Carolina Parent RSS Feeds

Movie Choices for Kids - The Big Miracle, Chronicle

2012-02-06 08:42:53

THE BIG MIRACLE (Running time: approx. 107 minutes)
Rated PG Starring John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell
Based on a true story that occurred in the 1980’s, this heartwarming tale of saving three whales trapped in the ice in Alaska is a gem. The story begins with Adam (Krasinski), a newsman, winding up a week of stories in Barrow, Alaska when he stumbles on the whales. His story goes national and news reporters flood into the tiny town. Also arriving is Adam’s ex-girlfriend, a major Greenpeace advocate and worker, Rachel (Barrymore).
Rachel gets heavily involved securing help from a wealthy oilman and the government to fund a rescue operation for the whales. Snags, walls of ice and equipment failure bring the whales perilously close to death. The men of Barrow, many who rely on whales for their livelihood call a meeting to decide whether to help free them or kill them.
Even the Russians get into the act, having the only Navy with an ice breaker large enough to do the job and close enough to get there in time. The movie highlights several stories of individual people, including the military man and the woman from the White House who end up getting married, an Inuit father and son, the oilman and his wife, two inventors from Minnesota and a beautiful, ambitious reporter.
Adam befriends the girl reporter, making Rachel jealous. I loved the original footage of real newscasters from the time who reported on the story and how the real was interwoven with the fictional. This was a wonderful movie about people coming together to save three animals simply because it was the right thing to do. There was no violence or sex but occasional bad language. The messages from this movie are terrific and the reality of the story brings it home. See The Big Miracle with your kids ages nine and up. It’s a wonderful film. Stay for the credits where you will see the real people who accomplished this herculean task.
CHRONICLE (Running time: approx. 89 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Michael B. Jordan, Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell
Chronicle started out as a very interesting movie. Andrew (DeHaan) a high school senior and nerd, buys a movie camera and starts filming everything. Andrew is an observer in life, not a participant. His only friend is his cousin, Alex. Alex and Steve (Jordan), a popular boy, discover a mysterious hole. They get Andrew to document it on film, and then they investigate and find an amazing “something”. They touch it and get superpowers.
Steve is popular but Alex and Andrew are not. The three bond over mastering their new abilities. Andrew uses his powers to defeat his abusive, bullying father and get noticed.
What starts off as a sensitive, intriguing metamorphosis for these young men ends up in violence, uncontrolled rage and destruction. It’s too bad the filmmaker didn’t know how to end the film and went for clichés. Although the movie was a bit slow, I liked the characters and was hugely disappointed in the ending. There is violence, blood, sexual talk and one situation and some bad language. I’m sorry I can’t recommend this indie effort but it’s should be okay for kids 13 and up.

Movie Choices for Kids - One for the Money, Man on a Ledge

2012-01-30 10:57:37

ONE FOR THE MONEY (Running time: approx. 106 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara
This film is taken from a Janet Evanovich book I have not read. Therefore, I cannot give you a fair comparison between the book and the movie. But I can tell you this is a very entertaining movie. Except for the fact she’s beautiful, Stephanie Plum (Heigl) is a character you can relate to. Everything does not go well for her. She’s fired from her job, loses her car and has a loving but overbearing family. Throw in a crazy grandmother and the cast of characters is complete.
Stephanie begs a job as a bounty hunter from her cousin and turns her nose up at the small jobs that pay less when she gets a whiff of big money. The best case involves an old sweetheart of hers. Bringing him in would give her a big payoff but it’s not going to be an easy job.
Stephanie goes on the trail of her old flame, Joe Morelli (Jason O’Hara), and the fun begins. This is where the movie plot kicks into high gear. Now we have an intriguing whodunit with new characters, humor and sizzling chemistry between Stephanie and Joe. There is violence, some blood, some partial nudity, some bad language, including the “f” word once that I recall. Lots of sexual innuendo and some veiled sexual conversations but no sex scenes. This is a lively, suspenseful, funny flick most appropriate for kid 13 and up. I enjoyed it and now I must read the book.
MAN ON A LEDGE (Running time: approx. 89 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks
I was not expecting much after seeing the television commercials touting this film. I went reluctantly and was pleasantly surprised. Nick Cassidy (Worthington) a former cop is taken to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. While he’s there, his father dies. At the funeral, he manages to escape and end up on the ledge of a tall hotel in midtown Manhattan.
The beginning of the movie was fast-paced, keeping me wide awake and paying close attention. I did get dizzy several times when they showed things from his point-of-view as I have a problem with heights. But that simply added to the thrill of the movie.
While he’s on the ledge other things are happening. I can’t go into detail on those without spoiling the plot. Nick asks for a special policewoman/psychologist, Lydia (Banks), to talk him down. While she’s trying to save him we get to know her a bit better and other members of the police force are fleshed out, too. The excellent cast of supporting characters rounds out this exciting film that has enough plot twists to keep everyone guessing. I was riveted to the screen, not wanting to miss any curve ball this movie threw. Don’t leave early because you’ll miss one of the biggest surprises of all. Enough said.
There is some violence, some bad language but no sex. It is a fun film to see with your kids ages 12 and up. I enjoyed it.

Movie Choices for Kids - Red Tails, Snow Day

2012-01-23 10:32:55

RED TAILS (Running time: approx. 125 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Nate Parker, Elijah Kelley, Tristan Wilds
This film was inspired by the true stories of the Tuskegee airmen from World War II. This group of pilots made up of all African American men was segregated and treated like second class citizens. However, they fooled the naysayers and came through heroically.
The movie opens in 1944 in Italy where we get to know some pilots, identified by their nicknames: “Easy” (Parker) is in charge in the air, “Joker” (Kelley) is the rule-breaking risk-taking ace pilot and “Junior” (Wilds) is the serious flyer. These men are trained, accomplished pilots who have been relegated to less dangerous mission, like destroying supply trucks and trains, though those missions were quite risky, too.
But the men wanted to get into the thick of the war and their commanding officer pushed his prejudiced superiors to give them a chance. They finally get their break as escorts for bomber planes, a high-risk assignment and they handle it with flying colors.
Along the way we get to know these airmen, their strengths and weaknesses. We see up close what it was like for them to sit and wait for the war. The scenes in the beginning of the movie when they take out a supply truck and a plane are thrilling. You feel like you are right up in the planes with them.
After a successful mission escorting the bombers, thing began to change a bit for them. They were welcomed into the officer’s club and considered for an even more important mission. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the movie, so I will stop here.
Although much of the movie has been dramatized, the basic events are true. This peek into a different chapter of WWII is fascinating, beautifully written and filmed as well. The aerial scenes are reminiscent of the old WWII films of the forties but seem more real. Red Tails can bring a bit of history to your children they might not get in school. There was violence, blood and many explosions, a little bad language plus racial slurs - no sex but implied sex in one scene and some kidding about it in others.
I loved this move and seeing Red Tails is a great way to share some history with your kids ages 10 and up. Don’t miss this one.
Due to the dearth of movies rated PG-13 and below, here’s my favorites snow day movie for kids.
SNOW DAY (Running time: approx. 89 minutes)
Rated PG Starring Chris Elliott, Jean Smart, Chevy Chase
This delightful comedy highlights a family’s activities on a day when school is called for snow. While the oldest, a boy, tries to get closer to the girl of his dreams, his sister plots to keep “Snowplow Man” from plowing the streets thus stretching one snow day into two. Mom tries to work at home while her toddler has other plans for her and Dad, a TV weatherman on a local station, competes with another weatherman for ratings.
This delightful, cute film is fine for children of all ages and adults, too. From young love to a snowball fight with mom, Snow Day is a charming movie perfect for your own snow days with your children.

Movie Choices for Kids - Beauty & the Beast, Joyful Noise

2012-01-16 09:24:50

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Running time: approx. 84 minutes)
Rated PG Animated with the voices of: Paige, Robbie Benson, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Ohrbach
I can’t believe its 20 years since this gorgeous movie came out. Now it’s being re-released in 3-D and it is awesome. I remember how beautiful the opening scene of the forest was and in 3-D it is breath-taking. The glorious music will light up your heart along with this warm story of true love.
Fun, funny, scary in parts, Beauty & the Beast is a classic animated movie for kids. Now your children can enjoy the experience of seeing it on the big screen and in 3-D. I’d almost forgotten how fantastic the “Be Our Guest” scene was with the spoons and forks dancing.
You probably know the story and have rented the movie. Still, this is an event and taking the kids to see something familiar is not a bad idea. There is violence, fighting and a little blood. The wolves in the forest are scary. There is no bad language or sex. Beauty & the Beast should be a great experience for children six and up and parents will be riveted, too. I was. Don’t miss this delicious classic. Also, a cute short animated feature of the wedding of the Entangled couple added some silly, slapstick fun.
JOYFUL NOISE (Running time: approx. 118 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Jeremy Jordan, Keke Thomas
The advertisements for this film did not do it justice. G.G. (Parton) is a wealthy, strong-willed woman with a heart of gold who sings in the choir at Divinity church. Her husband dies and she expects to take over his job. But the job goes to Vi Rose (Latifah) instead. Vi Rose has an iron will, too, and the women clash.
On top of this, G.G.’s grandson, Randy (Jordan) moves in with G.G. when there is trouble at home. He takes an immediate liking to Vi Rose’s daughter, Olivia (Thomas) who is kept under strict supervision by her mother. Their growing attraction adds to the conflict between the women. For icing on this cake, stir in the disagreements between the women on what kind of music is going to win the choir first place in the Joyful Noise choir competition.
This lively, entertaining movie had fantastic music, reason enough to see it. The small town counting on a win to save their pride isn’t a new theme but the characters were rounded enough and the pacing fast enough to keep your attention. Supporting characters added much to this movie and the messages are totally positive. Religion is at the basis of this film but it doesn’t shove it down your throat rather it gently places the concept of God in front of you.
There is some violence when three boys have a fist fight, but nothing gory or over-the-top. There is no bad language but one morning-after scene of adults having spent the night together. There are some adult issues. Joyful Noise is an excellent movie to see with your kids eleven and up.

Movie Choices for Kids - Extremely Loud, Incredibly Close, The Iron Lady

2012-01-09 10:51:08

EXTREMELY LOUD INCREDIBLY CLOSE (Running time: approx. 129 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis
I was reluctant to see this movie after living through 9/11 here in New York City. I was right, the movie recalling that day over and over is both extremely sad and somewhat uplifting. Oskar (Horn), a nine-year-old boy, stumbles upon a key belonging to his dad and spends the entire movie trying to find the lock that fits it. The pursuit of this mystery parallels Oskar’s feelings of guilt, anger and abandonment at his father’s death in the 9/11 tragedy. Oskar hopes to find peace with his father’s death when he finds the lock.
The movie is too long. Too much time is spent watching Oskar run; some of the parts, like walking from the Upper West Side to Brooklyn and so on because Oskar as Asbergerer-like issues, are not believable. Oskar’s unfathomable relationship with his mother who seems to let this youngster roam the city by himself and a strange man who enters the picture who refuses to speak are two more puzzles thrown into the mix.
This movie is about loss, serious, gut-wrenching loss of a parent you adored. That theme makes it unsuitable for children. While the advertisements paint it as an adventure, there are parts, like hearing his father’s six voice messages before he goes down in the World Trade Center and pictures of people falling from the building that are horrifying and twist your heart. The movie taken from a novel is well made and beautifully acted. But that doesn’t make it appropriate for kids. There is no violence, no sex and no bad language. If you want to see it with your children, take ‘tweens and teens.
THE IRON LADY (Running time: approx. 105 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Meryl Streep, James Broadbent, Harold Lloyd
I had high hopes for this movie but only half of it was worth my time. I went to view this film eagerly seeking another outstanding Meryl Streep performance and a peek into the life of Margaret Thatcher. The interesting parts of the movie were done in flashback and too much time was spent with Mrs. Thatcher descending into Alzheimer’s, having visions of her dead husband and trying to face the end of her life.
The history parts of the movie, her move into Parliament and some of her time as Prime Minister were the most interesting parts and Ms. Streep’s finest moments. But too much was not properly explained. When 10 Downing Street was bombed, all you saw was the bombing with no explanation of why it happened or what occurred afterward. For teens and ‘tweens who didn’t live through her regime, they will be left in the dark on some issues.
The war to recapture the Falkland Islands was fascinating and covered well. The portrayal of her as a person, her personal trials, ambition and ideals were good. Half this movie was worth seeing but the other half was drawn out, boring and jumped around too much. I wish I could recommend it but I can’t. There was violence in real news footage of actual events, one quick flash of breasts also in news footage and a tad of bad language.

Movie Choices for Kids - We Bought a Zoo, War Horse

2011-12-29 18:56:23

WE BOUGHT A ZOO (Running time: approx. 124 minutes)
Rated PG Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church
As much as I enjoyed this movie it’s not for little kids. We Bought a Zoo, based on a true story and taken from a book, is about loss. Benjamin Mee’s wife died six months before the movie begins. His fourteen-year-old son has a hard time adjusting; he misses his mom and can’t communicate with his dad. That’s how the movie begins.
When his son gets expelled from school, Benjamin (Damon), quits his job, looks everywhere for a suitable house and a school. He settles on a rundown house out of town then discovers it comes with a small zoo. Of course all the animals and the zoo staff come into play, relieving some of the sadness of the situation but you never forget about the loss.
The movie ties Benjamin’s acceptance and recovery to the inevitable end of an old tiger’s life. After the tiger dies, Benjamin begins to deal with the loss of his wife. Of course he and his son clear the air and the zoo gets saved. I loved the quirky bunch running the zoo.
There is no violence, bad language or sex in this movie. But if you’re looking for a cutesy movie about rescuing a zoo and all the adorable animals, this isn’t it. It is a fine movie to see with your children ages 10 and up who can handle the loss part.
WAR HORSE (approx. running time: 146 hours minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson
Another Steven Spielberg masterpiece, War Horse is superb if 20 minutes too long. This, also, is not for young kids. The story is about a family in England shortly before WWI broke out.
Albert’s father goes a bit nutty at a horse auction and buys a stunning horse for the wrong reasons. Albert (Irvine) makes friends with the horse and trains him. Although he isn’t the workhorse they needed, Albert is able to get Joey, the thoroughbred, to do the plowing. Then a huge storm blows in at the wrong time, ruining the crops needed to pay the rent. So Albert’s father is forced to sell the horse to the Army.
The rest of the movie is Joey’s odyssey as he first becomes the horse of a proud officer, then a member of the German army, then companion to a French girl and so on. The scenes of war are graphic. Though there is no blood, the battlegrounds are terrifying, establishing this as a movie for older children.
I liked the way the movie depicted the soldiers from both sides as scared young men not understanding why they were supposed to kill each other. There is violence, no bad language in American English and no sex. War Horse, a three-hanky movie is best for kids 11 and up and adults.
TOP TEN KIDS MOVIES OF 2011
This is a first. I’m can’t find 10 movies to be the top 10 so this year we’ll have the top eight:
1) The Adventures of Tintin
2) The Muppets
3) Puss “n Boots
4) Cars 2
5) Rio
6) Kung Fu Panda
7) Diary of a Wimpy Kid
8) Justin Bieber Concert: Never Say Never
Happy New Year! Thanks for taking the time to read the column.

Movie Choices for Kids - The Adventures of Tintin, Mission:Impossible - Ghost Protocol

2011-12-22 21:24:38

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Running time: approx. 107 minutes)
Rated PG Animated with the voices of: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig
This is the front runner for BEST KID’S MOVIE OF THE YEAR so far. Wow! The computer graphics in this movie is impeccable. Every detail of the characters, supporting characters, scenes, buildings, windows, you name it, was exact, true to life. Steven Spielberg directed this gorgeous movie and his drive for perfection cannot be equaled this year.
The story is an old one as The Adventures of Tintin comes from a series of comics popular in France. They came out in 1929, so this story has an older feel to it, like Indiana Jones. The adventure is a lot like an Indiana Jones movie but with no gore or creepy critters. Tintin is a boy journalist of indeterminate age. He’s old enough to live alone but doesn’t seem to be old enough to shave. He has a trusty dog, Snowy, who accompanies him on his adventure.
The story does involve a hardened sea captain who has a drinking problem and an evil man seeking treasure at all costs. Murder is committed but there is no blood and many of the bad guys get dumped in the sea and fished out again. The action is non-stop from a boarding house to the desert to the sea; Tintin is on the move, chasing the treasure with the Captain to help him and his trusty, intelligent dog, too.
I found this whole experience delightful. The movie transported me to another world, right into the scene with 3-D graphics better than any other, including Pixar, I’ve ever seen. There is violence but no blood, no bad language and no sex. This film should be fine to see with your children age seven and up. Enjoy it; it’s a fantastic ride for adult and child.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL (approx. running time: 129 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg
Whew, there isn’t a dull second in this movie. Action packed doesn’t begin to describe this entry in the series. On the way to complete a mission something goes wrong and a big explosion destroys the Kremlin. Of course the Russians assume the Americans did it and the IMF team has been disavowed and is on their own. And that’s simply the introduction.
It was great to see the team get messed up and make some mistakes in this film. The perfection thing wears thin after a while. There are guns galore, shooting, killing, fist fights, a car chase, climbing on a building 130 stories up, not to mention a sandstorm in the Middle East! I let out an audible sigh of relief from time to time when the excitement got intense.
As usual with this series, there were clever pieces and amazing schemes worked out down to the second. If you’re looking for a highly entertaining, fast-moving movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it. See it with your ‘tweens and teens or kids 11 and up. There is violence, a sprinkling of bad language from time to time, sexual innuendo but no sex. I saw it with my son and we both enjoyed it immensely.

Movie Choices for Kids - Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011-12-19 10:02:30

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Running time: approx. 87 minutes)
Rated G Live action and computer animation: Jason Lee
As much as I was dreading this movie it was better than expected, which may not be saying much. Alvin, the Chipmunks, the Chipettes and Dave are on a cruise ship taking them to the location for the International Music Awards. Alvin is causing trouble, as usual, and Dave has his hands full. Kids will love the slapstick doings on the ship and the havoc the little rodents create among the passengers. The attempt at drama when Simon tells Dave how to handle Alvin is fairly silly but at a level children will understand.
One of Alvin’s antics gets the Chipmunks sailing away from the ship on a kite and plunks them down on an uncharted island. Of course Dave jumps in after them and the nasty man, their former manager, is there in a pelican suit and he ends up in the drink with Dave.
The rest of the movie takes place on the island where they meet a crazed young woman who has been there for ten years. Treasure gets involved in this meandering plot as well. Once the Chipmunks are reunited with Dave and the manager, they go about trying to get off the island and back to civilization. Yes, they make it back and Alvin is forgiven for his bad behavior, again! A few more subplots are thrown in, like Simon getting bitten by a spider and having a personality change. While that is often confusing, it doesn’t appear to be in this movie.
I love the music, always the best part of the Chipmunks movies. The chivalrous way the boy chipmunks treat the girls is heartwarming and sends good messages. There is a scene in a casino where the Chipmunks gamble and a dance off with human women that is mild. There is no violence, bad language or sex. While adults might be bored to tears, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is okay for kids age five and up who can behave and sit still in a movie theater. Call grandma.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (approx. running time: 129 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Wow, what an action packed movie this is! The plot is complicated so you must stay awake or you won’t know what’s going on. It begins with an explosion that Holmes decides to investigate, waylaying Dr. Watson on the eve of his wedding. From there we meet a gypsy and the story move along at a rapid pace.
While we aren’t surprised Moriarty is the one behind all the bad doings, there are many other surprises along the way. I loved the slow-motion the director, Guy Ritchie, used to show us how something came about. It was clever and helped me understand Holmes’ thinking. The movie is clever, outrageous, funny, engrossing and suspenseful – thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.
There is violence, no bad language and no sex. I’m not sure why this movie is PG-13 except it is not for young children who will never be able to follow the story. Perfect for ‘tweens and teens, see it with your kids, if they will let you.

Movie Choices for Kids - New Year's Eve, A Golden Christmas

2011-12-12 11:11:04

NEW YEAR’ EVER (Running time: approx. 118 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessic Biel, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jon Bon Jovi, Katherine Heigl
Garry Marshall likes to make warm and fuzzy movies, like Valentine’s Day and this delightful creation, New Year’s Eve, is in the same vein. The stellar cast is broken into groups of two, creating small vignettes of what people are experiencing on New Year’s Eve. From babies being born to old men dying, from adults finding new love to teenagers finding puppy love a wide variety of scenarios are covered in this film. There is suspense as to who is going to end up with whom at the end of the movie. I was surprised by several plot twists and turns.
As usual with Mr. Marshall’s films, love is the main topic, in all forms, from parent to child, adult to adult to teen to teen. Giving, forgiving, starting over, saying goodbye these are all themes he covers with humor and affection. I found the film heartwarming, a perfect holiday movie to see with your ‘tweens and teens age 11 and up. There was no violence, no sex, some kissing and a couple of bad words.
The scenes of New York at Christmas time are beautiful, including the giant toy soldiers on Park Avenue, FAO Schwarz, all the lights and Times Square on New Year’s Eve. This is a charming film that will make you laugh and cry and feel good when it’s all over.
Since the movies for kids is limited this week, I’ve reviewed a straight-to-DV D Christmas movie available on Netflix.
A GOLDEN CHRISTMAS (90 minutes)
Not Rated Starring Andrea Roth, Nicholas Brendon
This is a sweet and charming family movie that isn’t truly about Christmas, it takes place at Christmas. The opening moments show two children, a boy and a girl, who are best friends playing in the woods with the boy’s golden retriever. They take their prize possessions, trinkets they found and put them in an old lunch box and bury it as a time capsule.
The movie then cuts to the present. We meet Jessica (Roth) and her son who drive to visit her parents for Christmas. Jessica’s husband died three years earlier and only now is she strong enough to return home with the hopes of buying her parent’s home. Hoping to surprise them with her offer, she is the one who is surprised when they tell her they’ve already sold their home.
Jessica is distraught and schemes for ways to sabotage the sale to Michael (Brendon). They duel it out for a while and she behaves badly. We learn that she’s the little girl and Michael is the little boy in the beginning of the film. The rest of the movie unfolds slowly as Michael’s present day golden retriever, an almost mystical creature, takes him back to where the kids carved their names in a tree and buried their precious box.
There is no violence, sex or bad language in this movie. It’s a sweet story about loss, recovery and family, more adult than for young children. Watch it with your ‘tweens and teens. I enjoyed this lovely, predictable, gentle holiday movie, streaming on Netflix.

Movie Choices for Kids - Arthur Christmas, holiday movie

2011-12-05 09:58:18

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (Running time: approx. 97 minutes)
Rated PG Animated with the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy
This computer animated comedy take on an old, familiar subject for children’s movies, how Christmas actually happens. We go to the North Pole which is totally computerized now, run by elves headed up by Steve (Laurie), Santa’s oldest son. The sleigh has been replaced by a space ship. We see elves landing by the dozen in cities and towns, sliding down cables, going into “stealth” mode to deliver gifts to children.
Then there is Santa’s other son, Arthur (McAvoy), who is a bumbler. Arthur handle letters; he receives children’s letters to Santa and responds to them telling them Santa is real. There is a slip-up and one little girl’s gift is not delivered. While Steve tries to convince Santa that one child doesn’t matter, Arthur is appalled. Grandsanta (Nighy) recruits Arthur, dusts off the old sleigh and they go on an adventure, trying to locate the little girl and deliver her gift from Santa.
The journey is funny with Grandsanta an irreverent old guy. Arthur I scared but goes along. The trip also symbolizes Arthur’s coming-of-age, taking control and growing into the job of Santa, despite his pushy and controlling older brother. There were family issues here but not as extreme as is often the case. Arthur Christmas is a gentler movie than some and it’s fun and funny in parts. While smaller children may not understand everything going on, they will enjoy the eye-catching, colorful animation and the spirit of the movie.
This sweet movie has no violence, bad language or sex. It should be appropriate for kids age five and up who can sit through it without causing a ruckus. Parents will enjoy the humor, too.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS
Since there was a shortage of new movies for kids, here are some holiday movie recommendations.There are plenty of Christmas movies out there and some are better to share with children than others. Here are a few I recommend:
The Santa Clause 2 - Although the first in this series is the best, the issues of child custody and divorce and the sadness they bring make it less appropriate for kid than the second one. This one I simply fun.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas – Can’t recommend the Jim Carrey version, but I can recommend the old one, made when Dr. Seuss was still alive. It is simply the pictures from the book and someone reading the words. Hey, you can’t improve on this master so why try?
Classic Christmas Movies
Everyone know about Miracle on 34th Street, still the ultimate Santa Claus movie, or should! It’s 8a Wonderful Life is another classic that became part of our life. But have you watched Holiday Inn? The kids might like the colorful costumes and the Irving Berlin music, fantastic singing by Bing Crosby and dancing by Fred Astaire. This is where the song “White Christmas” first debuted. The film came out in 1942 and the movie, White Christmas, another great classic holiday movie with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye to share with your children, was released in 1954.

Movie Choices for Kids - The Muppets, Hugo

2011-11-28 07:10:47

THE MUPPETS (Running time: approx. 98 minutes)
Rated PG Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
I loved this movie, a true family comedy! Walter, a Muppet, and Gary (Segel) are brothers. Gary takes his girlfriend, Mary (Adams) from Smalltown, where they live, to Los Angeles on a sightseeing trip and Walter tags along. The first place they visit is the Muppet Theater because Walter loves the Muppets so much.
While at the Muppet Theater, they learn of a plot by a rich oilman (Cooper) to buy the theater, tear it down and drill for oil. Walter is horrified and so he, Gary and Mary track down Kermit the Frog who brings the Muppets together for one last show to raise money to save the theater. The movie has wonderful music and glorious dancing, too.
One by one the old characters are revisited and recruited. Then we see the show. There are hilarious bumps along the way and laughs galore in this lovely movie, that is truly for children, who will understand most of what’s going on, even younger ones. The charm of the Muppets has not worn thin; they are still delightful, enchanting and entertaining. All our favorites are there, Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, Ralph, Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf, the Chickens and so on.
There is no real violence, sex or bad language but a touch of bathroom humor. The Muppets is a “don’t miss” movie not only for children from four to twenty-four but for parents as well. If you don’t see it, you’re missing one of the best movies of the year.
HUGO (Running time: approx. 2 hours 7 minutes)
Rated PG Starring Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield
This dark, beautiful movie is not for younger kids though the rating is PG. It’s a touching story about a young orphan boy, Hugo (Butterfield), living in a Paris train station in 1925. His father was a clock maker and fixer of things. When he died, the boy’s uncle, in charge of winding the clock in the station, took in the boy. He taught the lad how to wind the clocks so he wouldn’t have to, gave him a bed in the station, then disappeared.
Hugo maintained the clock and continued to live there, pilfering food and hiding from the gendarme (Cohen) who patrols the station with a Doberman Pinscher. Hugo has a run-in with an older man (Kingsley) who sells toys at a small shop. The man’s granddaughter and Hugo become friends and he shows her his secret hiding places and how to sneak into the movies.
I can’t say enough about the charm of the location, the sets and the supporting characters in this movie. You feel the flavor of the times as you are pulled into the lives of these characters. There is no violence, sex or bad language here simply a strong, complex story well told. The movie is too long, complicated and too adult in theme for younger children. Scenes where an orphaned boy is thrown in a cage and hauled off to the orphanage might be frightening to children under the age of eleven or twelve. But for older children and adults, Hugo is a magical journey into the past.

Movie Choices for Kids - Happy Feet 2, Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part One

2011-11-21 09:38:28

HAPPY FEET 2 (Running time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes)
Rated PG Animated with the voice of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Hank Azaria, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt
I was looking forward to this movie and am sorry to say I was grossly disappointed. Back to Antarctica but nothing about the environment or real nature information. No, we got unrealistic situations, like elephant seals befriending penguins. Elephant seals eat penguins. The movie started off well with tap dancing and then bogged down into a heavy father/son plot. Then there was the puffin pretending to be a penguin that could fly. And the puffin and penguin that were rescued by man and the elephant seal too stubborn to back up who fell into a ravine and was rescued by a penguin. And the krill, one who didn’t want to swarm and one who did and the penguins getting trapped by ice. But the movie totally lost me when the tiny penguin son breaks into an operatic aria in defense of his father and trying to convince the elephant seals to help the trapped penguins.
The music was the best part of the movie and there wasn’t enough of that. Too many subplots to keep track of, a father who felt guilty over some insensitivity toward his son, jealousy, and voices from various nationalities, including Swedish, Hispanic, British, Australian and sometimes simply unintelligible!
There were a few scary moments when the leopard seal was chasing the father penguin. That were scary but mostly it was disjointed, hard to follow and boring. Will kids like it? Probably. The 3-D was fun; the animation was terrific, beautifully done. Is this a bad movie for kids? No, no bad language or sex. So you can send the kids ages 5 and up. My advice is rope grandma into taking them; you must have something better to do at home.
TWLIGHT: BREAKING DAWN, PART ONE (Running time: approx. 117 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
What can I say about Bella and Edwards wedding? It was beautiful and their honeymoon was tastefully done. The teens and ‘tweens in the audience cheered their favorites and were responsive to things happening. The bedroom torn to shreds after their wedding night elicited laughs from the audience.
There is drama, the plot is a bit confusing but if you’ve read the books you can probably follow along fine. I admit to loving the main characters and when the werewolves change into wolves. They are such beautiful creatures!
The movie has the obligatory fight between the werewolves and the vampires, which I find the least interesting part! I like the interaction between the characters and the vamp “family” and how they cope with life, considering their challenges. The movie is well made, romantic and sweet. Now with the threat to Bella’s life it took on new drama and tension and left us hanging a bit at the end, anxious to see what the next installment will bring.
There is violence, blood, no bad language and scenes of sensuality and implied sex. The movie is best for ‘tweens twelve and up, though if you have a child into this series, I don’t know how you will be able to keep them away.

Movie Choices for Kids - J. Edgar, Jack and Jill

2011-11-14 08:31:22

J. EDGAR (Running time: approx. 137 minutes)
Rated R Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Judi Dench
I don’t usually review “R” rated movies but after seeing “The King’s Speech” I realized some “R” movies have value for older kids. This movie is one of those exceptions. The “R” rating here is simply for a little bad language, including the “eff” word said once. This biopic is not only the personal bio of J. Edgar Hoover, head of the F.B. I. for a long time, but the bio of that institution as well.
The film starts out when Mr. Hoover was a young man working for the Justice Department and the Bolsheviks were bombing the homes of prominent government officials, including Mr. Palmer, head of the early F.B.I. Palmer appoints Hoover, a serious man who builds the F.B.I. from a weak arm of the Justice Department to a mighty crime fighting institution.
Along the way the film examines Hoover’s personal life, his close, dependent relationship with his mother(Dench) and his long standing homosexual relationship with his number two in command at the F.B.I., Clyde Tolson (Hammer). I learned much from the film, for example, the fact that under Hoover, the F.B.I. started the first large forensics lab and information gleaned from that lab was used to catch the Lindberg baby’s kidnapper. Hoover changed the bureau dramatically, raising standards and arming agents.
The film also chronicled Hoover’s increasing hunger for power and the illegal means he used to attempt to control people, amassing huge files on prominent figures and people he felt were threats to the country. J. Edgar Hoover was a complex man, a bit paranoid he valued loyalty above all else, having one trusted secretary, Helen Gandy (Watts) for his entire career at the F.B. I. She was the only person he gave access to his private files and she was the one who destroyed them when he died. He struggled to surpress his feelings for Mr. Tolson, knowing they would displease his mother who was a strong influence in his life.
What I liked about the movie was the sense of history, the differing times, the various presidents and others in positions of power who tangled with Hoover and the even-handedness I felt in his portrayal.
There is violence, some bad language, a scene where two men kiss briefly but no other overtly sexual scenes, simply innuendo. I was riveted to the screen by a great script, great performances and a fascinating cinematic look at part of our history. J.Edgar, a Clint Eastwood movie, should be fine for ‘tweens and teens 12 and up. See it with your children, it’s a great film.
JACK AND JILL (Running time: approx. 91 minutes)
Rated PG Starring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
What can I say about an Adam Sandler film with too much bathroom humor, the only objectionable part of this film, that ranged from silly to mean-spirited? The words “waste of time” and “harmless” come to mind. Sandler played an obnoxious girl it was hard to like and the brother who couldn’t stand her. Sandler times two was too much for me.
I will admit I laughed a few times and for kids, the movie will be entertaining as there is slapstick humor, too. Let kids 9 and up see it with grandma.

Movie Choices for Kids - Tower Heist, Like Crazy

2011-11-07 10:47:22

TOWER HEIST (Running time: approx. 104 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Tea Leoni, Matthew Broderick
I was looking forward to this movie and I wasn’t disappointed. The premise of the movie is based on the Bernie Madoff scandal. Ben Stiller leads a group of employees of a luxury condo apartment building in New York City who have been swindled by one of the wealthy residents. Because the avengers are all law-abiding citizens who don’t know how to steal, they cut a local thief in on the plan.
There was a terrific cast of supporting characters of good guys and bad guys. The plot had several marvelous twists and turns that kept you guessing and a wonderful surprise ending. While this gang that couldn’t shoot straight was trying to pull off the heist, all sorts of funny things were happening to get in their way. Ben Stiller plays the straight man here and Eddie Murphy is hilarious as the con man/thief who becomes their teacher.
Although stealing isn’t a great idea, the movie managed to get across good messages. There was no violence, but some bad language and a little sexual innuendo. Tower Heist is a clever and entertaining movie that will keep you guessing. It should be fine for kids 11 and up who can get the gist of how a Wall Street investor can swindle people.

LIKE CRAZY (Running time: approx. 89 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones
This movie was advertised as a charming love story involving two college students from different countries. We have Anna (Jones) from England and Jacob (Yelchin) from the United States (Los Angeles) who meet at college. They fall in love and then have to face the difficulties of being separated halfway around the world from each other.
The early scenes of Anna and Jacob getting to know each other, clowning around at the beach, driving little hot rods at an amusement park and so on are delightful. This cute couple connects on an intellectual as well as physical level and the audience falls in love with them as they fall in love with each other.
The separations test their love and being only human, sometimes they fail the tests. At various times both of them get involved with other people and right in the beginning they break the rules regarding immigration for Anna because they cannot bear to be parted.
The breaking of the rule is the plot twist that drives the rest of the movie. Because of that misstep, they cannot get Anna over to the U.S. So Jacob travels to England. What was so touching was the way their love, though dormant for months, became alive again once they were together. The only disappointment was there was no real ending to this movie. It seemed to either peter out or get chopped off at the end instead of having some genuine resolution.
There was no violence, some bad language and a number of sexual scenes and situations though no nudity. Like Crazy is a captivating love story that needs a finish. It should be best for teens who are interested in learning about a love relationship and are not expecting a fast and witty movie.

Movie Choices for Kids - Puss 'n Boots, In Time

2011-10-31 08:52:45

PUSS ‘N BOOTS (Running time: approx. 90 minutes)
Rated PG Animated with the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifiankis
I was looking forward to this movie and was not disappointed. The story is good, the side characters, the actions of a macho cat too funny and the music was great. Puss (Banderas) is an outlaw because of his mistakes did years ago with his sidekick Humpty Dumpty (Galifianakis). Puss meets up with a female cat named, Kitty Softpaws(Hayek) who leads him to Humpty Dumpty. Humpty tries to recruit Puss in a plan to get Magic Beans and golden eggs. Puss wants to repay the town where he was adopted by Imelda, and raised as her “own”.
The plot gets a bit complicated with Jack and Jill and there is lots of fun as the bad guys pursue the quick cats who manage to escape every time. The underlying plot about friendship, betrayal and stealing are good and something children can understand. One strong point of this movie was that, while it had enough adult humor to keep me entertained, the plot was geared for children with no adult issues or themes to interfere. Such a nice change of pace!
There is a giant goose who terrorizes Puss’ home town and might be a little scary for very young children. There are no sexual scenes, bad language and though there is violence, no blood. I loved the blending of several children’s fairy tales and the creative way the story was told. The animation is spectacular and the humor delightful, even for adults. Puss ‘n Boots is a don’t miss movie for you and your kids ages six and up.

IN TIME (Running time: approx. 109 minutes)
Rated PG-13 Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy
This futuristic sci fi thriller was face-paced, exciting and engrossing. The premise is that no one ages beyond age 25, physically. But that is all the time they have alive unless they work and can “buy” more time. There is no money in this world; time is the commodity of exchange. Of course you have the “rich” who have hundreds or thousands of years and the poor who live from day to day. The concept was intriguing.
Will Salas (Timberlake) lives and adores his mother, who looks great, because she hasn’t aged past twenty-five. That was a little weird, seeing everyone looking young. You couldn’t tell if a man was with his wife, his mother or his daughter! Will helps out a rich man who wants to die and gives the 116 years he has left to Will.
Will goes to the rich sector and meets Sylvia Weis (Seyfried), the daughter of one of the richest men in the land. He is pursued by police who think he stole the time. Will and Sylvia strike up a relationship and I must stop or be a spoiler. There are excellent messages in In Time about rich vs. poor and what you do with the time you have. There is violence, some blood, some bad language, including the F-bomb once, and several sexual situations, plus a wee touch of nudity, only from the back. In Time should be a good, provocative movie to see with your ‘tweens and teens ages 12 and up. I enjoyed it.