3. The Secret World of Arrietty
You're running out of time to catch up with the latest visual, heartwarming masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. Following a family of inch-high "Borrowers" who live in the homes of regular sized people, their lives are turned upside down with the arrival of a curious new human boy looking for a taste of adventure.
2. The Lorax
Finally someone has found a way to capture the simple animated brilliance of Dr. Seuss, and we have the talented folks at Illumination to thank for it. The Lorax delivers a vitally important, eternal message of personal responsibility not only for oneself but also for taking care of the world we all share. Featuring the voice talents of Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and Ed Helms, make it a family friend twinbill this week with The Lorax and The Secret World of Arrietty.
1. Project X
On the total opposite end of the spectrum is Project X, and....I definitely recommend nobody under the age of 17 be in the vicinity for this one. Every parent's worst nightmare brought to horrifying life, the film presents the wildest, most out of control house party ever, where sex, alcohol, drugs, and flammables collide. Presented in "found footage" style, the devastation and debauchery takes on a documentary feel, giving the impression the entire neighborhood has been turned into a war zone covered by the evening news. Don't walk into this expecting some John Hughes-esque message, the only thing that matters here is what feels good, what makes you more popular, and what can crank the party up another dozen notches! Would you expect anything less from the guy who gave us The Hangover and Old School?
DVD Pick of the Week: Hugo
Winner of five Academy Awards and achieving an unparalleled level of technical artistry, Hugo is Martin Scorsese displaying his childhood love of cinema for all the world to see. A graceful fantasy that shows the directors sense of wonder hasn't diminished over the years of making violent gangster flicks, Hugo is the story of a boy who lives in the walls of a train station in a storybook version of 1930s Paris. When he finds a mysterious key, he goes off on a quest to discover what it unlocks, hoping it to be one final message from his father. What he finds will open his eyes and ours to the greatness and true potential of the movies, made relevant for today.
