Tim Robbins and Bill Murray play adults in this very child like film about a buried city of survivors. Long ago some surface warring forced the powers that be to send people under ground to save the human race from extinction. The instructions for opening the city were lost during a city upheaval.
Faced with a failing generator and food shortages, The mayor attempts to deny any problems. A couple of children figure out the truth and try and leave the city.
I enjoyed the film until about 20 minutes toward the end. I still think it's worth a watch especially for kids. The scary bits are short lived and until the rushed ending, it's a cute fable.
Library: Coos Bay, Dora, Myrtle Point & North Bend.
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/
Amazon: City of Ember
On the low end of the watchable scale for the bad acting, but I liked the story well enough to push it up one category. Modeled after the role playing game (a world with magic users, monarchs and dwarfs) we find a pair of unlikely hero thieves set upon a quest for a special magic weapon.
Probably the worst performance I've ever seen from Jeremy Irons. But the lead Justin Whalin convinced me of his bravery and loyalty. It's campy humor and simple plot lines would appeal to younger people and fantasy geeks who are young at heart.
Library: Bandon (DVD & VHS)
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190374/
Amazon: Dungeons & Dragons (New Line Platinum Series)
Nice to see Hayden Panettiere as a youngster. She befriends a boy in a mysterious world he falls into after an accident by the river. His senile grandfather helps him try and make his way around the strange place. Ole gramps walks through walls and drives through orchards that didn't exist during his time.
A mysterious circus show depicts folks from this world on a trapeze. If they catch they go on to heaven presumably. If they fall they turn to dust and go back to Earth. Panettiere's character fears the falling and refuses to try the trapeze.
Quite an imaginative take on the afterlife. Mostly for kids, but have a look and see what you think.
Library: Coquille
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329030/
Amazon: The Dust Factory
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