Catch screening of "Guilt Trip" on Dec. 2 at AMC Desert Ridge

It's the holidays, a time to get together with family. Hopefully it's mostly pleasant for you. Many of us won't stay too long so we will want to come back next year. Admit it. :) Now, imagine going on a road trip with your mom. Could you survive a day? What about 8?

It's the premise of Paramount's new movie "The Guilt Trip," starring Seth Rogan and Barbra Streisand. And you have a chance to can catch an early screening at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2012, at the AMC Desert Ridge 18, 21001 N. Tatum, Phoenix, AZ. Click here for the link.

You can download two passes per gofobo.com account. If you don't have one, it's easy to sign up. Then just follow the instructions. Please read the disclosures and arrive early. Sometimes movies are overbooked to ensure a full house.

Check out the trailer. It's funny.

The film, in theaters Dec. 19, is rated PG-13 for language and some risque material.

BTW, a live-by-satellite Q&A with the stars (yes, Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogan) is planned after the screening. The will take a few audience questions. How cool is that?!

Hope you can make it out. Cheers!

Believe in "Rise of the Guardians"

Where will you find Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman working together to keep kids around the world happy? Well, in movie theaters, of course. "Rise of the Guardians" opens just in time for the holidays to bring young boys and girls a little cheer. Will it become a classic holiday film? I'm doubtful of that, but it was a fun hour and a half.

The fantastical beings are part of "the guardians," who have a big job: Protecting children from the scary realities of the world. They keep kiddies believing in Sandman's sweet dreams, the Tooth Fairy's teeth-for-cash program, the Easter Bunny's colorful eggs, and Santa's presents for good little girls and boys. And they keep kids loving life and having fun.

That world of innocence and happiness is threatened by Pitch Black, who has a grand plan to instill fear in kids around the world, as well as stop them from believing in everything the guardians represent.

Will the guardians be able to stop Pitch? Well, the wise Man on the Moon thinks they'll need a little help. Enter Jack Frost, whose sole focus has been winter mischief and fun. But it's something inside him that makes hims worthy of being part of this elite group of childhood protectors.

Check out the trailer:

The film is fun, and full of action. The voices are great, too. The voice cast includes Chris Pine (Jack Frost), Alec Baldwin (Santa), Jude Law (Pitch Black) and Hugh Jackman (Easter Bunny). At times the film can be a bit scary for younger viewers — Pitch does turn a golden, happy unicorn into an army of scary stallions. Lots of great (and maybe funny) discussions, though, for kids of all ages. They'll be talking about Santa's yetis that build toys, Santa's tattoos, the Easter Bunny's boomerang, the Tooth Fairy's feathers, etc. And you might want to discuss some topics such as personal beliefs, self confidence, childhood memories, sacrifices, perseverance and fears.

My kids, who are now 12 and 15, both enjoyed the film. My daughter asked for it on DVD, though she did say it wasn't as good as "Wreck It Ralph." I can't say, as I've not seen Ralph on the big screen yet. My grade: B-.

Disney Movies Online closing Dec. 31

In case you sign up for stuff with an email you barely check, I'm sharing this email I got from Disney Movies Online. Do check out the FAQs, as each account will be affected differently.

Dear Guest,

Disney Movies Online is closing on December 31st. As part of this change, purchases, upgrades, and Magic Code entries can no longer be made on the Disney Movies Online website. You can continue to stream your existing movies until December 31st.

You can still enter Magic Codes on DisneyMovieRewards.com, and Disney Movies Rewards services will not be interrupted. You can also continue to use your Disney member name and password to access and enjoy other Disney websites. In addition, if you purchased a Disney Combo pack with Digital Copy, your Digital Copy can still be transferred and watched from either iTunes or Windows Media Player. Please visit our FAQs for more details.

We truly appreciate your support of our service—we have enjoyed serving you!

Best regards,

The Disney Movies Online Team

Get jazzed about 'Rise of the Guardians' and see Santa

Can't wait for Rise of the Guardians? Then check out this event featuring Santa (one of the upcoming movie's guardians) and some giveaways:

WHO: Santa Claus, straight from the North Pole!

WHAT: Santa will meet & greet with children and their families while Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic reads short stories from William Joyce's ‘Guardians of Childhood’ children’s book. Families are welcome to enjoy free hot cocoa samples, holiday arts & crafts, free candy canes, and complimentary giveaways from the upcoming DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures film, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS – in theaters everywhere Wednesday, November 21st!

Note: Giveaways are while supplies last.

WHEN: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012

WHERE: Barnes & Noble at Tempe Marketplace

2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy #1032

Tempe, AZ 85281

ABOUT RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is an epic and magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost – legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.

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: