Tag Archive for Family Movies

Monsters Inc 3D Review

Monsters Inc 3D – Image provided by VUE Cinemas

Monsters Inc 3D Review

Originally released in 2001, Monsters Inc. was proof once more than animation studios Pixar could do no wrong in the eyes of the public or the critics. Although ever so slightly less well-received than the likes of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. was still an instant box office smash, and is now as popular today with a new generation of children as it is nostalgic adults.

Joining the ranks of other Disney classics (Disney recently bought out Pixar Studios making it an official Disney franchise), Monsters Inc. is being given the 3D treatment, following in the footsteps of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. But is the 3D enhancement worth parting your cash for a
second time?

For anyone who didn’t see the film during its original release, a trip to the cinema is nothing short of a necessity. The hero James P. Sullivan (voiced by actor John Goodman) is a larger than life monster hero who must be seen to be believed. Sidekick Mike Wazowski (voiced by actor Billy Crystal), is a zany, funny little monster with a personality bigger than his tiny physique would suggest.

The city of Monstropolis is inspired, and the story is simple yet genius; a monster city which is powered by the screams of children. Only thing is, the children are a little more difficult to scare these days, and the monsters need an alternative power supply. Simple, compelling, hilarious and touching, cinema-goers that missed out the first time are lucky to be given the opportunity to watch a now modern classic piece of children’s cinema.

Those who already love the film and have from the beginning will no doubt appreciate a chance to take the kids to a cinematic showing, or to just relive the initial joy in an updated nostalgia fest. While the 3D does not enhance the film to any great extent, there are moments where the extra ticket price seems to justify itself. In particular, the climactic scene within the door factory is turned from brilliant into legendary with the addition of 3D.

With the new release the animations are touched up, made a little more vibrant, and given the new age treatment, meaning it essentially watches like a new film. Unlike The Lion King which at times appeared artificial with its 3D release (perhaps because it is a much older film), Monsters Inc. 3D seems brand new and shiny, giving you a fresh look at a much-treasured story.

This image was taken from the VUE Cinemas website.

This is a featured post by a guest writer.


signature

Trusting in the Shepherd DVD

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Really Woolly Kids - Trusting in the Shepherd - DVD

I was interested in reviewing this DVD with my children because of the content. This product is a wonderful supplement to teaching the words of the Lord; specifically Psalm 23:4.

Dayspring, a Christian company, released the DVD. This 40 minute DVD is a wonderful diversion from the everyday cartoons on the television. The DVD focuses on facing your fears and trusting in Jesus. I know my children are like sponges and soak up everything their little minds hear and see, this was a wonderful program for their developing minds.  

My children are 6, 4, and 2. Each child liked the DVD. They expressed their likes for the sheep characters and the songs. My 6 year old (and I) liked that the stories were relatable and included children talking to their parents about their fears. This is a great way to reinforce the fact that children should always be able to talk to their parents about anything.

This is a wonderful edition to any family’s library. I would reccomend it to anyone with young children.


signature

Movie Monday: The Way Home

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

This movie is a real tear jerker! The Way Home is a true story about a family who are in the middle of getting ready for a vacation when their two year old son just disappears. Since they live on a vastly wooded area filled with lakes and ponds the family is very concerned. What starts as a family packing for a vacation turns into a massive search for little Joe. That involves almost the entire community in helping to look for this little boy.

Our family really enjoyed The Way Home. It is a wonderful movie that is a good quality film by Lions Gate. This movie has some thematic elements so if you have children that get scared easily this isn’t the movie for them. The Way Home is rate PG because of the thematic elements and brief tobacco smoking by a older gentlemen in the movie. But, our children didn’t get too scared while watching The Way Home. Just some tears when little Joe went missing. We really didn’t find any flaws with this movie at all so we were impressed.

We highly recommend The Way Home as a wonderful Christian movie for all family’s.

You may purchase The Way Home here for $21.99. Please check out The Way Home’s website for more information on The Way Home.


signature

The Moms Blog Letters to God DVD Giveaway

Letters To God

We posted a review of Letters to God on Monday and I came across The Moms Blog which is giving away 5 copies of the Letters to God DVD. Visit http://themomblogs.com/momblog/?p=152 to enter to win your copy.


signature

Horse-Boy Review

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Horse Boy is a documentary about a boy with autism. His name is Rowan. This DVD is the journey of Rowan and his parents and their search for answers to how to live, deal with and manage Rowan’s autism. Rowan’s father, Rupert Isaacson, is a human rights worker, author and former professional horse trainer, and his mother Kristin Neff, is a psychology professor. Initially, they sought all the normal medical care, but these therapies had little affect on Rowan’s behavior.

In their struggle to make sense of their son’s disorder, they discover an interesting connection between Rowan and horses. It was this connection with a neighbor’s horse that made Mr. Isaacson wonder if he could combine horses with healing. He began researching the origins of horses and where they were first domesticated. What he found led him to Mongolia, where shamanism is known for its healing and is actually their religion. This led Mr. Isaacson to decide to take his family to Mongolia in search of healing Rowan’s autism. Ms. Neff had to be convinced of the feasibility of this trip especially when every day life was a battle, but in the end Mr. Isaacson won her over to the prudence of this decision.

The movie documents the family’s journey to Mongolia. It shows some raw footage (bathroom trips, purification “bath”, which they use a fuzzy image for privacy), but it is reveals their family’s personal journey. I just like to disclose things like this because I prefer to know about these types of things if someone recommends a movie or book to me for the first time. That way viewers can make an informed decision about their family watching the movie. However, I won’t reveal the outcome of their trip overseas in case you want to watch the movie!

I also want you to know that April is Autism Awareness Month, so please be sure to check out the additional resources in the links below for more information about autism.


Watch Horse Boy on PBS!


If you have TV and are so inclined, you may watch Horse Boy on PBS Tuesday, May 11, INDEPENDENT LENS presents The Horse Boy, Michel Orion Scott’s remarkable new documentary about Rupert Isaacson and Kristina Neff’s unorthodox journey with their autistic son and the miracle they find through horses — first on their Texas farm and then in the outer reaches of Mongolia. Rupert Isaacson, who has also written a book about the experience and now runs a learning center, The Horse Boy Foundation.

Resources:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/horse-boy/

http://www.horseboymovie.com


http://www.autism-society.org/site/

http://exchanges.nyse.com/archives/2008/04/autism_awareness.php

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness


signature

Home Beyond the Sun – DVD Review

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

A couple of weekends ago we had the privilege of watching a new movie called, Home Beyond the Sun, put out by PureFlix Entertainment. It was inspired by a true story and explored the social and political realities of China today. PureFlix Entertainment is known for it’s family-friendly Christian films, such as Sarah’s Choice.

Home_Beyond_the_Sun__med

Home Beyond the Sun was very good. We all enjoyed it very much. We previewed it before we let the children watch it and we are glad we did because in a couple of parts the little ones got a little scared. However, because we had viewed it before we knew what scenes were coming up to explain to them what was happening etc.

Movies like this truly show us how thankful we should be for the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. They also show how little girls are devalued and treated under some officials, but not all of them, as this movie reveals.

The quality of the movie was ok. It wasn’t a Hollywood movie with billions of dollars in their production budget, but it was still well made and the actors/storyline moved me to tears.

If you are looking for a family-friendly movie with a touching story of the fight for freedom, the search for truth and a journey of faith, then I highly recommend, Home Beyond the Sun.

About PureFlix Entertainment

PureFlix Entertainment produces, distributes, acquires and markets Christian and family-friendly films. PureFlix unites some of the most respected and successful members of the Christian Film community with the objective of positioning itself as the industry leader for the production and distribution of high quality, inspiring movies and television programs, while doing so with integrity. Mission Statement: Transforming the human spirit through values based entertainment. For more information, please visit www.pureflixentertainment.com where they also have trailers to many of their movies.


signature