Calling all parents! Cinemas are air-conditioned

Posted on 1 February, 2020

Outdoors isn’t an option this weekend, and it’s the raggedy end of the school holidays so give yourself a break—send the kids to a movie.

Just joking—don’t send them unsupervised.

It’s getting into the ‘Serious Movie’ months as we edge closer to the bloated blob that is Awards Season, but don’t despair—the summer movies this year are better than the actual summer.

Frozen II

If you haven’t seen this already you must not have children—or at least children obsessed with Disney.

Maybe you should cave in and let them see it again? Don’t think about Into the Unknown (just let it goooooooo) and get ready to enjoy the 90s boy band wonder that is Hans and Lost in the Woods. Again.

Star Wars Rise of Skywalker

If you haven’t seen this yet we can’t be friends. Actually, I think I’ll see this again this weekend, using The Force to ignore the plot holes, omissions (Rose Tico?) and questionable decision on Rey’s parentage.

I plan to immerse myself in a galaxy far, far away, bathed in light and darkness.

Spies in Disguise

I haven’t had time to see this but have heard favourable comments. The premise is a bit formulaic but then, on paper, so was Despicable Me.

Go!

Yes, go! An Australian nugget of goodness, this film has Karate Kid on a race circuit and Rake as a mysterious mentor. And noisy, speedy go-karts.

With adrenaline to spare it really is the antidote to your typical G-rated movie (it is PG so the cool 11-year-olds will want to see it).

Farmageddon

It’s a Shaun the Sheep movie! From the endlessly excellent Aardman Animations!

Even Rotten Tomatoes gives it five stars—and there’s an alien invasion of Mossy Bottom Farm. Seriously, why haven’t you got your ticket yet?

Little Women

This is a very good version (is it a sign of getting older that Professor Baer seems younger and hotter with each film?). It has some meta qualities that brings the real hero of these books—author Louisa May Alcott—into the light.

We all knew that Jo was the embodiment of Louisa and it is satisfying to see something of her story interwoven.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

Like Little Women, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood has lots of awards season buzz around it, but don’t let that put you off.

If there is one thing we need right now it is a feel-good movie. Even if you have no idea who Mr. Rogers was, you just need to know it’s Tom ‘Everyman’ Hanks in the lead role i.e it’ll be great entertainment. 

Jumanji: The Next Level

A true summer movie and totally enjoyable. I have new respect for Kevin Hart channeling Danny Glover and Awkwafina channeling Danny de Vito.

I think you will have a good time, even if you didn’t see the last one. However, if you did see the last one and remember the Robin Williams classic you’re going to enjoy it even more.