers’ reel, because it features beautiful shots of the animals in their natural environment.

Even the forced emotional component has some redeeming qualities, mostly because it feels valid. Watching cats rub up against each other certainly looks like affection, even familial love, so the anthropomorphic seduction is hard to resist.

That said, there’s a thread to this film that feels a little too Disney as the goriest of the images are glossed over, and every kill ends before we see internal organs – or even a blood-covered muzzle.

Life and death are certainly given their due, as they should in a nature documentary, but it often feels a little too tidy, a little too moralistic, to land on solid spectator ground.”

For younger children, a better nature film would be Born to Be Wild, recommended for age 5 and up, now on at the Telus IMAX in the Old Port.

African Cats opens Friday, April 22.
For local showtimes, go to Cinema Montreal.

If you see African Cats with your kids, come back and review it here!

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Mars Needs Moms

Jessica Howard — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 02:35:20 +0000

When a 10-year-old boy gets into an argument with his mother, and says his life would be better without her, this movie puts him on a high-tech, feature-length guilt trip. Milo’s mom gets abducted by Martians, and it’s up to him to rescue her.

Here’s an excerpt from Common Sense Media’s review, which says the movie is best for age 7 and up:

“Parents need to know that this animated 3-D adventure comedy based on the book by Berkeley Breathed is occasionally frightening — and scenes in which it looks as though the Mom character has died could be quite upsetting for younger viewers — but it has a very strong message about unconditional love. Because the animation is based on motion-capture technology, some of the tenser scenes (chases, a near execution, close calls with death) seem more realistic and may affect younger kids more than regular computer-generated animation. Expect a few insults (“stupid,” “idiot,” etc.) and very mild flirting between a female alien and a man who’s grown up on Mars. Moms will particularly appreciate the movie’s biggest take away: Even when they nag kids to do their chores or send them to bed without a treat, moms love their kids and would do anything to ensure their safety.”

For Mars Needs Moms show times in Montreal, go to Cinema Montreal.

Have you seen Mars Needs Moms? What did you think? Write your review below!

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Should You Take the Kids To: Shrek Forever After

Jessica Howard — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:21:57 +0000

If you find yourself in need of mindless entertainment over the long weekend, Shrek Forever After will probably do the trick. The kids might enjoy it, too.

The Montreal Gazette’s review gives it three stars, calling it a “darker and more meditative film – allowing for a talking donkey and walking gingerbread man – that lacks the energy and fun of the early movies.” The Common Sense Media review – which targets parents – recommends the movie for age 6 and up.

Although this is probably the last Shrek movie, don’t worry – a Puss in Boots spinoff is scheduled to come out in 2011. What, no Gingerbread Man?

Shrek Forever After opens Friday, May 21. Check Cinema Montreal for show times.

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