Each week FILMCLUB’s experts in film pick a selection of their favourite cinema releases for young kids to teens, under the age of 18.
Missed a previous week? Then click here for more releases.
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Tomorrow: When the War Began
Cert: 12
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 11+
Running Time: 103 mins
Year Produced: 2010
Director: Stuart Beattie
Cast: Caitlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lincoln Lewis, Deniz Akdeniz
What would you do if you returned from a camping trip with a bunch of friends to find your parents gone, and your country under attack from invading forces? That’s the premise of this thrillingly tense, impressively shot Australian action film, based on John Marsden’s popular series of novels.
After the unsettling sight of unfamiliar military planes passing overhead out in the wilds of the Outback, seven teenagers are hit with a mammoth shock when they return to their small town.
They then realise they must band together and with no battle training find a way to outsmart the enemy.
Like this? Try: The Road, The Wave, War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Grave of the Fireflies
.
Mars Needs Moms
Cert: PG
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 7+
Running Time: 87 mins
Year Produced: 2011
Director: Simon Wells
Cast: Seth Green, John Cusack, Dan Folger
This massive-budget 3D animated sci-fi comedy sees naughty nine-year-old Milo learn to appreciate his mother when she’s taken away from Earth by Martians.
The aliens plan to download her memories and use her “momness” to raise their own offspring. Determined to rescue her, Milo stows away on a spaceship to take on her abductors, helped by tech-savvy earthling Gribble, his bionic pet Two-Cat and a rebellious Martian named Ki.
If you’ve ever been annoyed by being asked to take out the rubbish, this film might just make you think twice!
Like this? Try: Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 original), Tekkonkinkreet, Akira, Home Alone
.
Rio
Cert: U
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 5+
Running Time: 96 mins
Year Produced: 2011
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Leslie Mann, Will i Am, Jamie Foxx, Jane Lynch, Jake T Austin, Rodrigo Santoro, Jemaine Clement, George Lopez
The creators of Ice Age deliver another animated delight, this time revolving around our feathered friends.
Combining amazing visuals with laughs and excitement, the tale sees rare macaw Blu swap small-town America for Brazil’s exotic Rio de Janeiro, having joyfully discovered he’s not the last of his kind.
Unfortunately, when he meets his female counterpart, Jewel, it’s far from instant attraction, because whilst he’s domesticated and cautious, she’s wild and fiercely independent.
But amusing personality clashes become the least of the birds’ worries, after they’re stolen and have to stage a daring escape.
Thrown together and with the incompetent animal smugglers in pursuit, Blu and Jewel begin the adventure of a lifetime, learning lessons about love, friendship and courage along the way.
Like this? Try: Madagascar, Ice Age, Robots, Horton Hears A Who, Happy Feet, Rango, Paulie
.
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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.