By: debbie lynn elias
School’s out (or almost out) and what better way to celebrate than to kick off the start of summer vacation than with a thrilladelic, thrilltastic non-stop adventure. Enter the infamous and beloved literary character, Judy Moody, who, with some help from book author/screenwriter Megan McDonald and co-writer Kathy Waugh, director John Schultz, the folks at Smokewood Films, and an ensemble of talented and engaging actors, hits the big screen in true Judy Moody fashion. A film for kids (as opposed to “for adults being marketed to kids”) helmed by one of the biggest kids at heart, John Schultz, JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER is the fast track to megalicious kid fun that will even remind all of you adults out there of the joys of summer and of just being a kid.
Judy Moody and her brother Stink started taking the literary world by storm over ten years ago when McDonald began to write stories about growing up with her own sisters. Although McDonald doesn’t have a little brother, it wasn’t too hard for her to imagine the fun and torment one can be (trust me, I know) which is how Stink became part of the fun and frolic. Celebrating and embracing the moodiness that each of us has, and particularly kids, McDonald created a world of kaleidoscopic color, energy, imagination, adventures that get one up off their butt, out of the house and into the outdoors and celebrating the simple fun things in life that kids used to do, like catching toads, falling in creeks, playing with papier-mache and yes, even hunting Bigfoot, and all told with positivity and kindness. Custom made for the sensory experience of film, for years I have wondered when Judy Moody would make it to the big – or small – screen. Now she has and it’s not a moment too soon.
It’s the end of school and Judy Moody and her best friends, Frank “Eats Paste” Pearl, Rocky and Amy are heartbroken at school ending and leaving their beloved teacher Mr. Todd – a man who educates through entertainment. But not to worry as Mr. Todd leaves the entire class with a mission – spot him over the summer and win a surprise prize. And the only hint to the class is “cold.” Now while an adventure to find Mr. Todd may be fun, Judy Moody wants more than fun; she wants thrillalicious. So, in order to make this best summer ever, she devises a guaranteed, super fun, megathrillic contest to see who of the group will have the best summer ever! For each adventure one completes they earn thrill points and whoever has the most thrill points at the end of the summer wins. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it??? But there’s a problem, Rocky is going to train in his family’s circus. Amy is going to Borneo. But never fear, Frank is still here…and bratty brother Stink. Darn! Not exactly the thrilltastic summer Judy had planned.
Moody and moping in her bedroom, Judy’s only high point now is a trip to her grandmother’s house with the family – the same “boring” thing they do every year. But things go from bad to worse when her mom and dad announce that trip is cancelled. They have to go to California to care for one of mom’s relatives and Judy and Stink are being left behind. What?!?!? Adding insult to injury, Dad’s sister, Aunt Opal, is coming to take care of them. Oh great…not.
Things perk up a bit through when Aunt Opal arrives. Bearing a gift of a mood ring for Judy (which scores Aunt Opal her own set of thrill points) and toting her travelling art trunk with her (Aunt Opal is, you see, a guerilla artist who travels the world creating art and having adventures), Aunt Opal only wants Judy and Stink to have a fun summer and will do whatever she can to help.
With the sun shining a little brighter on her world, in a flash of brilliance (and with a little prod from Aunt Opal) Judy realizes that she can still have her megathrillic contest, the only difference is that she and friends will be doing their own individual adventures to earn thrill points. Hurrah! Summer is saved! Or is it. Judy is left with Stink and Frank to adventure with.
Uninterested in Judy’s adventures, Stink has plans of his own. There have been sightings of Bigfoot in the area and he wants to get in on the fun of catching him! Joining the local Bigfoot Club (seriously), Stink is privy to all the news and inside info on Bigfoot thanks to group leader Hunter who champions the cause of his young apprentice.
But things aren’t going too well for Judy as she is lagging far behind Rocky and Amy in thrill points, seemingly thwarted at every turn by weak-kneed Frank. With a very moody Judy on her hands, Aunt Opal does her best to try and inspire and help, but it’s a tough job breaking Judy of her dour mood. There is one thing though that just might help…..Stink and his quest to capture Bigfoot.
If there was ever casting perfection, Jordana Beatty is it. She IS Judy Moody. As if jumping right off the page of a McDonald book, Beatty not only looks like Judy Moody, but comes complete with unfaltering high energy exuberance that is uncontainable and infectious – and she has a 100 watt smile to melt even the coldest heart. Having a great command of the screen, Beatty maintains the rapid fire high octane banter of Judy and her megalicious words, resulting in some great monologues being delivered without even taking a breathe. Beyond Beatty’s individual performance is her chemistry with co-stars Preston Bailey (Frank), Parris Mosteller (Stink), Garrett Ryan (Rocky) and Taylar Hander (Amy). You believe these kids are the best of friends and will do or die by the sword for one another. And I have to say, Preston Bailey is another actor who is a clone of his literary image. One look at him and you know he’s Frank.
Heather Graham rocks as Aunt Opal with a free-spirited liberating performance that just solidifies what some of us already know – there are really cool, fun aunts out there (and yes, I am one). Graham approaches the role with the heart of a child but wisdom and experience of an adult, balancing the two with a positive supportive energy that propels the story and character of Judy Moody ever forward.
Forever known as everyone’s favorite nerd Steve Urkel, Jaleel White – now all grown up and the father of a baby daughter – perfectly portrays Mr. Todd. As everyone’s favorite teacher, White energizes the role and helps put teachers and education in a very positive light while keeping things light in tone. Very effective. And not to be missed is White playing the banjo and singing a song about his 3rd grade class. Required by director John Schultz to actually take banjo lessons for the role, White says this was the most difficult part of filming.
Another standout is Parris Mosteller. Making his feature debut along with Beatty, as Stink he is a real boy’s boy. Annoying his sister and relishing it, crawling through the dirt all commando style, fearless and determined to do everything better than anyone, Mosteller is so pure in his performance. He reminds me of not only my 6 year old nephew Tommy but my own brothers when they were young.
Written by Megan McDonald together with Kathy Waugh, JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER is a fresh new installment in the Judy Moody franchise. Not based on an existing book, the screenplay opens many new doors for adventures and characters, starting with Aunt Opal, who I hope we will be seeing again not only on screen but now in the books. The dialogue and story are true to what all Judy Moody fans have come to know, love and expect. Characters are true to life. And in keeping with McDonald’s ever present desire to let kids be kids and get them outdoors experiencing nature and doing kid stuff (without being glued to the tv, computer, wii or other electronic gadget), using their imaginations, so does JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER.
Director John Schultz is a big kid. He loves his work. He loves to have fun. He loves boy things. He loves adventures, action and Bigfoot. He loves to make movies. And he loves Judy Moody. A very visual director, Schultz was so involved in the production design and artistic design of the film that he moved his office down to the art department as Judy moody is so reliant on the eclectic visual style of Judy’s world and imagination. Determined to stay true to Peter Reynold’s beloved book illustrations, Schultz’ attention to detail is meticulous. According to McDonald and producer Sarah Siegel Magness, Schultz played an even bigger role in the creation of JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER – he made it boy friendly and energized the pacing through action…and Bigfoot. (And in speaking with Schultz, Bigfoot is his favorite part of the film). Keeping with the intent of making a kids movie for kids, Schultz uses interesting camera angles at every turn, layered with some dream sequence effects plus really cool lensing with puking green slime on roller coasters, capturing toad pee, and then celebrating the artistic freedom of Aunt Opal; and all the while adhering to the authenticity and honesty of Judy Moody. And for Schultz, having McDonald on set “was like having the Bible on Judy Moody.”
Standout is the soundtrack and three very significant songs which capture the elan of Judy Moody. The score, written by Richard Gibbs, melds with three new songs by new top 40 artist Camryn. A delightful 11 year old with a big voice and a lot of talent, Camryn also got to jump in front of the camera with a cameo role in the film which she says “was the best part” of the movie experience.
Thrillalicious! Thrilladelic! Thrilltastic! Not just for girls. Not just for boys. JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER is for every kid and every kid at heart. And according to star, Jordana Beatty, “It’s worth 100 million thrill points!”
Judy Moody – Jordana Beatty
Aunt Opal – Heather Graham
Stink – Parris Mosteller
Frank – Preston Bailey
Rocky – Garrett Ryan
Directed by John Schultz. Written by Megan McDonald and Kathy Waugh.
