A Plumm Summer

This film was recommended by a family friend and she was 100% on point in that recommendation. I watched it with my daughter, she is 11, and we both loved the film. I am a huge Henry Winkler and Lisa Guerrero fan so I was stoked to watch the movie. The story line was fun, filled with lots of entertaining twists and turns that made us both laugh out loud. Enjoyable characters and family friendly this was exactly was we needed during this lock down. I wish that this movie was on streaming so I could share with our middle school class, perfect fun and uplifting movie.

Viewed as a 'European Premiere' at the Belfast Cinemagic Children's Film Festival, this light-hearted family adventure film must surely win over all but the most hard-bitten cynics. Based on a real incident from the late 60s and set in deepest Montana, it centres on the theft of a children's TV star marionette named 'Froggy Doo' whose antics thrilled the under-8s in the area.

In particular, he was the idol of young Rocky Plumm, younger son of failed boxer Mick Plumm, and younger brother of teenager Elliott. This is a film that could have been monumentally awful, but in the first half wins by the charm and audacity of its somewhat naive plot, and the way that its actors fit so seamlessly into the initially predictable characters.

But, like many fine films, as it progresses, it undermines the assumptions that we have made about it. The idyllic family life is not so idyllic, the teenage love story gets muzzed by hormonal outbursts, and the love of cinema of the filmmakers shines through in endearing references to great films of the era in which it is set (plus or minus a decade).

So, it's a comic family drama; it's a thriller; it's a reflection on the relationship between father and son, and it's a kookie, almost unclassifiable folk tale.

It's not perfect, and there are a few cringe-making scenes where the elements of pastiche fall flat on their face, but it enjoyably reminds me of another massively under-valued film - Spaced Invaders. True cinephiles will also see elements of masterpieces of the era as diverse as 'El Dorado' and 'Blow-up'. And the real reason it is so good (of its type) is that it wears the filmmakers' love of cinema on its sleeve. And as a first film by director Caroline Zelder, it is full of great promise...

Go and see this and give yourself a treat!

My, oh my, never am I so pleasantly surprised to watch this movie! The title is unassuming, and because there is lack of publicity about this movie in my country (it wasn't shown in the local cinemas), I thought this is one of those straight to DVDs which usually meant that the movie is not good.

My, oh my, this movie rocks! Based on true story, the Elliot brothers helped the FBI to capture the person who did the frognapping. Funny moments ensued as the brothers, and the inefficient FBIs worked their way to nab the suspect.

Both the Elliot brothers, and the girl who plays as the new girl in town are very real. They have the chemistry that one might think that they are already in the industry for a long time.

The performance of Elliot and her small brother are wonderful, they quarrel and made remarks with each other, but when others disturbed one of them, the other stand up and defended.

This movie is for everyone, young and old. It has tonnes of moral values and it is has that feel-good factor that many films churned out of Hollywood seems to lack.

In a nutshell, I recommend this movie anytime. Just sit back, relax, and have some chips with it.

Elliott Plumm (Chris Masoglia) and his younger brother, Rocky (Owen Pearce) live in knock-out gorgeous Montana in the early sixties. Their father, Mick (William Baldwin) drinks too much and never seems to have time for Elliott, seeming to prefer kindergartner Rocky. Mother Roxie (Laura Guerrero) is an attentive mother but she is getting fed up with Mick and his antics. More importantly, Elliott is shy and resents having to share a room with his little brother, even going so far as to dividing their room with a marker on the floor. Only Rocky is carefree, for he is young and enamored with the local television star-magician (Henry Winkler) and his darling frog marionette Froggy-Do. Changes occur. First, the Plumms get new neighbors, a single father and his daughter, who casts her eye on Elliott. Then, someone actually frog-naps Froggy-Do and the show can't go on, as the magic man won't go solo without his beloved sidekick. Can Elliott find Froggy-Do for the town and his brother Rocky? This film, set in knockout gorgeous Montana, has a light-hearted cover and a cute, cute puppet. But, beneath the story are serious issues, like divorce, alcoholism, and mental instability. So, in my view, not for every family. That said, the cast, costumes, script, direction, and all other amenities are quite fine. If you are searching for a family flick that might get the loved ones into an actual conversation, this would be one to try. But, if you are seeking a film that is sweetness and light, look for Beethoven's Big Break or, truly, any of the Beethoven movies.

We were very glad to have dvr'ed this movie and watched it with the kids! It was fun to look up more details about the real story and investigate where in Montana it was filmed! The videography was gorgeous, showing some of the very best of Montana and very much why we live here! I hope someone picks this up in the future and produces the planned sequels (keeping them set and produced in Montana where the story belongs!).

I've ordered a copy for our local library circulation, just because it's a clean family movie with a Montana theme and location. I'll be glad to recommend it to people looking for a good family night movie.