Friday, October 26, 2012

Fun Size is a mixed bag of mishap

Halloween is next weekend, so it makes sense that Nickelodeon puts out a movie where Halloween is central to the plot. The problem is "Fun Size" isn't exactly sweet/funny kiddie fare typical of Nickelodeon films. Think "Hotels for Dogs" with Emma Roberts and "Imagine That" with Eddie Murphy.

This one hopes for some teen edge and aims for more grown-up comedy. The thing is, the people who want to see this will be mostly 10-14 - the demo who loves, loves, loves Victoria Justice on "Victorious." But the movie is a little too raunchy for this demo. To quote my 12-year-old daughter: "This is definitely PG-13. Not for little kids!"

I asked her what stuck out as inappropriate for younger audiences, and she listed off several things — from the humping chicken-car scene and party scenes to the sexy kitty costume and boob touching. I'm glad she noticed, and I'm sad she noticed. This stuff no longer goes over her head.

A mom and I talked about the content after viewing the film. Is this really appropriate for kid fans of Victoria Justice? Should we keep them from watching? Every home is different. I mentioned seeing "Pretty in Pink" (1986, PG-13), "Sixteen Candles" (1984, PG) and "The Breakfast Club" (1985, R - mostly for the F words) as a kid. I was my daughter's age watching "Sixteen Candles." And had my parents been in the theater with us, I'm sure they would not have been happy with the underwear scene or the drunk foreign student handing from a tree, etc. It was PG, though. The PG-13 rating wasn't started until July of that year. If it were PG-13, I'm not sure if mine would have let us see it until they saw it first.

The movie is about nerdy, but pretty senior Wren (Victoria Justice), who is invited to the hot guy's Halloween party. She's geared to go with her bestie April (Jane Levy), who dresses sexy and wants nothing to do with boy nerds. Too bad Wren's mom (Chelsea Handler) is making her watch her little brother, so that she can go to her own party with a much younger boyfriend. Wren's brother, of course, gets lost and silliness ensues as she recruits two nerd friends to help find her brother, who won't speak but takes rides from strangers. None of these adults call the police, but rather take this kid to vandalize an ex-girlfriend's home and to a party. It's totally unbelievable in the attempt to be hilarious. Oh, and I forgot, Johnny Knoxville has a part as a martial arts doofus who steals Wren's brother's candy and later holds him hostage. I'm thinking most parents will be offended. Kids will likely be forgiving, because, well, it stars Victoria Justice and she is a good girl throughout, including wearing a costume that isn't overtly sexy.

My guess is the movie will quickly be at the bargain theater. But then again, kids will want to go even if many of the jokes fall flat or are just not really appropriate (there's exploding poop, sexy dancing that's supposed to be funny, streaking, etc.) Now, I did laugh even at some dumb stuff. But most jokes were quickly forgotten after the film. Memorable lines? I can't recall any. But the Songify clip had a few laughing out loud.

Overall, I'd say it's a D+. My daughter says it's a solid C. It's really for teens who don't mind dumb jokes and like Victoria Justice.

The trailer:

Madagascar 3 DVD combo-packed fun

Just got a copy of the recently released "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from DreamWorks, which includes the circus-afro wig. First, if you have a big head, the wig won't fit. It's really meant for kids, but we know some of you will wish it fit you. :)

If you and your kids liked Madagascar 3 (we did - I gave it a B+ back when I first saw it), the DVD will be a nice addition to your family movie collection. At our house, even with one teenager and a tween, we still love animated movies. It's scary, but we have quite a collection of animated DVDs at home (lately the kids have been watching another Dreamworks film, "How to Train Your Dragon"). You'd think we have preschoolers at home.

The DVD is nice for watching when you like, but I like DVDs for the extras. This one does OK. There are some computer games, but I love watching the commentary and behind the scenes. This one doesn't go over board with info, but maybe that's because fans aren't as hungry for the back story as they are for the Twilight saga and the Hunger Games trilogy. You do learn a lot about the creative process of of the film, such as how sound effects are adjusted to make a scene funnier and how Chris Rock created the circus-afro song on the fly. For those of you who like to learn more of the film techniques, there is discussion about creating night scenes, recreating the look of Monte Carlo and story pacing. It would have been nice, though, to have a few of the actors in on the film commentary.

Haven't seen the movie yet, but thinking about the DVD? It's pretty funny. Check out the trailer to learn more:

Monday, October 22, 2012

Fun Size fan frenzy

It's amazing how the Disney and Nickelodeon folks really know how to get fans hyped about their films. My daughter knew about Nickelodeon's latest tween/teen flick, FUN SIZE, long before I learned of the screening. But she also watches a lot of Disney and Nickelodeon.

Thousands of fans showed up for a special visit this past Saturday from FUN SIZE stars Victoria Justice and Thomas Mann at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. They were joined by special guest Carly Rae Jepsen. Since I know there are many Victoria Justice fans among your households, as well as Carly Rae Jepsen fans (she debuted her latest video there), I'm sharing some photos from the event.

Just curious, would you go out to an event like this? I know I've seen lots of moms and their daughters at these star-studded promotions. :)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Madagascar 3 DVD giveaway and special event Oct. 20

I've have a copy of the new Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Blu-ray/DVD combo pack to give away. And it includes the circus afro wig like the one Marty wears in the movie. Just follow the rules in the link to enter.

Also, the Phoenix Zoo will have a Madagascar 3 DVD party from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 20. Radio Disney will be there with lots of games, music, dancing, and prizes. The first 100 kids at the Radio Disney booth get a gift.

I encourage you to like my Facebook pages: Time-Starved Mom and Movie Mama blog to stay on top of giveaways and my movie reviews.

Official Rules for Madagascar 3 DVD giveaway

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED DVD Giveaway Official Rules

By entering for a chance to be randomly selected from all valid entries in this giveaway, you agree to these official rules:

1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

2. Eligibility. The Time-Starved Mom/Movie Mama blog Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Sweepstakes is open to residents of the State of Arizona who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees of Time-Starved Mom/Movie Mama blog, Allied Integrated Marketing and each of their respective affiliated companies, subsidiaries, advertising or promotional agencies, and other agents, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with such employees, are not eligible. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Google, Gmail, Blogspot or Twitter.

3. Entry. Enter by sending an email between 10 p.m. P.S.T. Oct. 17, 2012, and 10 p.m. P.S.T. Oct. 20, 2012, with the subject line “Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted DVD Giveaway” to timestarvedmom@gmail.com. To be considered a valid entry, the email must include your full name, mailing address, and daytime phone number to reach you if needed in relationship to this giveaway (i.e. Jane Garcia, 1234 E. Baseline, Tempe, AZ 85000, 480-555-5555). Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, incomplete or misdirected entries. Only one email entry per person. Multiple entries by one person using other email addresses will be disqualified. Winner will be chosen at random on or about Oct. 21, 2012.

4. Prizes and Odds. One (1) winner will receive Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Blu-Ray/DVD Wig Combo Pack. Approximate value of the prize is $25. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

5. Winner Notification and Acceptance. Winner will be notified by email and/or phone number listed on email entry on or about Oct. 21, 2012. Please check junk mail, in case the prize announcement is inadvertently delivered there. To accept the prize, winner must respond to prize notification email and follow instructions for accepting prize on the email by no later than 6 p.m. P.S.T. Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. Prize will be mailed from Allied Integrated Marketing to the address on the entry form. Winners may waive their right to receive prizes. Prizes are nonassignable and nontransferable. Winner is solely responsible for reporting and payment of any taxes on prizes. Winner will be required to complete a prize acceptance form (except where prohibited by law), which must be returned via email by 6 p.m. Oct. 23, 2012. Failure to sign and return the prize form by Oct. 23, or to comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules, may result in a winner's disqualification, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the prize, and the award of the prize to an alternate winner except where prohibited. Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes entrant's consent to the publication of his or her name announcing his or her winning for any commercial or promotional purpose, without limitation or further compensation. Prizes not claimed by eligible winners in accordance with these Official Rules will not be awarded and will remain the property of Sponsors. For prize winner list after Oct. 28, 2012, email timestarvedmom@gmail.com. Please include subject line: Madagascar 3 DVD Winner.

6. Participation. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsors. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, incomplete, late or misdirected entries. Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify persons found tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this Sweepstakes as solely determined by Sponsors. In the event the Sweepstakes is compromised by tampering or other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsors, which corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper operation of the Sweepstakes, Sponsors reserve the right in its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes. Should the Sweepstakes be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsors reserve the right to award prizes based on the entries received before the termination date.

7. Limitations of Liability. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action, and entrant waives his or her right to a jury trial for such disputes, claims, and causes of action; (2) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses.

8. Construction. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of any contestant and Sponsor, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of Arizona, or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Arizona. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the valid or enforceable provision was not contained therein.

9. General Release. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants release Yvette Armendariz, who blogs as Time-Starved Mom and Movie Mama, Allied Integrated Marketing, any other promotional sponsors, and each of their respective affiliated companies, directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and agents from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes or with the acceptance, possession or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light).

10. Sponsors. The Time-Starved Mom Madagascar 3 DVD giveaway is sponsored by Time-Starved Mom/Movie Mama blog and Allied Integrated Marketing (collectively, "Sponsors"), whose decisions regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Sweepstakes shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Sweepstakes. If you have any questions regarding this Contest, please contact Yvette Armendariz at timestarvedmom@gmail.com.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Download free passes to screening of "Fun Size" on Oct. 20

If you have a tween or teen at home, you've probably heard the name Victoria Justice. She's the star of "Victorious" on Nickelodeon.

She's also starring in a new movie opening Oct. 26. "Fun Size" is about a high school senior (Justice) who can't wait to go off to college and get away from her dysfunctional family (mom is played by Chelsea Handler). Happens she must watch her little brother during Halloween, and a comedic adventure develops.

The film has not yet been rated. Watch the trailer:

I got a link to share with Phoenix-area moms. You can pull down up to two passes per gofobo account to an advanced screening planned for 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, via gofobo.com. Click here for the link. If you don't have an account, it's free and simple to set up. Please read pass details carefully. Screenings often are overbooked to ensure a full house.

Cheers!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Madagascar 3 Circus Party at Blockbuster

I really enjoyed "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" — more than I thought I would. The circus Afro song still makes me smile. And I did laugh throughout the movie

Happens the DVD comes out on Oct. 16, and Blockbuster is throwing a party to celebrate this Saturday. So if your kids were crazy about the movie, this could be fun. Participating stores will play the first two movies for fans, as well as have crafts, games and face painting. There's also a $5 gift card deal if you reserve a copy of the movie early. Check with your local store for details.

Blockbuster's circus parties will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 6. Find locations: Blockbuster.com/Promotions