Movie: Shorts * Official Site	In Theaters: Aug. 21, 2009
Runtime: 89 minutes	Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and some rude humor	Gecko Rating:

I became a major fan of Robert Rodriguez after seeing one of his first films, “El Mariachi,” a violent, funny, uh, violent movie about a guitar player who finds a world of trouble while passing through a Mexican town. The movie gained notoriety for being extremely low-budget (he funded it by subjecting himself to experimental drug studies), and Rodriguez went on to become a great filmmaker with films like “Sin City” and “Grindhouse.”

Intermixed among the violent films are Rodriguez’ family movies like “Spy Kids” and “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl.” It’s always interesting to me that his career involves both of these types of films – violent adult movies and fantasy-based family movies. I think he really excels at the violent movies; the family movies are always a little too “out there” for me. Such is the case with “Shorts.”

I think I get what he’s trying to do. Create movies where the main characters are children (often times played by his own five kids) who get to live out their fantasies and have wonderful adventures. “Shorts” follows the story of Toby “Toe” Thompson (Jimmy Bennett), who lives in Black Hills, an industrial town run by tech tycoon Carbon Black (James Spader).

Toby is often the target of bullies, including Black’s daughter, Helvetica (Jolie Vanier) and her middle school gang. But things start to look up for Toby after he’s hit with a colorful rock that magically grants wishes — like a fortress protected by giant crocodiles or a never-ending supply of candy bars. But throughout the course of the movie, the rock lands in the hands of various townspeople, which is why it’s called “Shorts.” The story is told in five interrelated “shorts.”

It’s an interesting premise, but for some reason, this movie doesn’t work for me. I couldn’t even entice my kids – 12 and 15 – to see it with me (and kids often magically know whether a movie will be good or not – don’t ask me how), and I nearly dozed off a few times while watching it. The cast is great, including James Spader, William H. Macy, Kat Dennings, Leslie Mann, and Jon Cryer. And the CG animation is good, but not good enough to hold my attention. Plus, the shorts don’t really fit together all that well.

Oh, and there’s the gross-out humor involving the giant booger. It’s just … gross. I don’t think even kids who like that sort of stuff would like the giant booger. As for any sort of positive message? Yeah, I guess it’s there: working together to overcome obstacles, the importance of family, and be careful what you wish for.

In “short,” this might be an interesting movie to check out on DVD, but even then, I’m just not sure. There are plenty of other family movies that are both interesting and good, with positive messages that don’t involve giant boogers.

NOTES FOR PARENTS:

Sex/Nudity: A boy jokes that a girl picks on him because she likes him. Some flirting between characters, and a near kiss between an adult couple.

Violence/Gore: Lots of cartoonish violence for a PG movie. CG animation includes a large “booger” turning into a giant monster that chases a group of people. A character becomes robotic a la “Transformers.” The rock’s wishes cause monster rattlesnakes and crocodiles to appear and terrorize kids. Ongoing bullying, including a kid being pushed headfirst into a trashcan and having rocks thrown at him.

Profanity: Includes insults like “you suck,” “freak,” “loser,” and “lunkhead.”

Which Kids Will Like It? I’m really not sure. I sat near a group of 8- to 10-year-olds in the theater, and they didn’t seem any too amused by it.

Will Parents Like It? Not really. I’m guessing the target audience is tweens, but I doubt that most tweens would like it. I thought the movie was gross and boring, even with the animation.

Images: TM & (c) Warner Bros. Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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Even though "Twilight" was massively successful and grossed more than $380 million worldwide, Summit and Hardwicke parted ways in December. Chris Weitz was chosen to direct the sequel "New Moon." 

Based on Gayle Forman’s novel to be published this spring, "If I Stay" centers on a gifted classical musician and her indie rockstar boyfriend. She’s forced to choose between life and death when she’s in a car accident with her family.

In a story in Variety, Summit’s president of production Eric Feig said, "When we were thinking of the perfect director to capture the emotion, grace and passion of this beautiful book, one filmmaker became the clear and only choice: Catherine Hardwicke."

You know, that’s nice. It’s good to hear that despite the tensions surrounding the direction of "New Moon," Hardwicke and Summit are friends again.

Photo: "TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved; Source: Hollywood Reporter

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A report on Twilighters Italia via Piera Detassis – the director of Ciak, an Italian movie magazine – notes that the info was revealed at lunch in Los Angeles with one of the producers of Summit Entertainment, which helmed "Twilight" and now "New Moon." 

"Despite ads, previews and generous offers of all sorts from the Mayor and the City, the sequel vampiresco is not running in Volterra in the places of the novel, but in Montepulciano, where the troupe has found the location ‘to be the most beautiful film.’"

No official word from Summit Entertainment on this one yet.

Any thoughts?

Image: Newscom

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Elle Fanning (Dakota’s younger sister) plays Phoebe, a girl who really wants to be in her school’s production of "Alice in Wonderland." Patricia Clarkson (one of my favorites) casts her in the play, but Phoebe’s got some problems and starts acting out and causing problems for her parents (Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman).

Before you know it, Phoebe is retreating into a fantasy world populated by characters from "Alice in Wonderland." It’s rated PG-13 for thematic material and brief strong language, so probably not the fun kids’ flick I was thinking about. Directed by Daniel Barnz, "Phoebe in Wonderland" will be released in theaters March 6, 2009.

After the jump, watch the trailer:

Image: ThinkFilm

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"Twilight"

Well, wait no more, because director Chris Weitz confirmed on author Stephenie Meyer’s Web site today that Lautner would indeed be coming back in the role. Weitz says:

I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in "New Moon" and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer. The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series.

But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of "Twilight" the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in "New Moon"; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.
Very best,
Chris Weitz

After the jump, read Stephenie Meyer’s response to the news…

I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.
- Steph

Thoughts on this news? I think fans will love hearing this, because Taylor Lautner really IS Jacob, and it’s hard to envision anyone else taking over the role in "New Moon."

Join our "New Moon Casting News and Rumors" discussion!

Image: Taylor Lautner, Twilight, Summit Entertainment, 2008; Thanks to Tiffany McFadden for passing this news along!

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