The school holidays have descended. Here is your guide to the new releases in cinemas and great special events for children and families. We’ve divided it into films for kids, and films for older kids/teens.
We got Annie, Chaplin, birds, dogs, robots, dragons, fairies, bears and mice…
FOR KIDS…
ERNEST & CELESTINE
NOW PLAYING IN VIC, NSW / PG (MILD THEMES)
Nominated for Best Animated Film at the 2014 Oscars, this very sweet, watercolor animated film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a wee mouse and a down-in-the-mouth bear. Based on the children’s book by Belgian writer/illustrator Gabrielle Vincent, Ernest & Celestine has the elements to become a favourite. Sadly on limited release only.
Movie times and ticket booking
TINKER BELL & THE PIRATE FAIRY
NOW PLAYING IN NSW, QLD, NT, VIC / OPENING IN ACT, SA, WA, TAS ON JULY 3 / G (GENERAL AUDIENCES)
From Disney Toon Studios comes the latest in the increasingly popular Tinker Bell series. Featuring some of J. M. Barrie’s original characters (now over 100 years old). Expect an adventurous good versus bad fairy plot with contemporary computer animation.
Earlier Tinker Bell films Secret of the Wings and The Lost Treasure are returning for limited screenings to coincide with The Pirate Fairy.
Movie times and ticket booking
RIO 2
OPENING IN 2D AND 3D NATIONWIDE ON JULY 3 / RATING TBC
The voices behind Blue Sky Studio’s original animated family adventure Rio return for a second time as Jewel, Blu and their three kids are hurtled from their domesticated life to the wilds of the Amazon. Voice cast includes Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg and Jermaine Clement.
2D movie times and ticket booking / 3D movie times and ticket booking
ANNIE – SPECIAL EVENT
LIMITED SCREENINGS IN SYDNEY ONLY, MONDAY JULY 28 / RATED G
As part of Dendy’s Winter Wonderland Classic Series, Dendy Opera Quays is screening the original family-friendly musical, based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Go to love that tune.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN – SPECIAL EVENT
MELBOURNE ONLY, JUNE 28 / RATED G
A special children’s event at Glen Eira Town Hall, featuring Charlie Chaplin’s first short film, Making a Living, followed by his feature, The Circus. The film will be presented with live musical accompaniment. Great opportunity to introduce little ones to a classic piece of cinema.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO – SPECIAL EVENT
MELBOURNE ONLY, JULY 12 / RATED G
Valhalla Cinema screens the beautifully animated, family adventure from the godfather of Japanese animation Hayao Miyazaki. My Neighbour Totoro follows two young girls who befriend an enormous cat-bear creature sleeping in a nearby forest. Screened with English audio, no subtitles. Other holiday screenings include Jim Henson and David Bowie’s Labyrinth.
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION: THE EXHIBITION
MELBOURNE ONLY, NOW ON / RATED G
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image presents an exhibition featuring rare and never-seen-before concept drawings, models and original artworks as well as interviews and interactive displays from DreamWorks animation. Alongside the exhibition is a schedule of screenings, talks and workshops for the animation enthusiast. Thursday 10 April – Sunday 5 October 2014. Open daily 10am – 5pm (Thursdays until 9pm).
And on July 13, ACMI celebrate How to Train Your Dragon with a Viking Photobooth, green screen studio, dragon arts and crafts, interactive animated magic, and a Viking and Dragon fashion parade. Costumes welcomed.
DreamWorks exhibition / Vikings and Dragons
FOR OLDER KIDS AND TEENS…
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
NOW PLAYING NATIONWIDE IN 2D AND 3D / PG (MILD FANTASY THEMES AND VIOLENCE)
While not holding the magic of the original, DreamWorks’ deliver more sky-soaring animation and the kind of script that also provides parents with a few chuckles too. “The flying sequences still look so damn cool. (I got goosebumps at one point).” Four stars from Fliks.
2D movie times and ticket booking / 3D movie times and ticket booking
BELLE & SEBASTIAN
OPENING NATIONWIDE ON JULY 3 / PG (MILD THEMES AND COARSE LANGUAGE)
French war-time family film set amongst the sweeping French Alps, based on the popular TV series made in France in the 1960s (also where indie band Belle & Sebastian took their name). Subtitles don’t detract from the charm, but might turn off some kids.
Movie times and ticket booking
TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION
NOW PLAYING NATIONWIDE IN 2D AND 3D / M (ACTION VIOLENCE AND COARSE LANGUAGE)
Depending on your tolerance for “bombastic bewilderment”, the fourth film in the mega Transformers franchise (currently the 12th highest grossing series of films ever) is an option. Robots present a temptation not many young lads can ignore.
2D movie times and ticket booking / 3D movie times and ticket booking
BACK TO THE FUTURE II – SPECIAL EVENT
SYDNEY ONLY, JULY 1 / PG (OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE)
Hey Transformers, this is how you do a sequel. This should be on every teens list of must-see films. Scrap that, everyone’s must-see list. Marty McFly and Doc Brown head to a future Hill Valley, featuring enlargeable pizzas, hover boards and a very quotable script. Genius, the whole thing. Screening at Golden Age Cinema.
CLUELESS – SPECIAL EVENT
SYDNEY ONLY, JULY 11 / PG (OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE)
The Ritz Cinema in Sydney hosts its annual onesie night (as in, you wear a onesie). The event features a photo booth and nail-art sessions, followed by a screening of the high school classic, based (loosely) on Jane Austen’s Emma.
Also still playing around the country is Disney/Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent (also in 3D), Muppets Most Wanted and The LEGO Movie.
Take note of the ratings:
G – Suitable for everyone.
PG – Not recommended for children under 15; may contain material, which some children find confusing or upsetting.
M – Not recommended for children under 15; may include moderate levels of violence, language or themes.
