Playground for Parents

Holiday Boob-Tube

Grab the kids, the remote, and a mug of peppermint hot cocoa. It's the first weekend of December and that means Holiday TV!  Great excuse for sitting in front of the tube and legitimately calling it family time.  Also a good reason to relive your youth, live vicariously through your kids, and get all giddy inside over cartoons without looking like a total goof.

 

From A Charlie Brown Christmas, to the Muppets, to the classic Rudoph's Shiny New Year (where the dialogue was really lame, the puppetry really amateur, and the characters mouths didn't move in sync with the sound - but we LOVE it!).  And truly, do you ever get too old to watch A Christmas Carol?  It's just as much of the holiday tradition as...fruitcake. Actually, I'd prefer watching a marathon of back to back episodes of A Christmas Carol to eating fruitcake.

 

Consider this a small gift from me to you, mama.  Here are a few websites to help you schedule those holiday shows and set that dvr.  God forbid you should miss the airing of Miracle on 34th Street.

 

http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/christmas/whats-on-tv.htm

 

http://community.abcfamily.go.com/watch/25-days-christmas?cid=afm_psg_comsearch_25doc10&kmed=ppc

 

http://insidetv.aol.com/category/holiday-tv

 

http://www.thisweekinsocal.com/Holiday/TV.aspx

 

 

 

Where the Wild Things Are

It's coming on Friday.  And nothing will stand in my way.  Not work.  Not household chores.  Not an invitation from my girlfriend to go to the foot spa.  Oh yea, you KNOW it must be good.  Oh, please be good.  Please be as good as the trailers make it seem - magical and mystical and beautiful.  Because I'm more excited about the release of this new kid's film than my kid.  I'm more excited than YOUR kid.  And nothing will stand in my way.  Not even my daughter's less than enthusiastic reaction.

 

When I told my 8 year old, with a big stupid grin on my face, that Where the Wild Things Are comes out this Friday, she responded, "I'm not that excited, mom."  Wellll...it's kinda bordering on pathetic when you force your child to attend the latest kid's flick and they didn't even ask. But, truly, how is it any different from every other wise decision we must make as parents, because they just don't know any better?  And then she can thank me later, for being the all-knowing, all-powerful Oz.

 

One of my favorite kid-review sites had this to say so far, with more details coming on the movie's opening day, October 16th: 

(From www.commonsensemedia.org) Parents need to know that director Spike Jonze's highly anticipated adaptation of the Where the Wild Things Are book by beloved children's author Maurice Sendak is likely to appeal to any kid (or adult) who loves the fantastical tale of intrepid Max. But based on the movie trailer, the PG rating, and Jonze's edgy reputation, parents should expect the film (which promises to have mild language, peril, and dark themes) to be a better fit for older kids. This isn't aimed at the kindergarten set -- no matter how well versed they may be in Max's journey.  Come back for a full review by Sandie Angulo Chen on October 16, 2009.

We'll see you in the theater line.  We'll be the ones trying to sneak in a bag of microwaved popcorn and some juice boxes, just to save a buck.

Labou

"Three young children set out to find a centuries-old pirate ship lost in the Louisiana bayou. Together they experience an adventure beyond their wildest dreams, a magical swamp creature named Labou, and most importantly they learn valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, friendship, and belief in oneself."

 

Introducing: "Labou" - a new, award-winning family film that has just been released by MGM/Fox Home Entertainment.

 

I was recently sent a screener to review. We popped some obligatory popcorn and gathered in our living room for an intimate Family Movie Night. My husband fell asleep in about 20 minutes. But, he falls asleep during most movies that aren't about James Bond. I was only mildly amused - I thought the story line was a bit contrived, the dialogue forced, and I wasn't convinced about the friendship between the kids. The music was cool though - can't find much wrong with jazz in New Orleans. And I must give it a thumbs up for having a diverse cast. Most importantly, however, my eight year old loved it. The true evidence: she wanted to watch the movie again the next day, and the next...A film always scores when it has a cute, friendly creature that's small enough to fit in your backpack. Remember when you were a kid and wanted a little E.T. of your very own?

 

In all, it has enough action to keep the kids entertained, without being scary (you don't have to worry about them not wanting to go to bed afterward).  A good dvd pick for your own family movie night, though you may want to have your iphone on hand to secretly send emails while the kids watch.

 

The film has been approved by the Dove Foundation, and won top awards at several children's film festivals, including "Best of Fest" at the prestigious Chicago Int'l Children's Film's Festival.  For more information and to check out the trailer, go to www.LabouTheMovie.com. 

 

The Providence Effect

I have goosebumps. I get them whenever I witness a story of astronomical triumph over racism, poverty, and illiteracy. I get them whenever negative stereotypes get a smack in the face. I get them when kids achieve remarkable feats against all odds. And I got them when I saw the trailer for The Providence Effect.

 

Those working on The Providence Effect recently asked me to mention the film, and I'm proud to do so. The film debuts on September 25th. It's a new theatrical documentary that will change the way America thinks about teaching our children. It is confirmation that I should, and must, expect greatness from my own children. It is a documentary I will share with my girls, with an intriguing combination of education and inspiration.

 

"THE PROVIDENCE EFFECT is the story of an individual man, the inner city Chicago school he founded, and the student lives the school has changed and saved.  The school, Providence St. Mel, has a 30-year 100% college placement record; with an “old school” approach to learning --- “Do the work.” --- and a dedicated corps of teachers and administrators, Providence St. Mel can serve as a model for revamping all of American education.

To turn Providence St. Mel into a first rank college preparatory school, and its African-American student body into a corps of driven, disciplined, high achieving students.  That was over 30 years ago.  Since then, 100% of Providence St. Mel graduates have been accepted to college, half of them, during the last seven years, to first tier and Ivy League colleges and universities."

 

Read more about the film, its numerous awards, and find a theater at www.theprovidenceeffect.com

 

 

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Imagine walking out of your front door, holding out your dinner plate, and a big juicy hamburger with the works falls from the sky...or pancakes with syrup, hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream sundaes...If I were to create a fantasy world, it would look a lot like the one created in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, where the weather report included the day's menu coming from the clouds. Just think, no grocery shopping, no cooking, no dishes - ideal with the minor exception of all the weight we'd probably gain.

We LOVE the children's book, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It's been one of my daughter's all time favorites for several years. Fortunately, it's also one of the few children's books I can bear reading repeatedly. Funny, imaginative, engaging, and we notice something new in the illustrations everytime we look at it. A must-have for your young child's growing library.

Well, you know how it is when a movie is created from a book - you're prepared to be disappointed, because you know it's not going to be as good. That truly could've been the case here, because the film is a FAR departure from the book. However, the book fans will still get their money's worth (even if the cost of taking your family to the movies is about as much as your mortgage payment).

Today, my eight year old and I saw the new kids' film, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. The animation was wonderful. The dialogue was humorous. The storyline was suspenseful and entertaining. Two thumbs up, from each of us. We saw it in 3-D, which is NOT necessary to truly get the most from the film. In fact, if it's not showing in 3-D at a theater near you, or not at a convenient time, don't strain yourself to make it happen. There wasn't much 3-D action at all, which surprised me considering the amount of falling food. Even my daughter felt she got jipped on the 3-D action, though she did get to keep the cool glasses.

Beyond the entertainment, the film provides a great opportunity to have meaningful conversations with your kids, based on the messages about family, unconditional love, courage, ambition, humility, nerdiness is beautiful, and the all important lesson that "bigger is (not always) better."

Want a synopsis of the movie and find out more?  Check out my favorite entertainment-related websites, that will give you a blow-by-blow account of the flick before you take your kids: Kids-in-Mind.com and CommonSenseMedia.org.

Is It Common Sense?

 

My eight year old has been waiting for this movie ALL summer. She announces every billboard of the movie that she sees as we drive to camp in the morning. And mind you, it's always the same billboards that we're passing. "Look mom, there's the movie!" (uhh, yea, you mean the same sign we saw yesterday, and the day before, and the week before that?).  Finally, this weekend, her wait is over, and I need to come up with about $50 just to pay for a couple of tickets and a bucket of popcorn. Since discovering a kids' media website, however, I do feel more prepared - whether this flick will also be entertaining for us parents in the theater, or if I'm likely to see a lot of texting on iPhones lit up in the darkness.

 

The new kid's flick: G-Force. But, more importantly, the helpful website we can use again and again: Common Sense Media.

 

I feel like I'm the last one to know about this site (and if you knew about, shame on you for not telling me!). There is A LOT offered here, and I haven't even scratched its surface. But, in a nutshell, Common Sense Media provides reviews of kids' movies, games, websites, television, books and music.  Everything entertainment related can be found right here at our fingertips, which is a good thing as we try to protect our kids from the evils of media (and those diabolical toy commercials). Ratings are provided from 1 to 5 stars. They even slap a label on the show that indicates the appropriate viewing age, or "no kids" (e.g. Bruno - duh). Details are given on how both parents and kids rate it (not surprising that parents and kids often don't rate the same movie, the same number of stars). Now there's a new feature allowing you to personalize the site for the specific age of your child, making it quicker and easier to have information relevant to your family.

 

It's easy to navigate and comprehensive. The suggested kids' reading list alone has categories such as "best coming-of-age tales," "best friendship stories," and "emotional stories."  There's an entire advice section covering everything from kid internet safety and social networking, to celebrities, cartoon violence, and the influence of Jon and Kate (you didn't think you were going to get far from that topic, did you? don't be silly).

 

As the parent, you get to provide a review on the site for others to see, give it a star rating, express any concerns, and even grade it. Yea, mama, your chance to pretend you're Siskel and Ebert on the internet.

 

Are you a teacher? The site offers a free media program for your school.

 

"Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the media and entertainment lives of kids and families. We exist because media and entertainment profoundly impact the social, emotional, and physical development of our nation's children. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, we provide trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume."

Being dragged to see planning some quality family time to see G-Force this weekend? Nothing like talking guinea pigs in 3-D. Check out Common Sense Media's review of G-Force. And based on the review I read, don't forget to charge the battery in your iPhone.

Evian Roller Babies - Haaa!

Oh my goodness. If you haven't seen this, you must. If you have seen it, you'll probably want to see it again. If you haven't laughed in a while, you need to.  If you need a reminder that it's Friday and the weekend is finally here, this will put you in the mood.  Who knows, you may even pick up your old raggedy skates and go to the rink on disco night. And even if YOU don't think it's funny, you won't be able to deny that it's ridiculously adorable. I'm a bit worried, though. My baby is obviously slacking in her development compared to her peers. She doesn't know how to skate nearly as well as them...

Cheap Summer Movies for the Kids!

Wonder why the malls are so crowded during the summer? It has nothing to do with summer sales or even people-watching. I'm convinced that it's for the air conditioning. And now you can beat the heat AND be entertained (by something other than teenagers making-out, and old men wearing bermuda shorts and knee-high socks):  many local and national movie theaters provide kid-friendly movies, for free or at discounted prices, all summer long! Have a toddler and want to take him to his first film? This is a cheap way to experiment and see if he's ready! If you have to leave because he's managing to scream even louder than everyone else, it's not a big deal since it cost so little. You may not even make him pay you back. This will be a fun, easy way for my daughter to spend just a little of her allowance and save the rest (um, once I start giving her an allowance - that's another post). Granted, these aren't first-run movies. But, kids can see a movie ten times and still act as if it's their first time. Besides, I rarely make it to the movies these days anyway, so it'll be first-run for us.

There are nearly a dozen movie theaters across the nation participating in the summer discounted movies. I've listed just a couple of them here. Check your local theater or the web for others, and save that extra money for the price of gas to get there.

AMC Summer Movie Camp: Movies only $1. Wednesdays at 10AM, from June 17th to August 5th. All admission proceeds benefit Variety – The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Add a KidsPack of popcorn, snack and drink for only $3, and you just fed and entertained your kid for under $5 bucks. Super Mommy status for sure.  

* Their summer line-up includes Space Chimps, Kung Fu Panda, Spiderwick Chronicles, Nim's Island, and other kid and animated films.

From June 16th until August 19th, Cinemark theaters are showing kid movies twice a week, for just $1 each show. To sweeten the deal, and have even more leftover for that expensive box of popcorn, you can buy an advance pass for all ten movies for only $5. That's a movie for only $0.50! Seriously, the cost of the air conditioning you get for that 90 minutes is worth way more than that. I'd actually never heard of Cinemark, but apparently they are in California, just not near me. They are across America. Since I'm feeling all sunny and cheery, and because I have readers across the country (which excites me to no end), I'll let you click here to find the Cinemark near you.

* Their summer line-up includes Spongebob, Veggie Tales, Nanny McPhee, Tale of Despereaux, Madagascar 2, Horton Hears a Who (one of my favorites), and other family-friendly shows.

FREE G and PG-rated films can be seen at Regal Cinemas, and United Artists and Edwards theaters, which are owned by Regal. They are shown every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10AM.

Check the website to find out what movies are playing each week. Their summer line-up may include Kit Kittredge: American Girl, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Igo, Surf's Up, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and others.

Because free food taste better, and free/cheap movies get more stars. At least from where I'm sittin'.

New Kids' Movie: "UP"

 

I'm hoping this one is as good as it looks, given that kids' animated movies are the only flicks I manage to drag myself to on a Saturday afternoon (forget about anything rated R and nominated for an Oscar - I'll have to catch that on cable after the kids go to bed - if I can keep just one eye open). The trailers look funny, entertaining. Fingers crossed that there are just enough adult jokes to keep us amused, but don't go too far, and a plot that isn't too lame. Some of you may not care what the movie is about, as long as you have something to entertain the rugrats, and they actually have to sit still, while you tweet on your iphone. Here's the quick synopsis from my fav site, www.kidsinmind.com. Let me know what you think - we never make it to opening weekend anymore, so I've got time to hear about it first before I plunk down a week's paycheck per ticket.

UP (rated PG, Pixar):  "A man, saddened by the death of his wife, decides to take the adventure they had always dreamed of together. In a rather unorthodox fashion, he attaches thousands of helium balloons to the home they shared for many years and sales away to South America. He is joined by an unexpected guest who happened to be on the front porch at the time of lift off. With the voices of Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Paul Eiding, Christopher Plummer and John Ratzenberger. [1:44]"

* For scene-by-scene details on violence/gore, sex/nudity, etcetera, check out the detailed review at www.kidsinmind.com.

 

"Earth"

 

Just type "Earth Day" into Google, and you will have at your fingertips a slew of websites, weblogs, articles and information.  You can't say you don't know when it is, or what it is, or what to do, because there are family activities, school projects, and community events galore occurring across the globe tomorrow. And yes, there's even a movie premiere...

 

The new movie, "Earth," opens on Earth Day, April 22nd.  It marks the first film in the Disneynature series, and tells the tale of three animal families as they travel across our planet - two adult polar bears and their baby cubs, a mother elephant and its baby, and a young humpback whale and its mother. The film is narrated by James Earl Jones (LOVE that man's voice!). 

 

The "Earth" trailer gave me goosebumps - the imagery is simply beautiful, the story suspenseful, and it is certain to instill in the audience, at least temporarily, a love for earth and animals. From what I've read in the reviews thus far, what is blatantly missing from this film is the critical discussion of man's impact on these animals through chemicals, pollution, global warming, and all those nasty little things we've done that necessitated Earth Day in the first place. Some viewers have said that this film is not the place for such a heavy discussion. Others disagree, and see this as a lost opportunity. Bottom line: it will be up to YOU, as mom or dad, to seek the information elsewhere; perhaps taking from the film a desire to protect the environment, and then discovering together with your kids what you can do about it.

 

Don't forget to check my favorite website, www.kids-in-mind.com, for a detailed synopsis of the movie contents, before you take your kids. It's rated G, but could still warrant some caution.  

 

Happy Earth Day to all. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else! Mars looks a little too dreary.

 

Now, what are you going to do on April 22nd?