CITY OF EMBER

CAROLINE: Once again you’ve done me the kind favor of seeing a PG-rated film without me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

RYAN: Well, this time it’s your loss because you would have loved this movie. Did you enjoy “The Goonies” back in the day?

CAROLINE: Yeah, ‘cuz I was 12.

RYAN: This film skews older than that; it’s more of a teenage film. There are some monsters and some scariness to it. But it’s one of the better sci-fi/fantasy family movies that I’ve seen in a long time.

CAROLINE: You’re still not swaying me. Who’s in it?

RYAN: The big names are Bill Murray, Tim Robbins and Martin Landau, but they all play supporting roles to the real heroes of the movie. The real stars are Saoirse Ronan, who was Oscar nominated for “Atonement,” and Harry Treadaway, who’s adorable and so skinny. I kinda wanna be him.

CAROLINE: And what’s the premise – they’ve only got four minutes to save the world or something?

RYAN: [laughs’ Basically they have to save the human race. We don’t know why, but humans are dying out, and in an effort to save themselves, the remaining people build a city inside the earth where everyone has to live for 200 years until it’s safe to go back up top. It’s an incredible adventure and it really transports you to another world. I loved the style and the energy of it. It’s escapism at the movies at its best.

CAROLINE: Unlike “Body of Lies,” which keeps us in the present day terrorist situation.

RYAN: Exactly. It’s a thrilling movie with a great story. It’s the kind of adventure where halfway through, I was like, “Wow, I wish I was in this movie.” You feel yourself wanting to fight on behalf of the characters. It’s a really neat movie.

CAROLINE: Given that you just described it as “neat,” I know it’s not for me. Bottom line?

RYAN: It’s an outstanding movie which I’d recommend for anyone of any age who loves an adventure or a fantasy. The performances are good and the effects are great. The two lead kids are wonderful and I just loved watching it. I wholeheartedly recommend this movie.

CAROLINE: You’re so young at heart.