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• "Call of the Wild" (2000) 3.5/5

  2008-08-26 09:34

  

  I picked up this "made for TV" DVD from Redbox this week. It's a good family show. It's been so long since I read the book, I can't really talk about how true to the book it is. But it seemed to be a pretty well-done adaptation of Jack London's classic novel. Parental advisory: the images of dog fights, frozen corpses and drownings may be frightening for some children.

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• "John Adams" (2008) 5/5

  2008-09-27 21:00

  

  Wow, my first 5-star rating! John Adams definitely deserves it. An excellent historical drama based on David McCullough's biography of one of the most influential founding fathers, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney--I highly recommend it. I have only watched Disc 1 so far, which includes "Part 1: Join or Die" and "Part 2: Independence." The scene with Ben Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson wordsmithing the Declaration of Independence was hilarious in a very low-key way. The acting was fantastic. Parental advisory: mob violence, war scenes, disturbing immunization scene, and full male frontal nudity (in a mob violence scene, not a sexual scene). Stuff you'd expect from an HBO historical drama, I guess. I love Laura Linney as Abigail Adams. She portrays Abigail as the strong and passionate woman I've always imagined her to be.

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• "Me, Eloise" (2006) 3.5/5

  2009-06-12 13:53

  

  My kids liked it. The story was cute. That is all.

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• 21 2/5

  2008-07-28 22:15

  

  It was interesting to think about these MIT students implementing a system based on simple math to beat the system - playing blackjack in Vegas. And it's based somewhat on a true story. More power to 'em... but I thought this movie glamorized gambling and a reckless, frivolous, "anything goes" lifestyle. The scenes of Vegas strip clubs and sex made this definitely not appropriate for teens, even though the rating is PG-13.

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• 8 Seconds (1994) 3/5

  2008-09-26 22:19

  

  The story of Lane Frost and his victories and challenges was interesting and touching in spots, but I thought the screenplay and acting were only so-so. However, I think we can learn a lot from the kind of person Lane Frost seemed to be and from the journey that this movie portrays.

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• Australia (2008) 4/5

  2009-03-16 23:12

  

  This movie had me crushing on Hugh Jackman big time. It's an epic story of an English woman, played ably by Nicole Kidman, who takes over her dead husband's Australian cattle ranch and hires Hugh Jackman's character to help her. The scope was really large, and the movie ended up being really long. But as long as it had Hugh on the screen, it was fine with me. Violence and sex and war, including a man being trampled by stampeding cattle, keep this from being suitable for kids.

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• Autumn Hearts: A New Beginning 2.5/5

  2008-08-04 21:15

  

  I'm not sure what to say about this movie! I didn't necessarily like it, but it made me think. What I didn't like: the bond forged when two kids were young and in a camp during WWII messed up their lives and relationships because they didn't stay together. Then they hook up later on and it's like they start living again, but you wonder what it does to the woman's relationship with her husband and family. What I did like: a gorgeous setting, emotionally rich performances, and Max von Sydow saying, "I shouldn't have said, 'remember.' I should have said, 'live!'" Parent advisory includes: extramarital affair, language. Rated PG-13.

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• Bamboo Bears 2/5

  2008-08-28 09:45

  

  I got this for my kids to watch, and they stopped watching it after a few minutes. The voice talent was annoying, and the heavy-footed environmental message was too. With that said, I'm sure that it helps children learn about some of the endangered animals and forests in the world.

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• Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008) (V) 3/5

  2008-10-06 17:55

  

  Decent Barbie show and plot. Actually, this is the first Barbie show we've ever watched, but my girls loved it and wanted to watch it more than once. The songs must be memorable, because my 5-year-old memorized one or two. The evil muse character may scare the littlest of viewers.

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• Barbie Mariposa and Her Butterfly Fairy... 2/5

  2008-11-17 13:36

  

  Eh, my kids seemed to like it okay, but I wouldn't say it was very much worth their time and attention. Pretty much just Barbie marketing material.

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• Bewitched (2005) 2.5/5

  2009-05-25 22:23

  

  I'm not sure what to say about this - it was okay. I didn't like Nicole Kidman in this movie. Will Ferrell was pretty good. Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine were spot on, though - great casting!

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• Bolt (2008) 4/5

  2009-03-30 13:27

  

  Cute animated flick about a dog who is led to believe that he's got superpowers. I thought that Mittens the cat stole the show. Some scenes were a bit worrisome to my little kids, but they really enjoyed it as well.

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• City of Ember (2008) 3/5

  2009-01-28 22:41

  

  Having not read the book, I can't really say whether this is a faithful adaptation of it or not. For the most part, I enjoyed the story about a young woman and young man who work together to try to save their underground city from forever being in the dark as the generator threatens to completely fail. It was fun to see Bill Murray and Tim Robbins in their roles.

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• Definitely, Maybe (2008) 3/5

  2008-09-09 22:30

  

  A love story that takes place over 16 years. That, in itself, is interesting, but it left a lot of the characters underdeveloped and a bit flat. There's a political subplot that is good for some laughs. I was a little uncomfortable that a dad thought it was okay to share his sexual exploits with his 11-year-old daughter. With that said, Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin were sweet as father and daughter.

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• Deja Vu (2006) 3/5

  2009-06-22 21:44

  

  Enjoying this movie requires that you suspend disbelief. There were some plot twists that were kind of dumb. However, there was action and suspense and the movie was fair. I like Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer. James Caviezel was excellently creepy as the domestic terrorist.

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• Dora Saves the Snow Princess (2008) (TV) 3/5

  2008-11-03 15:26

  

  My kids enjoy Dora. In this feature, Dora gets to dress up like a princess and help save the Snow Forest. I'm not sure how much boys would like it, but my girls did.

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• Doubt (2008/I) 4/5

  2009-04-27 23:50

  

  I'm still kind of scratching my head. But this look at possible sexual abuse by a priest of a young altar boy and the subsequent witch hunt by the head nun was really interesting. The acting was amazing and the best part of it. I liked the fact that the audience is left to draw its own moral conclusions. In spite of the thematic material, the movie was actually quite clean.

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• Eagle Eye (2008) 3.5/5

  2009-01-25 22:22

  

  Pretty cool premise that leads to a crazy plot. Yeah, you'll have to suspend disbelief. Still, it'll have you on the edge of your seat for a pretty wild ride.

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• FARMKids: Hair, Wool, Feathers and Fur 3/5

  2008-08-27 18:58

  

  Decent series for kids. One of the reviews I read pegged it for preschoolers, but I would disagree. Some of the humor was over my kids' heads. I also wasn't crazy about some of the in-fighting and pranks that were pulled between some of the animals, but it might give parents and kids an opportunity to talk about respect, being nice, bullying, etc.

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• Fireproof (2008) 2.5/5

  2009-05-11 23:38

  

  Decent drama targeted at Christian couples wanting to save their marriage. The acting wasn't great. But the message was good: Love is a verb. It takes commitment and lots of effort.

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• Flushed Away (2006) 3/5

  2009-05-24 12:09

  

  I liked it. The singing snails were dumb, however. Hugh Jackman as a rat was fun, because of course he did his own singing. The two main characters, Rita and Roddy, were very likeable.

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• Forever Strong (2008) 4/5

  2009-05-29 20:59

  

  I'm very impressed with Coach Gelwix and what he teaches his players. I think this movie captured the kind of legacy he leaves with those who participate in the program. The DVD includes a great extra about "lessons" that Coach Gelwix tries to teach the kids.

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• Get Smart (2008) 4/5

  2009-01-14 22:45

  

  I liked it! Maybe that was mostly because I like Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway, Duane Johnson and Alan Arkin. The dance scene was great. There were so many hilarious things about this movie, as well as some dumb things. In all, it was very fun to watch.

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• Go Diego Go!: Diego's Magical Missions 2.5/5

  2008-08-21 17:04

  

  Eh, it's okay. My kids seemed to enjoy fairly well the series of episodes in this DVD. We do not have cable, so have not seen the TV show. But I can tell a series for kids is really good if it catches my interest, and this one didn't.

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• Hancock (2008) 3/5

  2008-12-01 22:05

  

  Definitely not appropriate for kids. Hancock is NOT a role model, can be pretty offensive, and the end of the movie is very violent. I liked Will Smith's portrayal, however, and the plot was definitely interesting.

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• Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) 4/5

  2008-11-24 21:47

  

  Hellboy and Hellboy II are great as they poke fun at superheroes that take themselves too seriously and comic book adaptations made for film. There was plenty of corny humor to chuckle and roll our eyes at here. Don't expect groundbreaking movie making and you should enjoy your time with Hellboy.

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• Helvetica (2007) 4/5

  2009-06-29 20:18

  

  This movie does what great documentaries do: it takes something you don't know much about and makes it really, really interesting! Who knew that typeface could generate so much discussion and even controversy. One thing is for sure: I have a new appreciation for the impact typeface has on design.

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• Henry Poole Is Here (2008) 3/5

  2009-02-09 22:59

  

  Decent. I like Luke Wilson, and his portrayal of a terminally ill man who tries to escape life and just be left alone was pretty wrenching, yet touching. When his neighbor decides that the water stain on his house is the face of Christ, it completely disrupts his plan to just quietly mope and drink out the rest of his days.

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• Horton Hears a Who! (2008) 4/5

  2008-12-17 16:14

  

  Funny! I'm not crazy about Jim Carrey and I thought that he portrayed Horton as a little too nutty. However, Steve Carrell is always good and I love that they cast Carol Burnett. The kids liked it, although they were a little freaked out by the mob that attacks Horton at the end. Horton Hears a Who is a Seuss classic, and although it takes some liberties, it's enjoyable and keeps the message intact.

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• Igor (2008) 3/5

  2009-01-28 12:27

  

  My kids were a little young to watch this, although the creepiness didn't seem to bother them too much. It's probably an animated film more for older kids and adults. There is some humor that seems to be more for the adults. It was fun to hear the voice talent - John Cusack, John Cleese, Steve Buscemi, Jay Leno, Molly Shannon.

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• Iron Man (2008) 4/5

  2008-10-06 20:45

  

  Robert Downey Jr. was pretty brilliant in this movie. Gwyneth Paltrow was great, as was Jeff Bridges. I'd have to say, though, that Shaun Toub as Yinsen turned in the most touching performance. This is just what it should be: an action hero flick that doesn't take itself too seriously and has a great mix of humor, good vs. evil, and action.

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• King of California (2007) 4/5

  2008-07-14 22:05

  

  I loved Michael Douglas in this movie. It quietly builds to a fascinating climax. PG-13 for multiple uses of the F-word (wouldn't that have at one time made it R?) and talk about "swingers."

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• Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008) 3/5

  2008-11-03 21:13

  

  I intended to get this for the girls, but decided to watch it by myself first. Wise choice - it was probably not a movie that my 5 and 3-year-olds would have enjoyed. It was interesting to learn more about the Great Depression through the eyes of a young girl. I found Chris O'Donnell a strange choice for the father, but that's perhaps because I don't envision him being old enough (although of course he is!). The movie includes some scenes of mild peril and themes that small youngsters would not understand.

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• Kung Fu Panda (2008) 4.5/5

  2008-11-17 16:42

  

  We originally saw this in the IMAX theatre and took ALL our kids. We found it really entertaining. There were definitely some scary parts for our two-year-old, however. It does deserve its PG rating, but on the mild side as long as you're not completely anti-violence. Po (the panda) is an inspiring unlikely hero.

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• Lars and the Real Girl (2007) 4.5/5

  2008-08-25 21:41

  

  I'm surprised I had never heard of Lars and the Real Girl. It was delightful - hilarious in spots, touching and heartwrenching or heartwarming in others. Ryan Gosling did an amazing job as the main character, a young man who believes he's found the girl of his dreams - only she's a "Real Doll," not a real girl.

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• Leatherheads (2008) 4/5

  2008-09-30 09:37

  

  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see this in one sitting. However, even in pieces I found it very entertaining. This is a great throwback to the smart comedies of the '40s with some great Tracy / Hepburn-like dialogue between George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. Parental advisory: the PG-13 rating is for language, fisticuffs, and drinking (speakeasy scenes). Kissing, but no sex.

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• Little Yogis Vol 1 3/5

  2009-05-30 14:47

  

  If you can get past Wai Lana's strange voice, this is a fun way for kids to get started with yoga. She has them pretend to be animals as they make the poses, and they are more memorable because of that association.

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• Loopdidoo 3.5/5

  2008-08-25 19:07

  

  Entertaining TV series on DVD, about a preschool girl and her talking dog. I honestly don't know how they used this series on TV; each of the 13 episodes are only five minutes long. I am still finding myself humming the theme song, which is pretty darn annoying. However, my kids really loved this, and I thought some of the stories were really cute.

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• Luther (2003) 4/5

  2009-06-26 23:22

  

  It was great to see the life of Reformer Martin Luther portrayed on film. Joseph Fiennes did a nice job.

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• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) 3/5

  2009-03-02 13:07

  

  I can't comment a whole lot on this movie because I didn't sit down and watch it with the kids, although I definitely should have. They seemed to enjoy it okay. It didn't really draw my interest much as it seemed to recycle gags from the original.

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• Mamma Mia! (2008) 3.5/5

  2009-01-14 23:51

  

  Pierce Brosnan was kind of painful to watch (listen to?) in this musical setting. Aside from that, it was fun because of all the upbeat ABBA music. The poignant scenes between mother and daughter interaction made me teary. All the talk and singing about sex and all the innuendo I was NOT happy about, but eh, it was enjoyable.

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• Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing... 3.5/5

  2009-06-28 20:09

  

  Really interesting film - a widower gains a new lease on life through ballroom dancing. Parental advisory: scary car crash scene that is revisited multiple times throughout the movie, kids smoking and using foul language for humor, and a sex scene. Mary Steenburgen is great as the dance instructor. Robert Carlyle as Frank Keane is truly wonderful - it's great to watch his emotional journey through the course of the movie.

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• Marley & Me (2008) 4/5

  2009-04-27 21:43

  

  In spite of the PG rating, this movie is not really a family movie for all ages. I'd say keep everyone but your teenagers away because of suggestive content and sensitive themes. For adults, however, it's a really touching look at family life and priorities. The dog is simply the emotional focus, but not the lesson.

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• Martian Child (2007) 4/5

  2008-09-01 20:08

  

  This movie was a charmer, but there were more painful moments than humorous moments. As a result, I'd definitely categorize it a full drama instead of a dramedy. I like John Cusack in most things I have seen him in. The role he created in this movie shows that he is a fine actor. Parental advisory: although PG, I don't think many kids would enjoy this movie as it is fairly slow-moving. In addition, the death of a dog and the main characters being in peril at the end might bother young ones. However, it might be a good movie for older kids to watch and for families to discuss.

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• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) 4.5/5

  2008-09-03 22:44

  

  I took my oldest daughter to see this in the theater early this year, and just bought a used DVD copy via Redbox so we could watch it again. I love just about everything about this great family movie. It's rated G! The score is gorgeous, the images vivid and memorable, the characters iconic, and the messages laudable. Jason Bateman steals the show. Parental advisory: my daughter was a little freaked out by the temper-tantrum-throwing toy store.

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• Nancy Drew (2007) 3/5

  2008-08-18 20:50

  

  A modern update of the Nancy Drew character I loved as a child. Funny, though--it's been a really long time, but I don't remember her as an almost-annoying perfectionist. Definitely I remember her as a talented teen, but I thought Emma Robert's performance made her less-than-loveable. I thought the plot was interesting, and that Josh Flitter as Corky stole the show.

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• Night at the Museum (2006) 3/5

  2009-06-27 23:43

  

  Decent romp about museum exhibits coming to life. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are funny, as usual. It was fun to see Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, although Rooney's character seemed to be "playing one note on the piano." I didn't let my kids watch it because of bad language and rude humor (yes, mild, but they're only 6 and under).

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• Nim's Island (2008) 4/5

  2008-08-06 20:31

  

  Nim's Island was delightful! It reminded me of a lot of the Disney movies I watched as a kid - a great blend of humor, adventure, animal action, and kids doing extraordinary things. I really loved the character that Jodie Foster created: an agoraphobic author who interacts with the hero from her books. No real cautions to speak of, although young kids might get a little nervous when dad or daughter are in danger. Rated PG.

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• Outsourced (2006) 3/5

  2009-06-29 23:21

  

  I laughed out loud in several spots. This is a funny comedy about cultural differences. I was not crazy about the love story and thought it was dumb. However, the other scenes make up for it. I also loved the Indian love interest's response to a caller who was outraged at outsourcing: "I've got a solution for you. We have found products like ours that are completely made in America. The eagle statue that you are looking at can be purchased from a company that does everything in the USA." Caller: "How much is it?" "It's $212 more." Hehe...

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• Quantum of Solace (2008) 2.5/5

  2009-03-30 23:18

  

  Too dark for my tastes. But still interesting. I enjoyed seeing Gemma Arterton (who played Elizabeth Bennett in Lost in Austen and Tess of the D'Urbervilles on PBS) as a Bond girl. The part didn't do her acting chops justice, but that's okay. She's a rising star whose time will definitely come.

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• Ratatouille (2007) 4/5

  2009-05-23 13:03

  

  Delightful! I was a little uncomfortable about the love story that I saw as unnecessary and not completely appropriate for my small youngsters, but it was a fun movie nonetheless.

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• Scoop (2006) 3/5

  2009-05-19 21:46

  

  Funny. Woody Allen is annoying but funny. Scarlett Johansson is, well, just annoying. Hugh Jackman is his charming self. I enjoyed the plot, and Ian McShane is great. So there you go!

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• Seven Pounds (2008) 3.5/5

  2009-04-06 23:29

  

  Strange, but thought-provoking and touching. Will Smith did a great job in this movie.

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• Space Chimps (2008) 1/5

  2008-12-01 18:10

  

  Completely stupid and includes some inappropriate humor for kids, even though it's marketed to kids and has a G rating. Don't waste your time.

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• Stomp Out Loud (1997) (TV) 4.5/5

  2009-05-29 12:35

  

  I loved Stomp when I saw the show in a theatre. This show which portrays some pieces in street locations and some on stage, was really great! It's a treat to see one of the creators of Stomp, Luke Cresswell, dancing away.

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• Stuart Little (1999) 3/5

  2009-04-20 13:32

  

  Picked this up at Redbox - they've brought in some older movies as well as the new releases. My kids and I hadn't seen it, as they obviously weren't alive when it came out. We enjoyed it together. It seems like the animation in this film was pretty great for its time. Stuart is a very lovable animated character. The extended Little family was a hoot, even though the immediate family was a tad annoying.

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• Taken (2008/I) 2.5/5

  2009-05-28 20:34

  

  I found the whole plot disturbing, not just the "thematic material." Real dad and stepdad try to buy daughter's love. Real dad wasn't really a dad when daughter was growing up, so now wants to do everything possible to make it up to her as a young adult. Daughter's best friend is extremely promiscuous, but daughter is a virgin. Parents (all three) let their daughter go with promiscuous best friend to Europe. Promiscuous best friend and daughter allow strange guy to see where they're staying. Then of course there's the violence, scenes of drug use and forced prostitution. Yikes! Liam Neeson was believable as a former spy, and there is plenty of action. That's the means and end of this story as there is little character development - by the time the end of the movie rolls around we care very little about the daughter who was taken.

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• The Business of Being Born (2008) 3.5/5

  2009-05-19 23:52

  

  Very interesting documentary about the fact that the US has horrible infant mortality rates for a developed country and the highest C-section and epidural rates as well. Seeing nurses and nurse managers planning how to get women through labor and delivery quicker through using pitocin was humorous, but a little scary. I watched this soon after giving birth to our fourth, and was glad that even though I didn't go the home-birthing route, I understand why women choose that. I also felt after watching it that it would be a very helpful video for young women to watch so that they can better plan the best birth experience. Of course it's pretty lopsided in its view, but it would lead women to take control of their own birth process and ask the necessary questions.

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• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian... 2.5/5

  2009-06-12 23:57

  

  Extended epic battles and gruesome hand-to-hand combat make me hesitate to recommend this to kids. It should have been rated PG-13. It was also too long. But other than that, it was decent.

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• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) 3/5

  2009-05-11 22:34

  

  This was okay. It seemed entirely too long for my taste, and the sexual content was a little more than I bargained for. However, it's definitely memorable, and Kate Blanchett did a nice job.

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• The Da Vinci Code (2006) 2.5/5

  2009-06-21 17:39

  

  This is another one of those movies that I missed on purpose when it came out. Watching it now, I found it interesting, but there weren't many surprises as the book has been talked about quite a bit.

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• The Dark Knight (2008) 3.5/5

  2008-08-11 20:32

  

  I almost wish I hadn't watched this movie. It was pretty well-done, but it was dark and depressing. Not how I like my entertainment. And, oh yeah, Heath Ledger wasn't that great. His performance was good, but not Oscar-worthy in my opinion. I believe that, unfortunately, his untimely death overshadowed some great performances from Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Not that they deserve Oscars either; it's just not that kind of movie.

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• The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) 2/5

  2009-04-20 21:36

  

  Dumb and annoying. Also offensive, as it's so overtly pro-environmentalism and anti-military. Yeah, we need to take care of the planet, but it's also here for our use. The agenda really shows. The effects were decent, and it was really interesting to see an astrobiologist as the main character. I was hoping Keanu Reeves would be interesting as an alien in a human body, but his performance seemed incredibly one-dimensional. Perhaps that's what the character calls for, however.

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• The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) 4/5

  2008-09-22 20:36

  

  I am a fan of martial arts movies, as long as they have some character development and aren't totally stupid. I liked the plot of Forbidden Kingdom, and there was plenty of great action. It was a joy to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan working together. They seemed not to take themselves too seriously and really enjoy the process of making this movie. Entertaining!

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• The Fountain (2006) 3.5/5

  2009-05-20 21:36

  

  As weird as this movie was, it was also really amazing in parts. The plot defies description, so I won't try. Good acting, interesting philosophies. And Hugh Jackman's in it, so that's reason enough to see it for some.

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• The Holiday (2006) 4/5

  2009-06-17 21:05

  

  I liked this romantic comedy - there were definitely funny parts and definitely romantic parts. Jack Black didn't come across as charming, mostly annoying, but everyone else did a great job! I loved the subplot of Kate Winslet's character meeting the Hollywood screenwriter legend.

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• The Illusionist (2006) 4/5

  2008-09-25 22:11

  

  Too bad this movie came out the same year as The Prestige, which seemed to get more attention. It was an interesting movie about a magician who uses his skills to capture the love of a noblewoman, angering the crown prince in the process. My husband is not crazy about Jessica Biel, but I didn't think she was that bad. Edward Norton I enjoyed. Paul Giamatti was great, as usual. Parental advisory: includes a steamy sex scene and portrayals of the occult.

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• The Incredible Hulk (2008) 3.5/5

  2008-10-27 20:30

  

  I haven't seen 2003's version of this comic book hero, so I can't compare this to that. I thought Edward Norton was a bit of an odd choice for Hulk, but I really enjoyed his non-Hulk moments; he made the character vulnerable and human. William Hurt is great as the General. Lou Ferrigno's cameo as the security guard was pretty darn awesome, and it's revealed in the credits that he's also the voice of The Incredible Hulk. I wasn't crazy about The Incredible Hulk when he was big and green, I'll be honest. He was much too CG. Give me Lou painted green any day. But all in all, a pretty good comic book movie.

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• The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning... 3/5

  2008-09-01 18:14

  

  My oldest daughter has a real love for Ariel, even though we do not own The Little Mermaid and have never watched it at home. I guess little girls just get the Disney-princess thing through osmosis. I picked this up from Redbox for my girls to watch, and it was an enjoyable flick. Sally Field plays the villain, and does a pretty good job. Everyone else is fairly forgettable. The DVD includes some cool footage of The Little Mermaid Broadway musical.

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• The Living Sea (1995) 4.5/5

  2009-06-14 20:06

  

  Mostly a fluff piece about taking care of the ocean. The Blue Planet series is much, much better if you're looking for science and a real documentary. HOWEVER, this movie features gorgeous ocean scenes set to Sting's music. I've owned the soundtrack for years. I think the visual experience in combination with the music is just stunning.

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• The Queen (2006) 4/5

  2009-06-20 21:32

  

  Very interesting movie portraying the relationship between Prime Minister Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth at the time of Princess Diana's death. Not everything is explained, and I had to query Wikipedia to understand some of the political dynamics that were going on. Helen Mirren was excellent in the role of Queen Elizabeth.

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• The Riddle (2007) 2.5/5

  2008-09-08 20:31

  

  The Riddle has an interesting plot, as long as you can suspend disbelief. I didn't find the lead character very engaging, but I enjoyed Derek Jacobi as The Tramp and narrator. A little bloody for PG-13, I thought. Parental advisory, violence, sex, murder, suicide... plus, kids would not get it at all!

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• The Simpsons Movie (2007) 3/5

  2008-07-21 21:30

  

  Funnier than I expected. Crude in spots, but there were some moments that you actually were pulling for the Simpson family. The epiphany that Homer has in the movie, and his subsequent actions, were great. Did it change him long-term? Probably not.

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• The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) 3/5

  2008-06-29 22:21

  

  I haven't read the book, but I have read Fablehaven, and there are so many similar elements I wonder if the authors knew of each other. I liked the movie, but definitely think it is too scary for kids under 10. Maybe a little younger if you're sure your kids won't be bothered by images of goblins and trolls dragging children away by their ankles. The effects were great. I found the side story of the mother and father separating a little annoying, but children who are going through that may find it comforting.

  0.3

• The Spirit (2008) 2/5

  2009-05-04 22:26

  

  Eh, I didn't like this much. There wasn't much sex, although the innuendo and scantily clad women were there. The violence, however, was really in poor taste. The film noir look was interesting. That's what kept it from getting a 1 rating.

  0.3

• The Tale of Despereaux (2008) 4/5

  2009-05-04 19:30

  

  I liked this animated movie. I had already been warned that it was a little scary and dark for youngsters, and definitely agree that it should have been rated PG instead of G. In spite of that shortcoming, it was a fun hero movie.

  0.3

• The Visitor (2007/I) 3.5/5

  2008-10-27 22:41

  

  A bit slow-moving, The Visitor is a touching drama about a professor who is going through the motions with life after his wife's death. He finds new passion in life when he finds illegal aliens living in his apartment and allows them to stay, learning the African drum and finding romance in an unexpected way. I liked the humanity of this movie. However, here's my beef: there's a reason why immigration law is important in this country and those who break the law are detained and deported. The plight of illegal aliens is complex and certainly the government is not always right in the way it handles individual cases, but it seemed like the movie's political slant was pretty biased. With that said, the performances from veterans and newcomers in this movie were enjoyable to watch.

  0.3

• The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007) 3/5

  2008-08-19 16:55

  

  The legend of the Loch Ness Monster from the eyes of a child who discovered its egg and cared for it until it got too large. This movie sports a pretty talented cast. I enjoyed it for what it's intended for: predictable plot, but feel-good family movie. It was kind of scary for my little kids, but they keep talking about it.

  0.3

• The Winslow Boy (1999) 4/5

  2009-06-13 22:00

  

  Rated G, but kids would be bored. Interesting film based on the play, which is based on real life events. Jeremy Northam is great, as usual.

  0.3

• Thomas the Tank Engine: Thomas and the... 3/5

  2008-09-22 15:52

  

  My kids like Thomas the Tank Engine, but perhaps not as much as princess movies (because they are girls!). The title story was cute: Thomas follows the clues and finds a pirate treasure, receiving kudos even though he lost sight of his responsibility. I feel that there's a lot of competition between engines in the yard - is this a pretty common theme in all the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, or just in this DVD in particular? The extras were only so-so.

  0.3

• Traitor (2008) 4/5

  2009-02-23 23:04

  

  The action and plot were great in this movie. I think Don Cheadle is excellent in just about anything, and he hits the mark with this thriller about a former military officer who is selling weapons to terrorists. Definitely violent.

  0.3

• Tristan + Isolde (2006) 4/5

  2009-06-27 22:51

  

  Rufus Sewell - again! I've been seeing him a lot lately. This time, he is admirable as Lord Marke and does a nice job playing the third in the love triangle. Great story, and the legend is nicely interpreted. I've always wanted to see the opera; I wonder how the story is different.

  0.3

• Twilight (2008/I) 1.5/5

  2009-06-01 21:58

  

  Yeah, I decided finally to watch this movie. It was as bad as people said. The acting was just flat, and the "romance" was just stupid. Add to that a really dumb cameo appearance by author Stephenie Meyer and the train wreck was complete. Not really vulgar, so it doesn't deserve my 1 star rating. :)

  0.3

• Valkyrie (2008) 3.5/5

  2009-05-28 22:28

  

  This movie probably would have gotten a higher rating, but I fell asleep and missed some parts. It was a little slow for me in my sleep-deprived state. The subject matter was really interesting, and Tom Cruise was well-cast in his role.

  0.3

• Vantage Point (2008) 3.5/5

  2008-07-07 21:17

  

  One event, the attempted assassination of the President of the United States, is told from the point of view of several key characters. I enjoyed the fact that each vantage point ended in a bit of a cliffhanger that wasn't resolved until the end. The acting was well-done and allowed the audience to see a more complete picture of the event. It's PG-13 because of the violence--images of bombings, shootings and their aftermath. I'm sure there was some language too, but I didn't really notice. This was in Redbox, and might be a good selection if you're in the mood for an action flick that will also make you think a bit.

  0.3

• WALL·E (2008) 3.5/5

  2008-11-24 18:53

  

  Pretty cute movie, although I found the vision of humanity's future offensive and stupid. I loved that WALL·E had a thing for Hello Dolly, and Fred Willard was awesome as BnL's CEO.

  0.3

• Word World: Lucky Duck 1/5

  2008-08-07 17:00

  

  Maybe I missed the memo. What I thought was a full-length feature based on one of my kids' favorite PBS kids' shows was actually a DVD of a few episodes that air regularly on TV. A DVD of reruns. Not worth renting unless you're completely new to Word World.

  0.3

• Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! A Tale of Tails 3/5

  2008-09-29 15:55

  

  I didn't watch the whole DVD with my kids. But they're still singing the theme song and asking to get it again from Redbox. I guess that's a good sign. Appeals to kids younger than 6, probably. The animation is VERY stylized. The music and voices could possibly be annoying to adults.

  0.3

• Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: A Little Help from My... 3/5

  2009-02-09 12:56

  

  Cute! Definitely entertaining for the little ones.

  0.3

List generated by WP Movie Ratings.