The Lost Legacy: A Movie Review of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's "The Adventures of TinTin"

When young journalist TinTin uncovers a mystery of a sunken fortune, he and his faithful dog Snowy are on the case! Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson brought the 1940's comic character to the screen. For those who remember this delightful "detective," the more recent  Adventures of TinTin will not disappoint! It includes the voice talents of Jamie Bell as TinTin (who, I think, does a marvelous job), Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as Mr. Ivan Sakharine.

SUMMARY

   After buying a model ship, journalist TinTin finds out that there are people out there who are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on it. TinTin then discovers a piece of paper hidden inside the ship's mast. It contains a riddle that he and Snowy follow. They then learn about the disastrous journey of the ship called The Unicorn. The two of them are captured and taken aboard a ship, where they eventually meet descendant of The Unicorn's captain.

   TinTin, Snowy, and Captain Haddock journey to Baghar. They must race against the evil Sakharine to find the secret of The Unicorn. The movie builds up to the great climax.

CONTENT

   For a PG-rated film, the violence was a little disturbing. Some parts I would expect from a PG-13 film, but not one carrying this more lenient rating. Early on, a man is shot (though we are not shown the actual shooting) and his uses his blood to trace a secret message to TinTin. There is action violence throughout the film (including more guns). In one scene (during a flashback), the evil pirate Red Rackham orders a ship's 

crew thrown overboard. The audience is shown the crew mates (bound with ropes) pushed into the sea and eaten by sharks. 

   Throughout the film, Captain Haddock is either drunk or drinking. Sakharine mentions twice that he is a drunkard and we are actually shown Haddock in his delirious state. Thankfully, he conquers this weakness by the end of the film. In one ridiculous scene, though, he uses his breath to keep an airplane's engine going. 

   TinTin is really a wonderful adventure. Many aspects reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies. The musical score, by John Williams, sounded very similar to the Indiana Jones movies (specifically the third one). There are a few comical scenes, usually including the two blundering detectives Thompson and Thompson. 

   I think that pre-teens may be comfortable with this film, but not many younger viewers. My seven-year-old brother watched this movie, but closed his eyes for the most violent scenes. Adults will enjoy this film, I'm sure, but probably not as much as pre-teens or teens.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 106 minutes

Rating: PG (for adventure action violence, some drunkenness, and brief smoking)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Producers: Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, and Kathleen Kennedy

Music: John Williams

Year of release: 2011

Audience: Pre-teens, teens

Dashed Hopes on the Battlefield: A Book Review on Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Killer Angels"

The Battle of Gettysburg had the most deaths of any other battle in America. Robert E. Lee said it was largely his fault that the battle went so terribly. What would it be like to be at the actual battle? To hear the officers barking commands...to smell the heavy smoke of musket fire? Michael Shaara wrote his first Civil War novel, The Killer Angels, and left a legacy that his son would take up and continue.

SUMMARY

   In America, before the Civil War, there was a belief system called transcendentalism. Famous followers of these beliefs were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women). It stated that there was an "Oversoul," which meant that humans had the power of nature and the universe in their soul (and that all people are basically good). In this way, man was depicted as a type of "angel." The transcendentalists believed in a general god, but he had nothing to do with the world. When the Civil War came, these beliefs were dashed when it was seen how terrible man could really be. The bloodiness and horror of the War Between the States caused people to see that people were not as good as they had thought. During the book, a character says that if man is an angel, he must be a killer angel.

   The actual story is the days leading up to and during the Battle of Gettysburg. At the end, a brief future of each of the characters is given. The main characters are Joshua Chamberlain and James Longstreet, though Lee has some chapters of his own (as do other officers). 

   A spy named Harrison provides vital information about Union movements to General Longstreet. The book continues through the story, showing the emotional thoughts, actions, and deeds of both Union and Confederate officers.

   The book concludes with the end of Gettysburg and the Confederate retreat.

 CONTENT

   Since The Killer Angel is a novel about the Civil War (specifically Gettysburg) there is a good degree of battlefield violence. There are deaths and losses described on both sides of the battle, although much of the book is the thoughts of the officers.

   There is quite a bit of language throughout the story. D*** and h*** appear most often, but I do also remember the Lord's name being misused one or more times. There are other swear words (too many to name). I think this is the biggest problem with the book.

   The Killer Angels is an extremely well-written novel (minus the language, of course). I was definitely impressed with the way Shaara depicted the army officers, especially Chamberlain. I also liked how the author depicted Robert Lee, leader of the Confederate army. Most people see him as a stoic, flawless man. Lee himself said he was largely to blame for the tragedy that was Gettysburg. There is a tension shown between Longstreet (who wishes to leave Gettysburg) and Lee (who decides to stay and fight).

   This is an excellent tale of one of our nation's most crucial battles. Though the novel includes language, it has good insight into the Civil War and what it caused.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 370-380 (depending on edition)

Author of book: Michael Shaara

Published in: 1974

Primary audience: Teens, Adults

Turning the Tables: A Movie Review on the Academy Award-nominated "12 Angry Men"

Twelve jurors are faced with whether or not to convict an 18-year-old of murdering his father. At the beginning, eleven say "yes" and one says "no." Thus the stage is set for the Academy Award-nominated film, 12 Angry Men.

SUMMARY

   An 18-year-old boy is convicted of murdering his father. The twelve jurors must decide his fate: release or death. All of them start by voting "guilty"...that is, all but one! "Juror 8" (Henry Fonda) wishes to discuss the case. He does not want to execute someone lightly. Afterwards, there is much debating. Evidence is brought forward to question whether or not the boy was really guilty. We see good and bad logic used as the final decision is made unanimous.

CONTENT

   The entire film (minus the first minute or two) is set inside one room. Therefore, there is little violence other than references. Of course, the charge for murder is the main storyline, around which the whole film revolves. One man uses a knife to prove his point and the men jump when he raises the knife at a man. He does not attack the man, though. Apart from this, there are verbal arguments, but no physical fighting that should cause 

concern.

   I am pleased that, throughout the film, there is only one use of d***. There are no other uses of foul language.

   This movie can be a little slow moving and somewhat hard to follow at points. Be prepared to sit and watch the same men in the same room for over an hour. It is very interesting and an engaging mystery. This is not a children's movie due to not only the murder charge at the heart of the film, but also the length in itself. Despite all of that, this is one of my most favorite films!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 96 minutes

Rating: NR

Director: Sidney Lumet

Producers: Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose

Music: Kenyon Hopkins

Year of release: 1957

Audience: Pre-teens, Teens, Adults  

Why Not to Clone Dinosaurs: A Movie Review of Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park"

Twenty years ago, the famous Jurassic Park film was released into theaters, based on the book by Michael Crichton. In April 2013, it was re-released in 3D to celebrate the 20th Anniversary.

What if scientists used DNA from the blood of dinosaurs (found in mosquitoes, encased in amber) to create dinosaurs? In this science fiction film, this storyline is played out and depicts what could entail. The paleontologists and the mathematician in the film are skeptical and cautious of Jurassic Park (and rightly so). The film features the acting talents of Sam Neill (Alan Grant), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), and Richard Attenborough (John Hammond). Directed by movie-making legend Steven Spielberg, this movie has both good and bad aspects.

SUMMARY

   Paleontologist (fossil scientist) Alan Grant and his assistant, paleobotanist (fossilized plant scientist) Ellie Sattler are invited by millionaire John Hammond to get a preview of his "biological preserve." They fly there, meeting Hammond's lawyer and mathematician Ian Malcolm. They drive out on top of a large hill where a massive brachiosaurus (long-necked dinosaur) is eating the leaves, and John Hammond officially welcomes everyone to Jurassic Park. In a famous scene from the movie, Grant asks Hammond, "How did you do this?" Hammond says, "I'll show you."

   Now the "behind-the-scenes" of the park is shown. They watch a short video and then enter the breeding room. They see a baby velociraptor (an extremely dangerous predator) and then take the official park tour.

   Eventually, the power on the park is shut down and the dinosaurs escape. The people on the island must work together to escape the island alive.

CONTENT

   With dinosaurs running loose, you can imagine that there is quite a bit of violence in the film. While one of the workers is driving through the park, a poisonous dilophosaurus inside the car spits venom at the man. We see the car shaking as the dinosaur attacks his prey, and we hear shouts. The lawyer Donald Gennaro hides in a restroom, and the tyrannosaurus rex knocks down the building and eats him. We are shown him being eaten. Later, a velociraptor eats a man, but they are mostly hidden by a large fern. Other than this, the surviving people are attacked by dinosaurs. In one scene, Ellie Sattler is in the power bunker when she finds someone's arm.

   Ellie Sattler mentions she would like to have children, but there is not really much of a relationship shown between her and Grant other than being close friends. While in the breeding room, Dr. Henry Wu says that all of the dinosaurs are female. Malcolm asks if the scientists "lift the dinosaur's skirts" to find out. Later, Malcolm mentions that he has had many divorces (he says he is looking for the next Mrs. Malcolm).

   There is language in the movie. God's name is used in vain at least twice (perhaps more), d*** is used several times, and the b**** is used once.

   Of course, the entire movie is based on dinosaurs that have been cloned. Cloning (whether for animals or humans) is biblically immoral and opposed to God's design. Fortunately, the cloning of dinosaurs is shown as wrong. At the end, Grant says that he has decided not the endorse the park. Hammond nods and agrees, admitting that he was wrong about Jurassic Park. Also, evolution is portrayed as truth. The term "millions of years" is used a few times. Grant says that dinosaurs and man were separated by 65 million years (I rolled my eyes when I first watched this film).

   On the other side, there are some good lessons in this movie. At the beginning, Grant expresses his dislike of children. By the end of the film, he has become good friends with Hammond's grandchildren. John Hammond learns that people are more important than scientific achievements. In one scene, Ellie says that the people they love are what matters are the moment.  

   Jurassic Park is a good movie, apart from the flaws. The musical score by John Williams is absolutely wonderful. Discerning Christians will be able to spot the lie of evolution. Due to violence, this is definitely not a film for young viewers. My eleven-year-old sister watched this and was not scared, but my two younger siblings are not allowed to view this movie. Teens and adults will probably get the most out of the movie.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 127 minutes

Rating: PG-13 (for intense science-fiction terror)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Producers: Gerald R. Molen, Kathleen Kennedy

Music: John Williams

Year of release: 1993

Audience: Teens, Adults

Your Thoughts

   Do you agree with my reviews? Either way, please feel free to comment your own thoughts about any movies or books. Merely click the comment button and choose to sign-in or (if you do not have a "sign-in") choose Anonymous. Please say, somewhere in your comment, whether you thought the book/movie was Excellent, Average, or Offensive.

~nbr1776

The Lost and Found Gold: A Book Review of "Silas Marner" by George Eliot



Original version on Amazon Kindle

A weaver who hordes his gold suddenly loses it in a robbery. Soon, though, a golden-haired orphan appears at his doorstep. This sets the stage for the classic book Silas Marner by Mary Anne Evans (under the pen name of George Eliot).

SUMMARY

   A weaver named Silas Marner finds himself falsely accused of stealing his chapel's money. On top of that, his fiance's mother forbids him from ever speaking to her daughter ever again. In despair, Silas leaves town.

   Years later, Silas is living in Raveloe, still as a weaver. He keeps to himself, save for when he has customers. He collects and hordes gold (personally, this reminded me of Scrooge from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol), keeping it hidden under some loose bricks.

   His money is stolen, but a few days later, he finds a woman in the snow. The woman is dead of frostbite and Marner adopts the woman's golden-haired daughter. With the help of Dolly Winthrop, Marner's friend, he names her Eppie. She grows up to be married at the end of the book.

   There are other characters who have their own stories: Squire Cass (Marner's landlord), his oldest son Godfrey, his youngest son Dunstan, and the beautiful Nancy Lammeter.

   Godfrey loves Nancy, but he has a secret that keeps them apart. Dunstan is a lazy trouble-maker who disappears early on. Eventually, Godfrey and Nancy are married, soon after Silas adopts Eppie. At the end of the book, before Eppie is married, some startling secrets come to light.

   There are thousands (maybe millions) of good books out there. You can tell a book is especially good, though, if it makes you happy and mad, laugh and cry. I would say Silas Marner is an especially good book!

CONTENT

   There is not really much violence in this story. The most violence is when a skeleton is found after the stone pits are drained of water. 

   Once Eppie is older, she has a romantic relationship with Aaron Winthrop, but it is a healthy relationship. There is nothing inappropriate between them. Godfrey Cass is already married while he holds feelings for Nancy. He marries Nancy only after his wife dies. Neither is there any swearing in the book.

   Silas Marner learns the valuable lesson of cherishing people, rather than wealth. There are also values/lessons of forgiveness and God's providence in the book. Silas Marner is a most touching book and is definitely one of my favorite stories ever!

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Number of pages: 194

Author of book: George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)

Published in: 1861

Primary Audience: Children, Teens, Adults

The Impossible Journey: A Book Reviw of Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days"

The Whole Story edition

A French servant is hired by a wealthy British man. Very soon after, they embark on a ridiculously impossible undertaking: to go around the entire world in just eighty days. The author of Around the World in Eighty Days, Jules Verne, is one of the greatest science-fiction writers of all time. With such classics as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth published under his name, it is no wonder that he still to this day has millions of readers...almost 110 years after his death in 1905.

SUMMARY

   Since this masterpiece was first published in 1873, it would have been seen as an extremely difficult task to travel the whole globe in just eighty days, at that time! Today, of course, we have the modern conveniences of airplanes which make it possible to go to the other side of the world in just a matter of hours. This does not make Verne's classic any less exciting, though! 

Original edition (on Amazon Kindle)

   The story begins with the French man Passepartout being hired as a servant to Englishman Phileas Fogg. Later, at a club, Mr. Fogg makes an enormous bet that he can travel the entire globe in just eighty days. He does the equation on paper, but the other men are still not quite convinced. They do, however, let him go ahead with the bet. He and his servant rush to leave and thus begins their great adventure. From India to the USA, the two have many adventures in their three months abroad. While in India, they rescue a princess and escape (while a sneaky detective named Fix is on their trail). 

   Mr. Fogg, Passepartout, and the princess Aouda do eventually reach London unharmed. The story has a bittersweet ending (which I will not spoil!).

CONTENT

   There is some minor violence throughout the book. In India, the princess Aouda is going to be sacrificed to the Hindu goddess Kali (there are a some Hindu religious references during these parts). Fortunately, she is rescued. There is adventure violence in other parts, but they are not all that descriptive.

   Aouda is described as "a celebrated beauty." There is a little romance between her and Mr. Fogg, but there is nothing inappropriate or descriptive.

   In the way of language, I recall no swear words used in any part of the book.

   At the end of the book, Phileas Fogg realizes he does not need material things to be happy. He does not find happiness in God or anything like that, (I do not believe Verne was a Christian, but rather an atheist) but instead in his love for and marriage to Aouda. There is still a good lesson to be learned here, though.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 156 (original version), 296 (The Whole Story series edition, due to illustrations)

Author of book: Jules Verne

Published in: 1857 (original version), 1994 (The Whole Story series edition)

Primary readers: Children, Pre-teens (though teens and adults may enjoy it)

A Medal for the Bad Guy: A Movie Review on Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph"

For those of you who lived during the 1980's and 90's, you might remember the old arcade games popular during those decades (Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, etc.). Disney took these arcade games, as well as some more modern-styled ones, and created a family cartoon about the secret lives of the characters. What if a person in one game traveled through the plugs to another game? The result was Wreck-It Ralph. It featured the voices of John C. Reilly (playing Wreck-It Ralph), Sarah Silverman (playing Vanellope von Schweetz), and Jack McBrayer (playing Fix-It Felix, Jr.).

SUMMARY

   Wreck-It Ralph is the villain in a "retro" arcade game named Fix-It Felix, Jr. He is tired of being the bad guy and wants to be able to live among the inhabitants of the game in their skyscraper. When he realizes he must get a medal to be "accepted," he ventures to another game in order to find one. He enters a modern science-fiction game and accidentally brings the monster bug from that game to the world of Sugar Rush. He meets a glitch named Vanellope von Schweetz who dreams of becoming a winning racer. As the story progresses, the world of Sugar Rush is overrun by the evil bugs from the Hero's Duty game. Ralph must, ironically, fix the problem he created.

CONTENT

   Although this was a fun movie, there are a few things that should be addressed. The violence is mainly found in the Hero's Duty game and whatever scenes in which the bugs are found. It could scare young children, but the rest of the movie is rather mild in this area.

   Felix makes a remark about how a female soldier looks "High Definition" (apparently meaning "beautiful" to the game characters). There is a scene where the two kiss and their entire relationship throughout the movie is really plain strange.

   There is also crude humor throughout the movie (included restroom jokes), especially between Ralph and Vanellope.

   The concept that good and evil are equal is surprisingly able to squeeze its way into this film. The games are presented that good can't be in games without evil, and vice versa. Also, towards the beginning of the movie, Ralph attends an Anonymous Meeting for villains (led by a ghost from Pac-Man). One of the characters present is portrayed to be like Satan, just with a slightly different pronunciation. When this meeting ends, the villains hold hands, bow their heads, and speak as if they are praying (this came across to me as offensive). At the end of the movie, Ralph says that he is bad, that is good, and it is who he is. The belief of self-actualization even comes in, as Vanellope says at one point that she has to "focus and concentrate" to control her glitching.

   With that said, there are also some good things about this animated feature. Themes of loyalty to one's friend is shown between Ralph and Vanellope. Also, a lesson in doing one's duty is also portrayed (though Ralph says his duty is to be the villain).

   If your family is looking for something to watch for a "movie night," this is a good choice. All movies have their faults (many have more than this one), but this one is fun and creative.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 101 minutes

Rating: PG (for some rude humor and mild action/violence)

Director: Rich Moore

Producer: Clark Spencer

Music: Henry Jackman

Year of release: 2012

Audience: Children, Family

An Unexpected Return: A Movie Review of Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

   A little while after the final movie in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (The Return of the King, 2003) was released, there was talk of a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which is a prelude to the popular fantasy trilogy. Director Peter Jackson was intent upon displaying the adventures of Bilbo Baggins on the silver screen.

   Unfortunately there were many legal battles over the making of the film. This caused Peter Jackson many expenses to get The Hobbit into theaters. But he finally managed to make it into not one, but three movies, with a cast of Martin Freeman (Bilbo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), and Richard Armitage (dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield).

SUMMARY

   The actual story follows the first part of an adventure in which the main character—Bilbo Baggins—joins thirteen dwarves to set out on a journey to reclaim their mighty kingdom, as it had been attacked and taken over by the terrible dragon Smaug. Their guide is the wise wizard Gandalf, who comes in to help when their need for him is truly greatest.

   An Unexpected Journey—being the first of three movies—covers roughly a third of the book and the complete adventures. Therefore, some may be surprised at the length of the film, nearly three hours. Actually, though, there are many things added which were not in the book, but most of them can be found in other Tolkien works.

CONTENT

   There is the matter of violence in the movie. This is not a film intended for younger viewers, but more for teens and adults. The Lord of the Rings movies were much darker in content than An Unexpected Journey, but this will not be something you would want younger children to view. The orcs—the villainous monsters—are depicted as savage human-like beasts, who ride large, vicious wolves. Also, the cavern-dwelling goblins may not appear to teens and adults as very life-like, but they will likely scare most children. There are also instances of violent battle scenes between the heroes and the orcs and goblins.

   Apart from the violence, there is the matter of magic in the movies. There is definitely a use of wizardry and magic portrayed in the film. The evil wizard known as the Necromancer (or sorcerer) is mentioned several times. We are also shown him when the wizard Radagast goes to investigate an abandoned castle. There is one redeeming quality of this, though, as the sorcery and dark magic used by the Necromancer is depicted as evil and not something to tamper with. On the other hand, some of the heroes are shown using magic. This is not to be confused with the dark magic. Even in the book, Tolkien meant for it to be something entirely different than sorcery.

   The final thing to say is that I was very pleased with the lack of bad language and immorality. I only remember one offensive word, but thankfully they did not take the Lord’s name in vain. Other than that, the film is clean in that area.

   On the lighter side of things, An Unexpected Journey teaches some good lessons concerning mercy, loyalty, and not judging someone before you get to know them. Bilbo shows mercy to the miserable, tormented creature Gollum. Also, the dwarves show an admirable display of loyalty to one another and, by the end of the film, they all come to accept Mr. Baggins.

   In conclusion, I highly recommend The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey for any Tolkien fans, as well as anyone who enjoys a good fantasy story. I eagerly await the next two movies to see how they progress with the story!

Review for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended Edition)

SUMMARY

Cover for the 2013
extended edition

   The storyline of the extended edition is the same as the original film, just with a few extra tidbits from Erebor, the Shire, Rivendell, and Goblin Town.

CONTENT

   There is no extra violence in the extended scene, except that the gruesome Great Goblin king has a new song. 

   In one scene at Rivendell, the dwarves seem to be wrestling in an Elvish fountain. They are obviously naked, but the camera shows them from a distance, and nothing can be clearly made out. The dwarf Kili also winks at a female elf, and also mistakes a male for a female (though nothing happens beyond that).

   The Extended Edition certainly provides some scenes that give a better background of the main story (including the rift between the dwarves of Erebor and the elves of Greenwood/Mirkwood). 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 169 minutes (original edition), 182 minutes (Extended edition)

Ratings: 

Original edition: PG-13 (for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence and frightening images) 

Extended edition: PG-13 (for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, frightening images and fleeting nudity)

Director: Peter Jackson

Producers: Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson

Music: Howard Shore

Year of release: 2012 (original edition), 2013 (extended edition)

Audience: Teens, Adults  

The Foregin School Teacher: A Movie Review of the Oscar/Hammerstein Musical "The King and I"

The famous musical duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II produced many plays, most of which were transformed into movies. Just a few of their most famous ones are The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, and—of course—The King and I, winner of five Academy Awards.

SUMMARY

   The original film version of The King and I came out in 1956. It follows the story of widow Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr), accompanied by her son, traveling from her native country of England to Siam in the 1860’s. She has been hired to teach the King’s children. Unfortunately, she and the King (remarkably played by Yul Brynner) don’t really start out well. After the King breaks a promise in their letter of agreement, Anna begins to see the Siamese monarch as an arrogant ruler. As the story progresses, Anna and the King learn to work through their differences and prove to the English ambassadors that Siam is not as barbaric a country as some thought.

   Being a musical, there are many songs that appear throughout the film, including “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You,” and “Shall We Dance?” Although Anna has the bulk of the singing, the King has his share of song.

CONTENT

   In warning, though, there are a few aspects of this film that parents might want to keep an eye for. The religious customs of Siam are depicted when the King and others are bowing before a statue of Buddha (although this scene does depict the King and Anna beginning to work through their disagreements), as well as the mention of praying to and praising Buddha (this occurs during a play based on Uncle Tom’s Cabin). The typical customs of the royals are also shown. The King has many wives and mentions his many children (though only a select few are shown the honor of getting “scientific teaching”).

   Although this is a small part of the film, the servant girl Tuptim is in love with the ambassador from Burma. There is one scene where Tuptim and the ambassador briefly kiss, but there is not much of anything else (apart from a song they sing together).  

   There is not much violence in the movie, though I do think it is important to note that there is one part where Tuptim is nearly whipped to death for running away. Also, it is reported to the king that the ambassador of Burma is dead.

   Of course, there are redeeming qualities to this film as well. Apart from the wonderful songs, there are good lessons about working together, being loyal to your friends, and gracefully accepting the changes around you. In one excellent scene, the King and Anna discuss Moses, the biblical book of Genesis, and the theory that the world is millions of years old. The monarchy of Siam is shown in an interesting light, as well as the many sights and sounds of Siam.

   In conclusion, if you have younger children that may not sit through the two hour musical, perhaps you may want to consider finding the 1999 cartoon version of The King and I (being roughly half the time). In regards to the musical itself, though, I am sure that it will leave you “whistling a happy tune!”

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 2 hours, 13 minutes

Rating: G

Director: Walter Lang
Producer: Charles Brackett
Music: Richard Rodgers
Year of release: 1956

Audience: Family, Teens, Adults

Into the Wardrobe: A Book Review of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis

   The Chronicles of Narnia are some of the best-loved children's books of all time. With a total of seven books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first one written (though it is not the first to occur in the Narnian timeline). It was first published in 1950 and delighted its readers, including a young boy—Douglas Gresham—who would later become C.S. Lewis' step-son.

SUMMARY

   This charming story begins with four British siblings who are sent to the country to avoid the bombings of London, during World War II. They go to live in the giant mansion of an old Professor. While exploring the house, Lucy goes inside a wardrobe. As she continues walking through it, she comes to a snow-covered forest. She meets a Faun creature named Mr. Tumnus and later returns to our world where she tells her brothers and sister about her little adventure. They do not believe her. Eventually, though, all four children make it inside the wardrobe and they meet talking animals, encounter an evil witch, and meet the great lion Aslan.

CONTENT

   As this story was written for younger children (though anyone can enjoy this book), there is little violence. The White Witch turns people into stone statues, though it is not frightening. The witch kills one of the main characters, though it is not described (“The children did not see the actual moment of the killing. They couldn't bear to look and had covered their eyes.” - from Chapter 14). There is a battle at the end of the book, but that also is quite mild.

The White Witch uses magic for evil purposes. She is obviously a villain and is not to be considered as any kind of role model. The heroes Aslan and Father Christmas use magic. This is different than the sorcery used by the witch. Aslan is supposed to represent Christ, especially when he sacrifices himself for Narnia.

   I highly recommend this book for just about anyone! The story, though geared for younger children, is wonderful for all ages. The characters are excellent and the story progresses very nicely. This is one of the great fantasy stories of our time!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 189

Author of book: C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis

Published in: 1950

First in a seven-book series

Primary readers: Children, Pre-teens

Review Suggestions

Do you know a good book or movie? Send the name and I might just write a review of it!

~nbr1776

Adventure Is Out There: A Movie Review of Disney/Pixar's "UP"

A boyhood hero...a flying house...a taste for adventure...an over-excited little boy. These things create a delightful, ninety-minute animated adventure for the whole family!

SUMMARY

  The wonderful cartoon UP was released to DVD in 2009. It tells the adventures of elderly Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner)  as he tries to fulfill the dream of himself and his deceased wife: travel to South America and see the magnificent Paradise Falls. As children, Carl and his wife Ellie were fans of explorer Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer, of The Sound of Music), who inspired them to find adventure.

   After Ellie's death, the beautiful area in which they lived was turned into a mega-city construction zone. Carl's house (which the foreman wants to buy) sits right in the middle of cranes, bulldozers, and the like. After Carl harms a construction worker, he is told he must live in a retirement community. The night before he must leave, he plans a way to reach Paradise Falls, South America. Using thousands of balloons, he floats away. One problem, though: an 8-year-old boy named Russell was on his front porch! The two reach South America and undergo an adventure through forests, canyons, and even a zeppelin. In the end, Carl learns that people are more important than objects...and that the g

reatest adventure might be right under your nose. The film is a great favorite of me and my family and could for you, too!

CONTENT

   As a Disney cartoon, the violence in UP is quite minor. There are a few things that might possibly frighten younger viewers, though. Ellie Fredricksen dies towards the beginning of the movie and produces a sad scene. Carl strikes a construction worker, who refuses to back off from Carl's damaged mailbox (both men are wrong in this scene), with his cane. Charles Muntz owns many dogs, all of them vicious (except for Dug). There is a scene where Carl's house catches fire, although it is not too violent. At the end of the movie, Charles Muntz fires a gun at Carl's house and then later falls to his death, off of the zeppelin. As a PG movie, though, the violence does not include gore.

   There is no language at all, unlike many movies in today's culture, which makes it all the better.

   So, if your family is looking for an enjoyable cartoon adventure, UP is definitely the way to go! The movie made me laugh and cry, as I'm sure you will as well. The characters are memorable, from grumpy Carl Muntz to the hilarious dog Dug.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 96 minutes

Rating: PG (for some peril and action)

Director: Pete Docter

Executive Producers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton

Music: Michael Glacchino

Year of release: 2009

Audience: Children, Family

There and Back Again: A Book Review of "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." John Ronald Reuel Tolkien's great fantasy epic, The Hobbit, opens with these words. They set the stage for a 300-paged story for children.

SUMMARY  

   First published in 1937, The Hobbit was Tolkien's first specific delving into the mystical land of Middle-earth. It comes before Tolkien's later (and famous) The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

   We meet the fifty-year-old hobbit Bilbo Baggins, living comfortably in the Shire at his home Bag-End. The story begins with the wizard Gandalf approaching him with the prospect of an adventure. Bilbo declines, but invites him to tea the next day. Bilbo then forgets the entire event. But the next day, dwarves begin knocking at his door. As if expected, they enter the house...one-by-one. Gandalf shows up with the last group of dwarves, who are led by their prince Thorin Oakenshield.

   Without giving away too much, the dwarves wish to reclaim their treasure from the fierce dragon Smaug. Between leaving the Shire and the arrival at the Lonely Mountain (where the treasure is kept), Bilbo goes through many adventures: from capture by goblins to a game of riddles with the creature Gollum, and much more! The story is exciting, interesting, and just good literature throughout.

CONTENT

   This book, although it includes violence to some degree, is meant to be a story for children. Young children will possibly become frightened or lose interest. This book was designed for children around 10+ (though it thrills adults just as much). The violence includes encounters with goblins, giant spiders, etc. There is a battle at the end, and one of the characters dies. There is, however, no description of gore, blood, etc.

   As a Christian, Tolkien used no foul language in his books, so I am pleased to say this novel is clean. There is the issue of magic in this book. The wise Gandalf is a magic-using wizard. There is a difference between black magic and what Gandalf uses. There is the brief mention of the Necromancer (a sorcerer), but he is displayed as evil. The magic used by Gandalf (and the other heroes, occasionally) is meant to be something entirely different from witchcraft and black magic.

  In conclusion, I recommend this book to any fans of fantasy novels, Tolkien fans, or anyone looking for a good adventure story to read. The Hobbit is regarded as one of the great fantasy epics of our time. It is a wonderful read-aloud for parents to children. From Chapter One (An Unexpected Party) to Chapter Nineteen (The Last Stage), this story will keep you interested and excited throughout! 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 305

Author of book: J.R.R. Tolkien

Published in: 1937

Prelude to a trilogy

Readers: Children, Teens, Adults