This week, we feature a subtle drama about a girl and her stubborn grandmother and an animated Disney staple about a red-haired mermaid.
New Release
‘The Summer Book’
On a rugged Finnish island, Sophia (Emily Matthews) spends the summer under the sharp eye of her grandmother (Glenn Close) and father (Anders Danielsen Lie). Days pass with rocky shore walks, odd discoveries, and subtle tests of will between a curious child and her seasoned elder.
Glenn Close ditches the Hollywood polish and shows up as a tough old islander who feels lived-in. Newcomer Matthews holds her own, and director McDowell keeps the pace languid. Gorgeous shots of sea and stone give it a uniquely charm, although it does wander now and then.
Drama
Release Date: Sept. 19, 2025
Director: Charlie McDowell
Starring: Emily Matthews, Glenn Close, Anders Danielsen Lie
Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Where to Watch: Theaters
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Family Pick
‘The Game Plan’
Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), superstar quarterback and full-time party machine, thinks life’s perfect, until 8-year-old Peyton (Madison Pettis) enters his life—a daughter he didn’t know he had. Suddenly Joe’s bachelor world collides with a new series of challenges.
The Rock does his thing—charisma and biceps on autopilot—while Pettis gives as much sass as screen time allows. A few gags hit hard enough to keep it from dragging. Family-friendly fluff that works best if you have family around to laugh at the antics.
Comedy | Family | Sport
Release Date: Sept. 28, 2007
Director: Andy Fickman
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kyra Sedgwick, Madison Pettis
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube
Rated: 3 stars out of 5
Dive in for Fun, Romance, and Adventure
‘The Little Mermaid’
Ariel (Jodi Benson) is a young mermaid who has become bored of underwater palace life. After falling for Prince Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) of the human world, she’s ready to trade gills for legs and cuts a deal with sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll).
The film bursts with vibrant animation and catchy songs, mixing humor, romance, and adventure into a swift-moving tale. The sharp edges of the original fairy tale are softened, giving way to a more family-friendly version that still knows how to charm.
Adventure | Animation | Romance
Release Date: Nov. 17, 1989
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Voiced by Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois
Running Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube
Rated: 4 stars out of 5
Salutes and Silliness
‘Hail the Conquering Hero’
Woodrow Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) washes out of the Marines with nothing but hay fever to show for it. Too ashamed to go home, he hides in a shipyard until some real Marines help him pass as a decorated hero.
This one plays like a pep talk wrapped in gags, and asks what turns an ordinary man into a hero. A solid wartime morale booster, it’s patriotic without being preachy.
Comedy | War
Release Date: September 1944
Director: Preston Sturges
Starring: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines, Raymond Walburn
Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Not Rated
Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
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