If you like Adam Sandler, you'll likely find his new family comedy "Jack and Jill" out today (11/11) amusing. There are a few laughs, but it's far from comic genius in my opinion.
Overall, it's a mediocre comedy about twins with very different personalities. The story starts with Jill coming over for Thanksgiving dinner, but ends up staying weeks and going on the long-planned family cruise, making Jack miserable. Happens, though, that Jack needs Jill to help him land a commercial deal with Al Pacino. Yes, Al falls for Jill, as shown in the movie trailer. She's not interested. The story is absurd. But it's expected in Adam Sandler comedies. And of course, everything wraps up nicely in the end.
My tween daughter really wanted to check it out after seeing the trailer, which had her and a friend laughing pretty much nonstop. My son opted to pass, saying he only likes action movies. Okay. So we went with another tween and her mom. The girls were laughing during much of the movie, even at the fart jokes. Seriously! My daughter's grade B. Mine was a D.
The acting isn't great; it's like watching a LONG comedy skit with LOTS of product placements. But I busted a laugh at the Al Pacino commercial bit near the end. It's absurd. And I couldn't believe Johnny Depp made a cameo. Check out his shirt. It's aimed at tweens who will likely go to see this movie.
Should you take little kids? It's rated PG for some crude material, comic violence, suggestive references and brief smoking. The mom who went with me said she thought 8 and up will be fine. I'm inclined to agree, but each family has their standards for appropriate content. Here's what you should know:
-Lots of "gross out" jokes about farts. weight and appearances. One character looks up another's dress to make sure she's a woman. Another hides in an unusual place to escape a bad date.
-Mild language and insults.
-One character makes many unwanted advances to another with some suggested dialogue. Dating jokes are abundant.
-Tons of product placement - you can play a game out of how many companies you recognize.
-Stereotypes of Mexicans (landscaper and crazy grandma) and food.
The movie does offer you a chance to talk about differences in people and how we can learn to accept each other's qualities. You can also talk about the overwhelming product placements and whether that influences movie watchers.
Cheers.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Studio Movie Grill opens Nov. 11 - Get your free movie coupon!
Dinner and a movie at the theater is getting quite trendy in Phoenix. The newest Valley entry is Studio Movie Grill at 15515 N. Hayden Road (Hayden & Frank Lloyd Wright), Scottsdale. It's scheduled to open Nov. 11. Movie ticket prices vary.
The menu is filled with drinks, appetizers, burgers, chicken, quesadillas, tacos, desserts and even salads. Entrees are generally $6.25-$12.50. There's a kid's menu, too, as well as specials, such as Margarita Mondays ($2 off deal).
I'm a fan of this concept because it saves time. I am a time-starved mom. :) Prices are fairly close to fast-casual dining options. But you don't have to wait for a table and then rush to the movie. That to me is worth a few bucks.
While I know this benefits me, I sell it to my kids as a big treat to have dinner brought to their seat as they watch a new movie. This gets my angels to clean their rooms or be nice to each other. Maybe yours aren't as easily influenced. But mine get giddy with excitement when I mention going to a "fancy" theater. Why? They just think it's cool ordering burgers and chicken, and having someone refill their drinks. They're easy to impress.
To celebrate Studio Movie Grill's first location in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, free tickets are being given away. Just click on this link to print out the coupon and enjoy a movie with a friend! The passes are good from Nov 11th through Dec 8th. Enjoy!
I've not checked out Studio Movie Grill yet. I'll post my thoughts on it once I go.
BTW, I noticed these items on theater's Web site. Check with theater for more info:
- Every weekend @ 11:00am showing @ ALL SMG Theaters.
$2.00 Admission
- Special Needs Screenings: "Auditoriums are adjusted with lights a little brighter, sound a little softer and no one minds if audience members dance, sing, shout or walk about during the movie and families can feel relaxed and comfortable enjoying the movie experience together."
Cheers!
The menu is filled with drinks, appetizers, burgers, chicken, quesadillas, tacos, desserts and even salads. Entrees are generally $6.25-$12.50. There's a kid's menu, too, as well as specials, such as Margarita Mondays ($2 off deal).
I'm a fan of this concept because it saves time. I am a time-starved mom. :) Prices are fairly close to fast-casual dining options. But you don't have to wait for a table and then rush to the movie. That to me is worth a few bucks.
While I know this benefits me, I sell it to my kids as a big treat to have dinner brought to their seat as they watch a new movie. This gets my angels to clean their rooms or be nice to each other. Maybe yours aren't as easily influenced. But mine get giddy with excitement when I mention going to a "fancy" theater. Why? They just think it's cool ordering burgers and chicken, and having someone refill their drinks. They're easy to impress.
To celebrate Studio Movie Grill's first location in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, free tickets are being given away. Just click on this link to print out the coupon and enjoy a movie with a friend! The passes are good from Nov 11th through Dec 8th. Enjoy!
I've not checked out Studio Movie Grill yet. I'll post my thoughts on it once I go.
BTW, I noticed these items on theater's Web site. Check with theater for more info:
- Every weekend @ 11:00am showing @ ALL SMG Theaters.
$2.00 Admission
- Special Needs Screenings: "Auditoriums are adjusted with lights a little brighter, sound a little softer and no one minds if audience members dance, sing, shout or walk about during the movie and families can feel relaxed and comfortable enjoying the movie experience together."
Cheers!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
"Footloose" remake gets you tapping your toes
I have fond memories of dancing and singing along to "Footloose" (PG, 1984) in junior high. I don't remember seeing it in a theater, but rather at a friend's house after it was on one of the premium movie channels. All of us crushed on Kevin Bacon and secretly wanted to be a bit wild like Lori Singer's Ariel character. So I knew I'd have to see the remake.
I was unable to make any of the screenings, so I barely got to see it this weekend with my daughter, one of her BFFs (both in sixth grade) and her mom. Both of us had our daughters watch the original first. And interestingly, they liked the original better. My daughter said it's because it was funnier. Guess she liked Chris Penn's version of Willard better.
Still, they laughed and danced in their seats watching the remake (featuring Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough), which follows the original storyline closely: new kid comes to town, can't understand why dancing is outlawed and tried to get the town to agree to put on a senior prom. Some changes include showing the deathly crash that lead the small town to outlaw dancing. They changed the circumstance for Ren's arrival. This time around, he's from Boston and his mother has died of leukemia. His uncle is an ally in Ren's push to change the town's dancing laws. You don't see Ariel's crazy highway stunt from the original, but she does show a wild side. My grade is a C+.
The remake is PG-13, for teen drug and alcohol use, language, sexual content and violence.
What you should know should you take your kids:
-A fiery crash is shown, resulting in the death of several teens.
-A character loses her virginity. Some kissing/touching is shown before she begins to unbutton her top and asks for the door to be closed.
-Other sexual situations include some close, sexy dancing; joking about a hookup with two women; a character making advances on another.
-A character is given marijuana, which is refused. Several underage characters are shown drinking and smoking.
-Characters play a game of chicken that leads to several vehicle crashing.
-Several characters get into fist fights. One character beats his girlfriend.
Some things to discuss:
-If you come across a law you feel is unfair, what can you do about it? Would you do something about it?
-Willard finally learns to dance. Is there something you've been afraid to try because you thought you couldn't do it? Share your story.
-What would you do if your friends wanted to do something (such as the chicken game) where someone could get hurt? Do you feel there is a lot of pressure to do crazy things even when you know they are wrong?
-Do you feel that the movie accurately relationships between teen guys and girls? Explain.
-A character makes up a story about a sexual encounter and jokes about it later. Can you tell when someone is exaggerating a story? Why do you think they do it? How does it make you feel?
-Why do you think teens and parents think so differently? Do you ever wonder what your parents/rulemakers were like as teens?
Cheers!
I was unable to make any of the screenings, so I barely got to see it this weekend with my daughter, one of her BFFs (both in sixth grade) and her mom. Both of us had our daughters watch the original first. And interestingly, they liked the original better. My daughter said it's because it was funnier. Guess she liked Chris Penn's version of Willard better.
Still, they laughed and danced in their seats watching the remake (featuring Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough), which follows the original storyline closely: new kid comes to town, can't understand why dancing is outlawed and tried to get the town to agree to put on a senior prom. Some changes include showing the deathly crash that lead the small town to outlaw dancing. They changed the circumstance for Ren's arrival. This time around, he's from Boston and his mother has died of leukemia. His uncle is an ally in Ren's push to change the town's dancing laws. You don't see Ariel's crazy highway stunt from the original, but she does show a wild side. My grade is a C+.
The remake is PG-13, for teen drug and alcohol use, language, sexual content and violence.
What you should know should you take your kids:
-A fiery crash is shown, resulting in the death of several teens.
-A character loses her virginity. Some kissing/touching is shown before she begins to unbutton her top and asks for the door to be closed.
-Other sexual situations include some close, sexy dancing; joking about a hookup with two women; a character making advances on another.
-A character is given marijuana, which is refused. Several underage characters are shown drinking and smoking.
-Characters play a game of chicken that leads to several vehicle crashing.
-Several characters get into fist fights. One character beats his girlfriend.
Some things to discuss:
-If you come across a law you feel is unfair, what can you do about it? Would you do something about it?
-Willard finally learns to dance. Is there something you've been afraid to try because you thought you couldn't do it? Share your story.
-What would you do if your friends wanted to do something (such as the chicken game) where someone could get hurt? Do you feel there is a lot of pressure to do crazy things even when you know they are wrong?
-Do you feel that the movie accurately relationships between teen guys and girls? Explain.
-A character makes up a story about a sexual encounter and jokes about it later. Can you tell when someone is exaggerating a story? Why do you think they do it? How does it make you feel?
-Why do you think teens and parents think so differently? Do you ever wonder what your parents/rulemakers were like as teens?
Cheers!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
"In Time" not worth my time
"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!
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!
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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