movies

articles

• Battleship is great science fiction adventure
• Don’t Miss American Pie Reunion!
• The Lorax is a treat for Dr Seuss Fans!
• If you like action, action, and more action, you have to see Safe House
• Hugo – A 3D adventure for young and old
• Tintin hits the big screen in 3D
• Puss in Boots is a hilarious 3-D comedy adventure for the whole family!
• Cowboys and Aliens – an exciting 3-D collaboration of two popular Movie Genres!
• Super 8 – A super Sci-Fi movie adventure for young and old alike!
• Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon – The saga continues…
• Thor – a movie review
• Rio – a movie review
• Hop the movie: a review
• Rango will Bring a Smile to Your Face!
• Bieber Fever
• “Never Say Never!” Justin Bieber didn’t….
• “True Grit” brilliant remake of the classic western
• Scott Pilgrim vs.The World, a review
• “The End of The Line”, imagine life without fish
• Charlie St Cloud, a review
• Despicable Me in 3D, a review
• Jock of the Bushveld soon in 3D and as theatre
• Marmaduke : a movie review
• Toy Story 3 in 3D: a review
• Space Chimps 2: write a review and win
• Nanny Mcphee 2 – movie reviews
• How To Train Your Dragon 3D – movie review
• Alice in Wonderland 3D – a movie review
• The Princess and the Frog – a movie review

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

I have no patience for people who don’t like Harry Potter because a boy doing magic is not realistic. The same goes for the Narnia series and the idea of this other ancient world. There are so many great parts in these stories, and so much to learn from their characters, that all you have to do is suspend your disbelief of the overall premise and truly enjoy them.

But I admit I struggled a bit with that in the movie Thor. There was just too much all at once. It starts out promising, with a mysterious cosmic beam somewhere in the desert of New Mexico, which the scientist Jane (Natalie Portman), together with her father and sister, sets out to track. The experience soon turns scary and they scramble to escape in their truck, only to accidentally hit a man who appears out of nowhere. So far so good. But then we’re taken back in time to Norway in the 10th century to learn about an ancient war that involved several battling worlds, or realms, with the one of Asgard under King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) victorious, and since then the protector of mankind by keeping the peace. Only the peace is now threatened as an aging Odin is handing his son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) the crown while traitors from the realm of the Frost Giants break into Asgard to start a new war. Thor, hot-headed and easily provoked, decides to defy his father’s wishes and takes his friends to Yodenheim, where a lot more fighting ensues, which is one of the scenes I found a bit hard to believe. It’s part gladiators, part intergalactic warriors, and part mythical gods. With, oddly, some medieval-type horse riding thrown in for good measure. In any case, Odin is eventually able to save the group from certain death but is furious with Thor and banishes him to Earth, bringing us back to the start of the movie, as of course the man appearing out of nowhere is Thor.

I think it might be easier to be drawn in if you knew the Marvel comic series this is all based on, which would give you a good background as well as appreciation of this universe of different realms and the role of the gods and demigods populating it. But, being a mother – even if an understanding one – I’ve never heard anything about any of this, and it took me a while to find my way through all these worlds and feuds to embrace them wholeheartedly.

I liked the movie much better once Thor was on Earth. Stripped of all his powers but still very strong, he sets out to get back Mjolnir, his magical hammer, which has landed not far away and attracted a big crowd of spectators as well as a group of vaguely sinister FBI-like government workers intent on analyzing it. There were some comical scenes when Thor, used to being a god, clashes with modern-day inconveniences such as moving vehicles, but he soon learns his way around (conveniently being the English-speaking kind of god), helped by Jane, who is intent on getting back all her equipment confiscated by the government guys. As you might have guessed, the two of them fall in love and make a very good pair. It turns out getting back Mjolnir is not as easy as it looks, because Odin stipulated that only “one who is worthy of its powers” would be able to carry it, and Thor’s brother Loki (brilliantly played by Tom Hiddleston) further complicates things by waging his own battle for the future of Asgard.

I personally could have done with a lot less heavy fighting and all sorts of unbelievable weapons (that miraculously never hit the good guys even though huge fireballs are flying every which way), which is also a reason I wouldn’t take any of my younger kids to see this movie. In the end it all does come together and the storyline is pretty good. Overall, Thor reminds me of Star Trek the movie, with the same epic battle between good and evil. I especially liked the coming-of-age of Thor’s character, the idea that you have to be more than brave to be a wise leader, that you have to truly care for others, putting your own ambitions aside, that not strength and power but humility and self-sacrifice will gain you the greatest respect. Oh, and the acting was also pretty good. The ending of the movie was especially redeeming. Not cheesy and, of course, leaving room for a sequel!

Rated: PG-13

Length: 2 hrs 10 min

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

I admit it. I’m one of those moms who need to bring a pack of tissues when taking the kids to a movie. Even if it’s an animated movie. When my oldest son was about 2 years old and a friend had loaned us Lion King, I wanted to make sure it was going to be appropriate, so I watched it first on my own. Within minutes I was totally absorbed by the story and soon sat there bawling, making for a very surprised husband when he came home that night and saw me so distraught.

So you might take any movie advice of mine with a grain of salt, but I can highly recommend the movie Rio for your entire family, especially with kids in the 5-12 age range. It’s about a parrot named Blu who was taken from the rainforest as a baby and has lived all his life in Minnesota with his loving owner Linda. But his quiet and somewhat neurotic (because human-like) existence is suddenly interrupted when an ornithologist from Brazil brings the news that Blu is the last remaining male of his species and that they’ve found his female counterpart, Jewel. At first Blu and Linda are very skeptical at the prospect of traveling to Rio to bring the two together, but they are soon persuaded by the very charming Túlio to set out on the adventure of their lifetimes.

As you can imagine, things don’t go smoothly once they arrive in Rio. Jewel turns out to be very beautiful but not cooperative, and her only goal is to break free and return to the rainforest. Meanwhile, a group of nasty kidnappers – or rather birdnappers – is after the two rare macaws to sell them for a high price. A high-speed chase ensues when Blu and Jewel, with the help of some whacky friends they make along the way, try to escape the smugglers while Linda and Túlio set out to find them, complicated by the fact that Blu has never learned to fly. Of course, this being Rio de Janeiro, their adventure takes place during carnival, which makes for some additional excitement as well as a great soundtrack (though Blu, at some point when he’s very exasperated, confesses that “I hate Samba,” causing his new Brazilian friends to gasp in shock).

Blu is an endearing and funny character whom your kids will love for his courage as well as his weaknesses and fears. He reminds me of the giraffe Melman in Madagascar, while the movie itself has a similar feel to Up (another one of my must-bring-tissues experiences). While Up perhaps had a more captivating story line, it was also a bit scarier for the younger audience. Rio does feature bad guys – which story doesn’t – but most of them are also a bit simple-minded, like the robbers in Home Alone, so I think you can safely bring even your smaller kids to Rio to enjoy a feel-good and entertaining story.

Rated: G

Length: 1 hr 36 min

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, will.i.am, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover. Visit her blog.

We have a rabbit, named Petunia.  She is an adorable bundle of white fluff, but she has nothing on EB (voiced by Russell Brand of “Despicable Me” fame), the cutest, funniest, most talented little Easter Bunny Designate you have ever seen!  The Star of the movie Hop, EB  is the teenage son of the incumbent Easter Bunny.

This new comedy, from the makers of “Despicable Me”, combines CG animation with live action, and the results are awesome! Directed by Tim Hill (Alvin and the Chipmunks) and produced by Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me and Ice Age), the movie features the voices of Hugh Laurie (House), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) and a host of other equally respected actors.

The movie begins on Easter Island (Where else would the Easter Bunny live??).  The reigning Easter Bunny decides that its time for his son to start learning the ropes as its almost time for him to take over the job, but EB, like all teenagers, has plans of his own, and none of them include being his dad’s successor.  Nevertheless, he accompanies his dad to work.  Dad runs a massive Easter Candy  factory, which is located under one of the giant stone heads on the island (If you’ve seen “Night at the Museum”, you will instantly recognise the heads as being the same as the gum-chewing head in the Natural History Museum,  in the movie).  It is here that we are introduced to Carlos, an over-sized chick, who is the 2ic to the Easter Bunny and runs the candy production side of the operation.  And, what a wondrous factory it is…. hundreds of bunnies and chicks running around manufacturing the most delectable treats and packing them into baskets to be delivered to the children of the world, by the Easter Bunny!  Carlos fancies himself as the next Easter Bunny, but really…I mean come on… have you ever seen an Easter Bunny Chicken???  Exactly!  The thought is absurd, and never once crossed Daddy Easter Bunny’s mind, which infuriates the chicken and inevitably,  results in an attempted hostile takeover!

On the eve of his succession to the coveted Easter Bunny position, EB runs away from home, and heads to Hollywood, determined to pursue his career as a drummer.

But, when he lands in Hollywood, he soon finds out, like most hopeful musicians (you only have to watch Idols!),  that becoming a star is easier said than done.

Dejected, hungry and lonesome, he runs into (literally) Fred (a real live person, played by James Marsden), who is in an equally dejected state, after being lovingly kicked out of his parents home and being told to pull himself together, get a job,  and make a life for himself.

The adventures of Fred and EB are fun…fun… and more fun, and the ending is just too heart-warming for words!

Can EB and Fred defeat the evil Carlos and save Easter?

Now THAT would be telling!

Releasing on 01 April, this is a really sweet movie for the entire family! (Really, really!!!  This is not an April Fool’s joke, although you will split your sides laughing at the antics of the lovable EB and the gorgeous Fred )

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover. Visit her blog.

There’s nothing cute about a lizard, right?  I mean even though they are harmless, they look like miniature crocodiles or something reminiscent of the Jurassic Era!  They are slithery reptiles that send shivers down my spine!

So, hats off to Paramount and Nickelodean Movies for making Rango!  Rango is the cutest, most lovable lizard on the animated planet, and I really loved this movie.

The movie takes you on a rip roaring adventure through the “Wild West”, with a bunch of creatures that will really steal your heart!

Rango is a lonely family pet, who like some only children, has to find ways of amusing himself.  Then, suddenly disaster strikes and the lizard who has lead a very sheltered life, finds himself in the desert town of “Dirt”, where the constant fight for survival revolves around acquiring WATER!  Water equates to currency, and is indeed the equivalent of gold,  and like gold in a capitalist society, water is the source of greed and corruption in Dirt.

Rango is at first viewed with suspicion by the whimsical desert creatures that inhabit the town, but soon “bluffs” his way into a position of great respect ie. Sheriff, and as a result of  a number of action-packed hilarious situations, he becomes the hero he always dreamed of being when he was in a glass tank!

The storyline is a bit adult, and tells a powerful story of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, and to this end,  the movie will appeal to young and old alike.  The kids will fall in love with Rango and the other adorable creatures, whilst the adults will smile and nod, as the story unfolds in this classic Western tale of the outsider saving the day by exposing the villains and taking back what rightly belongs to the “people”.

Johnny Depp, whilst not his usual hunky self, makes a very cute lizard, and the rest of the cast, including Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin, are utterly superb, and bring a distinctly human quality to the slithery, creepy creatures of the desert!

I didn’t see the movie in 3D, but I imagine that adding a third dimension to the adorable Rango and the rest of his motley gang, can only add to the fun.

Catch Rango over the long weekend and bring a smile to your kids faces!

Release Date: 18 March 2011

by Fiona Ingram, a  South African writer who loves books, travel, animals, antiques, and adventures of all kinds! Read Fiona’s author site and find out about her recently published children’s adventure novel

Bieber fever is about to hit the big screen in South Africa with “Never Say Never” the biopic of teen singing sensation Justin Bieber. Never Say Never is the inspiring true story and rare inside look at Justin’s rise from street performer in the small town of Stratford, Ontario to internet phenomenon to global super star culminating with a dream sold out show at the famed Madison Square Garden in 3-D.

But as the movie unfolds, viewers will be surprised to see how hard Justin worked to get where he is. The movie opens with interviews of Justin’s family and friends, interspersed with snippets of his roadshow and various gigs. All this is intermingled with pieces leading up to the amazing sell-out performance in Madison Square Gardens. To indicate how popular he is, Justin’s show sold out in a record twenty minutes!

What makes Justin so popular? Young fans interviewed in the movie say it all: his looks, his smile, his hair (oh, sadly he now has a new haircut), his laugh, his songs, his … well, what’s not to like? He is a talented likeable performer who works hard and who projects a wholesome image. It’s not just about looks and a winning smile though. Viewers get to see footage of Justin performing on the drums when he was only two bricks high and – wow – that kid is good! Justin sings and plays drums, guitar and piano. He is one talented boy! Justin’s appeal cuts across all ages and genders: from little ones to tweens, to teens, to adults. Everyone loves his lyrics and music. Oh, one important note – lots of girls who want to marry him as well!!!!

The background to Justin’s success is fascinating and it’s nice to see he has retained a down-to-earth attitude, possibly the result of good basic grounding and a supportive family. Fame has its downside though, as Justin finds out when he asks when he can have a ‘normal’ life. “Welcome to the new normal,” says his voice coach. On the upside, Justin has a lot of fun because he loves performing and being surrounded by people who love him makes it even better.

The highlight of the movie is, of course, the Madison Square Garden show. It’s simply fantastic, and the 3-D element will give young fans a show to remember. Justin performs with another popular young rising star, Jaden Smith. Justin and Jaden rap their hearts out to the screaming applause of what looks like zillions of fans! Miley Cyrus also appears in a duet with Justin. The title of the film links to Justin’s seemingly impossible dream: to sing at Madison Square Garden. He never said never to his dream and achieved it. His message to young fans is the same – go for your dream and “never say never!”

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover. Visit her blog.

There are no words to describe how much I didn’t want to see this movie and there aren’t enough words to describe how much I actually enjoyed it!

Directed by John Chu,  this 3D movie,  documenting Justin Bieber’s  “rags to riches” story is fun,  inspiring and entertaining.

Chu “jumped at the opportunity to tell this story with honesty and heart”, and in my opinion, he has succeed admirably.

The first time I heard the name Justin Bieber was when he was featured as a guest performer on the finale of American Idol, in 2010.  I asked my kids who Justin was and why he was considered such a phenomenon and they replied that he was discovered on YouTube. I shrugged and mentally dismissed him until his name, annoyingly, became an on-going global trending topic on Twitter.

Thus, it was with reluctance that I consented to reviewing this movie.

Now, knowing the full story of the 17 year old’ s meteoric rise to fame, I am proud (or embarrassed) to say that I am a mother of a 27 year old daughter and a 19 year old son who think it is hysterically funny that mom has a terminal dose of “Bieber Fever”.

The documentary traces the young Canadian’s life from birth up to his sell out concert at Madison Square Gardens, sharing a stage with legends such as Usher, Boyz II Men and Sean Kingston.

The movie introduces single mom, Patti, who as a teenager, raised him, with the help of her parents. Justin showed musical talent from an early age and some of the old home video footage of Justin singing and playing drums are adorable! Justin is very believable when he says he never wanted to be famous, and only put the videos on YouTube for friends and family because he liked doing it.  Fame wasn’t a dream of his because he really didn’t think it would happen.

But it did, and the rest is history! The YouTube videos were viewed millions of times, and when American, Scooter Braun, saw them,  he was truly “wowed”! Braun introduced Justin to Usher, which led to a recording contract with Island Def Jam Music Group, under three-times Grammy-winning recording executive,  L.A. Reid.

The film includes clips of his “tweenie” fans professing undying love for Justin, fan hysteria, reminiscent of the “Beatle Mania” of the 60’s, preparation for his concert tour, real time banter with his stylist, managers, voice coach etc, and culminates in the concert of concerts at MSG. Following in the footsteps of  the world’s greatest entertainers, including Michael Jackson, The Police, John Lennon, The Rolling Stones and U2  Justin sold out the Garden in 22 minutes!

His battle with vocal fatigue, hectic rehearsals, meetings with other performers and leisure time with friends and family were all filmed for this movie, making it a real “behind the scenes” experience.

The music is mind blowing and I still have the “Never Say Never” lyrics going around in my head like a broken recording!

Obviously the Tweenies will go “ape” for this movie, but moms and dads, I defy you not to enjoy it!

Great family fun and proof positive that miracles can happen. Remember,  NEVER SAY NEVER!

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover.  Here’s her blog.

I remember my dad taking me to see the John Wayne/Kim Derby version of True Grit in the late sixties.  My mom didn’t do westerns so I was the lucky winner of a ticket to the Cowboys and Indians offerings of the sixties.

Strangely enough, I LOVED True Grit and still remember the movie, even though it was over 30 years ago.  So, of course, I eagerly awaited the Coen Bothers remake of this classic, and needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Set in the 1870’s, in Frontier America, Charles Portis’ tale is narrated by Mattie Ross (played by fabulous newcomer Hayley Steinfeld).  The feisty 14-year old arrives in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to collect her murdered father’s belongings.  She is also determined to see her father’s killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) brought to justice.

Mattie hires the notoriously ruthless US Marshal, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), to help her hunt Chaney down, and insists on accompanying the drunken, trigger happy, “rough around the edges” Cogburn, despite his best efforts to dissuade her.

Already on the trail of Chaney is a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (pronounced La Beef) (played by Matt Damon), and Cogburn and Mattie’s path crosses LaBoeuf’s on the trail, into Indian Country. All three are determined, courageous and outspoken and the result is a sometimes sad, but more often hilarious story!

Mattie’s unrelenting spirit and her innocent, yet insolent character will definitely charm young and old alike.  And, Bridges Oscar Nomination performance, and Damon’s good looks and brilliant portrayal of LeBouef make this movie an absolute must see.

Today’s teens will probably say “Thank goodness we were not born in the American Frontier in the 1870s”, and appreciate the high tech world they have been raised in even more!

Age restrictions:  From 13yrs. There’s a lot of skiet, skop en donner , (typical Western style) and some gruesome, bloody stuff (also typical Western stuff) but no sex, nudity or bad language.

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover.  Here’s her blog.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, due for release on 03 December 2010, is a whacky, fun-filled combination of comedy, romance and fantasy,  great for  teens and the early twenties, not for younger children.

Scott himself is your normal, every day “nice young man”, but through the use of video game fantasy, Scott’s world is transformed into a crazy, highly imaginative place.

Scott, played by Michael Cerra (of Juna and Superbad fame) is a 22 year old, who is between jobs, and plays bass guitar for a garage band named Sex Bob-omb.  Scott, whose heart was broken a girl who “kicked his heart’s ass”, is now dating a 17-year old Chinese School girl, named Knives Chau, much to the amusement of his younger sister, his friends and his colourful gay room-mate. But, suddenly, the mysterious and somewhat aloof,  pink-haired Ramona Flowers comes into his life and he is totally smitten!

Ramona, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (of Live Free or Die Hard fame) first appears in his dreams and then miraculously, in real life.  Against all odds, he manages to grab her attention, and convinces her to hang out with him, BUT…. The catch to winning this babe is that he has to fight and defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends, who have formed a League and are now out to kill him!

And, thus the film unfolds, with Scott being challenged to duel after duel to the death.  Each ex has some sort of super hero power and each fight is a kaleidoscope of video game showmanship, with each duel moving to a new level of difficulty. The exes include a Vegan Rock Star, an infamous skateboarder and a set of identical twins…and some big surprises that I am not going to ruin for you!

Does he get the girl?  Well, you will have to go and see the movie to find out!

The special effects are phenomenal, and as the writer, Bryan Lee O’Malley says, the story includes elements of Japanese comic books, indie and classic rock and video games, and merges these into everyday life experiences.  The result is a dual world of reality and abstraction. And, even though the characters are living in this part comic book, part Ninja, part Kung Fu, part Anime, part Manga world, they are still real kids, with real emotions and real problems and challenges.

In his own words, Director/Producer/Co-writer, Edgar Wright said that since his previous work had strived towards mixing the mundane with the insane, Scott Pilgrim had him hooked immediately!

It’s doubtful this movie will appeal to adults and it’s definitely not for young children, but I think that the teens and early twenties will love it, and relate to it, in a big way.

There is also a valuable lesson to be learned from this movie, and that is, with all things in life, you have to overcome challenges to get where you want to go.

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover.  Here’s her blog.

Can you imagine the end of Seafood by the year 2048, the ocean without fish and no more seafood meals? No?

Then you need to stop sticking your head in the sand, like an ostrich, and take your children to see “End of The Line”, if we are to protect our marine environment and ensure that our children’s children are not faced with impending starvation, we need to educate our children, and ourselves, about this looming disaster.

Narrated by Ted Dansen, this full length major documentary reveals the impact that rampant overfishing is having on our oceans, and the devastating global consequences thereof. . It discusses the imminent distinction of the bluefin tuna and the impact on marine life, resulting from overpopulation of jellyfish.

Written by investigative reporter, Charles Clover, the film follows his journey of discovery, as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who have shown little regard for the destruction we are wreaking on the oceans. The film was two years in the making and took Clover from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska, and the Tokyo Fish Markets.  It features top scientists, fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials whose aim is to send an urgent wake up call to the world.

The film shows how high tech fishing vessels leave no escape for fish populations, and warns that fish farming will definitely not be a viable solution.

The film blames uneducated consumers, who continue to buy endangered fish, as well as politicians who ignore scientific evidence, and the global fishing industry that chooses to ignore the problem.

The movie offers simple solutions, such as implementing strict fishing controls, which will include reducing the number of fishing vessels around the world and protecting areas of the ocean, by demarcating “off-limits to fishing” areas. The film also proposes educating consumers.

In short, Tom Clover is urging us to stop thinking of the ocean as a food factory, and protect our vast and intricate marine environment.

After seeing the film, top chef’s such as Jamie Oliver and deli, retail and restaurant owners, worldwide, have taken positive steps towards protecting the blue tuna, sword fish and skate.  Celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Alicia Silverstone have pledged their support to the End of the Line, and Prince Charles has thrown his weight behind the marine life campaign.

South Africans are urged to see The End of the Line, take cognisance of what Tom Clover has to say, only buy fish from accredited retailers and ask their favourite restaurants where they buy their fish.

by Joy Robyn Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover.  Here’s her blog.

Charlie St. Cloud , will go on circuit on Friday October 22nd . It is one of those “feel good movies” that is a mix of love and sadness, laughter and tearsrelationships, and even a sprinkling of sport!

The movie is based on Ben Sherwood’s touching novel “The death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud”. Charlie, played by Zac Efron, is a teenager with a bright future.  He lives with his mom and 11-year old brother in a small Mid-Western American town, and although he is very close to his younger brother,  he is looking forward to embarking on an exciting new chapter in his life.

Charlie has a passion for sailing, and has become an accomplished sailor, and as such, has been awarded a Sailing Scholarship to attend Stanford University.

His baby brother, Sam,  played by the adorable Charlie Tahan,  has dreams of becoming a top notch baseball player and Charlie promises to meet him every day at Sunset, to coach him, until he leaves for Stanford.

Tragically, the brothers are involved in a devastating car accident, which briefly claims both their lives, but Charlie is miraculously brought back from “the light” by a dedicated Paramedic, played by Ray Liotta.  Sam, unfortunately, cannot be saved.

Charlie is completely and utterly inconsolable, and for all intents and purposes may as well be dead, as he cannot imagine facing life without his brother.

At Sam’s funeral Charlie runs from the graveside into the adjoining forest, trips and falls, just as the sound of the sunset cannon resounds through the little village, and as he gets up, he sees Sam, baseball and mitt in hand, ready for his sunset coaching session. Charlie vows to keep the promise he made to his brother to meet him every day at sunset for their baseball coaching session.

Sam becomes reclusive, until… five years later… an old school friend, and fellow sailor, played by beautiful Canadian actress, Amanda Crew, comes back into his life, after a long absence, and Charlie falls deeply in love with her.

I am not going to be a spoiler and give the rest away, but suffice it to say, the movie captivated me, and as this romantic drama unfolded, I realised that G-d does indeed have a plan for all of us!

The author talks about “the bond between two brothers, the sense of deep loss,  being frozen in time, and the liberating power of love”, and this is essentially what this heart warming story is about.  It’s about relationships and brotherly love, it’s about making choices, it’s about moving on, and above all it shows how love can really conquer all.

Charlie St. Cloud is not for the under 12’s, but teens and mom’s will love it!

Director, Burr Steers, of “17 Again” fame, was literally “drawn to this tale of love, loss and renewal”, and the screenplay has really done Sherwood’s novel proud.

With a brilliant cast, which also includes a brief appearance by Kim Basinger as Charlie and Sam’s mother, Charlie St. Cloud, is a movie I could definitely watch again!