"In Time" sounded like it could be a really good action thriller. The premise is no one ages past 25, but your clock is then set to expire in a year. The thing is, your clock is you currency. So your time could be up much quicker than a year, depending on how you spend it. The rich seem to have an unlimited clock. The poor quickly die off. It's survival of the fittest. Of course, a hero emerges who is out to give time to the masses.
Sadly, this date-night movie contender made me want to look at my non-existent watch. The characters weren't engaging. They were flat. And the action...the race to get time, give time, was a yawn and super predictable. I don't recall my heart pumping once. Certain elements of the plot were never really explained. Hello, seriously only one gang of time stealers? What's with the mysterious voices behind the make that tells how much time each time zone has? My grade: D+. My husband liked it a little more than I did. He gave it a C.
It's rated PG-13 for violence, some sexuality, partial nudity and language. I'm thinking my 14-year-old son would enjoy it more than me, though he may be disappointed by the lack of explosions. I don't think he'll care about the plot.
Things you should know should you decide to bring your kids:
-A man commits suicide. No blood is shown.
-People fall over and die when their time is up. One scene is particularly sad because a loved one dies in the other's arms.
-Lots of shootings and violence as thugs try to steal time, though little blood is shown.
-A prostitute tries getting customers.
-Two characters go for a skinny dip and a bare bottom is shown.
-Two characters play strip poker and make out (no sex is shown).
-Characters are drinking at the bar and casino.
-Several bad words are used in anger/fear, including the F-word.
Things to discuss:
How do you make the most of your time?
What kind of disadvantages do lower-income community have when compared to affluent communities?
Would you ever risk your reputation/wealth to help others in need?
How do you imagine the future? Will time be very important then?
Cheers!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Loving "Puss in Boots"
Honestly, I worried about seeing this one. Would "Puss in Boots" make me laugh or cringe. Not all the Shrek movies were great. I couldn't even finish watching the third one.
I came into the theater thinking the best of the movie was in the trailer. I left nicely surprised. I couldn't say it was the best animated movie this year, but it is good. My grade is a B+. My kids liked it too, trying to convince me I should give it an A-.
This animated film looks at Puss in Boots' beginning as an orphan kitty who transforms into a kitty-loving, justice-seeking, sword-wielding rebel. Antonio Banderas reprises his role voicing Puss. He's joined by Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Zach Galifianakis as Humpty "Alexander" Dumpty.
The film starts with Puss seeking some magic beans from the villainous husband and wife Jack and Jill (voiced by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) that will lead him to the golden egg-laying goose. Happens another also seeks those beans leading to the true treasure, messing with Puss's plans. You quickly learn an old-friend-turned-enemy is behind that effort. You learn much of Puss's past, such as how he went from hero to outlaw, via flashbacks. It's one adventure after the other, so the movie moves at a nice clip. It's filled with plenty of jokes, some specifically for the adults. I won't share the end, but many of you will be able to guess. Still, it's a fun ride.
Is there too much adult innuendo? Well, that depends on your tolerance and how much your kids pick up. Some samples:
-Humpty "Alexander" Dumpty: "You got any idea what they do to eggs in prison? I'll tell you this, it ain't over easy."
-Puss in Boots (after being arrested, catnip is found in his boot): "That's for my glaucoma."
-Kitty Softpaws, while she whips her tail around Puss: "Just think of all the trouble we can into, the two of us together."
None are necessarily bad in my opinion, but they could open up conversations...what did Humpty mean about prison? Glaucoma, why did he say that?
Some topics to discuss: betraying friends, making good decisions, having dreams, helping your community, stealing/cheating/lying, revenge, etc.
My overall opinion is this is fine for most ages. Just know you may be asked to explain stuff, as you probably did in other Shrek movies. It's up to you how you decide to explain it. :)
Cheers!
I came into the theater thinking the best of the movie was in the trailer. I left nicely surprised. I couldn't say it was the best animated movie this year, but it is good. My grade is a B+. My kids liked it too, trying to convince me I should give it an A-.
This animated film looks at Puss in Boots' beginning as an orphan kitty who transforms into a kitty-loving, justice-seeking, sword-wielding rebel. Antonio Banderas reprises his role voicing Puss. He's joined by Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Zach Galifianakis as Humpty "Alexander" Dumpty.
The film starts with Puss seeking some magic beans from the villainous husband and wife Jack and Jill (voiced by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) that will lead him to the golden egg-laying goose. Happens another also seeks those beans leading to the true treasure, messing with Puss's plans. You quickly learn an old-friend-turned-enemy is behind that effort. You learn much of Puss's past, such as how he went from hero to outlaw, via flashbacks. It's one adventure after the other, so the movie moves at a nice clip. It's filled with plenty of jokes, some specifically for the adults. I won't share the end, but many of you will be able to guess. Still, it's a fun ride.
Is there too much adult innuendo? Well, that depends on your tolerance and how much your kids pick up. Some samples:
-Humpty "Alexander" Dumpty: "You got any idea what they do to eggs in prison? I'll tell you this, it ain't over easy."
-Puss in Boots (after being arrested, catnip is found in his boot): "That's for my glaucoma."
-Kitty Softpaws, while she whips her tail around Puss: "Just think of all the trouble we can into, the two of us together."
None are necessarily bad in my opinion, but they could open up conversations...what did Humpty mean about prison? Glaucoma, why did he say that?
Some topics to discuss: betraying friends, making good decisions, having dreams, helping your community, stealing/cheating/lying, revenge, etc.
My overall opinion is this is fine for most ages. Just know you may be asked to explain stuff, as you probably did in other Shrek movies. It's up to you how you decide to explain it. :)
Cheers!
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