Saving in South County

       As part of their Family Summer Series of free movies, the two Wehrenberg Theatres in the South County area will be hosting screenings of “Hotel Transylvania” (Ronnie’s 20 Cine, June 12 &13) and “African Cats” (Arnold 14 Cine, June 12 &13). Both theaters show their free family films at 10 a.m. If you are looking for ideas for thrifty fun on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the series runs through August 15.

         The list of Wehrenberg Theatres participating in the 2013 Family Summer Series and the schedule of films is on http://www.wehrenberg.com/presenting.aspx?pid=333.

Hotel Transylvania
       At the time of its release, this film received better reviews from viewers than from professional critics. Most reviewers are adults, so this was no surprise. Kids loved it and most adults in tow were entertained as well.

        Visual, slapstick sight-jokes are rampant, as they should be for a young audience. The accented voice of Adam Sandler does the hotelier vampire persona quite well and Selena Gomez voicing his 118-year-old daughter is almost believable. It seems that the fears of over-protective fathers span centuries.
        
       Sony Animation has turned out some excellent children’s films in the past few years and this is no exception. An array of “classic monsters” and their families appear in animated reincarnation, including The Mummy, Frankenstein and Wolfman. The good part is that neither the characters, nor the action, are too frightening for the little ones.

  African Cats       
       Disney (Disney Nature Series) filmmakers follow two families of African cats, lions and cheetahs, and create a beautiful, educational documentary. Thankfully, the edited hunting scenes do a good job of smoothing over reality so as not to upset the young audience.

         Naming the “stars”  of the documentary created a personal connection to the majestic wild cats. Mara, a lion cub surviving with the aid of her capable mother and Sita, the mother of a litter of five cheetahs, will both win your hearts.

         Adults as well as children will enjoy the beautiful cinematography as well as the intimate peek into the “Wild.” Personally, I purchased a copy for home viewing and offer it up whenever someone suggests that we watch a wild film.