Eenie Meenie Miney Movies: December 2011

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Emmet Otter

It's been just more than a year since Eenie Meenie Miney Movies started; I hope this column has been useful to you over the course of 2011. Leave a comment below if you've enjoyed it or have any suggestions for changes. -- Chris

Notable Theatrical Releases

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked (December 16, rated G) -- I didn't see the two previous Chipmunk movies, but the user ratings and reviews for the original and the Squeakquel (Debbie's review) lead me to believe they were mediocre at best. If you've already run through the other holiday offerings, however, the story of CGI animated rodents marooned on an island may be a necessary evil. Or maybe you can just go see The Muppets again.

I especially enjoy the little moment between Jason Lee and David Cross at about the 30-second mark of this trailer -- I'd like to think that they're poking fun of themselves and of the movie here.

The Adventures of Tintin (December 21, rated PG) -- Steven Spielberg has a busy December ahead with two releases: War Horse, which might be appropriate for teenagers, and Tintin, a film that movie nerds and fans of the original Tintin comics have been eyeing warily. Spielberg's name is encouraging, obviously, but so are the names of the screenwriters: Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block). I might have preferred to see Moffat's name as the singular writer here, but apparently he left the project to become the showrunner for Doctor Who and was involved in handing the script over to Wright and Cornish.

The trailer also raises hopes for an entertaining afternoon at the movies -- the only complaint I have so far is that the motion-capture CGI feels a little ethereal, as if the people and the world they inhabit aren't quite solid. Still, it's further from the uncanny valley than Polar Express, so I'm happy to give it a chance.

We Bought a Zoo (December 23, rated PG) -- Matt Damon and Scarlett Johannson star in this Cameron Crowe pic about a widowed father of two who buys a zoo to give his kids an "authentic American experience," whatever that means. The setup is all romantic comedy and feel-good family values stuff and the trailer leads me to think the animals are little more than props. (PETA, inevitably, has already started criticizing the film.)

Wait for the reviews before you run the kids out to this one; they might be bored to death with meet-cute scenes between Damon and Johannson. These days it's a little difficult to see Matt Damon's face without going all Team America in my head, but the film seems harmless enough.

Also appearing in Austin for the holidays:

The Alamo Drafthouse presents: Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (December 10), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version, December 11), and a live performance of The Nutcracker Suite by the Invincible Czars (December 11).

Notable Home Video Releases

Kung Fu Panda 2 -- I enjoyed the first Kung Fu Panda, but I was surprised how well the sequel stood up to the original and to other animated films. I'm actually looking forward to the implied Kung Fu Panda 3.

The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition -- Beloved to film nerds but mostly forgotten to the mainstream, this period adventure about a hero with a jetpack should resonate with Indiana Jones fans. Not for really small kids, but ages 7 or 8 and up should enjoy it.

Netflix Instant Picks

A couple of great Henson pictures popped up on Netflix Instant just in time for the holidays.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas -- Probably the best known Muppets Christmas special before The Muppet Christmas Carol, this is sort of a musical "Gift of the Magi" with Muppet animals. Some of the regular Muppets have cameos, but it's mostly an original set of characters. Good stuff.

The Christmas Toy -- Sort of a precursor to Toy Story, these Muppet toy characters venture out to meet the new Christmas toys when they fear they're about to be replaced. I remember it being a little sinister in that toys who are discovered out of place lose their ability to come to life, but otherwise it's good family fare.