Classics fill big screen this weekend
This is going to be a good weekend for local theaters.
Two new films, portraying classic English tales, are scheduled to release this week: “Red Riding Hood,” a good movie for thrill-seekers, and Jane Eyre, the unfortunate character in one of Charlotte Bronte’s most well-known novels.
It’s also a good weekend for families. “Mars Needs Moms,” a kid-friendly movie about aliens who kidnap mothers from earth to raise kids on mars, can expect a good crowd of screaming babies.
Here’s a rundown of this week’s movies.
Red Riding Hood (PG-13)
What it’s about: Based on the famous Little Red Riding Hood legend, a wolf terrorizes a medieval village in search of one thing. That one thing might just be Little Red Riding Hood herself¬¬””a girl named Valerie. While the village, a once peaceful little community in the woods, begins to fall apart under the threat of more wolf attacks, Valerie starts to disregard her own safety more and more. Meanwhile, while she starts to fall for a boy in her village, she comes to find he might have more ties to the wolf than she thought.
You should see it if: You’re all for a movie based on fairy tales. But be warned””this isn’t a movie for kids. This dark twist on a well-known tale is for thrill-seekers. “Red Riding Hood” is definitely not a family-friendly movie.
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Julie Christie, Gary Oldman, Shiloh Fernandez, Billy Burke and Lukas Haal.
Jane Eyre (PG-13)
What it’s about: Jane, a girl with a troubled and loveless past, experiences abuse, oppression and deprivation before seeking refuge in Thornfield Hall””the place where she finds love in the man of the house, Edward Rochester. But though Thornfield seems to be a place where she can escape her past, she finds that sometimes there is no outrunning problems.
You should see it if: You’re familiar with the book, and appreciate classic English literature. If you associate yourself with more intelligent audiences, this is also a good movie to see. Mia Wasikowska and Judi Dench, who both have excellent taste in scripts, consistently play characters that appeal to a more educated audience.
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jamie Bell, Michael Fassbender, Judi Dench and Holliday Granger.
Mars Needs Moms (PG)
What it’s about: Nine-year-old Milo’s mom is driving him crazy. Eat broccoli? Take out the trash? No thanks. Just when he starts to feel bad about giving his mom attitude, he finds that she’s been kidnapped by aliens from Mars. Turns out they need his mom just as much as he does. As he sneaks aboard the spaceship in an attempt to save his mom, he meets all sort of odd but helpful friends. Now if only he can find out where his mom is…
You should see it if: You are a little kid who loves aliens. Or you just act like a little kid who loves aliens.
Starring: Seth Green, Dan Fogler, Joan Cusak, Mindy Sterling and Elizabeth Harnois.