Overview

This story from the minds of Big Idea Productions focuses mainly on girls, who are so inundated with loud messages about what beauty really is.  With a question asked by a real viewer, the Veggie Tales cast launches into the illustration of two separate, but similar, tales about beauty.

We are first introduced to Snoodlerella, who is the “ugly” sister with out of control hair, glasses, and braces.  Despite the makeover by a special visitor, Snoodlerella soon learns that her beauty rests not in her own appearance, but in the love of the King who created her – just the way she is.  Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the Beholder.

In the second part of this video, when Queen Blueberry asks her magic mirror who is fairest of all, she is mortified to discover that Sweetpea Beauty outshines in the land of Most Fair.  The Queen’s son, Larry, is smitten with Sweetpea.  Spurned on by the mirror – whose evil schemes are soon uncovered – the queen launches an effort to banish, and then put an end to her rival.  In the process, everyone learns that Beauty comes from within.

My Review

This has got to be my FAVORITE Veggie Tale movie of all time.  As a woman, and the mother of two daughters, it is so difficult sometimes to sift through the messages about our beauty – and it’s value and worth – that we hear from a myriad of sources.

While the stories captured my girls’ attention with their princess storylines, I was so thrilled to see a variety of Scriptures quoted throughout that clearly state how God sees us, and what HE believes is real beauty.  What a valuable lesson for my girls (and let’s face it, it was a good reminder for a mom) about being beautiful in God’s eyes, and how to live a beautiful life.

This movie is absolutely on their Christmas list – even if they don’t know it yet…

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Overview

Tangled is the most recent Disney take on the familiar story of Rapunzel.  Born to a King and Queen, Princess Rapunzel is kidnapped by Gothel, who discovers that Rapunzel has absorbed the magic from a flower which promises endless youth.  In order to ensure that the magic from Rapunzel’s hair is protected and secured only for herself, Gothel raises Rapunzel in an isolated tower.  Believing Gothel is her mother, Rapunzel willingly shares the magic of her hair, always yearning to step outside the tower to see the real world.  She knows that once her hair is cut, the magic is lost and her golden hair turns bruenette.

Gothel has spent years warning Rapunzel of the vast dangers of “thugs” who would be after her enchanted hair, so until her 18th birthday, Rapunzel has been content to stay within the tower.  Each year, on the evening of her birthday, she delights in seeing the thousands of lights that dance across the sky – but every year she wants to see them in person, more and more…

Enter Flynn Rider – a rakish thief on the lam with a stolen tiara – who stumbles upon Rapunzel in her prison.   Being chased by the King’s men – as well as two thugs whom Flynn betrayed – and a very talented stallion named Maximus, Flynn is surprised to discover that he is not alone in the tower.  After a somewhat difficult introduction, Flynn agrees to take Rapunzel to see the sky lights in person, in exchange for the return of his stolen loot.

Their journey is fraught with difficulty, misunderstanding, and manipulation when Gothel discovers Rapunzel’s plan.  When Flynn makes Rapunzel’s long-sought dream come true, she begins to believe that the world is not such a dangerous place.  Until Gothel’s evil plans force Flynn into a precarious situation, leading Rapunzel to believe that he too is only after her hair.  Returning to her tower, dejected and depressed, Rapunzel soon discovers her true identity and finds the courage to face her kidnapper.  A surprising twist makes for an exciting end to this magical fairy tale.

My Review

This was my first 3D movie experience ever – and I enjoyed it tremendously.  There were plenty of scenes which jumped right out at us, and we enjoyed the added magic…

I’ve seen other cartoon versions of Rapunzel, and I do think this is my favorite.  The music was fun and upbeat, the characters were really likeable (or dis-likeable, as they should be), and Rapunzel’s carefree, whimsical nature was really fun to watch.  Flynn, and the horse Maximus, were really great characters to watch.  Our first impressions of these two characters – in particular – made for a good storyline and plot as we watched them transform in direct relation to their friendship with Rapunzel.

I have to admit, there were a few scenes with Maximus and Rapunzel’s chameleon, Pascal, which made me laugh out loud!  They were enjoyable characters who added much humor and feeling to this story.

I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars for family-friendly viewing as some of the scenes may be a tad scary.  I’ve seen much scarier moments in Disney films, but in case of young, impressionable viewers, a few scenes with the thugs and Gothel may cause concern for them…

All in all, it was a fun movie and great family time together!

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Overview

Based on the true story of Michael Oher, offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, The Blind Side is a moving story of compassion and hope in the bleakest of circumstances.  One of 13 children, and removed from his mother at the age of 7, Michael lived in many foster homes – being “passed along” by teachers through school despite his dismal grades and “apparent” ignorance.  Eventually, Michael was homeless.

Because of a friend’s attempt to enroll at a Christian school, Michael was noticed by a football coach, who took a chance on supporting Michael’s enrollment as well.  At first glance, Michael’s grades and IQ scores indicated a lack of intelligence; but when a teacher discovered that not only was Michael learning in class, he could recall facts verbally and wrote with great clarity, she became invested in assisting Michael with his grades.

Enter the well-to-do Tuohy family whose children were enrolled at the same school.  They began to notice Michael’s odd behavior, but things changed drastically one night when they saw Michael walking alone at night in freezing temperatures without a coat.  Leigh Anne, a feisty outspoken woman, and her husband, Sean, took compassion on him, and Michael went home with them for the night.  Despite whatever misgivings they may have had, they welcomed Michael into their home like a member of the family, and eventually, placed him in his own room in the house.  In the face of friends who questioned their decision, the Tuohys cared for Michael as no one else ever had.

After digging deeper into Michael’s history, Leigh Anne discovered that Michael had been passed along in the foster care system, but it took time before she came to know the deep hurt and loss he had suffered.  Because of his immense size and superior “protective instincts” – along with some coaching (even by Leigh Anne herself) – Michael began to excel on the football field.  As he grew closer to the Tuohys, and as other teachers took personal interest in him, Michael began to blossom both in school and off.

Eventually, Michael was recruited by the University of Mississippi football team, and found his way to the professional level as a member of the Baltimore Ravens offensive squad.

My Review

I’ll just say it right now: I bawled through this whole movie. [Disclaimer: I am in fact 5 1/2 months pregnant, so crying is kinda normal for me - lol.]  This movie was basically an example of The Good Samaritan in modern times.  Michael’s story is heartbreaking – growing up in a large family in the projects, the child of a drug-user and convict, Michael had few options for success.  Becoming a ward of the system, Michael had little opportunity to attach himself to anyone who cared.

I was so moved by the portrayal of the characters in this film.  Just normal, everyday people like you and me impacting the life of a young man so powerfully – really put my own life into perspective.  Being thankful for a warm bed, food to eat, and family to love is the least I can do.  But our call as believers to reach out and love others as Christ loves us comes through LOUD and CLEAR in this particular film, and to be honest, I found myself crying with conviction.

Because of the nature of this film, there are scenes with hints of violence, gang references, and a few swear words.  They were in context of the film – but may especially bother younger children (the PG-13 rating is accurate).  I watched this movie alone, although I hope my husband can watch it with me again some time.   I’m not sure my daughters would understand all of the situations and flashbacks, but it is a movie I want them to watch at some point, because the values shine through this movie beautifully.

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Rating: G

Time: 98 Minutes

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My Family Friendly Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Overview

The Princess and the Frog is a story of Tiana, set in New Orleans during the prominence of Jazz music.   Tiana and Charlotte are friends because Tiana’s mother is a seamstress who creates all of Charlotte’s beautiful dresses.  Tiana is the daughter of hardworking parents who value love and relationships; Charlotte is the daughter of a prominent and wealthy citizen, who gets everything she wants.

As a child, Tiana enjoys cooking and creates delicious meals, especially her gumbo.  She & her father dream of owning their own restaurant one day, and despite her father’s death, Tia continues to hold onto her dream.

Tia & Lotte remain friends, but when a young foreign prince descends upon New Orleans, their lives are changed forever.  In atypical fairy-tale style, and with the curse of a voodoo spell by a jealous witchdoctor, Tia’s life is literally transformed as she learns to believe in herself and her dreams, while facing a life that is forever changed.

My Review

The story line was cute – the characters for the most part were funny, entertaining, and likable.  The interaction between Tia and Charlotte – and Tia’s relationship with her mother were enjoyable to watch.  The twists and turns in this fairytale were surprising and made the movie worth watching.

From the outset, with the entrance of the main voodoo character, Dr. Facilier, my daughters were disturbed by the nature and characters involved.  At one point, my 5 year old even said she was “scared” and she doesn’t scare easily.  Because the witchdoctor remained a main character, the presence of voodoo was a strong component of this fairytale.  Although other fairytales contain witches and warlocks, magic and spells, in my opinion – there seemed to be a more sinister flavor to this aspect.

I’ll be honest here.  My grandparents visited a few Caribbean islands during missionary trips – and their interactions and confrontations with voodoo were real.  The idea that this particular mode of magic is less dangerous than any other fairytale type magic is lost on me.  This is the main reason I gave it a lower family-friendly rating. While some may view this movie’s theme as no less “magical” as others, I found reason for concern and we will not be watching this movie again.

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About the Movie

The Mysterious Islands is a stunning and sweeping new DVD documentary from Vision Forum Ministries and Erwin Brothers Films. Alongside a bold Christian team of scientists, father and son adventurers, and cutting edge filmmakers, families and kids now can journey 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador (home of the giant Galapagos tortoise!) to the very islands Charles Darwin visited more than 150 years ago.

“Darwin got it wrong on the Galapagos, and his conclusions have led these islands to not only become the Mecca for evolutionists, but also the launching ground for the modern environmental movement,” expedition leaders Doug Phillips explains. “Many Christians are genuinely confused on how to best to respond to these ideas, and The Mysterious Island helps to fill this critical gap through a cinematically beautiful film.”

Prefect for Homeschoolers and families, who love nature programs, The Mysterious Islands explores the critical evolution/creation conversation through the eyes of Philips’ oldest son, 16 year old Joshua. Also along to explore and discuss are John Morris, renowned author and speaker on the relationship between science and the Bible, and award winning filmmakers Jon and Andy Erwin.

My Review

I have to admit my eyes teared up several times during this wonderful documentary.

I got emotional for two reasons:

1. Not only is this movie, but science itself, and nature, is just one of the most profound pieces of evidence that God truly DOES exist. While observing the magnificent earth He created, I am often taken to deeper spiritual depths in my walk with Him and often times during these moments my emotions get the best of me.
2. I often wonder if we truly understand the whole story behind Evolution, and how contradictory it is to the Bible, and the LOVE of the Lord. Not only that, but we believe in this theory without true understanding and we allow our children to be taught this theory as well. It makes me sad to think of all the things Charles Darwin, and his theory of evolution, have influenced in the history of man.

As I finished watching The Mysterious Islands I became even MORE passionate about God, the Bible, and my salvation through Jesus Christ. It stirred in me the same feelings I had when I began homeschooling my oldest daughter.

Even more so it reminded me of a time in my own life where my perception of God was of a mean and vengeful God, and I denied Him because I wanted to believe in love and mercy. But the more I get to know the Lord, the more I realize He is the God I had always wished for. I just wish everyone else could see just how amazing He really is.

Through His creation we see His hand at work, always. The Mysterious Islands is a great documentary that shows when we bring the Bible with us on our scientific journey, we find more answers than we do questions, and we often find a great boost in our faith and belief in God. If your faith is ever wavering, just look around you and you will KNOW that there is a God.

I really enjoyed The Mysterious Islands, and look forward to sharing this DVD with my family and friends!

Movie Trailer

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Although my family & I watched this movie several weeks ago, I have debated reviewing it here.  Depending on your take of fantasy / fairy-tale type movies, this movie may or may not be right up your alley.

Overview

Starring Freddie Highmore (one of my favorite child actors these days), Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte (almost entirely unrecognizable in this film) and many more, it tells the story of a family impacted by divorce.  Jared and Simon, twins both played by Highmore, their sister and mother move to a family-owned house that had been long abandoned.

Jared, a prankster, is sullen about his parents divorce and desperate to live with his father.  As the rest of his family attempts to acclimate to their new surroundings, Jared finds himself getting into trouble for events that are somewhat unexplainable.  Upon further investigation of a trunk in the attic, Jared discovers a sealed magical book, The Spiderwick Chronicles, with a warning not to open it.  Of course, being the precocious young man he is, he does not pay attention to the warning, and opens not only a book, but a portal to a world of goblins, fairies and a very menacing ogre.  The story takes them far into the past, and deep into a mystical world of fantastical proportions.

My Review

My family and I *loved* this movie.  It is fantasy, and although there are some pretty intense and scary moments, my girls watched this movie over and over.  I think the idea of the child hero (like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz) is fascinating to children – and the battle of Good vs. Evil is really the prevailing theme.

As the family encounters more mystical creatures, they also confront some of their own family dynamics and turmoil, resolving issues and building family unity.

WARNING:  There are some intense, and even violent, moments that may scare young children.  That’s why I gave a 3 1/2 star family-friendly rating.  There is a stabbing, the goblins are a bit scary, and the ogre is quite terrifying at times.   My youngest daughter would turn her eyes at scary moments, but both of my daughters seemed to grasp the idea of good vs. evil.  The children in the movie, also utter “oh my g…” several times.

The movie is based on a book series by the same title, and basically condensed into one film.  It is exciting, it is entertaining, and it is adventurous.   It is also rife with deep metaphors about fatherhood and family.  If you enjoy magical movies set in worlds of fantasy, you might really enjoy The Spiderwick Chronicles.

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Like a typical Tim-Burton-directed film, Alice in Wonderland was a visual feast for the eyes. A combination of live action and computer-generated characters kept the fantastical feel of the movie throughout. (And if you rent the DVD – I suggest you watch some of the bonus features to understand the work that went into the production of this film.)

Overview

When we first see Alice (played by Mia Wasikowska), she appears to be about 7 years old. She tells her father about the dreams she’s been having about weird characters and talking animals. She asks her father if she’s going crazy, and he responds by gently saying that his favorite people usually are…

Thirteen years later, Alice is with her mother, looking sickly and flaunting propriety. Arriving late at an afternoon party, Alice is informed by her sister that she is about to be proposed to by the host, and the party is actually an engagement party. After a very public proposal, Alice runs off for a moment – to follow a white rabbit – and falls into the rabbit hole landing in Wonderland.

Mystified and believing she is dreaming, Alice proceeds through her journey with skepticism. Meeting up with the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the Cheshire Cat (voice by Stephan Fry), and other familiar characters in the Alice in Wonderland stories, Alice is thrust into a pivotal confrontation with the Red Queen, based on a prophecy written long ago.

Realizing that she is in fact NOT dreaming, Alice begins to wrestle with the continual questions about her identity posed by the blue caterpillar (voice by Alan Rickman). In the end, Alice realizes who she is, and what that means, and is no longer afraid to face her ultimate test.

My Review

A fan of Johnny Depp’s work and characterizations, it took some time to adjust to the Mad Hatter character. After watching a bonus feature about the creation of the character, I was reminded that the madness stemmed from the hatter’s occupation. (In early times, the materials used to create beautiful hats were often toxic, and mercury-based materials were often used. The mercury seeped into the hands and bodies of the hatters, driving them to “madness”.)

As the characters developed and the plot thickened, I was drawn into the battle between the vicious Red Queen and her sister, the White Queen, for the Crown. The Red Queen subjects talking animals to manual labor, shouts “Off with their head!” at the slightest provocation, and rules with an iron fist. The White Queen has taken a vow to avoid hurting anything, and insists on helping Alice pursue her destiny.

The thing about this movie that surprised me most was the gore-factor. There were a lot of scenes of violence and fighting, and I was surprised that the movie only got a PG rating. Honestly, I would not recommend this movie for children, and only young adolescents after previewing it yourself. While many movies these days are full of violence and vulgar language, the inclusion of a few bloody scenes of violence – while appropriate for the movie – are not appropriate for children.

However, as an adult, I can say I did enjoy the movie overall. It is certainly the grown up version of the Alice in Wonderland story I’ve always heard, and it was a fun twist on the traditional. NOTE: If you don’t enjoy Tim Burton movies, then you probably won’t enjoy this.

Be prepared for a fun and funky ride if you watch this – but save it for after the kids are in bed.

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I went into watching it with little expectation – the story of Esther is one I am familiar with – but this movie really drew a lovely picture of the characters and the timeframe in which they lived, and I was captivated by it. It was a refreshing and lively version of a familiar story, that made me remember why I ever admired Esther in the first place.

Overview

While drawing on the characters of the story of Esther, the narrative effect – combined with the fine acting – traced the events of Scripture with a little flair of imagination. At a time when Persia ruled the world, and Jews were living in captivity outside of Jerusalem, the political drama of Persia vs. Greece, as well as Haman vs. Jew was illustrated beautifully.

The history of Haman – a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites that should have been executed by Saul, but was instead made a servant – gave some explanation as to his hatred of the Jews. (You can read more about this in I Samuel 15.)

The political intrigue in the palace, both internal and external, made for true drama – and the king had much to be concerned about.

And the story of Hadassah, who became Esther, was beautifully drawn out in a way that makes me want to study her even more deeply. She was just a Jewish girl, taken into the harem of a king, who was so enamored of her that Scripture says he was willing to give half his kingdom for her. (This from a man who had been publicly humiliated and scorned by his wife, Vashti, some short time earlier.)

My Review

Although there were only a couple of renowned actors in the movie (Peter O’Toole as the narrator, Samuel, Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan, and John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai), the actors and actresses brought their characters to life so well that I felt as though the Scripture was being acted out right in front of me.

While some details may have been constructed from guesswork – they were believable. Woven throughout what we know from reading Esther, was the story of romance between the king and Esther. While some liberty may have been taken with this particular story line, it was charming and sweet.

Considering Esther’s circumstances, she was a woman of courage and discernment. She sought to know what pleased the king (Esther 2:15), and won not only the royal eunuch’s favor, but ultimately the king’s favor. When she broke protocol at the risk of her life, the king chose to save her by extending the royal scepter, and granting her the small request for a dinner date. This was played out very well by Tiffany Dupont, as Esther, and I enjoyed her performance a great deal.

I was so reminded of what a wife should be after watching this movie. She was not a simpering fool; she was not a brash, contentious woman. Instead, Esther was a woman who accepted sage advice and trusted God to take care of her. Even at the risk of her own life.

This is a movie I plan to watch again. I recommend you consider watching it, too.

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The main character, Jake Sully, is a replacement on an adventure to the planet, Pandora, instead of his murdered brother, a scientist. A wounded Marine vet, Jake is met with much skepticism by the scientific expedition, but welcomed by the military leader with enthusiasm. Jake is a “driver” – who lives out his days within the skin of his virtual reality “Avatar” in an attempt to socialize with the native tribal people, the Na’vi.

On his first day in his “new” body, Jake runs into trouble and ends up separated from his crew. After fighting off wild space creatures looking for their next meal, he meets up with Neytiri, daughter of the chieftain and of the spiritual leader of the people. The primitive people live much like Native Americans, with their own system, religion, culture, and way of life. Due to spiritual “signs” she invites Jake to her tribe and his initiation begins.

The scientific staff, headed by a brash Sigourney Weaver, intends to learn more about the indigenous people and seek a peaceful resolution to the mining of the planet’s wealth. The military rogues seek to use might and brute force to remove the native population, or destroy them if necessary. Jake is forced to decide between a crisis of conscience and his future.

PROS

The film is beautiful – inventive – colorful. If you can withstand the mythical lore, the plot is entertaining.

The characters are fun. Jake is a Marine through and through, and his colloquialisms had me laughing, but that’s because I understood the lingo, having grown up with a Marine vet myself. The curiosity of both the scientists and Avatar people is endearing.

The growing friendship between Jake and Neytiri turns into something more, forcing Jake to confront his feelings about his mission.

CONS

I was very disappointed by the regular use of swear words. There is way too much swearing for this to be a family-friendly movie. The scantily clad Avatar people may offend some, although I looked at them as creatures, rather than humans, even though male and female could be easily identified.

Emphasis on spiritual connection with Eywa (the goddess) and the universe, as well as to the environment were prominent. There are a few spiritualist rituals which were a bit unsettling, even for me. This line of thinking is not out of character for Science fiction, but it is absolutely out of line with Scripture.

The violence is not out of range for this movie, but could certainly disturb young viewers.

A sensual scene between Jake and Neytiri results in their being “mated for life” and they are seen in an intimate embrace, and shown in the morning lying together.

OVERALL

I enjoyed this movie. I’m a fan of sci-fi, so I was not surprised by the humanistic overtones – I expected them from this type of film. The story itself was fantastical, and the characters likable (or disagreeable) in real ways, although it certainly echoed the type of domination that took place with the settling of the American continent. I would NOT recommend this movie for children, unless you can view it with some sort of filtering device.

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In the 2010 release of the Robin Hood movie, you can definitely tell that the writers had no intention of following along the typical Robin Hood story. Which I guess is very creative, but made watching the movie a bit confusing.

Was this movie entertaining, yes. Worth watching, I guess if you don’t have anything better to do. There were many violent scenes within this movie, and a lot of drinking. There was also a scene where the King was obviously naked, along with his mistress. And several other scenes where there were women who were undoubtedly portrayed as prostitutes. There was also a scene of an attempted rape, and even an almost mass killing. All of this was a bit disturbing to watch.

I guess my view point of Robin Hood is a bit skewed. I view stealing as stealing and I think it’s wrong. Were the circumstances the people of Nottingham put through right? No. However I still feel the entire story of Robin Hood to be a bit contradictory. Basically the message it is sending to the world is compromise. It’s OK to steal if you are giving it to people who are less fortunate? I don’t think so.

Overall the entire story of Robin Hood should be followed by a good discussion on how wrong is wrong, and that stealing isn’t the answer to solving ones financial woes. This movie is rated PG-13 and I feel the rating was appropriate for the content. Even though my review of this movie is highly critical, I do believe that it is still a great discussion starter for kids of the appropriate age. I do recommend parents watching the movie with their children so they can discuss the moral of the movie together.

I give this movie a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

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