Films & DVDs

VeggieTales, again
Can they (and you) survive a pirate theme?

[For ages 4-10]

The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie
Opens Jan. 11; Rated G
veggiepirates.com
    They were harvested way back in 1993, but Larry the Cucumber, Archibald Asparagus, Bob the Tomato, Laura Carrot and other produce of the VeggieTales cornucopia are anything but rotten. In fact, thanks to this second animated feature film starring these vitamin-rich characters, the franchise should retain its freshness. Unlike the 2002 big-screen debut, “Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie,” the follow-up is being distributed by a major studio. Universal Pictures is banking that the mixed salad of Bible-based homilies, clever wordplay, antic silliness and vibrant CGI animation will score with families during a kid-light month at the multiplex. The movie follows Larry, gourd-ous Mr. Lunt and Pa Grape seeking fame and fortune at a pirate-themed dinner theater, but things go wrong before lessons are learned.

[For ages 12-17]

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Opens Jan. 11; Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences
dungeonsiege-themovie.com
     Moviegoers will be sent to dungeons at the theater and their home this month with this feature and a similarly themed home- video offering (see “Family DVDs”). Based on the “Dungeon Siege” series of action-fantasy role-playing games first released in 2002, the full-length movie features a world where its inhabitants must battle evil forces attempting to take over their kingdom. Now that’s original. Putting up a good fight, with the help of stand-ins, no doubt, are Jason Statham, Leelee Sobieski, Ray Liotta, John Rhys-Davies and Burt Reynolds.

[dvds]this month

Animal Planet: Growing Up Arctic (not rated; Jan. 8; ages 3-up): The polar bear, seal, walrus and penguin get love in this 4-episode package from the Animal Planet “Growing Up” docu-adventure series. Grade: A

Barney & Friends: Celebrating Around the World (not rated; Jan. 29; ages 2-5): Celebrating 20 years of exclaiming “Super-deeeee-duper,” the imaginary purple dinosaur circles the globe to teach young explorers different cultures. Not graded

Clifford The Big Red Dog: Be My Big Red Valentine and Playtime with Clifford (both not rated; Jan. 8; ages 2-5): The prior-released Valentine-themed title includes 88 minutes of episodes from the PBS series and comes in a Kid Case that allows preschoolers to tote in style. “Playtime” has 10 episodes new on DVD, nearly 2 hours of edutainment that could be recorded for free at home. Grade: B+
 
Dragonlance (PG-13; Jan. 15; ages 11-15): The animated feature debut of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. “Dragons of Autumn Twilight” follows a barbarian woman with a magical healing staff who battles invading dragons with would-be heroes. Voices of Keifer Sutherland & Lucy Lawless. Grade: B