Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer

Following in the footsteps of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and Ramona and Beezus, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is yet another lackluster live-action kids’ film based on a book series. Judy Moody (Jordana Beatty) enlists her three best friends to join her in a series of dares in order to spice up their summer vacation. While two friends are sent away on adventures by their parents and begin to rack up points, Judy and friend Frank (Preston Bailey), stuck at home, struggle to do anything remotely adventurous. There are few to no laughs, yet the film still has moments of charm, largely thanks to Heather Graham, who is surprisingly good as Judy’s wacky Aunt Opal. While a children’s comedy seems to be an odd choice for Graham, she plays the sweet, ditzy character perfectly. However, her character is not around enough, and pretty much everyone else in this is terrible, so avoid it if you can.