I love Heather Graham. She has more of an effervescent quality than an acting quality, but that’s perfect when you’re playing a leading role in low-budget, low-expectation children’s movies based on popular kiddy literature. In Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Graham plays Aunt Opal, a free-spirited Aunt-playing-nanny who hangs out with young charge Moody (Jordana Beatty) as they get up to some ridiculous midsummer nonsense.
Even with low expectations, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer bombed at the box office, not managing to even cover its fairly small $20 million budget. However, with its popular titular character, I expect the film to do well on Redbox and with library waiting lists. I’m sure Fox Home Entertainment is hoping for at least that. The company will release Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer onto Blu-Ray and DVD on October 11.
For a movie that didn’t do overly well, Fox has created a set with decent fanfare. Extras will include a “Flippen Out” cast segment, a Judy Moody activity book, and a “10 Things You Need To Know About Judy Moody” featurette. Also accompanying the set will be a music video from 11-year tween songstress Camryn and “Judy Moody’s Guide To Making A Movie." Deleted scenes and a trailer will round out special features that are otherwise unsurprisingly oriented toward kids.
Whether you grew up with the series or just have a random need to watch Rollergirl and two kids hunt for Big Foot, Judy Moody And The Not Bummer doesn't live up to its movie poster promise of being supermegatotally thrilladelic, but in its defense, I’m not sure that’s even possible without Rick Moranis and a shrink ray. At the end of the day, there are worse ways to spend an hour and a half and twenty dollars.
