Each week FILMCLUB’s experts in film pick a selection of their favourite DVD releases for young kids to teens, under the age of 18.
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Gnomeo and Juliet
Cert: PG
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 5+
Running Time: 84 mins
Year Produced: 2011
Director: Kelly Asbury
Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ashley Jensen, Michael Caine, Matt Lucas, Jim Cummings, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourne
William Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet gets a truly bonkers reworking in this inventive and hugely entertaining, CGI comedy.
Played out, as the title suggests, by garden gnomes rather than humans, and boasting a star-packed voice cast, the animated tale centres on the forbidden romance of young Gnomeo and Juliet.
All this cute, pottery pair dream about is being together, but sadly they’re caught in the middle of a turf war involving the blue-hatted garden gnomes and their red-hatted rivals, who live in neighbouring, suburban backyards. Whenever the groups’ respective homeowners aren’t watching, battle commences, with hilarious, slapstick and pun-filled results.
Can the pint-sized lovers bring peace between the Reds and Blues, or are they destined to be apart forever?
If you like this, why don’t you try – 10 Things I Hate About You (1999, 12), Romeo and Juliet (1996, 12), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1998, 12), Romeo and Juliet (1968, PG), West Side Story (1961, PG)
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Fire in Babylon
Cert: 12
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 11+
Running Time: 87 mins
Year Produced: 2010
Director: Stevan Riley
Cast: Sir Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes, Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge
You don’t need to be a sports fan to enjoy this compelling documentary about the golden age of West Indian cricket.
Saying as much about the racial attitudes of the 1970s and 80s as it does about the sport itself, writer/director Stevan Riley’s eye-opening history lesson combines exhilarating archive footage with fascinating interviews to examine how a once failing team became one of the greatest of all time.
Boasting remembrances from the likes of legendary player Viv Richards, and a cracking reggae soundtrack, it’s a story of terrifyingly fast bowlers, brilliant batsmen, unwavering determination, and above all black pride.
Together, these elements not only made the West Indies squad unbeatable, but also struck a blow for racial equality during a turbulent era of apartheid and race riots.
If you like this, why don’t you try – Cool Runnings (1993, PG), Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (2001, PG), Out Of The Ashes (2010, 15), Pressure (1976, 15), When We Were Kings (1996, PG)
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About FILMCLUB
FILMCLUB is a nationwide education charity and experts in film for young people. The initiative offers access to thousands of popular and classic films from around the world for young people and teachers to watch and discuss in their school film clubs.
Visit www.filmclub.org for more information.