Family Fun at the movies

  We loved going to the movies in this house.  It's not just about the movies because to be honest you don't know about the movie until after the movie.  It may be about the popcorn though!

Sometimes we don't have to vote on the movie we are going to.  It's just unanimous!

Paddington was on my mind since I saw the advertisments.  Paddington of course needed a sequel!  This movie rated PG with a run time of 1 hour and 43 minutes was an entertaining movie the whole time!  My kids enjoyed watching the bear and his antics.  

In this movie from the previews you know that he goes to prison, turns the laundry pink and of course indulges on Marmalade sandwiches.  With the bear locked up the show must go on.  That leaves his family whom does all the foot work to prove Paddingtons innocence. 

This movie will not disappoint.  My kids are older and had no trouble following through and laughing along with the show.  This was a great sequel and sometimes we know sequels are not always good.

  This was a great family day.  We saved money by going during a matinee.  Along with utilizing refillable popcorn buckets that will can refill for a fraction of the cost.

Troll (movie review)

  It's showtime parents of little people.  What are you plans this weekend?  Regardless of mine this is where we went today!  They say if you can't beat 'em join 'em.  I try to get to the theater before the crowd and the matinee is over so it's a win-win all around.

  Trolls opened today and with all the hype and promotions in stores on shelves and McDonald's.

 Your kids have been bound to have heard it somewhere.  My kids heard the 3 day countdown and were more excited as each day passed.  Of course a recent birthday gift fueled the excitement.

  Trolls stars Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick joined by a bunch of other celebrities.  You can almost easily identify the others as soon as they speak.  The movie runs for a comfortable hour and 33 minutes.  This fantasy/adventure film is appropriately rated PG.

    This movie is full of bright, vivid colors.  A lot of singing (which surprised me) and some dancing to accompany it.  The songs are great though for any 80's child who also had the original Troll toy anyways.  

  There was an actual storyline and it was easy to follow. Enough troll characters with individual personalities to keep you entertained.   The trolls are all about happiness and want everyone else to be happy to.  These trolls party, do makeovers and give hourly hugs.  This is a nice movie for the family.  Kids will enjoy the trolls and colors will mesmerize them.  Adults hang out and enjoy the songs and jokes.

  Have a good weekend and if you going to the movies what will you be seeing?

#NaBloPoMo 

Storks (review)

  When you have kids and the television is on they are bound to catch a preview of a movie.  Then when a movie declares it's coming out tomorrow their ears perk up with full on attention.  They stop what they are doing listen to the commercial then proceed to let you know

 who:them
 when: tomorrow
 where: movies
 what: "we are seeing it!"
 how: your paying and popcorn is mandatory

  That's how every discussion goes when a new movie comes out.  A new animated film that is.  I must admit we have gone to a lot, some I didn't want to go to others I wished I hadn't but, some I'm glad I did.  Lucky for the kids I wanted to see this one.

  Storks is rated PG.  This was a clean PG rating.  I don't recall anything I was uncomfortable with my children seeing or hearing.  The movie runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes.  Starring roles go to Kelsey Grammer and Jennifer Aniston.

  The storks used to deliver babies but are in a new business.  They shut the baby business down due to an accident.  One stork is up for promotion and is tasked with termination.  This termination is what makes the story along with a letter.

  My kids and I all enjoyed the movie.  This isn't a freak occurrence.  Sometimes I like something and they don't.  Also I can rate this movie good because I didn't have to take anyone to the bathroom .  I could start rating movies with toilet icons based on how many times I have to take a child sometimes.  The were able to provide a summary of the movie, retell funny parts and laugh throughout the movie.  I enjoyed it as it was funny and entertaining.  The jokes are not geared towards adults as much as most animated films are.  This is a very funny wholesome movie.  The colors are bright, the babies are adorable and use this show as a springboard to learn more about storks.

  During the movie....... the question does rise of where do babies come from.

  You have to watch it to find out.  I did and now I know!

Kubo and The Two Strings (movie review)

I recently was roped into seeing Kubo.  The two culprits work well as a team when it benefits them and involves popcorn.  Most of the time the movies I'm subjected to watch with the small people are good and this one fell into that category.

  Kubo is an animated fantasy adventure film rated PG that runs for 1 hour and 42 minutes. Main characters voices come from Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron.

After seeing this movie I now realize that PG ratings need to be further investigated.  This movie had some scenes that I was concerned about the perception from my kids but I know they were ok because they didn't mention it afterwords, so that's good.

Kubo starts out with supporting his mom and winds up running from spirits.  Along the way he is accompanied by a monkey and a beetle.  He plays beautiful music that creates living origami.  Some of the origami is for entertainment and other pieces save lives.

Some questionable images that brought concern for my kids were scattered throughout the movie.  Like I said since the kids didn't seem to be impacted by it I shouldn't be too worried.  Kubo had his eye stolen by his grandpa.  He had the visible scar even if your child didn't catch the line of what happened to it.  Some evil spirits are set free and pursue Kubo for his remaining good eye.  These are just a few scenes in the movie.

Overall it was a good movie.  The images were so real and lifelike.  The random touches of the Asian culture make it extra special.  Origami, lifestyle and traditions throughout the movie led to discussions with my kids of a far away land!

The movie is still in theaters and if your looking for a kids movie (that is not a baby film) this is the one for you.  

Miracles from Heaven (movie review)

  I feel like I cut it close to catch this movie for the week.  I didn't have a plan and only started looking at my options in the morning for an afternoon show.  It was a choice between two when I checked out what was available.

  I had previously saw an interview on the Today Show with Jennifer Garner talking about her role but was not set on seeing this movie.  Only when I actually read the summary and checked the time did I make the final decision!

  Boy, am I glad I did!  You know you are in the right spot when the theater is packed.  For weeks the theater has not been packed for a movie I went to see.  For weeks I didn't have to look for a seat.  This week I had to look for a seat (and don't get me started on the lovely lady who apparently bought a seat for her purse).

  I will refrain from spoiling this movie too much but will tell you to have some napkins for your dirty hands or tissues for allergies.  This movie will provoke watery eyes!   I will leave it at that.  You may come to your own conclusions but I will not tell you!  However I have heard from some people how they appreciate being told when they may need tissues!

  This movie is rated PG and runs for 1 hour and 49 minutes.  The cast includes: Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Martin Henderson to name a few.  This movie is beautifully written! It's hits you to the core.  The actors all play a stunning role to bring this true story to life.

  A family is living life to the fullest until they hit a bump in the road.  One of their own becomes sick.  The world around them crumbles slowly around them.  You of course are concerned with why you but you also want answers and help.  How far will you go to fix your family?  How much doubt can you have?  Do you think it's only about you?  How many people really suffer?  What are you willing to give up?

  Take your whole family to this movie!  I was going to bring my youngest daughter but thought it might be too much.  She would get more from it at home where I can talk to her to see what she understands and help her in understanding.  However elementary, preteens and teens would be fine!

  This may just be the movie of the year.  Your not going to want to miss out on this! See it tomorrow! A great day with your family after family dinner or before.

Zootopia (review)

  Disney's new movie Zootopia hit theaters today and I was as excited to see it as my kids were.  Zootopia  rated PG runs for 1 hour and 48 minutes and has a great cast lineup to include: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and singing by Shakira.

  The movie is about when animals live together in their own world.  They live in cities, town and countries together getting along with all species regardless of predator or prey status.  In living in your world there comes jobs that need to be manned such as cops, farmers and mayors.

  The overall movie motivates you to do what makes you happy.  Be true to yourself.  You don't need to settle.  If your ambition is to be an police officer than work towards that goal and do it to the best of your ability.  Expect hurdles as that is realistic but work through that to accomplish your goal.

  Don't assume you know something about someone or a species because everyone is different.  Of course when your young and grow up your outlook on life changes.  We do mature with age and realize what's important and what's not.

  Some spots in this movie did surprise me.  We actually viewed this movie in 3D so that didn't help with some parts.  My daughter (the 5yo) did jump at parts that jumped unexpectedly at her.  Parts were a little darker and scary then what she expected.  She did state when the movie was over she didn't like the scary parts.  Some animals did get mean and attack.  There were growls and pouncing motions.  My 3 yo didn't cover his eyes nor make any comments but he did remove his glasses for most of the movie so maybe he didn't quite catch the same image, he didn't understand it, or it didn't bother him.

  Over all I did like the animation.  I like the characters.  I do believe the sloth parts was my favorite. Lots of jokes sprinkled through it that kids will not catch that adults will.  I probably would not rent this movie from Redbox but if we did I anticipate my daughter covering her eyes on the darker parts.

  It was a good movie. Maybe better for kids over 5 but you know your child better than anyone.  Perhaps if we didn't view this movie in 3D it may not have been quite as scary.  A majority of the movie is pleasant about 20% spread out is the parts that concerned me the most for being a child's movie.

  Regardless of my opinion.  I leave it up to you.  Would love to know how you felt after seeing it.