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This film is a meandering ode on school shootings. Unlike the TV’s movie BANG, BANG, YOU’RE DEAD, this film doesn’t try to make a grander message about why school shootings happen. It just shows this particular event unfolding. The film watches as the characters go through their day — one that many won’t survive.

John (John Robinson) is the son of an alcoholic and has had many visits to the principal’s office. Elias (Elias McConnell) is a photography student. Nathan (Nathan Tyson) is the big man on campus and a lifeguard. His girlfriend is Carrie (Carrie Finklea), who may or may not be pregnant. Jordan (Jordan Taylor), Nicole (Nicole George) and Brittany (Brittany Mountain) are a gaggle of popular girls who have an unusual group ritual they do. Michelle (Kristen Hicks) is a nerdy girl, who doesn’t like to wear shorts in gym class. Benny (Bennie Dixon) is an African-American athlete who helps John’s girlfriend Acadia (Alicia Miles) escape from the school. Alex (Alex Frost) and Eric (Eric Deulen) are the killers. While watching them prepare for their murderous actions, we get glimpses of some of their motivations for doing what they do, but nothing is definitive.

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Visually stunning and inventive, this film is a wonder family film that brings to life a classic fairy tale. The story works as a simple adventure for kids, but there are deeper, heavier issues dealt with which adults will find fascinating, maybe even a bit chilling. How does it appear when Capt. Hook gets in the way of the fledgling love of innocent Wendy and Peter?

Based on the play by J.M. Barrie, Wendy Darling (Rachel Hurd-Wood, film debut) is coming upon a time in adolescence when her father (Jason Isaacs, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS), her mother (Olivia Williams, RUSHMORE) and her aunt Millicent (Lynn Redgrave, GODS & MONSTERS) feel she should put aside her daydreaming and storytelling and think about becoming an adult. However, Wendy would rather continue to tell pirate tales to her brothers John (Harry Newell, film debut) and Michael (Freddie Popplewell, film debut).

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This French, Canadian and Belgium animated feature is the most original animated film I’ve seen since TOY STORY. Paced by catchy music, this genre-bending film has a beautiful hand drawn aesthetic, painting a lush surreal world. Like Bill Plympton’s brilliant I MARRIED A STRANGE PERSON, this film has an anything-goes approach that is witty and silly and altogether fun.

Madame Souza is raising her grandson after his parents’ death. He’s sad and his grandmother does everything she can to cheer him up including buying him a dog named Bruno. In the end, she discovers that he loves bicycles and ends up training him into a world-class cyclist. Then during the Tour de France, the Mafia kidnaps her grandson to use in a shady gambling ring. Madame Souza, with trusty Bruno by her side, heads out across the Atlantic to the city of Belleville (i.e. New York City) to rescue her grandson. There she teams up with ’30s singing sensation the Triplets of Belleville in her attempt to out smart the gangsters.

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