JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER (Rated PG)

In terms of age and gender, this critic is very far removed from the demographic orbit of the target audience for the “Judy Moody” book series by Megan McDonald.

Apparently, Paramount Pictures only wanted a select handful to get an advance peek at “Super 8,” so I feel compelled to skip that movie altogether, even if it is decent.

Thus, “Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer” ended up on my radar, but regrettably my youngest daughter, now too old to savor this type of family film, didn’t join me.

If you have preadolescent daughters, you may have to tag along for the family experience, perhaps discovering that it is not completely unbearable.

But let’s face it. I was there because duty called, and so I report “Judy Moody” is totally acceptable for young kids, mostly girls who may enjoy the adventures of the spunky redheaded Judy Moody.

To her dismay, Judy Moody (Jordana Beatty) discovers that her best friends Rocky and Amy will away all summer on exciting trips – one in Borneo and the other at circus camp.

Meanwhile, Judy is stuck in suburban Virginia with her little brother Stink (Parris Mosteller) and nerdy classmate Frank (Preston Bailey).

Worse still is the sudden announcement that Judy’s well-intentioned parents (Janet Varney and Kristoffer Winters) have to go to California, leaving Judy and Stink behind in the care of Aunt Opal.

Suddenly, the idea of the NOT bummer summer is not going to be realized for Judy, who’s also slightly bummed that Stink is obsessed with finding Bigfoot.

Meanwhile, the ditzy, flower-child Aunt Opal (Heather Graham) turns out to be a pleasant surprise, seeing how her reputation as a flighty guerilla artist may relieve the boredom.

In fact, Aunt Opal is so thoroughly creative and full of energy that Judy is inspired to a game of amassing “thrill points” in competition with her traveling buddies.

The Thrill Chart becomes the touchstone for a series of wacky adventures, made even crazier when Aunt Opal’s good intentions sometimes go awry.

Judy’s initial apprehension about spending the summer with a relative not seen in years evaporates as Aunt Opal reveals herself to be a kindred spirit.

In time, Judy even gets into the mood to help her little brother chase down Bigfoot, while teaming up with a couple of daffy locals on the same bizarre quest.

Jaleel White (“Family Matters”) may be all grown up, but he channels his inner Steve Urkel as Judy’s geeky teacher Mr. Todd with a high-pitched voice, who figures into the “thrill points” expedition.

As if to create distractions to amuse the young set, director John Schultz employs a unique visual style that relies on bright colors, animated pop-ups and split screens. The aim appears to be keep young kids engaged.

“Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer” benefits greatly from the spirited and good-natured performance of Jordana Beatty in the titular role. Her energy alone goes far to make this film enjoyable for kids.

TELEVISION UPDATE

When the calendar hits June, original new TV shows on the primary networks are as rare as a cold spell in a South Florida summer. This is where cable networks jump into the breach.

Apparently, there is no shortage of original movies on the Lifetime Television network.

Gabrielle Anwar, not looking like anything resembling her character on “Burn Notice,” stars in Lifetime’s “Nora Roberts’ Carnal Innocence” as world-renowned violinist Caroline Waverly, coming back to rural Innocence, Mississippi, where she spent summers as a child, for some peace and solitude.

Shortly after arriving, Caroline meets the arrogant but charming Tucker Longstreet (Colin Egglesfield), a member of the town’s most prominent family who is quickly smitten with her.

But Caroline’s dreams for tranquility turn into a nightmare when ahw discovers the body of a young woman, the possible victim of a serial killer that the authorities suspect may be the playboy Tucker. Of course, Innocence is populated with people who look guilty of something or other.

“Carnal Innocence” is the type of movie one should expect on the Lifetime network.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.