Movies and DVDs | Dad Blogs - Useful Parenting Tips for Dads

Archive for the ‘Movies and DVDs’ Category

Nim’s Island Movie for dads

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Nim’s Island is out on DVD and it’s a good movie for dads and kids. With some interesting graphics and a fantastical series of events, kids and dads should stay entertained throughout this 90 minute adventure.

Abigail Breslin, from Definitely, Maybe, plays 11 year old Nim. She is trapped on a South Pacific island when her scientist father leaves her for two days and then runs into a massive storm. Her only lifeline is an agorophobic adventure story writer (Jody Foster) living in San Francisco.

When her island comes under siege from a cruise ship itching to spoil her deserted island, she calls her for help. The story then follows their parallel adventures as Nim fights off the tourists and Alex fights her fears to rescue her email friend.

The one problem I had with the film was the beginning where, as in movie after movie, we learn that the mother has died very early in the girl’s life. I know Disney always likes to make their characters tougher through this adversity, but they overuse this plot device in my opinion.

Share on Facebook

Tags: DVD, Movies, Nim's Island
Posted in Movies and DVDs | No Comments »

Definitely, Maybe out on DVD – dad warning!

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Definitely Maybe (Universal Studios) 51M5V0jePgL._SL75_.jpg

I have a major problem with the PG warning. It provides so little guidance for parents as to what actually is in a movie. I will let my 8 year-old daughter watch many PG-rated movies, especially if we’re on a plane or even if the theme looks romantic but somewhat adult. At this age, she pretty much ignores what she doesn’t understand, though that is changing very quickly. There is so little time these days, that often, as parents, you end up watching a movie with your child rather than pre-screening it to make sure it’s right. I’m not saying this is the optimum strategy, but sometimes it just happens. Last night, I got a major dose of why you always need to screen a movie, check our ratings, or go to CommonsenseMedia.org to get the complete scoop on a movie.

Definitely, Maybe is definitely a movie on which I should have done more research. While the plot idea seems like it would be cute: early middle-age man tells ten year old daughter how he met her mother and fell in love, their conversations are way too frank both for the main child character and for a little girl my daughter’s age. Within literally five minutes of the start of the film, the dad picks up his daughter at the first day of sex education at her school. Immediately, dialogue refers to “putting a penis in a vagina.” My daughter knows what these words mean, but I don’t think she’s yet heard them in this context, and I certainly didn’t want her to hear about them in this movie. We skipped ahead to the next scene, but it just went downhill from there. The movie was over in fifteen minutes.

Other difficult content includes more sex talk, reference to a threesome, lesbian affairs, and some in-bed kissing though no nudity. It’s just not good content for little kids, though nothing wilder than most teenagers have been exposed to on regular television.

All in all, a seemingly cute film for my wife and I to watch later, but not recommended for kids under about twelve.

Share on Facebook

Tags: DVD, Sex
Posted in Movies and DVDs, Owned by GreatDad staff, Sex | 1 Comment »

Spiderwick Chronicles – a good movie for kids and dads

Sunday, July 6th, 2008

51YZb2i09tL._SL160_.jpg

Spiderwick Chronicles is out on DVD and a surprise hit in our household. When this movie came out last year, I thought it looked a little goofy and it seemed to be in and out of theatres in short order. Seeing it at home was the first time for us, and it was a happy surprise for both me and my eight year-old. We both enjoyed the story, the action sequences and the funny parts.

The story is an imaginative tale of a single mom and her three kids who go to live in a mansion they soon find to be under attack by goblins out to get a book that details the world of creatures ordinary people can’t see.

While the movie has scenes that make it a bit too scary for little kids (7 and under), my slightly older daughter enjoyed even the attack sequences at the end of the film without being frightened. Be aware that near the end (attention: plot spoiler), the kids’ dad arrives in what looks to be a sweet family reunion moment. However, the father is really an ogre in disguise, and the movie’s hero, Jared, stabs him in the stomach, much to the horror of the rest of the family. This might be a traumatic moment for small children (and some dads).

Here are a few of the date points my daughter (age eight) gave for the movie:

1. Movie is best for: Kids over seven and dads who are willing to enjoy some fantastical entertainment.

2. Favorite part: When the little elf is mad, if you give him honey, he gets nice again.

3. Favorite character: The little elf

4. Main character: Jared, the brother who discovers the Spiderwick Chronicles book.

4. Lesson of the film: Sometimes knowledge gets you into trouble, as Daddy says, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Knowledge can get you out of trouble as well.

Share on Facebook

Tags: Books, Dads, DVD, DVDs, Movies
Posted in Books, Movies and DVDs | No Comments »

Transformers on DVD!

Monday, June 30th, 2008

612sdHzmJQL._SL160_.jpg My four year old son loves The Transformers and has been hopping around doing action poses since we got this DVD. He loves the action sequences and the clear line between good and evil. He also likes the frenetic pace and anxiety-producing sound effects. This is definitely entertainment for the on-the-edge-of-the-seat viewer.

While all these things make it a hit for him, my wife and I would prefer he watches quieter fare, which also seems to entertain him. I also think this is one cartoon that is probably better for older kids, maybe eight years plus.

The action sequences are pretty violent and action-packed, and you’ll have to decide for yourself whether the fact that the action is between repairable robots make it okay for your child. Personally, we felt that it was too violent even for older kids.

Share on Facebook

Tags: Contest, DVD, Movies
Posted in Contests, Movies and DVDs | No Comments »

Sword and the Stone – Review for dads and kids

Monday, June 16th, 2008

The Sword in the Stone (45th Anniversary Special Edition)

The Sword and the Stone (1963) is being re-released on June 17 in a new edition.

Both my kids, four and eight, enjoyed this movie and want to watch it again. They both voted for it to add to the pack of DVDs that will travel with us this summer. This is the major test for our family, since it’s often hard to find movies they both will enjoy.

Here are a few of the data points my daughter (age eight) gave for the movie:

1. Movie is best for: Kids who don’t like scary movies

2. Favorite part: When the wizard turns Arthur into a squirrel

3. Favorite character: Merlin (wizard)

4. Main character: Arthur

4. Lesson of the film: You should think before asking a wizard to turn you into a squirrel, because there are always problems no matter who you are.

5. Did the mother of the main character die in the first scene? Yes, she dies before the movie started

My four-year old son says his favorite part was the preview for Wall-e, the new Pixar movie.

If you already have the previous Gold release (2001), this release doesn’t have too much that is new, though it does have a widescreen version.

We have three copies of this new release to give away. All you have to do is name the major network show from the 60’s that featured the actor Sebastian Cabot (Sir Ector, the narrator, in the Sword and the Stone) as Mr. French. In the case of multiple entries, we’ll draw three winners from the correct responses on July 4th. Just send your answers to Paul @ GreatDad . com (a couple extra spaces in there to stymie the spammers.) Good luck. If more than three correct entries, we’ll draw a name on July 4.

As of June 28, no one has entered this contest so your chances of winning are sky high!

To enter you need to be 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be announced here. If we do not hear from you within 3 weeks from the date the winners are announced you forfeit your prize and we will select another winner. Prizes will be shipped within 45 days from the day you win.

We will choose a winner for this on July 4. This means that you have until July 4, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.

Share on Facebook

Tags: DVDs
Posted in Movies and DVDs | No Comments »

New Jungle Book 2 out on DVD – contest for free copies!

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

61m-ZsUphoL._SL75_.jpg

The Jungle Book 2 (Special Edition) is out and a hit with little kids. This is one movie both my four year and eight year old can enjoy together without too much fighting. They both loved the classic original Jungle Book with those great songs by Louis Prima. This one includes the same characters and a reprise of the song “The Bare necessities,” as well as the modern hit, “I Want to be Like You” by Smash Mouth.

With the voices of John Goodman and Haley Joel Osment, Jungle Book 2 is a good movie for young kids. Though there are some scary parts, even two-year-olds can watch this movie without too much anxiety. As an adult, I didn’t enjoy this one as much the original, but for the kids it was fine and there is some comfort in re-discovering the old characters.

Additionally, while I was underwhelmed by the two included video games (using your DVD player’s remote), my son was enthralled with the idea. He made me continue to try to play them for longer than they were worth given old and slow technology.

We have three copies of this DVD available to a movie buff who can identify the voice of Baloo in the 1967 original Jungle Book. Just send your answers to Paul @ GreatDad . com (a couple extra spaces in there to stymie the spammers.) Good luck. If more than three correct entries, we’ll draw a name on June 28.

Share on Facebook

Tags: DVD, Movies
Posted in Movies and DVDs | No Comments »

Movie Review: Vantage Point

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

Whew. I’m still winded from the car chase that ends Vantage Point, the new political thriller, Vantage Point. This is a good intelligent movie for dads, and perhaps mature teens who can handle violence. Be warned that the violence is pretty personal. Think Daniel Craig James Bond versus Sean Connery.

The film is not what you expect from the previews. I don’t want to give it away, but the previews tip off that the film is comprised of five people’s viewpoint of the same scenario, taking place in a square in Salamanca, Spain. Each viewpoint shows the events leading up to an attempted assassination of an American president. A few more clues are let out with each viewing. I defy anyone to figure out the real story based on the first or second showing. There just isn’t enough data until you get deeper into the film, and this makes for a compelling film. At 90 minutes, Vantage Point is long enough to be complex and intriguing, yet short enough to end before the excitement wears off.

Great cast and fine acting make this an above average thriller. It’s marred only by a more thrilling than intelligent finish, but an ending that still satisfies. The star cast includes Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox (of “Lost”), Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, and William Hurt.

Share on Facebook

Posted in Movies and DVDs | No Comments »