Week 17: African Cats

In honor of Earth Day we took most of the family to "African Cats". I had seen the previews for this movie a while back and knew I wanted to see it and thought it would be great for the kids. I enjoyed the movie tremendously. I love when there are documentaries about animal "families" and I am always intrigued with the similarities of animal and human living, and natural instinct of mothering. I liked the story they put behind the animals' lives. Of course, we can never truly know what an animal is thinking, but the movie did a good job of playing out a good story based on the animals' actions.

I enjoyed all the different animals in the movie, and although the focus was on the cats, it was neat to see some of the characteristics of the other animals as well. The movie did have some scenes that may be a little disturbing for small kids, and there were some sad moments, as well a funny, happy and thoughtful. All the stuff a good movie is made of!

Good movie for the week! If you get the chance, and like animals go see it,oh and stick around for the credits they are kind of funny. Happy Easter/Happy Earth Day! See you next week.

Week 17: African Cats

In honor of Earth Day, we went and saw African Cats.  The week's movie was a family affair.  Well, I guess for my family it was just me and my 6 year old son Rhett.  Rhett was really excited to see this movie.  Real life animal movies or documentaries are right up Rhett's alley.  He's seen all sorts of animal shows and knows more about animals then your average adult.  Me included.  And one thing about Rhett is he knows all about an animals life cycle and how sometimes one animal has to die in order for the other to live.  We like to keep things real in the Jenkins household.  It's a good thing we do when it comes to going to movies like this. 

This movie, like most who follow animals around in their natural habitat, showed the ups and downs of living in the wild.  If you intend to take your kids to this movie you'll really want to think twice about how you're child deals with this stuff.  One of my friends took her 7 year old daughter and said she cried every time an animal was killed.  Rhett on the other hand didn't bat an eye to that stuff.  So make sure you know what your getting into before assuming this is for everyone. 

Now, me on the other hand, I have a love/hate relationship with these kinds of movies.  I find them fascinating but I hate to see the weak be taken down.  And it's especially hard to see bad things happen to the young animals.  Since this is a Disney movie nothing was overly graphic though.  But there were sad moments and triumphant times as well. 

It was about three sets of cats.  Two prides of lions fighting over territory and a momma cheetah and her cubs.  I know you have a narrator (Samuel L. Jackson; the perfect voice for the movie) the whole time but it's still amazing the kind of stories that can come out of observing a family of animals.  It was so well done though too.  If this is your thing, I highly recommend this movie.  Next year the Earth Day movie is about a three year old orphaned chimpanzee.  That's going to be a tear jerker.

To Sum it up: Amazing animals, breathtaking scenery and wonderful stories.   

Week 7: Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

As Deb said, we went to see Justin Bieber: Never Say Never because of my nieces.  I'll admit I wasn't really objected to it.  I mean, come on.  Hasn't every girl had her own version of Justin Bieber?  Mine came in the form of New Kids On The Block.  When I was twelve I went to my first concert and saw NKOTB in Seattle.  We drove all the way from Montana specifically for the concert.  My mom and my aunt took me and my cousin.  We jumped up and down and screamed the whole time.  I think my aunt was actually reading a book with ear plugs in. 

We could have used ear plugs at this movie.  It's amazing how crazy girls can get.  Deb was not exaggerating when she said the girls at the movie were acting like they were actually at a concert.  Screaming, jumping up and down, randomly yelling "I love you Justin Bieber".  During any other movie I would have been thoroughly annoyed.  People who talk, let alone scream, during a movie is one of my all time biggest pet peeves.  But I expected it at this movie and this movie wasn't really for my benefit so I just enjoyed the experience and pretended like I was twelve again. (Minus the screaming)

As far as the movie itself goes, it was very entertaining.  Although I don't really think a man would think so.  I think you would have had to be a twelve year old girl at some point in your life to enjoy it. I always enjoy hearing the story of people's lives.  It's amazing what some people can accomplish.  Especially at such a young age.  The movie was basically how Justin Bieber became the phenom that he is today.  The movie was leading up to his sell out concert at Madison Square Gardens.  I liked how the movie kept going back in the past while they were leading up to the days before the big event. 

Well, it may not have been my choice for our movie this week but I had a good time.

To Sum it up: Fascinating, fun and really, really loud.    

Week 7: Justin Bieber, Never say Never

I must preface this post by reminding everyone, I have 13 and 7 year old daughters.

So we went to see the documentary of Justin Bieber. The movie itself was quite an experience. We were at a smaller theatre here, and surrounded by many young girls who thought they were actually at a Justin Bieber concert. Much different than our typical movie scene. The movie was well put together, giving a good picture of Justin's beginning's and journey to the present. I really don't have much to say about the movie itself. I enjoy watching pieces on people's life, the sociologist in me. What was more intriguing to me was the actual story.

I was amazed at Justin's talent and reminded that sometimes in life things are just all lined up the way the should be, and what happens is often just the hand of God. I was surprised that his mother was so young ( a teen mother) but was greatly impressed with his family and their support and love. Very down to earth people it seemed. I also was impressed with how well his Manager has done providing a good and what seemed to be positive environment for him. I did feel a little bad for Justin at times, he is surrounded by good people, but no one his age, I am sure that is a lot of pressure for a 16 year old. But, he does seem very happy with his life, and choices and what can I say, he has talent!

All in all, if you go to the movie be prepared for screaming, crazy young girls. Makenna gave each and everyone one of them a run for their money. It was an interesting story and I was impressed with his story. Good movie to rent!