Mother Inferior

Movie Reviews, Juno Complaint, and a Cool Contest

Here's my opinion of several recent (G- and PG-rated) big screen and DVD releases:

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Annoying.

Horton Hears a Who: Adorable.

Enchanted: Enchanting.

Nim's Island: Cute.

Mr. Bean's Holiday: Hilarious.

By the way, I HATED the much-ballyhooed Juno. Everyone (especially faith-based reviewers) seemed to love it, and recommended it as a "redeeming movie." But the DH and I walked out after about 30 minutes. I thought it was over-the-top crude. Maybe it's because we haven't been in youth ministry in over a decade and I just don't "get" teenagers. Maybe it's because I'm too sheltered, or because I wasn't in the mood. But I didn't get it, and I didn't like it at all. I'm usually pretty open-minded about movies, but I couldn't sit through it. Anyone care to comment? Am I alone in that opinion?

Finally, I saw this recently in the Christianity Today movie newsletter (which I thoroughly enjoy, by the way--check it out if you love movies):

"What about you? Have you ever watched a film and been stirred to do something? To contact your congressman, write a check, take a missions trip, sign a petition, reach out to the homeless, feed the hungry—to get up off of your couch and make a difference.

We want to hear your stories. Not just about movies that made you cry or laugh. Not just about films that moved you emotionally or even spiritually. But about flicks that moved you physically, movies that made you act upon an issue.

Tell us your story in 750 words or less, and we'll print the best ones at CT Movies at a later date. Send your story—either as an attached Word file or in the body of an e-mail—to ctmovies(AT)christianitytoday.com with the subject line "Movies Changing the World."

Deadline: 9 a.m. (Central), April 28. We look forward to hearing your stories!"

One Word Movie Reviews

• No Reservations--Charming
• Hairspray--Infectious (but mature themes abound--beware! It's not as raunchy as Grease, but not near as innocent as High School Musical)
• Ratatouille--Brilliant
• The Bourne Ultimatum--Suspenseful (again, more of an adult film)
• Nancy Drew--Ho-Hum (is that two words?) <g>
• Miss Potter--Sweet

I think my favorite movie this summer was No Reservations. I love romantic comedies, and this one was a little darker than most of them, but it was also very well crafted. I don't agree with the critics who said it was a yawner...I loved Aaron Eckhart and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and I was very impressed with Abigail Brestin. And you know what else? I LOVE that they didn't show love scenes--they left things up to the imagination, like the older films used to.

One-Word Movie Reviews

Movies for families to watch together--

Bridge to Terabithia: Amazing.

Hoot: Motivational.

Charlotte's Web: Touching.

The Legend of Johnny Lingo: Sweet.

Movies to watch with your girlfriends or significant other:

Dreamgirls: Transporting.

Music and Lyrics: Hilarious.

Freedom Writers: Inspirational.

A Pet Peeve

Have you seen Happy Feet yet? I took my kids on Saturday and I was disappointed. :(

I must say, some of it had to do with the fact that my littlest one only got through about 1/3 of if before wanting to leave. We spent the rest of the movie in the game room, and running around the lobby.

But the first part was frustrating. I had thought the movie was G (it was rated like that on our theater's website), and I didn't do enough checking around.

As the flick begins, a female pengiun is singing "Kiss" by Prince. And the male (back-up singer) penguins are basically ogling her. Later, they sing about making love, etc...and it's all about pro-creation of the species.

YIKES! I didn't really want to have THAT conversation after watching a kids' flick.

This is a pet peeve of mine. From Ice Age 2, to the Shrek movies, to Robots (which my oldest only saw recently, at a friends' house, without my knowledge--breaking our rules about asking before he watches ANY movie), today's PG animated movies are way too sexual for my tastes. The ones I've mentioned are filled with innuendos, which I guess are supposed to fly over our kids' heads and make us parents happy. That's why my hubby and I screen every PG movie before we let our 8 year-old see it.

The really frustrating part is that they are marketing these flicks to our kiddos through Happy Meal toys and endless commercials, so the little ones beg to see them. Sometimes it's downright depressing to have to say "NO" again.

The thing is--you don't have to put that junk in a movie to make it appealing to parents. Looney Tunes never did it--and I still laugh at those. They have great, creative inside jokes for adults--just like Veggie Tales does--but they don't venture into "for-adults-only" territory.

What do you think? I'd love your feedback--even if you disagree.

One-Word Family Movie Reviews

Here are a few movies (mostly rentals) I've seen lately and my response:

• Nanny McPhee (PG): Magical
• Must Love Dogs (PG-13): Derivative (not to mention Offensive)--okay, that's more than one word. :)
• Eight Below (PG): Inspirational
• Everyone's Hero (G): Average
• Flight of the Phoenix (the original, with Jimmy Stewart, PG): Classic.

How about you? What great (or not-so-great) movies have you seen lately?

A List of Sevens

Seven Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

• Parasail.
• Have a children's book published.
• Waterski. (I live in a lake community--you'd think I would have done this by now!)
• Take a cruise.
• Drink a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby.
• Do the trapeeze.
• Have a novel published.

Seven Things that Attracted Me to My Spouse:

• His love for God.
• His sense of humor.
• His voice.
• His smile.
• His blue eyes.
• His way with kids.
• His way with adults.

Seven Things I Can't Do to Save my Life:

• Sew.
• Enjoy exercise (except yoga--I found a teacher who uses worship music during class!!! Wha-hoo!!! It's a retreat for me twice a week).
• Cook.
• Keep the checkbook neat, or even remotely balanced.
• Find a swimsuit I like.
• Keep a weekly/daily schedule.
• Remember names.

Seven Things I Often Say:

• It's right there, where you're looking.
• That's awesome!
• You make me laugh (to any of my three boys).
• You're silly!
• Didn't I JUST do the laundry/dishes?
• Praise the Lord!

Seven Books I Want to Read:

• Jane Eyre
• The Brothers Karamozov (sp?)
• Crunchy Cons
• Writing to Change the World
• The Ghost Orchid
• Eat This Book
• Grace in Thine Eyes

Seven Kids' Movies I Don't Mind Watching:

• Hoodwinked
• Finding Nemo
• High School Musical (corny but wonderful!)
• Toy Story 2
• Over the Hedge
• Monsters, Inc.
• Cheaper by the Dozen

Your Turn!

One-Word Family Movie Reviews

I've been on a movie-watching kick lately. Here's a quick rundown of a few of them, in case you want to check them out for yourself:

• Hoodwinked--Clever.
• Over the Hedge--Hilarious.
• Cars--Not Nemo. (okay, that was two words!)
• Dreamer--Uplifting.
• The Greatest Game Ever Played--Inspiring.
• Pride and Prejudice--Romantic.
• My Date with Drew--Charming.
• Therese--Convicting.
• Glory Road--Amazing.
• Akeelah and the Bee--Heart-warming.