I have a vague memory of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” I was in elementary school when the teacher first read it in class. I don’t remember the story per se, but more vividly the illustrations. Of course when you’re in kindergarten or 1st grade, you probably don’t care about the story, but are more captivated by the pictures. How could you not be amazed by food falling from the sky as if it were rain and then eating it? I would love the notion of eating already prepared food that fell right at my doorstep. I couldn’t fathom how much money you would save by not going to the store to buy it. Grocery stores would go out of business, but I’m sure gyms would thrive if crappy food, like donuts or pizza came raining down. It certainly would solve the ongoing problem of world hunger. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” was originally a children’s book in 1978. It was written by the husband and wife team of Ron and Judi Barrett, with Ron providing the illustrations and Judi being the author. The premise of the book is about a town named Chewandswallow (clever name) and their experience in odd weather that provides food three times a day. Chewandswallow is later threatened when the food creates floods and forces the townspeople to relocate via bread boats. Once they find a new destination, they are regulated to buy food at the grocery store. Produced by Sony Pictures Animations (Open Season, Surf’s Up), the 3D animated movie of the same name will be a loose adaptation of the book.
Are rained down burgers of the McDonalds variety or homemade?
Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader, Adventureland) is a struggling scientist who has yet to invent anything successful. Growing up, most of his experiments are failures due to the lack of poor design or found to be worthless by other people. Despite little support from his dad, Tim Lockwood (James Caan, Thief), Flint never gives up on inventing. One day while fumbling with his computer, he discovers he can turn water into food. He then creates a machine capable of making rain turn into food. Thinking he is a hero, his machine suddenly goes awry and threatens the world with too much food. Flint must come up with a plan to stop it.
The movie will also co-star Anna Faris, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg, Mr. T and Benjamin Bratt. Phil Lord and Chris Miller direct Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and both also adapted the screenplay from the Barrett’s book.
All scientists are mad. Did you every have a sane science teacher?
Since it’s based off of a children’s book, this should be a big hit for younger audiences, especially since it will be a Real D 3D animated film. The trailer for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs looks really charming and funny so I have a slight interest in seeing it. Plus I have yet to see an animated movie in 3D to this point.
Dinner will be served September 18th.
