Reel News: Week of April 2 – Titanic 3D, American Reunion, War Horse, We Bought a Zoo

Theatrical Releases This Week

Titanic 3D
Director: James Cameron
Trailer

84 years later, a 100-year-old woman named Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story to her granddaughter about her life set in April 10th 1912, on a ship called Titanic. When young Rose boards the departing ship with the upper-class passengers and her mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, and her fiancé, Caledon Hockley, a drifter and artist named Jack Dawson and his best friend Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets to the ship in a game. And she explains the whole story from departure until the death of Titanic on its first and last voyage April 15th, 1912. (Synopsis by Anthony Pereyra)

There is nothing new here, but fans of one of the biggest movies of all time will get a second chance to enjoy a favorite in the theaters. Remembered for groundbreaking special effects and arguments over whether both Rose and Jack could have fit on that floating board at the end, it holds a certain place in cinematic history.

American Reunion
Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Trailer

In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago return to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about-and get inspired by-the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend. (Synopsis by Universal)

What’s worse? Releasing the same film again in 3D or trying to breathe life back into a stale series with a knockoff fourth sequel? That’s the question this week. The boys are back in the saddle again, trying to give the audience nostalgic flashbacks to the first film. Funny for fans of the series, but the general public has seen this too many times.

DVD Releases This Week

War Horse
Director: Steven Spielberg
Trailer

Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, War Horse begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets-British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter-before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land. The First World War is experienced through the journey of this horse-an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate friendship and high adventure. (Synopsis by Dreamworks)

An emotional and artistic take on war by a fantastic director. While Spielberg’s need for a happy ending leaves the film too soft at points, it is superb as a throwback to romantic action films. If you missed it in the theaters, it is certainly worth renting.

We Bought a Zoo
Director: Cameron Crowe
Trailer

This holiday season, acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) directs an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

An artificially sweet film that largely misses the honesty Crowe is better known for. While it is largely predictable, it is not the worst film of its kind. There’s no harm to be found, and it will certainly be enjoyed by the little ones and sentimental adults.