Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is a 2011 American comedy film based on Megan McDonald's Judy Moody book series. Directed by John Schultz from a screenplay by McDonald and Kathy Waugh, it introduces Australian actress Jordana Beatty as the titular girl in a contest for the best summer with friends Amy Namey (Taylar Hender), who is off to Borneo; and Rockford "Rocky" Zang (Garrett Ryan), who is going to circus camp. Since her parents (Janet Varney and Kristoffer Winters) are off to California, Judy is stuck with her young brother Stink (Parris Mosteller) and her free-spirt aunt Opal (Heather Graham). Her misadventures to have the best summer include a Bigfoot chase, activities ruined by her friend Frank (Preston Bailey), and putting hats on animals with Opal.
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer was the second project of couple and Smokewood Entertainment owners Sara Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, following the commercially and critically well-received film festival hit Precious (2009). The two bought the book rights on May 5, 2010, and Relativity Media bought the rights for domestic distribution on February 1, 2011. The adaptation's two-month shooting, which started in late August 2010; tracking of the score; and production of the animated sequences took place in and around Los Angeles, in order for Schultz to attend the birth of his child.
Beginning its domestic theatrical run on June 10, 2011, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, as typical for productions starring female tween characters like the previous year's Ramona and Beezus, was a box office bomb, grossing $17 million against a production budget of $20 million. It was also critically panned for its fast pace, loudness, toilet humor, disconnected plot, and unlikable protagonist. On a brighter note, Beatty's acting was praised in reviews; and the film was nominated for three Young Artist Awards, winning one for Best Young Ensemble Cast.
Category:Films