Ramona and Beezus

Not to be confused with the 1955 novel Beezus and Ramona.
Ramona and Beezus

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Elizabeth Allen
Produced by Denise Di Novi
Alison Greenspan[1]
Written by Laurie Craig
Nick Pustay[1]
Based on Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary
Starring
Music by Mark Mothersbaugh
Cinematography John Bailey
Edited by Jane Moran
Production
company
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • July 23, 2010 (2010-07-23)
Running time
 103 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $15 million[2]
Box office $27,293,743[3]

Ramona and Beezus is a 2010 American live action family and children's adventure fantasy comedy film adaptation based on the Ramona series of novels written by Beverly Cleary.[4][5] It was directed by Elizabeth Allen, co-produced by Dune Entertainment, Di Novi Pictures and Walden Media, written by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay with music by Mark Mothersbaugh and produced by Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan. The film stars Joey King, Selena Gomez, Hutch Dano, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Josh Duhamel, Jason Spevack, Sandra Oh, Sierra McCormick, Patti Allan, Lynda Boyd and Aila and Zanti McCubbing. The film's title derives from Beezus and Ramona, the first of Cleary's Ramona books, though the plot is mostly based on the sequels, particularly Ramona Forever and Ramona's World. The film was theatrically released on July 23, 2010 by Fox 2000 Pictures. Ramona and Beezus earned generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $27,293,743.[3]

Plot

The adventurous and creative third-grader Ramona Quimby (Joey King) often finds herself in trouble at school and at home, usually with her friend and neighbor, Howie (Jason Spevack). When her father Robert (John Corbett) loses his job and the family falls into severe debt, Ramona tries to find ways to earn money, such as selling "delishus lemonade" and a $20 car wash, which end up backfiring in humorous ways, include embarrassing her older sister, Beatrice (Selena Gomez), in front of Beatrice's childhood friend and crush, the paperboy Henry Huggins (Hutch Dano), especially when Ramona refers to her sister by her family nickname, "Beezus."

Meanwhile, Ramona's aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin) comes to visit the family and is one of the few people who accepts Ramona in all her eccentricities. Ramona retires from her money making schemes after accidentally painting the car of Howie's uncle and Bea's high school boyfriend, Hobart (Josh Duhamel). The next day, Ramona's school portrait is ruined when she cracks a raw egg in her hair and when she cries "Ewww" in reaction to the photographer asking her to say "Peas" instead of "Cheese." Ramona's worries increase in music class the following day, when her classmate Susan (Sierra McCormick) reveals how after her own father lost his job, her parents divorced and her father moved to Tacoma. The news makes Ramona vomit and results in Robert picking her up early from school, which makes it difficult for him to attend a sudden job interview. Instead of being angry, Robert decides to spend the rest of his day drawing a mural with Ramona.

When Ramona and Beezus attempt to make dinner for their parents, the pan catches fire while Beezus is on the phone with Henry. While the sisters argue, Henry overhears that Beezus loves him. Upset after arguing with Beezus, Ramona goes to feed her cat Picky-Picky, but is devastated to find the cat dead. The girls hold a private funeral for Picky-Picky and become closer and kinder to one another. After Robert found a job but it requires him and his family to move to Oregon, Ramona's parents decide to sell their house. As the family touches up the garden during an open house, Ramona reluctantly helps and accidentally initiates a water fight with the neighbors. The water fight concludes when it winds up flooding the neighbors' backyard and exposing a box that Hobart buried years ago and has been looking for. Hobart reveals the box is full of keepsakes of the relationship he shared with Bea when they were teenagers; in light of their rekindling relationship, he proposes to her. Hesitantly, Bea accepts and the family begin planning the impromptu wedding. Furious that her aunt broke her promise not to get "reeled in," Ramona rushes to her house and seeks solace in the attic. The beams are unable to support her weight and break, leaving Ramona's legs dangling from the roof during the open house. After the open house clears out, Robert scolds Ramona for her lack of maturity until he gets a phone call from her teacher Mrs. Meachum (Sandra Oh). Feeling unwanted, Ramona decides to run away; after seeing Ramona won't change her mind, her mother Dorothy (Bridget Moynahan) helps pack Ramona's suitcase. Struggling with a heavy suitcase, Ramona arrives at a bus stop and opens it to discover her mother made it heavy on purpose so she could not go far and finds a book that Robert would doodle in, which depicts Ramona and her mischievous ways. Her family finds her soon afterward and everyone is happily reunited.

At Bea and Hobart's wedding, Ramona saves the day when she finds the wedding ring after Howie drops the ring. During the reception, Beezus and Henry share a kiss and dance together. Robert also thanks Ramona, as he receives a job offer from her school; Mrs. Meachum recommended Robert to the school's board as its new art teacher after she saw the mural that he and Ramona made as a project for class. Ramona is delighted with the news as it means the family will not have to move. Before Bea and Hobart leave for their honeymoon in Alaska, Ramona gives her a locket with her school picture and Bea tells Ramona that she's "extraordinary."

Cast

Production

Elizabeth Allen is the film’s director.

In January 10, 2010, it was announced that Elizabeth Allen would direct a 2010 American live action family and children's adventure fantasy comedy film adaptation based on the Ramona series of novels written by Beverly Cleary titled Ramona and Beezus which would be released in cinemas on July 23, 2010. Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan produced the film with the budget of $15 million and Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay wrote the film. Joey King and Selena Gomez (who played the title characters in the movie in two), Hutch Dano, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Josh Duhamel, Jason Spevack, Sandra Oh, Sierra McCormick, Patti Allan, Lynda Boyd and Aila and Zanti McCubbing would star in the film. Fox 2000 Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film. Mark Mothersbaugh would compose the music for the film. Dune Entertainment, Walden Media and Di Novi Pictures co-produced the film.

Release

Ramona and Beezus was released in theaters on July 23, 2010, by 20th Century Fox and Walden Media to 2,719 theaters nationwide, and was rated G by MPAA, becoming the studio's fourth film to be rated G since 1997's Anastasia. The trailer was released on March 18, 2010, and was shown in theaters along with How to Train Your Dragon, The Last Song, Despicable Me, Toy Story 3, and 20th Century Fox's other films, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Marmaduke. The film premiered in New York on July 20, 2010. It was released in Irish and British cinemas October 22, 2010.

Critical reception

Ramona and Beezus earned generally positive reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 70% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 68 reviews, for an average rating of 6.3/10.[6] Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", consisting of notable critics from the top newspapers and websites,[7] the film holds an overall approval rating of 73%, based on a sample of 26 reviews.[8] The film holds a 56 rating on Metacritic, based on 28 reviews.[9] Eric Snider of Film.com said that "The resulting story is a jumble, and there are too many side characters, but golly if it isn't pretty darned infectious."[10] Jason Anderson of the Toronto Star gave Ramona and Beezus a good review, saying that "(Ramona and Beezus) is a lively affair, largely thanks to the sweet and snappy screenplay by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay and to the appealing performances by the cast."[11]

Box office

The film opened at #4 on opening day, grossing under $3 million.[12] It would earn altogether $7.8 million on its opening weekend, earning #6 at the box office. Over its first week, it earned nearly $12.7 million.[13] As of November 20, 2010, its total gross stands at $26,645,939,[3] surpassing its $15 million budget. The film made £84,475 on its first week-end in the UK (information based on the UK film council).

Home media

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray combo pack on November 9, 2010.

Soundtrack

Currently, there is only one confirmed track for the film's soundtrack entitled "Live Like There's No Tomorrow", performed by Selena Gomez & the Scene. The song was digitally released as a soundtrack single on July 13, 2010.[14] The song is also part of the band's second album, A Year Without Rain. It is unknown whether or not there will be a music video. Other songs in the movie, that may be included on the soundtrack, include "A Place in This World" by Taylor Swift, "Say Hey (I Love You)" by Michael Franti & Spearhead, a song from Peter, Paul, and Mary, "Here It Goes Again" by OK Go, a cover of "Walking on Sunshine by Aly & AJ, Eternal Flame by The Bangles and "(Let's Get Movin') Into Action" by Skye Sweetnam featuring Tim Armstrong.

"Live Like There's No Tomorrow"

"Live Like There's No Tomorrow"

"Live Like There's No Tomorrow" cover
Promotional single by Selena Gomez & the Scene from the album A Year Without Rain & Ramona and Beezus soundtrack
Released July 13, 2010 (2010-07-13)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2010
Genre Pop ballad
Length 4:07
Writer
  • Matt Bronleewe
  • Nicky Chinn
  • Andrew Fromm
  • Meghan Kabir
Producer Superspy

"Live Like There's No Tomorrow" was released as a single from the upcoming Ramona and Beezus soundtrack album on July 13, 2010.[14] This is the one confirmed track of the soundtrack thus far. There is currently no music video for the single. It is performed by Selena Gomez & the Scene and also appears as the final track on the album A Year Without Rain.

Critical reception

Kim Gillespie of Wiarapa Times-Age included this song in highlights of studio album.[15] Bill Lamb, of About.com, also highlighted it and praised it: "an inspirational ballad that truly does uplift by the end."[16] MusicOMH editor David Welsh wrote a mixed opinion; stating that the song "stumbles upon emotional resonance thanks in no small part to Gomez's most impressive performance to date."[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ramona and Beezus - IMDb Credits". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (July 17, 2010). "Female power pushes 'Ramona'". Variety.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ramona and Beezus (2010)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. February 18, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  4. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn."Selena Gomez To Star In 'Ramona and Beezus' Movie." MTV.com, 2009-02-06.
  5. ↑ Kilday, Gregg. "Young actresses cast for 'Beezus and Ramona.'" Reuters, 2009-02-05.
  6. ↑ "Ramona and Beezus (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes FAQ: What is Cream of the Crop". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Ramona and Beezus (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Ramona and Beezus". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Review: Ramona and Beezus Pleases". Film.com. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  11. ↑ Anderson, Jason (July 23, 2010). "Ramona and Beezus: A family film with a dose of reality". The Star (Toronto).
  12. ↑ "Daily Box Office for Friday, July 23, 2010 - Box Office Mojo". Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ramona and Beezus (2010) - Weekly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo". Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Live Like There's No Tomorrow (From "Ramona and Beezus") - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  15. ↑ Album review by Wairapa Times Retrieved 13 February 2015
  16. ↑ Album review by about.com Retrieved 13 February 2015
  17. ↑ Album Review by MusicOMH Retrieved 13 February 2015

External links

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