The Muppets (film) by Walt Disney Pictures

The Muppets
Film
Walt Disney Pictures, 2011

GENRE: Musical Comedy

HONORS: Various film festival and small awards, Academy Award for best original song

REVIEW:  Walter, a muppet, and his human brother Gary live in Smalltown, USA and have always been big fans of The Muppet Show. When Gary plans a trip to Los Angeles for his ten year anniversary with his girlfriend Mary, naturally he invites Walter along so that they can tour the Muppet Studios. Gary and Walter find out that the Muppet studios will be destroyed unless the Muppets can raise 10 million dollars. The two set out to reunite the Muppets and save the studio, but at the cost of Gary’s relationship with Mary. Gary, Walter and the Muppets join forces to save the studios and true love.

OPINION: The Muppets are an American Classic and this reboot will appeal to seasoned Muppet fans, as well as the younger generation that may not be as familiar.

IDEAS: Watch the movie and then use it as inspiration to put on a Muppets-style variety show featuring your students or TAG members.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (film) by 20th Century Fox

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Film
by 20th Century Fox, 2010

GENRE: Comedy, Humor, Juvenile Satire

HONORS: None known

REVIEW:  Going from the top of the chain of 5^th grade at elementary school to the bottom of the pile in 6^th grade in middle school can be daunting, and this is the challenge 11-year-old Greg Heffley is facing. Greg make every effort to be cool and fit in, including trying to change his seemingly uncool and often embarrassing best friend Rowley. Much to his surprise, his efforts backfire and Rowley’s popularity starts rising, leaving Greg behind alone and uncool. Can he make things right?

OPINION: I read the book a few years ago and was excited to finally see the movie adaptation.  I recall greatly disliking Greg’s character in the book, since he seemed kind of mean and selfish, and while the movie covered much of the same scenarios, Greg was much more likeable.

IDEAS: I love the concept of the “Book to Film Club” and this book and movie would be a great introduction to this kind of concept. It gets participants excited about reading, and then encourages them analyze what they’ve read when they compare the book to the movie.