NIM'S ISLAND not really for 72 year olds

[George Bellefontaine]

It's a nice little family film that plays better to 10 to 12 year old girls who can idenify with the Abagail Breslin character. She's the daughter of an oceanographer who ( rather ridiculously ) leaves her alone on this South Seas island while he goes off on what was supposed to be a two day trip in his sail boat. But he runs into weather trouble and Abagail is left alone to fend for herself. Jody Foster ( an author of books favored by Abagail's character ) enters the picture and ends up going to the island to help Abagail. The plot is a bit preposturous but just check your brain at the door, as I'm sure your kids will. I watched it on Blu-ray and the scenery was very nice. And watching Jody Foster try her hand at comedy was interesting. I really think she should stick to dramas.

For family viewing, absolutely OK. But for ol' timers like me, not so great.

[Ovation]

I took my daughter to see this some months ago. She really liked it (she's 7 in a week). I found the scenery nice, had a few chuckles (the kind that come from being the parent of young children). It is certainly not a film I would have watched if I did NOT have a daughter in the target audience, though.

[George Bellefontaine]

It is certainly not a film I would have watched if I did NOT have a daughter in the target audience, though.

Daughter...I was not fortunate enough to have one of those. Sure would have loved to, though. As for choosing the film, I sometimes get a little entertainment out of family oriented films, and after enjoying The Golden Compass I decided to take a chance on Nim's Island. One thing for sure, the scenery on this one looked great on Blu-ray.

[Ovation]

I've noticed over the past few years that films I ordinarily would give a wide berth (and would not likely ever watch alone or with other adults) have their little charms when watched with my kids. They are far less worried about 'acting chops', 'complex plots' and the like. And when I see them enjoying themselves, it puts me in a good mood. Now, I try to select from among the better forms of child entertainment but I'm not quite as picky about things as I am for films intended for me.

[Burke Strickland]

They are far less worried about 'acting chops', 'complex plots' and the like.

Are you really talking about kids, or most members of the general public who buy tickets to summer popcorn flicks?

[Ovation]

Now, now, let's not be too judgemental.

I was referring to kids. For example, take the Robin Williams comedy RV. We go camping every year and, occasionally, we borrow my father's RV (other times, he accompanies us with it while we use our tent-trailer) and we have the usual (mis)adventures. So, to us, the film, while derivative and relatively uninspired, is still funny. To my daughter, it is VERY funny--she's not seen enough movies to know how derivative it is of other, better comedies.

As for Nim's Island, my daughter thought it was cool (she wanted to know when I was going to take her to a similar island) and did not question the highly improbable plot device of leaving the girl alone, let alone the amazing persistence displayed by Jodie Foster's character. If I'd been watching it alone, I would not have been all that impressed. However, my daughter's enthusiasm made it more enjoyable. Now, the best of "family fare" should not (and does not) require my daughter's enthusiasm for me to enjoy it (I went to see The Incredibles alone at a 9:30pm showing while on a business trip and loved it), but until she grows into the cynical teenager that is inevitably on its way, my enjoyment of "family fare" will have a wider selection of films from which to choose.

[George Bellefontaine]

Well, maybe it has something to do with maturity and age, but I do find myself watching films I never would have a few years ago. Ovation mentioned RV. I own that and have watched it a couple of times. I have also been drawn to films like The Chronicles Of Narnia, and even romantic comedies such as 27 Dresses, etc. Truth be known, I do find that I have enjoyed most of these out of the ordinary ( for me ) films I have taken a chance on lately. But my preference still leans to good dramas, suspense, well done action flicks and westerns, of course.