Chris Roberts A Plumm Summer is a sweet little indie film pulled off perfectly. There are some big names in the supporting cast who are all note-perfect, most notably Peter Scolari and Henry Winkler. Billy Baldwin also puts in a very good turn for the first time in quite a while. Newcomers Chris Massoglia and Owen Pearce couldn't be any cuter and more adorable as the brothers/stars of the film. Massoglia (credited as "Chris J. Kelly") is particularly outstanding considering it's his first jump from TV to film - you really like him and feel for his character. To me, A Plumm Summer hearkens back to 6:00 on Sunday when the family would gather around the TV with dinners in hand to watch the Wonderful World of Disney's weekly fare. This is like that... but better quality than most of what Walt served up. There's some real heart to this effort thanks to genuine drama that hits a message without becoming overwrought with itself. The mystery element to the story is none too deep or complex, but it doesn't need to be; it's just the vehicle that introduces some very likable characters and lets us get to know them. There's a laugh or two along the way and everything is generally light-hearted and fun. It's a good family film that entertains as well as confronts a serious note or two along the way. It won't change the landscape of movie-making, but it's awfully nice to see that somebody will still make a sweet, innocent film like this. Kudos to the folks responsible for doing that. A very endearing, charming, family film worth anyone's time.

saturnandvine I just watched this on DVD, and here's my question: why can't there be more movies like this? I take my kids to Blockbuster every weekend to find something to watch. First off, there isn't really anything in the 'kids' section. It's either pre-school or teen. Hardly any in the middle. Why is that? My boys are 7 and 9. Where are the movies for those kids? There are some, yes, and we've watched them all. Many times. But it's such a small selection. So i was happy to see something new on the shelf. My son Tommy said, "Look dad, there's one we haven't seen!" like he'd just seen a flying saucer. So we took it home and watched two times over the weekend. My wife and I ended up watching it with them and loved it. Great, fun, life lessons, adventurous. It had everything. It inspired the boys the way the Hardy Boys inspired me as a kid. So I'm taking the time out of my day to make this comment. I think it's worth it to get the word out, because I know there are a lot more parents like us. And kudos to Henry Winkler and William Baldwin for raising the bar.

Missltg A sweet story beautifully shot in Montana. This film is well cast and it's fun to watch the great comedic timing between two of the 'comedy group' trained actors. They were a highlight! A Plumm Summer is "Family Friendly" and promises to appeal to both the kids and parents alike. No reason to cover little eyes or plug little ears. A great message without any holy roller aspects. With all that's going on in today's world A Plumm Summer was a refreshing respite and time well spent. Make plans to go see this movie this weekend. I know you'll enjoy it, bring the kids, if you don't have kids...bring the neighbor's kids. You'll be glad you did.

Balthazar-5 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!