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June 24, 2023 Written by Christie | 1 Comment | Entertainment & Movie Reviews
Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken safe for kids? Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken OK for children? Read the Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 DreamWorks animated film , starring Lana Condor. No spoilers! #TeenageKrakenMovie May contain commissioned links.
Disney isn’t the only one going under the sea this summer.
But krakens take center stage as the heroes in this coming-of-age film. Is the world ready to embrace this ocean monster of a teen?
Is Ruby Gillman swimming towards another box office hit like Trolls, Shrek or How to Train Your Dragon? Or is DreamWorks “kraken” under the pressure of Disney movie competition?
In this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken parents guide to the new 2023 DreamWorks animated film. A no-spoiler parent review of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, does this under the sea film stand a chance against the 2023 summer blockbusters?
Visually, DreamWorks has produced yet another visually stunning animated film. Sharp details, enhanced water animation, as well as bright colors, sparkling skin tones and fluid movement (very similar to Trolls) gives off a very happy, bubbly, kid-friendly vibe for this summer 2023 film.
However, those prone to motion sickness may be surprised that much of the scenes are quick moving, rotating and wavering – which could be nausea and/or seasickness inducing. I would compare these potentially dizzying scenes to The Super Mario Bros. Movie warp pipe scenes combined with boat/ocean motions.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy or photosensitivity, please be warned that there are multiple scenes in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken that could be triggering. I would estimate about 50% of the film with bright flashing lights and strobing like effects. There are multiple scenes are in darkness with bioluminescence animation, speedy camera visuals and use of flashing lights to enhance emotions. Bright colors, flashing lights and rotating visuals occur during much of the underwater sequences, as well as scenes on land – and they could be VERY seizure inducing (and also possibly nauseating).
Between the bioluminescence animation, flashing lights and quick camera movements, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is one of the most photosensitive animated movies I’ve ever watched , even more so than The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Incredibles 2 . I highly recommend those prone to epilepsy or photosensitivity to watch with caution or have a trusted loved one prescreen first.
This summer 2023, DreamWorks Animation is diving into an all-new animated film directed by Kirk DeMicco (“ The Croods “), produced by Kelly Cooney Cilella (“ Trolls “), along with Faryn Pearl (“ The Croods: A New Age “) as co-director. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken features a comedic powerhouse cast including Lana Condor (“ To All of the Boys I’ve Loved Before “) as Ruby, Toni Collette (“ Knives Out “) as Ruby’s mom, Jane Fonda (“ Book Club: The Next Chapter “), Colman Domingo (“ Fear the Walking Dead “) as Ruby’s dad, Sam Richardson (“ Veep “) as Ruby’s uncle and Blue Chapman (“ Council of Dads “) as Ruby’s little brother. Also co-starring Will Forte (“ The Last Man on Earth “), Nicole Byer (“ Young & Hungry “), Ramona Young (“ Z Nation “), Eduardo Franco (“ Stranger Things “) and Echo Kellum (“ Arrow “).
Dive into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about Ruby Gillman, a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed. Using popular teenage coming-of-age tropes, humor and sarcasm, Ruby Gillman shows off her true colors through a journey of overcoming stereotypes, self-identity, acceptance, and family love.
However, as charming as Ruby Gillman and the kraken life is, this animated film also seems to slap back at another certain child entertainment giant. The timing and the character placement seems ironic considering that another under the sea film has just released this summer. And the tropes and life lessons seem to be closely familiar to another popular coming of age film you may have seen somewhat recently (*cough, Turning Red , cough*).
But with enough sparkly scenes, one liners and a somewhat clever spin on ocean mythology meets modern day society story, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken holds her own – without overstaying her welcome. With just enough takeaways that may even have audience members getting a little misty eyed, there’s character, relatability and heart (and cameos!) – all of the necessities for a somewhat memorable DreamWorks film.
Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken safe for kids? An original DreamWorks animated movie that’s rated PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with G-rating no longer an option.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings ( Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Werewolf by Night , I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken rated PG? In this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this all-new 2023 DreamWorks animated film is rated PG for “ some action, rude humor and thematic elements. ” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is kid friendly. Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken too adult for kids? Too crude? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. The action and violence in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken include images of possibly scary looking ocean creatures (all within the Ruby Gillman animation realm of the film), use of harpoon gun (including harpoon hitting directly into a character’s head), one animal attacking a woman’s face (for comedic relief) and some hand-to-hand fighting. Very mild peril. No gore or blood. This DreamWorks film fits in with the violence intensity level of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
Adult Themes. Teenage movie stereotypes and themes are very common throughout Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Dealing with hormones, self-identity, prom, dating, peer pressure, cell phones and social media, acceptance, tense family dynamics (including use of the word “hate” towards parents), divorce, skipping school, mental health references to “panic attacks,” and teen rebellion actions. No alcohol or drug content.
Sexual innuendo and adult content include hugging, brief hand holding and dancing while holding hands, one kiss between married parents and one kiss on the cheek. There’s also discussions similar to Turning Red of discussing teen bodies going through changes and referring to blossoming and flower metaphors. There is one quick verbal and visual reference to an LGBTQ+ relationship of one girl taking another girl to prom – but could be easily overlooked/missed by a child if not paying close attention. There is also one visual of a girl holding a sign up that says “Marry Me” to another girl. And one reference to a guy as “bae.”
Language. Does rude humor include foul language in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken? Thankfully, swear words and foul language are almost nonexistent in this animated movie. There are 2 play on words phrases of “son of an angler fish,” and “mother flipping.” But that’s as naughty as this DreamWorks film gets.
Milder insults and bad language words and phrases include “stupid,” “dumb,” “weird,” “freak,” “freaking out,” “oh my gosh,” and pronouncing the letters “OMG.” Not quite 100% clean, but glad to see that this DreamWorks film fits within the other popular animated franchises for language.
With a runtime of 1 hour 31 minutes , this 2023 DreamWorks animated movie fits right in the sweet spot for kids and families for a summer family film. With bright colors, stunning visuals and a humor filled coming-of-age teen story adventure, the pacing feels right on target for young kids.
This DreamWorks 2023 animated film is most comparable to Pixar’s Turning Red meets the Trolls franchise.
No, there are NO end credit scenes in DreamWorks Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken film. Though fans may enjoy the beginning credit 2D animations.
Based on my Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Elemental to kids younger than the age of 3-4 years old .
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to kids younger than the age of 3-4 years old . This Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken PG rating is pretty spot on and easily comparable to Turning Red and Trolls movie franchise ratings. I recommend that parents prescreen Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken movie for teenage tropes, crude humor and adult content.
Kraken up or kraken under the pressure? Not quite as iconic as Shrek or the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Ruby Gillman is no Turning Red, in my opinion. But that’s not to say that Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken let’s her teen raging hormones overstay her welcome. In fact, Elemental may get a little emotional over the competition this summer 2023.
With clever humor, a twist on the usual ocean mythology storyline, and relatable characters, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken stands tall as an underwater summer adventure that will have kids and parents alike laughing. This movie dives deeper below surface level – into important life lesson tentacles that we could all learn from.
I was invited to screen the new 2023 DreamWorks animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken in exchange for this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of DreamWorks/Universal Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
I’m Christie, Korean mom to 2 biracial “whasians.” A Florida gal who loves crafts, travel & any excuse to eat! Read more...
Kae-Leah Williamson says
June 24, 2023 at 9:29 pm
Yes, I know it’s just a movie. Yes, it’s fiction, and it’s not meant as an intentional personal attack, but… As a disabled person who loves mermaids, I felt hurt by the trailer for the upcoming DreamWorks Animation movie Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken saying “people are stupid” for liking mermaids. There are many disabled people in the cosplay community who like dressing up as mermaids because for once, their lack of mobility actually makes sense. One of my favorite disabled cosplayers made a meme years ago that said “You don’t have to walk to be beautiful, just ask the mermaids”. Directly insulting people for liking mermaids unintentionally hurts many disabled people. It’s tiresome how Hollywood doesn’t often give a crap about disabled people and their feelings. Mermaids aren’t real, but disabled people who like them are. When I was a teenager 20 years ago, I watched shows where the characters I looked up to made “short bus” jokes, and while I realize rationally that this is not nearly as bad as that, it’s still hurtful and certainly unnecessary. Our feelings are very real, and everywhere we’re bombarded with subtle reminders of how we don’t matter to so many people and corporations alike.
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Related news, movie review: ‘ruby gillman, teenage kraken’, by john mulderig, osv news jun 30, 2023 culture.
NEW YORK – In theory, the tale of a shy but enthusiastic high schooler who is really a sea creature rather than a human might make for a pleasant diversion.
But the major feminist and minor gay agendas that underlie the animated adventure “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” (Universal) spoil any potential fun the film might offer.
Krakens, so the opening narrative informs us, are a misunderstood lot. Far from being the monstrous threat to shipping and sailors they have long been reputed to be, they are, in fact, guardians of good order in the depths.
Why, then, has the titular character’s caring mother, Agatha (voice of Toni Collette), decided that she (voice of Lana Condor), her energetic little brother, Sam (voice of Blue Chapman), and amiable dad, Arthur (voiced by Colman Domingo), should all live on dry land and pose as people? It’s not initially clear.
Not only has Ruby been raised on terra firma, she’s also been taught to fear any contact with the ocean. But when Connor (voice of Jaboukie Young-White), the skateboarding fellow student Ruby would like to make her boyfriend, almost drowns in an accident, she reluctantly takes the plunge to save him.
As a result, Ruby discovers the wondrous world beneath the waves and learns that her estranged grandmother, known regally as Grandmahmah (voice of Jane Fonda), is its monarch. She also breaks precedent by befriending Chelsea (voice of Annie Murphy), a mermaid and therefore a traditional enemy of Krakenkind.
Together, the lasses ostensibly hope to bring about a reconciliation between their once-warring, still adversarial tribes. But all is not as it seems to naive Ruby.
As scripted by Pam Brady, Brian C. Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi, and helmed by Kirk DeMicco and co-director Faryn Pearl, the movie sends mixed signals about whether kids should trust their parents. Thus, although her maternal caution is, in some respects, ultimately vindicated, Agatha is portrayed as overly fond of familial secrets.
Less ambiguous is the fact that female krakens are gigantic, gleaming and powerful while their male counterparts are puny and impotent. One of Ruby’s closest pals, Margot (voice of Liza Koshy), moreover, is a lesbian who takes a girl to the prom and sports a rainbow-flag bowtie.
Grown-ups concerned that their children will be manipulated by such item ticking would be wise to be wary. Unsuitable for the youngsters at whom it’s aimed, “Kraken” – while occasionally funny and visually vivid – will likely bore their elders.
The film contains stylized cartoon combat, a benign view of homosexual relationships and mature references. The OSV News classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on Twitter @JohnMulderig1.
When we’re growing up, there are many times when we feel a little monstrous.
For many of us, it happens around adolescence: Bodies are changing, emotions are huge. And because we’re trying to figure everything out, we can’t help but notice how different we are.
That’s probably why there’s no shortage of coming-of-age stories that use monsters as metaphors. The latest entry in this genre, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,” blends teenage angst with a fun and vibrant take on sea-creature lore that subverts fairy-tale expectations.
Directed by Kirk DeMicco, the animated movie follows Ruby Gillman (voiced by Lana Condor ), a teen kraken who lives among humans in a seaside town. Sweet and relatably awkward, Ruby is a 16-year-old mathlete with a lovingly overprotective mom (Toni Collette), a crew of loyal friends (Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, Eduardo Franco) and a crush ( Jaboukie Young-White ) who’s not as unattainable as she might believe.
For director Peter Sohn, ‘Elemental’ is a tribute to his Korean immigrant parents. It’ll make you want to say thank you to yours.
June 19, 2023
A key Gillman family rule is to never go into the ocean. But when Ruby breaks it to save her favorite skater boy, she discovers a family secret: She’s kraken royalty. Not only that, Ruby learns that the kraken are warriors who protect the sea from their rivals, such as the vain and power-hungry mermaids .
At a moment when animated family features are often adaptations of existing intellectual property or additions to a franchise , “Ruby Gillman” stands out as an original story, something to be lauded. Exactly how original is another question: While watching “Ruby,” it’s impossible not to think of other recent animated films such as Pixar’s “ Luca ,” a fish-out-of-water tale featuring young sea monsters, or “ Turning Red ,” a panda puberty story involving mother-daughter tensions.
“Ruby Gillman” is also clearly in conversation with a certain animated classic from 1989 about a young redheaded mermaid princess who dreams of walking among humans. (Flipping the script on fairy tales is a bit of a DreamWorks signature .)
Still, as predictable as the movie often is, it’s elevated by Condor’s disarming and charming Ruby, and some vivid character designs. The luminous undersea kraken kingdom is also quite a sight.
Lighter in emotional stakes than other animated films released this month (“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ,” “ Elemental ”), “Ruby Gillman” will likely appeal to younger audiences — and to their parents seeking a beach read of a movie.
'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken'
Rated: PG, for some action, rude humor and thematic elements Running time: 1 hour, 31 minutes Playing: In general release
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On its surface, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is like any number of other films we’ve already seen: An awkward teenager tries to fit in, winds up humiliated, but then discovers that they’re special in their own way. With a variation here or there, the template can accommodate everything from She’s All That to Cinderella to Spider-Man to Carrie . In the case of this movie, however, like the title says, our nerdy, lovesick 15-year-old heroine (voiced by Lana Condor) isn’t just wondering whom she can ask out to prom or if the popular new girl at school will befriend her or why her parents are so strict with her. She’s also a kraken .
There are different kinds of weird. Some movies are weird due to a surfeit of imagination; the filmmakers, we sense, have worked overtime to come up with more and more creative, unpredictable ideas. Then there are those films that are weird for the opposite reason: because the people behind them appear to have run out of ideas. Sea monsters have been all the rage in animation of late, but there’s a world of difference between the fully realized universes of The Sea Beast and Luca and something like Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, which feels like a fake movie we might glimpse in a satire about how creatively bankrupt Hollywood is. At the same time, it’s a fake film that we can sort of imagine actually wanting to see: Wait, she’s a kraken ? The ancient, mythical, ship-eating giant octopus of Scandinavian sailor lore? Okay, what’s that going to be like?
Weird. It’s going to be weird. I’m not sure at what point I realized I was watching what might be the strangest movie of the year. Maybe it had to do with Ruby’s parents hiding from their kids the fact that they are a family of krakens . Or the fact that Ruby is told her family is not allowed into the ocean even though they live in a seaside village. This is not any seaside village, mind you; it’s a village where everything is sea-based. Every single school trip is to the water. The prom is being held on a boat. “Why do you live next to the water?” someone asks Ruby’s mom, Agatha (voiced by Toni Collette). “We needed to stay moist,” she says.
Ruby doesn’t know she’s a kraken at first. She just knows to wear turtlenecks to cover up her gills lest she be mocked at school. When she’s embarrassed, one of her legs wraps tentacularly around the other. Is the latter an actual, odd character feature, or is it just part of the slippery, trippy animation style of the movie? That, too, is hard to tell. The look of Ruby Gillman has a TV-cartoon cheapness, but its frames are cluttered with all manner of objects and elements of odd design, almost as if the filmmakers hope we won’t notice how basic and uninspired everything looks. Even when our heroine transforms into a mountainous, terrifying undersea beast, it’s hard to tell what she’s supposed to look like. Her hair is made of tentacles, but her enormous fingers have suckers on them. What exactly do the people who made this movie think a kraken looks like? Ruby looks as if a drunk person tried to draw Cthulhu from memory.
Ruby Gillman tries to have it both ways. It wants to be a poppy, colorful, neon teen fantasia — a frivolous comedy with simple bursts of romantic longing, encomiums to enduring friendships, and gentle conflicts with overprotective parents. At the same time, there’s a whiff of civilizational defeat to its devil-may-care high concept. By making the teen heroine (I still can’t believe I’m typing this) a kraken , and not a particularly well-realized kraken at that, the movie undercuts the familiar sweetness of its premise in the cruelest way. It reminds us that nothing really matters. Ruby Gillman might seem like an unassuming little animated film — a trifling, family-friendly time-waster — but at some point, expect a moment of clarity that reveals how utterly absurd this whole endeavor is. And by “whole endeavor,” I mean life itself.
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Common Sense Media
Movie & TV reviews for parents
Ruby gillman, teenage kraken.
Based on 14 kid reviews
Good, but not too good.
This title has:
Good animation, bad messages, fantastic must see.
Some flirting, a character nearly drowns, some rude humor.
Turning red x luca, what to watch next.
Related topics.
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
by Kristina Light
June 26, 2023
Duration 91 minutes
This weekend, our family enjoyed a sneak preview of RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN , the latest film from DreamWorks Animation.
This fast-paced, colorful film is the latest summer film from DreamWorks. Part comedy, part adventure, the legend of the Kraken and the mermaids is told through a tale of teenage discovery.
Ruby Gillman grew up on land and never quite fit in. She always felt different, but she didn't know why.
This shy, studious, sweet, high school student eagerly anticipates prom, begging her mom to let her go, and navigates her passion for math, her crush, and friends. She often feels invisible, until she doesn't. One day she discovers that she is in fact a Kraken, and not just any Kraken, a giant princess Kraken.
Legend has it that Krakens were the enemy of Oceanside, her seaside suburban town, but as the story unfolds it is revealed that the real enemies are in fact, mermaids (a red-headed singing mermaid to be exact.... coincidence?).
The movie packs a powerful message, "Sometimes the hero you are meant to be lies just beneath the surface."
Ruby is told to live by one rule, never enter the ocean. When she breaks the rule to rescue her crush, she learns she is a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and is destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmama (voiced by Academy Award® winner Jane Fonda), the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas.
Grandmama Kraken tells Ruby the history of their kind and their mission to protect the seven seas against the villainous mermaids who have been battling with the Kraken for years. The problem is that the new girl in school, and Ruby's new BFF, just so happens to be a mermaid. In order to save the Kraken, she must defeat the mermaids. In order to obey her mother, she must never enter the ocean (become a giant Kraken). Ruby has to decide whether to embrace her Kraken heritage and protect those she loves, or continue to hide.
The film is a fun underwater adventure kids enjoy.
What parents should know before they go:
Genre: Animated Action-Comedy
Cast: Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Jaboukie Young-White, Blue Chapman, Eduardo Franco, Ramona Young, Echo Kellum, Nicole Byer and Jane Fonda
Directed by Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Kirk DeMicco (Vivo, The Croods) and produced by Kelly Cooney Cilella (Trolls World Tour, Trolls), with Faryn Pearl (The Croods: A New Age, Trolls World Tour) serving as co-director, the film features a comedic powerhouse supporting cast, including Emmy nominee Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth), Emmy nominee Nicole Byer (Nailed It!), YouTube Diamond creator Liza Koshy (Liza on Demand), Ramona Young (Never Have I Ever), Eduardo Franco (Stranger Things) and Echo Kellum (Arrow).
Family Media Group. All rights reserved.
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Things to do | cheekily titled ‘ruby gillman, teenage kraken’ is an easy, breezy, entertaining watch, dreamworks animation’s film treads in familiar waters, but its charms make up for that.
For many of us, it happens around adolescence: Bodies are changing, emotions are huge. And because we’re trying to figure everything out, we can’t help but notice how different we are.
That’s probably why there’s no shortage of coming-of-age stories that use monsters as metaphors. The latest entry in this genre, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,” blends teenage angst with a fun and vibrant take on sea-creature lore that subverts fairy-tale expectations.
Directed by Kirk DeMicco, the animated movie follows Ruby Gillman (voiced by Lana Condor ), a teen kraken who lives among humans in a seaside town. Sweet and relatably awkward, Ruby is a 16-year-old mathlete with a lovingly overprotective mom (Toni Collette), a crew of loyal friends (Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, Eduardo Franco) and a crush ( Jaboukie Young-White ) who’s not as unattainable as she might believe.
Commentary: ‘Elemental’ is a reminder to thank our parents while we still canA key Gillman family rule is to never go into the ocean. But when Ruby breaks it to save her favorite skater boy, she discovers a family secret: She’s kraken royalty. Not only that, Ruby learns that the kraken are warriors who protect the sea from their rivals, such as the vain and power-hungry mermaids .
At a moment when animated family features are often adaptations of existing intellectual property or additions to a franchise , “Ruby Gillman” stands out as an original story, something to be lauded. Exactly how original is another question: While watching “Ruby,” it’s impossible not to think of other recent animated films such as Pixar’s “ Luca ,” a fish-out-of-water tale featuring young sea monsters, or “ Turning Red ,” a panda puberty story involving mother-daughter tensions.
“Ruby Gillman” is also clearly in conversation with a certain animated classic from 1989 about a young redheaded mermaid princess who dreams of walking among humans. (Flipping the script on fairy tales is a bit of a DreamWorks signature .)
Still, as predictable as the movie often is, it’s elevated by Condor’s disarming and charming Ruby, and some vivid character designs. The luminous undersea kraken kingdom is also quite a sight.
Lighter in emotional stakes than other animated films released this month (“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ,” “ Elemental ”), “Ruby Gillman” will likely appeal to younger audiences — and to their parents seeking a beach read of a movie.
This film is adequate but it lacks surprise or enchantment..
Theaters: A teenage girl discovers that she comes from a long line of krakens, sworn to protect the world from power-hungry mermaids. On top of all her high school responsibilities of course.
Release date June 30, 2023
Run Time: 90 minutes
The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kirsten hawkes.
Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is a competitive math whiz (“mathlete”), loyal member of her friend squad, and conscientious rule-follower. Although she lives near the beach, she obeys her parents’ strict ban against ever going into the sea. She also does her best to be invisible, ascribing her blue skin to being Canadian. The truth is much harder to believe: Ruby is a kraken.
Fans of maritime literature will recognize krakens as fearsome sea monsters, prone to destroying ships and killing unlucky sailors. As we learn, this is “fake news”: the kraken are really guardians of the ocean, destined to protect the watery world from all manners of monsters, especially cunning, power-hungry mermaids.
There aren’t a lot of surprises in this DreamWorks production. It’s vaguely disappointing that the studio that produced Shrek can’t come up with a quirkier angle on a story that’s just crying out for a less pedestrian approach. I don’t mean that Ruby Gillman is a bad film. It’s fine. Just fine. The characters are clearly drawn, the animation is bright and appealing, and the voice talent is excellent – particularly Jane Fonda as Grandmamah. (Considering Ms. Fonda’s dreadful roles this past year, maybe she should stick to voice acting in future.) The movie even delivers solid lessons about self-acceptance, the benefits of diversity, and the power of family legacies. What’s missing is the element of surprise, or perhaps enchantment.
Youngsters will probably enjoy watching the movie, but it won’t give parents the kind of comic jolt that comes from, say, The Incredibles or Shrek. This is an adequate choice for 90 air-conditioned minutes in a theater with the kids, but I think you’re better off waiting until it streams and spending your hard-earned money on a more exciting summer blockbuster. ( Elemental and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are both better films and are still playing in theaters.)
If your kids have seen the trailer and are clamoring to see the film, you can be assured that there is very little negative content aside from dramatic body transformation and some fairly extensive scenes of fantasy violence, none of which feel terribly perilous (at least to me). Parents will note that one of Ruby’s friends is a lesbian and there’s a brief moment where two girls kiss in the background. Whether you see this as a plus or not will depend entirely on your views on sexuality and diverse representation. Frankly, I think it will go right over the heads of most young moviegoers who will be fascinated by the underwater drama. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken might not be the catch of the day, but it gives families a reasonably safe entertainment option and that’s not nothing.
Kirsten hawkes, watch the trailer for ruby gillman, teenage kraken.
Why is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken rated PG? Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is rated PG by the MPAA for some action, rude humor and thematic elements
Violence: There are frequent scenes of fantasy violence in which characters are thrown, hit, trapped by rocks, zapped with eye lasers, and menaced with a trident. A human character nearly drowns. Harpoons are fired at a main character. A building is accidentally destroyed when a character transforms into a much bigger creature. Sexual Content: A girl announces that she’s going to prom with another girl and is later seen dancing with her. Two girls are briefly seen kissing in the background of a scene. A girl kisses a boy on the cheek. Profanity: “Dumb” is used as an insult on a few occasions. Alcohol / Drug Use: None.
Page last updated June 29, 2024
Why does Ruby’s mother insist on raising her children on land? Do you think she made the right decision? Do you think it’s possible for Ruby to live on the land and fulfil her role as a kraken leader at the same time or do you think she’s going to have to make a choice at some point?
How does this movie’s depictions of mermaids contrast with the prevailing cinematic portrayal? Do you think this adds extra tension or humor to the story?
Young readers who want to get to know a sea monster for themselves can read Lula and the Sea Monster by Alex Latimer. Young readers will also appreciate Monsters in the Briny which features a kraken, a sea serpent, and a giant tortoise. Written by Lynn Becker and illustrated by Scott Brundage, this book rollicks along to a sea shanty rhythm.
Young readers who want ocean adventures and lots of pictures will appreciate The Sea Monster by Kyle Lukoff and Kat Uno.
Chapter book readers will enjoy the excitement of Mary Pope Osborne’s Summer of the Sea Serpent, the third of the Magic Tree House Merlin Missions series.
Kids who want to know about the real world creatures who live in the deep will learn a lot from National Geographic Kids Weird Sea Creatures by Laura Marsh. They can also check out Scary Sea Creatures by Madelyn Ovelia Marthers.
Luca is the story of a sea monster who’s curious about life on land. When he leaves the water, he transforms into a human and has a chance to make friends, develop a passion for Vespas, and learn about the wider world.
In Turning Red , MeiMei discovers that she has inherited an unusual family trait – she transforms into a giant red panda when she feels strong emotion.
After Jacob Holland finds a young stowaway on his monster-hunting ship, they find themselves learning a lot about the feared denizens of the deeps in The Sea Beast.
A young orphaned boy goes on the run from his powerful grandfather in Kubo and the Two Strings.
The popular perception of mermaids can be clearly seen in The Little Mermaid, available in Disney’s animated and live action versions.
"mixed animated fantasy fare".
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Miscellaneous Immorality: Lying, deceit and talking back to parents, but these issues are resolved in the end.
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN has always felt a little funny because she lives in a human world, but she isn’t a human, and when things go awry, she finds out just how different she is than humans. RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is a fun animated fantasy with some positive moral content about family and motherhood, but the plot is lackluster in the movie’s first half, and the movie has some cautionary elements such as the mother isn’t truthful to her teenage daughter, and there are two references to a girl asking another girl to the school prom.
Ruby is a teenager who has always found herself out of place, because she’s a kraken living in a human world. Ruby comes from a line of royal female sea creatures who can grow huge, to protect the ocean from power-hungry mermaids. Ruby’s mother and father, who love each other deeply, have decided to live on land with their family, rather than in the water as a kraken. This means that Ruby can’t be in the water and can’t attend her prom because it will be held on a boat in the water. Ruby goes to school and tells her friends the sad news she can’t go to the prom. However, she decides to go anyway and not tell her parents. She will also ask the boy she likes to go with her to the prom.
When Ruby asks Connor to attend the prom with her, he accidentally falls over the edge of the ocean pier into the water. Ruby jumps into the water to get him. However, she turns into a huge kraken and sends a signal into the water. Ruby saves Connor, but also becomes so huge that she accidently destroys the school library. She’s totally thrown off when this happens because her mother never told Ruby this would happen if she went into the water.
Not long afterwards, Ruby returns to her smaller size, but the signal her body sent into the water notifies her Uncle Brill. He comes to visit and tells Ruby about her grandmother and leads her to her. Her grandmother, Grandmamah, turns out to be a queen of the krakens. This means that Ruby is a princess. Ruby is overwhelmed by this information and must decide to either stay on land or stay with her Grandmamah.
When going back toward land, Ruby sees a classmate, Margot, in the sea and discovers Margot is actually a mermaid. The mermaids and the krakens have been in a war for years, but Margot believes the mermaids and the krakens can be friends again if Ruby finds a trident with magical power that can unite the two groups.
Can Ruby restore the relationship between the krakens and the mermaids and end the war? Can she restore the relationship she has with her own mother, who didn’t tell her about all these things from the past?
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is a fun animated movie overall, but it doesn’t have a strong, cohesive plot until 45 minutes or so into the story, halfway through the movie. The story in RUBY GILLMAN has some relatable concepts when Ruby is shown as a teenager who goes to school and feels out of place. However, when she becomes a kraken, viewers may not feel as connected to her character.
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN has some moral elements stressing motherhood and family, but it also has some cautionary elements. Ruby discovers her mother just wants to protect and take care of her family, which is promotion of motherhood. However, Ruby’s mother has a bad relationship with her own mother, though this relationship is restored in the end. Also, the mother hides a lot of information from Ruby and isn’t open with her about the past and about what exactly being a kraken means, though she learns she was wrong. Ruby herself decides to rebel against her mother, just as her mother rebelled against her own mother. This gets resolved by the end of the movie, but rebellion is the leading conflict. Finally, there are also two mentions of a girl asking another girl to go to the prom, but there aren’t any prom scenes depicting this.
All in all, therefore, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children for RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN.
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2023-06-26T08:56:00+01:00
Charles Merritt believes this family film was generally uninspiring though does give you much to discuss
The Film: Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken
Watch if you liked: Trolls, Turning Red
Running time: 121 minutes
Genre: Family, Fantasy, Coming-of-Age
Overview: Ruby Gillman is a kraken* in hiding, trying desperately to fit in with the other teenagers at her school but, when she’s forced to save her crush from drowning, she discovers she is the heir to the kraken throne.
Pre-Review:
I never like writing a bad review. I realise that so many people work so hard to produce a movie that it feels mean to sit here and write about their final product in such a dismissive way. This wasn’t a dreadful movie (nor was it a good one…) but it’ll do as a summer outing if you need to get the kids out of the house for a bit.
What you liked:
The soundtrack was pretty good. ‘This Moment’ by Mimi Webb, particularly stood out as a toe-tapping, feel-good song.
The voice work was good, even if the script didn’t always allow it to be.
What you didn ’t like:
DreamWorks started their animation success with the brilliant Shrek films that beautifully parodied the Disney empire and produced slick, well-observed humour as a result.
I feel as though DreamWorks could have done more with this Little Mermaid knock-off (especially with the live-action remake releasing only a few weeks ago). Instead, it feels as though they are trying to copy PIXAR’s success, only failing to match the genius and inventiveness of those films (well, maybe not the more recent PIXAR movies but I have high hopes for Elemental).
The family dynamic felt unoriginal and uninspiring - especially when compared to the brilliant family portrayal of the Morales’ in Sony Animations Spider-Verse movies.
There weren’t any laugh out loud moments for me, nor were there any jokes that made me think of laughing…
I was surprised to learn that this movie was only an hour and half long as it felt much longer… I definitely got restless but a child might have found this more entertaining than myself.
It was a generic kids movie, which is disappointing as DreamWork’s previous film - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - was great for all-ages.
Thoughts for parents:
When you’ve watched a lot of films, you notice a trope. You sit and yell at the screen ‘why didn’t you just tell them the truth sooner?!’.
To be fair, the movie does address this and Ruby’s disdain at her mum for not telling her that she was a giant kraken princess is what drives her to become rebellious and to discover her kraken powers.
Ruby’s mum says that she doesn’t lie but leaves out ‘tiny omissions’ which ultimately come back to haunt her. Telling the truth is something that people of all ages struggle with. Whether it’s because we’re scared of what will happen if people know the truth or if we’re trying to protect people’s feelings, it can be tempting to tell a white lie every so often.
What is hidden in darkness can only be healed when brought into the light - how do we create safe spaces for children and young people to feel as though they can be open and honest with us?
Ruby doesn’t feel as though she fits in at school and feels as though she has to hide her kraken identity as a secret. I wonder how children and young people feel about their Christian identity at school?
I remember struggling with it, feeling a weight on my shoulders when invited to parties when I knew there’d be alcohol and other activities. Ruby’s rebellion happens because her mum won’t let her to go to prom. I wonder whether the boundaries we put on our children and young people can actually be unhealthy and maybe an encouragement to be the light in those places is a better thing to do? I went to parties and refused alcohol (for a variety of reasons) and whilst, at first, people made fun of me for it, after a few years people began to really respect me for it and opened up amazing conversations in which I could share my faith.
*kraken is a legendary sea monster of enormous size said to appear off the coasts of Norway
2023-12-20T16:42:00Z By Andy Peck
Andy Peck is transported back to a wholly different time and world in a modern rendering of a classic children’s author
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2024-02-07T08:43:00Z By Andy Peck
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2024-01-10T08:51:00Z By Charlotte Fawdington
Do you have a book to give to a non-Christian child or teen?
2023-12-13T08:30:00Z By Charles Merritt
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Faith can be a very challenging topic to depict on screen , as much of a film’s impact is based solely on the personal reaction that an audience member has when leaving the theater. Although it can be challenging to appreciate a film that contradicts one’s personal beliefs, even if it is a great piece of drama in its own right, great acting has the ability to expose viewers to a great diversity of cinematic experiences.
Faith-based films often get a bad reputation , as there are certainly a number of low quality projects that only aim at appeasing those that share its beliefs. However, there are many profound films from veteran filmmakers that deal with the ways in which faith intersects with historical events, modern issues, and one’s personal mental health struggles. Here are ten faith-based films with great acting, ranked.
Directed by emeric pressburger and michael powell.
One of the most defining films of the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” Black Narcissus was yet another example of the genius work of Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell , the award winning directorial team behind such classics as The Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death among many others. Although the two directors worked in a variety of different genres, Black Narcissus focused on a small covenant of Anglican sisters who work to establish a headquarters on top of a mountain.
"The brilliant work by Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons elevates Black Narcissus into a profound meditation on what it is like to hold on to one’s faith in the midst of dangerous circumstances."
The brilliant work by Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons elevates Black Narcissus into a profound meditation on what it is like to hold on to one’s faith in the midst of dangerous circumstances. The film was also notable for giving a breakout performance to David Farrar , whose performance as the military agent Mr. Dean became the unexpected heart of the film when he decides to join forces with and support the sisters in their seemingly insurmountable mission.
Watch on Prime Video
Directed by ingmar bergman.
The Seventh Seal is one of the defining medieval films of all-time , and for good reason, as some of the striking shots that Ingmar Bergman conjured up rank among the most aesthetically striking in film history. While it's a film that will be studied for its unique visual design forever, The Seventh Seal is just as emotional of a viewing experience because of the great performance by Max von Sydow as a knight who must contend with the literal manifestation of death.
While eventually he would become more closely associated with playing on screen villains , Sydow gives a complexity that captures the chivalry of knighthood and the perils of having to literally contend with the possibility of death. While the film itself is reliant on the audience’s ability to buy into many extended metaphors, Sydow’s performance is strong enough to carry the emotional weight of the narrative.
Watch on Max
Directed by martin scorsese.
The Last Temptation of Christ is one of the most controversial films of Martin Scorsese’s entire career , as the backlash from radical Christian movements due to his depiction of key events from scripture became so significant that at one point FBI agents were brought in to ensure the safety of the cast and crew. Tackling the story that Scorsese did with The Last Temptation of Christ was in of itself an act of cinematic bravery, but Willem Dafoe took on an even greater challenge when he accepted the role of Jesus of Nazareth.
Dafoe was able to do the seemingly unthinkable and turn Jesus into a relatable character as he is seduced with the possibility of living out a human life during his pivotal walk in the desert. Harvey Keitel is also strong in a memorable supporting role as Judas.
The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.
Rent on Amazon
Directed by tim robbins.
Dead Man Walking is an unusual legal thriller that made the bold choice to spend just as much time on the victims as it did on the supposed criminal culprits. Sean Penn gave one of the biggest breakout roles of his career as a convicted murderer who is on trial for murdering a teenage couple; Susan Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing a timid, yet quietly powerful Catholic nun who helps the convicts prepare for their last days on Earth by finding a relationship with God.
"Susan Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing a timid, yet quietly powerful Catholic nun."
Dead Man Walking is very well-acted because of its director , as Tim Robbins decided to step behind the camera and ask his friends to co-star in this masterful drama. As a result, an actor like Robbins was able to inspire more intimate performances out of the cast than a non-actor may have been able to do so with the same material.
Directed by john patrick shanley.
Doubt is a brilliant ethical drama lifted from the play of the same name , but was able to make the necessary alterations in its narrative structure in order to seem inherently cinematic. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives one of his most challenging performances as a beloved Catholic father who is accused of assaulting a young boy under his care; Amy Adams and Meryl Streep are simply astounding as the two nuns who must hold him to justice, despite their warring beliefs on his innocence.
Doubt is best remembered for a ten-minute sequence involving Viola Davis , who co-stars as the mother of the boy who is considered to be a possible victim. Despite the relative brevity of her screen time, Davis was able to bring to life the racial and religious conflicts that her character dealt with to life in such a profound manner that she earned the first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress of her career.
A Catholic school principal questions a priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.
Directed by terrence malick.
The Tree of Life is a beautiful arthouse epic that attempted to tell the story of all of life on Earth, tracing back in time to the emergence of the dinosaurs and following through to the eventual collapse of the human race. While it may have been easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer ambition of what The Tree of Life is attempting to pull off, writer and director Terrence Malick makes the smart decision to focus on how a young Texan boy ( Tye Sheridan ) grows up to question the beliefs of his compassionate mother ( Jessica Chastain ) and more aggressive father ( Brad Pitt ) as he discovers the person that he wants to be.
An appearance by Sean Penn as an older version of Sheridan’s characters helps improve the film’s third act , as the consistency of characterization allows The Tree of Life to merge some of its more audacious visual qualities with a more intimate coming-of-age story.
4 ‘silence’ (2016).
Silence is another very personal film for Scorsese , who tackled another issue regarding Catholic faith with this historical epic set in the heart of feudal Japan. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver star as a pair of Jesuit priests who travel deep into enemy territory to find their mentor ( Liam Neeson ), who is rumored to have given up his faith entirely.
Garfield’s performance is one of the best of his career , as the dangerous situations that he finds himself in only heighten his personal anxieties about praying to a God that he is unsure is listening. Silence is just as beautifully made and brilliantly staged as any of the other masterpieces in Scorsese’s career, but it's the intensely personal work that Garfield does as a man who questions what his life’s work has amounted to that elevates it among the greatest faith-based films of all-time.
In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.
Watch on Pluto TV
Directed by mel gibson.
Hacksaw Ridge tells the incredible true story of Desmond T. Doss , a World War II veteran that served as a medic and rescuer in the heat of combat because of personal religious beliefs that prevented him from ever holding a weapon. While someone as inspiring as Doss became a challenging protagonist to depict because of his seeming flawlessness, Andrew Garfiled delivered an incredible performance that captured the specific reasons why he felt he could not ever be associated with weapons.
Garfield added a gentleness and sincerity to Hacksaw Ridge that made it only more powerful in the third act, in which director Mel Gibson delivers some of the most harrowing World War II battle footage ever captured on film. While Garfield’s work earned him a well deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, the film also featured strong performances from Luke Bracey and Vince Vaughn.
Watch on Netflix
Directed by paul schrader.
First Reformed is an astounding modern neo-noir classic that manages to ask existential questions about whether faith in God can be justified when the world is struggling with serious environmental issues. Ethan Hawke gives one of the best performances of his career as a grieving priest who is called upon to become a hero when a member of his church ( Amanda Seyfried ) comes to believe that her husband may be considering becoming a radical terrorist.
First Reformed is a film that is reliant on slower scenes of character interaction and dialogue , and it's to Hawke’s credit that it never becomes dull or unfocused. Although there are some bold visual and narrative choices that writer and director Paul Schrader made when pulling off the film’s ending, it's the diligence of Hawke’s work in the film that makes First Reformed hit like such an emotional gut punch.
In a narrative that combines spirituality with environmental and personal crises, a pastor faces a profound moral and existential dilemma after meeting an eco-activist couple. As he delves deeper into the environmental cause, his growing radicalization confronts him with troubling questions about his capacity for violence and his commitment to his faith.
Directed by fernando meirelles.
The Two Popes brings to life an interesting chapter in Catholic history , in which the younger Pope Francis ( Jonathan Pryce ) was elected to serve as the leader of the faith after Pope Benedict ( Sir Anthony Hopkins ) chose to step down in the wake of a series of scandals relating to the institutional coverup of child sexual abuse by priests. Although the film has important historical context regarding the direction that the faith has taken, The Two Popes is at its best when it allows its two stars to simply interact with one another.
Pryce and Hopkins were able to show how two leaders with very different beliefs formed a friendship that ended up strengthening the direction that the Catholic church took moving forward; both Pryce and Hopkins received well deserved Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
KEEP READING: The 10 Best Pierce Brosnan Movies, Ranked
Kraven 's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunte... Read all Kraven 's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. Kraven 's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.
Sergei Kravinoff : [after his father tries to attack him] You don't get to do that to me anymore.
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As summer gives way to fall, Labor Day marks the point when kids are back in school, and adults are thinking more about the holidays than about summer vacations. Labor Day itself is an excellent time to reflect or plan, but it’s also a great time to relax and watch a movie.
If you are an Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you likely have plenty of great options to choose from. In fact, you might have so many that you don’t know where to begin. We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected five movies that are a great way to celebrate Labor Day without leaving the comfort of your couch.
Need more recommendations? We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix , the best movies on Hulu , the best movies on Amazon Prime Video , and the best movies on Max .
Mission: Impossible may be the best action franchise operating today, and Dead Reckoning is just the latest bit of proof that these movies remain great. Following Ethan Hunt and his team as they battle a hyper-intelligent AI, Dead Reckoning is much less about the actual plot and much more about the stunts that Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie think up.
This film has a genuinely delightful car chase through the streets of Venice as well as a motorcycle jump off a cliff that will make you giggle just thinking about how deranged Cruise is. It’s everything an acton movie should be, even if it is a little convoluted.
You can watch Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning on Amazon Prime Video.
Robert Zemeckis has made several masterpieces in the course of his long career, and depending on who you ask, Death Becomes Her may be one of them. The movie tells the story of two women who take an elixir that grants them immortal life in their battles to woo a hilarious Bruce Willis. Hijinks ensure when the women keep on killing each other, leading to bizarre scenes with one woman walking around with a hole in her stomach while the other women’s neck is stretched out like an accordion.
Thanks to the performances of Willis, Meryl Streep, and Goldie Hawn, and their commitment to its gonzo premise, Death Becomes Her became a camp classic almost immediately, and it remains one of the funniest movies any of these actors has ever made.
You can watch Death Becomes Her on Amazon Prime Video.
Ethan Coen made some of the best movies in history with his brother Joel, but he’s aiming to clear a much lower bar with Drive-Away Dolls . The movie follows two friends who embark on a cross-country journey in a car with a highly sought-after briefcase.
From there, they encounter all kinds of people interested in getting that suitcase back, and discover just a little bit about how much they really care about each other. Drive-Away Dolls is so funny, charming, and light on its feet that it feels over almost before it’s even started.
You can watch Drive-Away Dolls on Amazon Prime Video.
One of the great horror movies ever made, Rosemary’s Baby tells the story of a young couple who move into a New York City apartment as they strive for success. When Rosemary, the wife, becomes pregnant, she begins to suspect that the baby she’s having is not a normal baby at all.
Rosemary’s Baby is terrifying in large part because of what it implies, and it’s one of the darkest horror movies ever made, even though nothing all that scary actually happens on screen. Rosemary’s Baby is not a movie filled with jump scares, but it will leave you unsettled for days after you watch it.
You can watch Rosemary’s Baby on Amazon Prime Video.
A great example of a movie that knows exactly how to execute on its central idea, Assault on Precinct 13 tells the story of a police lieutenant who teams up with his prisoners to defend a soon-to-be-closed precinct from the gang members that have descended on it. In essence, Assault on Precinct 13 is a prolonged siege movie, and it knows exactly how to wring the most out of every moment of its story.
Director John Carpenter rarely missed during this early stage of his career, and Assault on Precinct 13 is a perfect showcase for the kind of thriller storytelling he was best known for.
You can watch Assault on Precinct 13 on Amazon Prime Video.
Labor Day sadly marks the end of summer and a time to return to the typical daily grind of work, school, and other obligations. No matter where you live, the cooler weather and the preparations for the holiday season begin as soon as Labor Day weekend comes to an end. A great way to end the summer is to relax at home with a good book, board games with the family, or even enjoying a good movie or TV show.
With up to four days off, you might finally have time to power through that multi-episode series you have been meaning to watch. Or maybe you just want to watch a single season of a lighter but entertaining series once you relax at night in the RV, up at the cabin, or at home once the kids are in bed. We have you covered with the five best Netflix shows to stream this Labor Day weekend. The Diplomat (2023-) The Diplomat | Official Trailer | Netflix
20th Century Women A24
The last long weekend of the summer is upon us, and while the daytime may call for soaking up the last dregs of sun before winter comes, the nighttime is for great movies. In particular, dramas can offer something other genres cannot: entertainment, yes, but also insight into the human condition.
So, you’re planning for some lazy days over the Labor Day weekend. Maybe you have a few activities on the schedule, but want to curl up on the couch at night and relax once you get back home. Perhaps you’re relaxing at the cabin or maybe even traveling and want something to entertain you for the car (passengers or rest stops only!), train, or plane ride. Whatever the case, we have you covered.
The 10 best shows to stream this Labor Day weekend come from all the top streaming services. So, no matter which one you subscribe to, there’s an option to consider. They include a mix of titles, from comedies to dramas and reality TV. There are old shows, new ones, and shows with new seasons you can catch up on or previous seasons to watch before an upcoming new one is released. Have a look and you’re sure to find something worth enjoying for your unofficial last weekend of summer.
By Katcy Stephan
Former Participant executive Christian McGuigan and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Timothy Reckart have launched Sycamore Studios , a kids and family animation studio.
Per Sycamore, the studio will focus on creating stories rooted in beauty, truth and goodness that elevate the vision of their audience.
Popular on variety.
Filmmakers and writing partners Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen’s latest film, “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” earned the top spot at the global box office and ended up fifth-biggest animated film at the global box office in 2023.
As a duo, their films have earned over a half a billion dollars, including “Bigfoot Family” (2021), “Son of Bigfoot” (2017), “The Nut Job 2” (2017) and “Escape From Planet Earth” (2013).
Brunker came to writing and directing features with a strong background in storytelling. In his years as a story artist, he was responsible for visualizing and staging sequences in the animated films “Horton Hears a Who,” “Despicable Me,” “Ice Age 4” and “Minions.”
Barlen is a member of the Producers Guild of America, and came to features through writing and producing both television and high-end CG commercials. He was a producer and writer on “George Stromboulopoulos Tonight,” where he created sketches for celebrity guests including Will Ferrell, Michael Bolton and Miss Piggy.
Before founding Sycamore Studios, McGuigan served as the VP of global content strategy for Omnicom’s Porter Novelli. He previously served as VP at Participant Media, where he began his career developing digital strategy and leading creative for their integrated film marketing campaigns. He later helped lead Participant’s in-house agency division. He is also an Emmy-nominated producer.
“As dads, Christian and I see every day how deeply kids engage with entertainment,” said Reckart. “The characters they meet and stories they experience live on outside the film and become part of day-to-day life at home, even helping to shape a kid’s own identity. We want our kids to grow up with the highest quality entertainment we can offer, which is why Sycamore is committed to beautiful, rich animation that supports relevant and meaningful stories.”
Reckart is a writer and director whose animated short film “Head Over Heels” was nominated for an Academy Award in 2013, after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and winning grand prizes at festivals globally. Sony Pictures Animation released his debut feature film, “The Star,” an animated retelling of the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals. “The Star” was nominated for a Golden Globe for Mariah Carey’s original song, “The Star,” and won MovieGuide’s Epiphany Prize for Inspiring Movies.
Brunker and Barlen are represented by Entertainment 360 and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
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… a story that's torn between relatable character moments and bombastic sea battles… It's a shame that the plot gets so carried away with the supernatural power struggle, since the mile-a-minute movie is far more engaging when focused on Ruby — who makes an appealing addition to the DreamWorks Animation family — and the sitcom-ready aspect of kraken-human relations. …
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Christian Movie Review Viewing Recommendations. Overall, this movie is about teen decisions and the teenage world. However, very few teens will want to see this movie. Instead, pre-teen and younger girls will be attracted to seeing a movie about a Kraken trying to fit in with her friends.
Parents need to know that Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is an animated coming-of-age tale about realizing your own power. To avoid being perceived as horrible sea monsters, main character Ruby (voiced by Lana Condor) and her kraken family have assimilated on land. They're disguised as humans in the diverse….
Ruby becomes friendly with a mermaid who seems like a good friend but who is actually using Ruby's innocence and trust against her. But the mermaid's evil deeds are found out and things are set right. Ruby puts herself on the line to protect her family members and teens from a powerful danger.
June 29, 2023. 3 min read. "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" is a cheerful, colorful animated film about a shy, academically gifted young girl with a protective mother and devoted friends who transforms into a huge creature as a metaphor for adolescence, with multi-generational conflicts. Yes, it is similar to the terrific " Turning Red ...
NEW YORK (OSV News) - In theory, the tale of a shy but enthusiastic high schooler who is really a sea creature rather than a human might make for a pleasant diversion. But the major feminist and minor gay agendas that underlie the animated adventure "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" (Universal) spoil any potential fun the film might offer.
Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/23 Full Review Kirk A fun, simple and breezy family movie of sea-kraken dealing with all the foibles of being a regular family in a seaside ...
Visually, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken stands as a testament to DreamWorks' animation prowess. The underwater world comes alive with vibrant colors and intricate details, captivating the audience's eyes throughout the movie. The studio's dedication to creating mesmerizing visuals is evident, making it a delightful feast for the senses.
It's a fine enough theme, but it's just about been done to death as of late. While Turning Red was unashamedly about tween girls entering puberty, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is slightly less obviously about this, too. Added into the mix is some tension between the teenage Ruby and her mother, Agatha, as well as the broken relationship between ...
The instantly popular new girl sees something in Ruby that the other students don't, and in no time, we learn that she's a mermaid. Just moments before, Ruby was warned about those "selfish ...
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to kids younger than the age of 3-4 years old. This Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken PG rating is pretty spot on and easily comparable to Turning Red and Trolls movie franchise ratings. I recommend that parents prescreen Ruby ...
But the major feminist and minor gay agendas that underlie the animated adventure "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" (Universal) spoil any potential fun the film might offer. Krakens, so the opening narrative informs us, are a misunderstood lot. Far from being the monstrous threat to shipping and sailors they have long been reputed to be, they ...
Review: Cheekily titled, 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken' is an easy, breezy, entertaining watch. In the world of "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken," mermaids and kraken are mortal enemies. When ...
In the new DreamWorks animated film 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' a 15-year-old girl tries to fit in at school and then she discovers that she's a mythical giant octopus of ancient ...
One of the best things about "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" is its perfect portrayal of high school years. It captures the essence of teenage life in a way that is both realistic and entertaining. The movie is filled with moments that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. Overall, "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" is a ...
Ruby has to decide whether to embrace her Kraken heritage and protect those she loves, or continue to hide. The film is a fun underwater adventure kids enjoy. What parents should know before they go: Multiple uses of the word "flippin'." Genre: Animated Action-Comedy.
Directed by Kirk DeMicco, the animated movie follows Ruby Gillman (voiced by Lana Condor ), a teen kraken who lives among humans in a seaside town. Sweet and relatably awkward, Ruby is a 16-year ...
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is rated PG by the MPAA for some action, rude humor and thematic elements. Violence: There are frequent scenes of fantasy violence in which characters are thrown, hit, trapped by rocks, zapped with eye lasers, and menaced with a trident. A human character nearly drowns. Harpoons are fired at a main character.
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is a fun animated movie overall, but it doesn't have a strong, cohesive plot until 45 minutes or so into the story, halfway through the movie. The story in RUBY GILLMAN has some relatable concepts when Ruby is shown as a teenager who goes to school and feels out of place.
The Film: Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Rating: PG Watch if you liked: Trolls, Turning Red Running time: 121 minutes Genre: Family, Fantasy, Coming-of-Age Overview: Ruby Gillman is a kraken* in hiding, trying desperately to fit in with the other teenagers at her school but, when she's forced to save her crush from drowning, she discovers she is the heir to the kraken throne.
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Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) Fan Reviews and Ratings Powered by Rotten Tomatoes Rate Movie. Close Audience Score. The percentage of users who made a verified movie ticket purchase and rated this 3.5 stars or higher. ... Ryan's World the Movie: Hero Bundle and movie tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Limited time offer ...
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