We Bought a Zoo: The Amazing True Story of a Young Family, a Broken Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Change Their Lives Forever

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Kelly is a great-looking woman (after all, she looks like Scarlett Johansson), but she's all business, dedicated to the welfare of the animals. She can see that Benjamin has a lot to learn. One of their first differences involves Spar, an old Bengal tiger who is in deep depression. (So would we all be, if we had to live alone for 16 years in an efficiency apartment.) Should Spar be put down? Kelly and Ben have an emotional debate. Stéphanie Szostak as Katherine Mee, the deceased wife of Benjamin Mee and mother of Dylan and Rosie Mee. Benjamin takes Dylan and Rosie to the restaurant where he met Katherine. He tells them the story of how he worked up the nerve to approach her table with "20 seconds of insane courage." He visualizes her at the table, and asks why such an amazing woman would talk to someone like him. She responds, "Why not?" Amur Leopards are one of the rarest species on the planet, with only around 90 left in the wild, and Dartmoor Zoo is working towards a breeding program which could see their numbers increase in the future. The zoo is currently fundraising to finish building the enclosure, which recently had a platform added by Hands On, who run work programs for companies. Alzayat, Dima (20 December 2011). "On Location: Thousand Oaks ranch becomes animal sanctuary". Los Angeles Times.

a b Chitwood, Adam (2011-12-19). "39 Songs Contend for Best Original Song Oscar; Nominees Include THE MUPPETS and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER". collider.com . Retrieved 2011-12-27. Matt Damon as Benjamin Mee, the father of Dylan and Rosie Mee, the owner of the zoo and the love interest of Kelly Foster, who is trying to restart his life after the death of his first wife, Katherine. [4] Rich, Katey (2010-05-17). "Cameron Crowe Commits To We Bought A Zoo For Late 2011 Release". Cinema Blend . Retrieved 2010-10-29. Dragan, while waiting patiently for breakfast, posed so wonderfully in the early morning sunlight (Image: Shannon Brown/PlymouthLive) He added the experience was "hugely formative" for him at the time - knowing they didn't know how to run a zoo and having to learn on the job, they saw first hand the very real risk to people and animal's lives.In August 2011, it was announced that Icelandic musician Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, the lead singer of the band Sigur Rós, would be composing the music scores for We Bought a Zoo. [11] Director Crowe described the choice as "only natural", since "Jónsi has been a part of the making of We Bought A Zoo from the very beginning". [11]

Colin Ford as Dylan Mee, [6] Benjamin's 14-year-old son, who is initially drawn to Lily and eventually develops feelings for her and has a strained and rough relationship with his father.Dylan, unhappy about having to stay, confronts his father and they have a heated argument. They reconcile the next morning and Dylan admits he misses Lily. Benjamin tells Dylan his favorite motto: that you only need 20 seconds of courage for something great to happen. Benjamin realizes that instead of trying to start over by forgetting his wife, he should accept that she will always be a part of him. Dylan, following his father's advice, confesses his love to Lily, and she forgives him. The zoo scenes were filmed at Greenfield Ranch in Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks, California, where a zoo was erected for the filming. [8] [9] Development [ edit ]

a b Mariotti, Greg (2011-08-01). "Sigur Rós Frontman Jónsi Scoring We Bought A Zoo". The Uncool . Retrieved 2011-09-27. Benjamin learns that Katherine bequeathed him an investment account with instructions to use the money wisely while listening to his heart. Duncan advises him to walk away and start over with the money, but Benjamin decides to use the money for the repairs. The Hollywood Reporter commented that the film "has heart, humanity and a warmly empathetic central performance from Matt Damon", although it "doesn't dodge the potholes of earnest sentimentality and at times overplays the whimsy"; ultimately concluding that "Cameron Crowe's film has some rough edges, but it ultimately delivers thanks to Matt Damon's moving performance."" [20] Home media [ edit ] Thomas Haden Church as Duncan Mee, [5] Benjamin's older brother and an accountant and Dylan and Rosie's uncle Benjamin Mee has been grieving the loss of his wife, Katherine, for seven months. When his 14-year-old son Dylan is expelled from school, Benjamin realizes that the family's current situation is not working, they are all grieving, and everything around them reminds them of Katherine. Benjamin decides to make a fresh start, starting with a new home.Despite it being the off season for the zoo, they are currently open Fridays - Mondays from 10am, and will be running a number of offers throughout the year to make visiting even easier and more affordable during the cost of living crisis. Through January, the zoo are running Members Month - any Dartmoor Zoo member can bring up to four guests in for 50 per cent off. The story of Dartmoor Zoo might be a familiar one, but there's always something new happening. Though the film We Bought A Zoo, starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, came out over a decade ago, Zoo CEO Benjamin Mee says its still capturing new audiences. After nine years in private ownership, during which Benjamin developed the collection, rebuilt the reputation of the Zoo, launched the Education and Research Department, he and his family donated the Zoo to a newly created charity, Dartmoor Zoological Society (DZS ). DZS is now operated by a dedicated team of specialists that report to the trustees who have overall responsibility for the running and development of the DZS. Gabrielle to visit Plymouth, Bath and Bournemouth on 30 Years of Dreaming tour Read More Related Articles The adorable capaybaras will greet you at the entrance to the zoo. Like giant guinea pigs (Image: Shannon Brown/PlymouthLive)

But once the overall impact of the film was evident - that it was a good, positive message - even though it was factually a bit inaccurate, it was then just a question of answering lots of questions, the same questions, again and again in hotel rooms all across the world hoping it brought people to the zoo. Rolling in the Deep' Rolls Away With Song of the Year at 2012 BMI London Awards". BMI.com. October 9, 2012 . Retrieved May 29, 2015.After managing to get the place up and running, Benjamin - who was a journalist before becoming a zoo CEO - wrote a book about the trials and tribulations of running a zoo, and the tragic loss of his wife, Katherine, just after the family moved in.