The Boxtrolls movie gets mixed reviews from parents

I wish I had more time to read!  I love curling up with a good book and disappearing into a new world.  Well, at least I can do it for a couple of hours at a time when I watch movies.  I figure that helps me save time, right?  I haven't read the book that this movie was based on, but here's a "Reader's Digest" condensed version from my movie review web site:

Movie Title:  The BoxTrolls

Grade:  B

In a Nutshell:  From the quirky and creepy creators of Coraline and Paranorman , this family flick has a steampunk feel to it and features the voice talents of Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, and Jared Harris. 

Based on the book Here Be Monsters! (The Ratbridge Chronicles) by Alan Snow, this dark and dirty animation feels more like an unnerving mixture between Charles Dickens and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for kids…if that’s your cup of murky tea.  While the animation is impressive, it’s not entirely appropriate for young children.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Cheese, hats, boxes…they don’t make you.  You make yourself.” – Eggs
• Stand up and fight for yourself and what’s right.

Things I liked:

• Laika does an amazing job with depth-of-field.  There is so much to see in each screen shot.
• The 3D effect is pretty impressive, especially the fog and smoke.
• Artistically speaking, the animation was outstanding.  Stylistically, it wasn’t my favorite.

Things I didn’t like:

• There were more disgusted “ewwww’s” than charmed “ahhhh’s” from the audience.  Lots of ick moments.
• Some of the Cockney accents were hard to understand, especially in the beginning of the movie.
• The BoxTrolls sound like Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
• I don't see merchandising for this movie going very far.  Who wants to play with a creepy, dirty troll in a box?

Funny lines:

• “Do you think the BoxTrolls understand the duality of good and evil?”  - Mr. Trout
• “If you’re going to eat me, just get on with it.  I’m sure I’m delicious.” – Winnie
• “Be prepared to say bye-bye to your brie, cheerio to your cheddar.”  - Archibald Snatcher
• “We’re the exterminators of justice.  We exterminate justice.”  - Mr. Pickles
• “Curds Way? How do I get there?”  - Eggs

“Milk turns into it.”  -  Winnie   (Get it?  Curds and whey…)

• “The Briehemouth!”  - Lord Portley-Rind
• “A woman like that is like raw, bold, maybe a little stinky.”  - Lord Portley-Rind

Tips for parents:  This is a twisted version of Victorian England that includes some violence, but no profanity. You might need to explain to your kids how leeches were actually used as a medical device long ago and that some people are lactose intolerant.  The BoxTrolls gather discarded items, but they also steal.  The villain is an unhinged cross-dresser and truly evil. There is discussion in the movie about what a good father is and does.  I think young children will be both frightened and bored.

If you like this movie, then you'll definitely like these:

Sleeping Beauty gets a new twist with Disney's Maleficent

Maleficent turns 55 years old from when Disney first introduced her to us in 1959.  With such an iconic villain, Angelina Jolie wanted to get it right, but add her unique touch.  Here's my latest movie review!

Movie Title:  Maleficent

PG, 1 hour 37 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  This magical Disney retelling of Sleeping Beauty (1959) begins “Let us tell an old story anew and we shall see how well you know it.”  The beautiful textures and fantastic artistry of this untold fairy tale creates such wonder that I knew I wanted to watch the movie again within 5 minutes of the opening.

Sure, there are some flaws in the story, but Angelina’s performance as villain and heroine is commanding (although her accent waivers at times).  There is a delightful touch of humor, as well as enough of a twist in the story to keep you interested.  Both Stefan and Maleficent steal “something far more precious than a jewel” because of different motivations, one learning life’s valuable lessons along the way and the other becoming more and more entranced with power.  Which one is which?

 

In a sense, Maleficent is to Sleeping Beauty (1959) what Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz (but without all the singing.)  Angelina Jolie describes Maleficent as "deliciously wicked."

Die-hard Sleeping Beauty fans may feel betrayed, but I always like a good spin on a story I "thought" I knew.

 Uplifting theme: 

• Following on the heels of Frozen’s successful twist of “true love’s kiss”, young girls will be reminded not to wait for a handsome prince to truly live.
• Forgiveness is far greater than revenge.  We’ve all been wounded or felt betrayed by someone in our lives; the challenge is to not let it change us.
• Guys, don’t treat a woman’s heart lightly.  Consider the warning in Congreve’s phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Things I liked:

• I loved seeing “every manner of great and strange creatures” in the moor at the beginning of the movie.  The phantasmic girls who danced above the water were stunning. There is so much to see in the first 10 minutes.
• Maleficent’s emerald eyes are mesmerizing. And those red lipstick lips...
• Maleficent is able to freeze people in a dream-like state, floating their bodies around in the air to move them to a new location.  It’s a very cool effect and magic power I wish I had.
• The three fairy sisters are adorable, both as fairies and (SPOILER ALERT) humans.  I love the little blue butterflies that circle around Flittle in both of her forms.
• I have a son who designs video games, so I especially notice the small details on weaponry and animated characters now.  I thought the talon-like points on Maleficent’s wings were uber cool.
• I love being able to see Maleficent’s fierce horns on her head before they’re covered by the silky, black headdress.  Notice her elf-shaped ears underneath the fabric.  
• Elle Fanning is lovely and fills the character of Aurora with light.  Her kindness and sweetness is so pure and sweet that it unnerves Maleficent and provides a contrast that draws you in.  In an interview with ScreenSlam, Elle reveals that out of all the Disney princesses, she personally relates the most to Sleeping Beauty and would choose those costumes to wear as a little girl.  When asked to select one word to describe the entire film, Elle said “Whimsical.”  Good choice!
• Angelina Jolie's own daughter, Vivian, is in the movie, playing Maleficent as a toddler.  Jolie admits it was awkward to say to her daughter "I don't like children" while dressed in devil horns.

Things I didn’t like:

*  I didn’t really care for Maleficent’s carved cheekbones.  I’ve never seen Angelina Jolie more beautiful than in The Tourist .  Angelina brings a sexy elegance to the role of Maleficent.

 Interesting lines:

• “You’re classically handsome” said the young Maleficent to Baltizar, an old, gnarled tree creature.  By the way, you’ll get a kick out of his African-sounding clicking language.
• A handsome prince wanders through the forest and says to Maleficent “I’m looking for a girl.”  She sneers “Of course you are.”
• “I was so lost in hatred and revenge.  You stole what was left of my heart.”  - Maleficent
• “There is an evil in this world: hatred and revenge.” – Maleficent
• Princess Aurora says to a hidden Maleficent “Don’t be afraid.”  Maleficent states “I am not afraid.”  Aurora invites “Then come out.”  Warns Maleficent “Then you’ll be afraid.”
• “Oh come on….that was funny.”  - Maleficent
• “Oh look.  The little beastie is about to fall off the cliff.”  - Maleficent
• “I need you to be my wings.”  - Maleficent to Diaval
• “Oh dear.  What an awkward situation.” - Maleficent

Tips for parents:  This family flick provides a villain that isn’t too scary for little ones, but has some violence for its PG rating.  Other things that children will see include a fire-breathing dragon, sword fights, vengeance, anger, sibling fighting, and jealousy.

 

The vocabulary word for the day for your kids is MALEFICENT: doing evil or harm; harmfully malicious; causing or capable of producing evil or mischief

Super 8 Makes for a Super Date

My Friday night included free buttery popcorn, hand-holding with hubby, and Super 8. Have you seen it? Two thumbs up! The cost to see a movie at the theaters has really climbed lately, so keep reading and I'll share some tips on how to cut some of the expenses. But first I have to tell you about the fun flick!

J.J. Abrams' sci-fi live-action movie easily took the top spot at the box office last weekend in North America. The audience I shared the theater with absolutely loved it, cheering and laughing the whole way through. And even AFTER the movie ended...WARNING ALERT...don't leave the theater when the movie ends; there's a fun surprise to watch after the credits start rolling.

Now, I have to admit that I've been angry with J.J. Abrams, ever since he got me hooked on "Lost" and then disappointed with the lame ending after several years of loyal viewing. He's great at reeling you in, but he seemed to get lost himself, wavering through a disjointed storyline and leaving far too many questions unanswered at the end.

I saw his first big screen effort "Cloverfield" and felt that familiar twinge of disappointment (not to mention the dizzying nausea), so I really hesitated seeing Super 8. Thanks to Steven Spielberg to the rescue, Super 8 includes an emotional tug on your heart with characters you really care about and some magical "ET" flavor that leaves you more satisfied at the end. Just so you know, I don't always have to have a happy ending, just one that makes some kind of sense.

Super 8 successfully blends a boy's adventure with friendship, the classic underdog with cool alien CGI, and suspenseful horror with comedic quips. Oh yeah, and the ever popular zombies. Both adults and kids will enjoy this fun flick. People looking for action sequences, as well as tearful moments, will leave satisfied.

The movie features a group of misfit pre-teens with humorous banter that often flies under the radar because of everything else going on in the scene. Child actors Riley Griffiths (Charles), Joel Courtney (Joe) and Elle Fanning (Alice) steal the movie and are headed for a bright cinematic future.

One of my complaints with J. J. Abrams is his unwillingness to quickly reveal the creature that's causing so much destruction (Lost, Cloverfield), so I wondered if I'd even get to see anything good in this film. He does and it's worth the wait...but wait you must. Spoiler alert: It's a cool alien, but not the kind you're used to seeing on the big screen lately. Loved it.

Word to J.J. Abrams...stay close to Steven Spielberg and he'll help you create the truly magical movies people love to watch.

Ok, so on to the movie savings! First we'll start with the FREE popcorn! This one is easy! Simply text the word "popcorn" to 35350 and follow the prompts. Most theaters offer a free membership club where you earn points towards free popcorn, soda and movie tickets with every purchase. It's free to join and the loyalty points add up quickly. If you have to buy popcorn, buy BIG. Those gigantic buckets are the best price per kernal and often come with a free refill. Napkins are free, and with all that buttery goodness you're going to need some! Skip the sugary sodas and ask for a free cup of water.

How about a free movie? Yep! Most theaters offer a free movie day for family films during the summer! Check out your local theaters or go online at these sites:

* www.regmovies.com

* www.cinemark.com

* www.amctheatres.com

* www.brendentheatres.com

* www.ravemotionpictures.com

You've probably had a school-aged student try to sell you on of those Entertainment books as a fundraiser. There are some great coupons for movie tickets in those books! Gold C is another coupon book you may have seen or bought. You can also purchase the books online, and a local school can get some credit if you know their name and/or code.

Costo and Sams Club sell movie tickets at a discount! Most theaters offer bulk discounts, so don't be shy to ask.

Drive ins are less expensive and offer a fun way of movie-viewing. I have great memories of wearing pajamas to the drive-in and falling asleep in the car while my parents finished watching the film. To find one in your area, check out www.drive-ins.com Discount theaters that show older movies will also save you money if you don't mind missing out on the Opening Night frenzy.

Avoid buying tickets online, because there is often a purchase fee tacked on to the price. IMAX viewings usually have a surcharge up to $7 for watching the same movie you can see on a "regular" screen. 3D versions also have a surcharge up to $4, so if the movie is offered in a "regular" format, you'll save money. You'll also save money if you attend a matinee; some theaters charge extra Friday and Saturday nights.

Nothing like a Friday night at the movies and a big tub of buttery popcorn.  Enjoy!