EARTH TO ECHO
Director: David Green
Stars: Teo Halm, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Reese Hartwig
What: A group of boys stumble upon a stranded alien robot in the desert, which they befriend and name Echo. The government gets word of an alien spaceship in the area and sets out to find and take down Echo, much to the horror of the boys. Shot in found footage format, this feels like Steven Spielberg's E.T The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) updated for children of the 21st century, what with all its references to smartphones and apps.
Watch this if you like: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Aliens In The Attic (2009)
DISNEY'S PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE
Director: Roberts Gannaway
Stars: Voices of Dane Cook, Ed Harris and Teri Hatcher
What: This animation is a direct follow-up to Disney's Planes (2013), about Dusty (Dane Cook) the cropduster plane, who has a talent for air racing in the big leagues. But in this sequel, he can no longer race due to a damaged gear box, so he goes into aerial firefighting instead. The film is targeted at the younger set of 12 years and under. Parents, be prepared for your children to start begging you for Planes merchandise.
Watch this if you like: Disney's Planes (2013), Cars (2006)
THE MAZE RUNNER
Director: Wes Ball
Stars: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter
What: Based on James Dashner's 2009 book of the same name, this is the latest to join the popular slate of movies adapted from best-selling young adult dystopian novels. Here, a group of young
men wake up trapped in a massive and dangerous maze, with no memory of how and why they got there. Using clues from the labyrinth, they hope to uncover what is going on and find a way out. Going by the immense success of other movies in the same genre – think The Hunger Games (2012) and Divergent (2014) – this looks set to be a massive teenage hit.
Watch this if you like: The Hunger Games (2012), Divergent (2014)
THE BOXTROLLS
Directors: Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
Stars: Voices of Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg, Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright
What: Produced by animation studio Laika, which is known for its acclaimed stop-motion features Coraline (2009) and ParaNorman (2012), this is a stop-motion film based on Alan Snow's novel Here Be Monsters! (2006). At the centre of the story is orphan Eggs (Hempstead-Wright), who works to save his adoptive troll family from getting killed by pest exterminator Snatcher (Kingsley).
If this has even half the promise of its studio predecessors, it should prove to be a compelling story paired with arresting visuals.
Watch this if you like: ParaNorman (2012), Corpse Bride (2005)
PUDSEY
Director: Nick Moore
Stars: Pudsey the dog, David Walliams, Jessica Hynes, John Sessions
What: Simon Cowell sure works fast in cashing in on others' success. After Pudsey (a border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested powderpuff mix) won reality TV show Britain's Got Talent in 2012 with his cutesy ability to stand on its hind legs and twirl, Cowell went and produced this, a comedy flick featuring Pudsey as a heroic dog who saves human children from bullies. Reviews have not been kind since it premiered in Britain in July, but the pooch may be cute enough to draw viewers.
Watch this if you like: Beethoven(1992), Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
IMAX 3D DOCUMENTARIES
What: For something educational, check out this series of five Imax 3D nature and science documentaries, which takes viewers on breathtaking journeys from the oceans to outer space. Each film is narrated by a Hollywood celebrity. For example, Under The Sea, which showcases some of the most colourful ocean life, is narrated by actor Jim Carrey. You can be sure that the films are educational, moving and beautifully shot.
Go to www.shaw.sg/imax for details.
Watch this if you like: March Of The Penguins (2005), The Blue Planet (2001), Planet Earth (2006)
Photo of Earth to Echo courtesy of Golden Village Pictures; Fire & Rescue courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Singapore.
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on September 10, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.