Movies

Most family movies make it a point to mix in a few life lessons with the fun, and Nim's Island is no exception. For its star, Abigail Breslin, some of those lessons are ones most other kids her age can probably get along in life without. For example, learning how to play soccer with a sea lion.

"They're really demanding, but they're really fun, and they're nice animals. I worked with them for four months, so I got to know them really well," the 11-year-old Oscar-nominated actress said by phone from SeaWorld in San Diego. "We trained a lot on that, and they loved it. But one of the sea lions had a tendency to not kick it [the soccer ball] back. He sort of just kept it."

In the film, Abigail stars as Nim, a girl who lives on an isolated island with her scientist father (Gerard Butler) and her various pets, including the aforementioned sea lion. When her dad goes missing while conducting an experiment, she contacts her favorite adventure writer, Alex Rover (Jodie Foster), for help. The only problem is that Alex is a germaphobe who gets nervous leaving her house. How can she save this girl halfway around the world?

At this point the movie gets into some of those more universally usable ideas, about extending beyond your boundaries and doing what you feel is right. Or, as Abigail put it, "that you can do more than you think you can."

The film screens tonight at NorthPark at 7:30 as part of the "Family Friendly" series at the AFI Dallas International Film Festival before opening in wide release on Friday. Today at AFI

• Afghan Muscles – A documentary looks at men's bodybuilding in Afghanistan. 10:15 p.m., Magnolia.

• North Texas College Showcase – The Dallas Video Festival presents the best work from area colleges. 7 p.m., Angelika.

• The Class – Drama about kids struggling to get through an Estonian high school. 10 p.m., Magnolia

The festival runs through Sunday. For a complete schedule and ticket information, go to afidallas.com or call 214-720-0555.

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