Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

Snapshot reviews: Marmaduke, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, & Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

We've been getting a number of awesome kid's movies out on DVD & BluRay this summer and I barely have time to write them up but out of total gratitude to 20th Fox Entertainment {THANK YOU!} & BenderHelper Impact, I need to mention them at least briefly. Fortunately, between my two daughters watching them, I have ratings and impressions from true members of the audience.

Marmaduke:

IMDB Summary: Marmaduke, the world's most lovable Great Dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in 600 newspapers in over 20 countries) to big screen stardom in this family comedy event. A suburban family moves to a new neighborhood in Orange County, California with their large yet lovable Great Dane, who has a tendency to wreak havoc in his own oblivious way. But its not all living large for the Duke, who finds that fitting in with his new four-legged friends - and a potential romantic interest - isn't always easy for a super-sized teenage dog. Owen Wilson gives the beloved Great Dane his voice in the film, which also features the voices of Fergie, George Lopez, Emma Stone and Kiefer Sutherland.

Fact about Great Danes: They won't eat you out of house and home. A full-grown Great Dane will only eat about 2-3 cups of dry dog food in a meal. Try to avoid feeding them too much protein which can cause damage to bones and joints.

Our Ratings & Impressions: 9 out of 10.

12-yr-old daughter says: "It's a really good family movie. It's really cute and it teaches you a lesson. Marmaduke is a dog that stands out in a crowd and learns that it is not such a bad thing."

13-yr-old daughter says: "Didn't see it. Will update after I watch it 'cause I definitely want to see it."

Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief:

IMDB Summary: It's the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson's Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they're not happy: Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy's mother. As Percy finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, he and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy's mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves. Written by 20th Century Fox

Our Rating & Impressions: 10 out of 10

12-yr-old daughter says: "Wonderful, action packed adventure. It would be cool if it were real."

13-yr-old daughters says: "I would rate it an 8 because I read the books and it is not really close to the book which always annoys me. The graphics were good, if my memory serves me correctly. Actors did a good job."

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

IMDB Summary: To Greg Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It's a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor - and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can't-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he's getting it all down on paper, via a diary - "it's NOT a diary, it's a journal!" Greg insists, preferring the less-sissyfied designation - filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. "One day when I'm famous," writes Greg, "I'll have better things to do than answer peoples' stupid questions all day." So was born the Wimpy Kid's diary. Written by Twentieth Century Fox

Our Ratings & Impressions: 8 out of 10

12-yr-old daughter says: "It's cute and hilarious. It's about two friends at the  bottom of the "list" who realize that having one good friend is better than being popular."

13-yr-old daughters says: "I'm not watching that."

 

Now, off to see the last movie we were sent on DVD lately: Date Night.(Comedy, PG-13 -- but the kids are still going to bed before we turn it on - just in case. . . .) Impressions and Ratings to come (but I love Tina Fey and Steve Carrell). It's gotta be good.

Movie Review: Letters from God

Over our campground holiday, we managed to fit in a lovely movie that was sent to me called Letters to God.

The synopsis reads:

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer.  Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters he sends to his ultimate pen pal, God, on a daily basis.  These letters find their way into the hands of Tyler’s postman, Brady, who is at a crossroads in his life searching for meaning. Brady at first is confused over what to do, but his decision ultimately is a testament to the power of Tyler’s shining spirit, bravery and grace. Inspired by a true story, Letters to God delivers a message of hope, faith and courage that others can apply to their own personal struggles regardless of what they may face in their everyday lives.

See the trailer below before reading our impressions:

Impressions: Movie was filmed well with excellent actors. I was a little unsure of the audience - children or grown-ups or both? Of course, I loved the message and the positive ending resulting from a tragic circumstance. I believe that God works amazing miracles through tragedy so I was blessed to watch this story in film. I do think there is definitely a place for evangelical films showing the hand of God in our lives and I think this reaches people of many different backgrounds, but I was also unsure if it was something I would be more likely to watch in a church and invite friends to it there than in the movie theater.

It definitely got some rave reviews on Yahoo Movies!

Back home and going again! It's off to Nanny MacPhee Returns!

Tonight we are hoping to go see the movie screening of Nanny MacPhee Returns. Some writing obligations are threatening our trip but I am hoping to see this fun, clever movie that I know the kids will enjoy! Regardless, enjoy the trailer below. Perhaps you will get there before I do unless I do some Nanny MacPhee magic today! (Sorry, not a magician after all so we aren't going but fortunately we have a second chance next week and it is closer to home! Very cool.)

 

Synopsis: In Nanny McPhee Returns, Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world. In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave. Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons. www.nannymcphee.com

VLOG: Making Black Bean Soup on Let's Dish

Free Screening of Ramona and Beezus today! Here we come!!

Today, a FREE screening of the new movie Ramona and Beezus will be held at the Ritz 5 on 214 Walnut Street in Philadelphia at 10 AM! Join my kids and I for a fun morning!!

Oh, and check out my phone interview with the stars of this movie (Selena Gomez and Joey King) along with several other mom bloggers HERE

UPDATE: Movie was AWESOME! Great, fun, "TERRIFICAL," family-friend film for every age. Loved it, loved the actors and actresses! Would highly recommend to all ages.

Got Avatar on Blu-Ray today!

My dog started barking randomly today and I knew it had to mean a delivery. At first I thought it might be the awesomely cheap copy paper I got through rebates and coupon codes at Staples but that came later in the day.

Instead, it was a padded envelope from the one and only Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment who sent out my review copy of the ground-breaking epic Avatar on Blu-Ray DVD. I will admit that I actually paid money to watch this in the theater and DID NOT pay for 3-D so I am hoping this blu-ray experience makes up for my cheapism earlier.

 
To share a little quick background, the movie was released today intentionally on Earth Day, Thursday April 22nd. This is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and they felt it a fitting day to release a film with such an eco-friendly theme.  AVATAR grossed over $2.6 billion dollars theatrically worldwide, making it the biggest film of all time so  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has teamed up with the Earth Day Network to plant 1,000,000 trees worldwide in celebration of the BD and DVD release of the film.  People who purchase the film will be given a unique access code that allows them to go online and actually adopt one of the million trees being planted, charting its location and progress. 

For a little bit about the movie, see below:

Since its global theatrical release last December, AVATAR has continued to make motion picture history. Written by James Cameron and produced with his long-time collaborator Jon Landau, AVATAR stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi and Laz Alonso.  The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.6 billion in worldwide box office.  Director James Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.  AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.

When entering this site to write this post, I did notice that Typepad has a whole community dedicated to Avatar now and in it, they include a couple of helpful posts:

Top Five-Must-Haves for the Best Avatar Home Theater Experience

How to Host a Great Avatar DVD Release Party

And My FAVORITE: How the Na'vi language was developed for Avatar

I mean, I have to say the movie was amazing even though I didn't see it in 3-D. In fact, the graphics were so real, I almost got sick when the blue people were dive bombing through the air on their strange animal creatures.

The picture was so incredible intense with color and action that while I thought the whole Earth-Spirit thing was a bit New-Age (or rather, old-age since it was pretty much the same theme echoed in all Native American beliefs hidden under the modern guise of environmentalism) and the negativity towards U.S. soldiers downright rude, I was able to ride it out and enjoy the picture for it's cinematic achievements and the addictive against all-odds love story. {Not sure I wanted to see Sigourney Weaver half-naked though despite her incredibly in-shape body.}

However lovely, this blog post picture below doesn't do justice to the movie itself so you will definitely have to see it for yourself to get the full effect! Enjoy (and come back and tell me what YOU think!) Check out Avatarmovie.com here.

 

Enjoy filmmaking? What I've learned through the PA Film Industry Association

Below is a video of the PaFIA (Pennsylvania Film Industry Assocation) event I attended the other night regarding the support of tax credits for the film industry here in PA. It is very informative and helpful in understanding the issues.(For active discussion, click HERE for their Facebook page.)

The PaFIA is a new association aimed at educating people interested in growing the film industry in PA and lobbying for tax credits which are a relatively recent installation in our state that ballooned to 75 million in 2008 and were cut back to 42 million in 2009-2010 and will increase to 60 million in 2011. The tax credit program has made PA one of the top five states to create films since it is much more economical to come here to film.

I love having a strong local film industry because I have enjoyed being an extra in some of the big movies that have come to town and I also agree with giving incentives to economic growth - as long as it doesn't cripple other industries to do so. The way I see it, if the business can easily go somewhere else, why not give it a reason to stay? The unfortunate thing is that I would assume any given film is reliant on the creative whims of a director who needs the freedom to move where the content will look the best. That being said, an area equipped with the right tools can help anyone make any movie given current technology.

SO, who makes money on film production locally on a regular basis - when it is strong? I am taking a gander here: food services, car mechanics for speciality scenes, casting companies, acting schools, background actors who work other jobs but can fill in when needed, storage facilities, designers, make-up artists, hair stylists, moving trucks, etc.

I will be honest that I am still thinking through all of this - and asking everyone I think might know something about it. I am not for higher taxes or big government and I am for economic growth. BUT, our PA state government is currently cutting incentives - thus reducing the film making and growth. If you don't help an industry create a foundation (for example, by supporting efforts like a film studio that can create permanent jobs), can it grow or will it grow on it's own? hmmm. ..

What can I do about it - as an interested third party and writer? Do I want to do anything about it? That's what I am trying to learn as I ask my state reps, this association, and really anyone else. I teach and some of my students want to go into film. If I learn the issues, it gives me more to offer those just entering the field who have big dreams.

When I was at CPAC, I also asked Andrew Breitbart of Big Hollywood about state tax credits. He said it was killing Hollywood. Good or Bad?

I asked State Rep Tim Hennessey about his vote on this when I saw him this last Friday night. He says it was a tough year last year. The state had to look at what benefited the whole state not just a particular region like Philly where a lot of the filming has taken place and that he did agree with the credits when they had the money to offer them but last year they were cutting everything.

At XPAC, I asked Stephen Baldwin about tax credits (since he is in film and lives in NJ). He said, "There's film in PA?"

Yesterday at an open call for The Last Airbender, I talked to first assistant director John Rusk. I asked him about highlighting people who the industry did help in unexpected ways. He mentioned several ideas - including a blacksmith they regularly use (even though that particular guy was in Delaware). He also mentioned that without incentives, they had to move production to Toronto last year on movie they were making in the Fall. The incentives enable them to leverage financing and on a huge movie, that matters even more.

I am still asking because I like to look at the whole picture and see it from all angles. Mentally, I struggle with supporting an industry that more than half the time does not reflect my conservative values but I do believe it can be used for positive purposes and that is more likely to happen if the tools are here for those willing & able to use them.

Needless to say, this conversation will continue as I research it and learn more about it.

CNN article States use tax incentives to draw filmwork from Hollywood

PaFIA Speech 3/1/2010 from Jonathan Rocks on Vimeo.

Check out some of these fun recipes for Oscars Night!

Disclosure information: *This post was brought to you by Media Needle. 

Ever want to be on TV or in Film? Here's a few tips for you:

 

"And, I'm so-in-so and I'm STANDING in front of. . ."

"AND here we are . . . "

"Ever been to Philly and . . ."

Acting classes are a hoot and a half. Everyone has a different take on the same material and it is fun to see what each person brings to a script. I attended last Saturday's TV hosting auditions workshop taught by NYC casting director Barbara Barna down at Heery Casting in Philadelphia. It was offered through a partnership with TVi Actors Studio out of LA and NY. It was great.

We were all there trying to answer that age ole question - Can I really do this? I like, I love it, I want some more of it - you know the song. Only one thing, we learned that six people are the TYPES the networks and producers are looking for RIGHT NOW (Could be different in next month):

Mike Rowe - Funny, snarky, loveable, knows when to joke and when to hold back. WILL DO ANYTHING - as evidenced by his show Dirty Jobs

Gordon Ramsay - the famous chef, known for his delicious recipes and excellence in the kitchen AND good personality. The man is an EXPERT.

Jon Stewart - Energetic, hilarious, intelligent, totally comedic and very talented at hitting the mark.

Simon Cowell - rhymes with Scowl for a good reason (Think American Idol, people, if you can possibly live in this world and not have heard of this man) and definitely someone who has to have the guts to speak his mind.

{Can we get some ladies in here, please?}

Kelly Ripa - Fun loving, willing to try most anything, can talk to anyone, and INCREDIBLY SKINNY and beautiful. She knows how to keep up appearances and still be natural - not so easy.

Rachael Ray - Down to earth, fun loving, easy with people and willing to try new things. We ALL love Rachel Ray - because what's not to love. The woman is amazing and again, knows how to look good on the Red Carpet and in the kitchen - every man's dream come true.

Okay, so you are seeing a trend here - for the most part, fun loving, willing to laugh with others and at oneself, willing to do a variety of things, intelligent and witty and JUST PLAIN SUPERHUMAN. (Oh, and via my own observations - not one endorsed in class - if you are a man, you can look like hell with the right personality but as a woman, hmmm  . . . )

Dang.

I'm not superhuman but I do love people. I'm also a bit of a ham - not sure what kind of ham - hot dog, pork chop, rear rump. I can be shy, sure. But, I LOVE meeting and being around highly creative people WHICH means learning to be one myself to hang with the big dogs (especially tough if I'm only cut out for the hot dog role) and I DON'T know if I have what it takes but there is only ONE way to find out.

So, back to class. We were told all sorts of wonderful things (and I won't give away the whole class b/c you really do have to go experience it yourself -- I paid - so can you) and then we were given lines to read - a real script used in a show where one stood in front of a place and introduced it. Simple lines that you can put your own personality into.

Sounds easy, right. BWAHAHAHA. You sit reading the script. Everyone takes a break and you practice in front of a blank wall just like any "cold read." You sit watching others - bend their knees too much, read the paper too much, make hilariously over exaggerated faces - all the while, saying to yourself - I'm going to learn here - I'm not going to do those things.

And then it's your turn. And, you choke in front of a whole room full of people staring at you - studying what you are doing wrong - hoping they will get it right next.

I added all sorts of things to my script in my head and what comes out? Just the copy - the plain copy. It was okay, I guess but I could have said more. But, you only get two reads. And for most TV on any given day, let's say you get a job on TV - you want to get it right in the first take. That's not always realistic (various things going on around you) but with experience, you should come pretty close.

The good ones in the crowd were definitely the ones with experience. One girl really knew how to "fill the space" around her.

If you have ever taken a class like this, you know that the written stuff coming from the teacher is good but you could probably read it in a book or on the Internet somewhere. The golden moments are the networking opportunities in the line to the bathroom and in the lobby before and after class, AND giving your headshot to a REAL casting director and having that same casting director give you and everyone else REAL feedback from his or her experiences working with a multitude of individuals -some of whom are highly successful. They know what it takes and they are watching you from the moment you come in the door. They have clients to please and sure, you could be the next one. You also could very likely never be the next one if you come in sloutching, thinking - "oh, this is just another class" or I don't need to take this seriously.

If you are serious about TV or film, take classes from the professionals. Care about your appearance (and yes - I am pointing FIVE fingers back at me on this and I AM on way to the gym right now), know what is out there, watch the movies or TV shows of actors you could see yourself playing, be informed, and be curious!

Set some goals, get your ACT together. Use Social Media to get your foot in the door and network, network, network.

I enjoyed the class because I have done some vlogging (video-blogging) lately and by just getting out there and doing it - I see plenty I need to work on (like hand movements and not laughing at people's jokes when I am holding the FLIP camera near MY mouth as I film) but the key is just DOING it and then watching and self-editing. Get feedback. Learn from your mistakes.

Most of all - have fun but you gotta be honest with yourself if you want to learn and grow!

Blu-Ray Kids Movies in Review: Aliens in the Attic, Ice Age, Tinker Bell

Tons of movies are coming out now on Blu-Ray and we are getting a couple for our kids to review. Since we have a Blu-Ray disc player, it just makes sense since the picture and audio are so much clearer. Because of the technology, A LOT more "extras" can be offered on the disc as well. Many sets are coming out with both DVD and Blu-Ray to accommodate old and new technologies. (And, I still have a couple VCR tapes lurking around the house. Time to move on, right?!)

Here are a couple that were sent to us and one we bought at the grocery store. (Since my kids are getting old enough to understand and process what is going on in the movies, I had them write their own reviews!)

1) Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Summary from IMBD:

After the events of "Ice Age: The Meltdown", life begins to change for Manny and his friends: Scrat is still on the hunt to hold onto his beloved acorn, while finding a possible romance in a female sabre-toothed squirrel named Scratte. Manny and Ellie, having since become an item, are expecting a baby, which leaves Manny anxious to ensure that everything is perfect for when his baby arrives. Diego is fed up with being treated like a house-cat and ponders the notion that he is becoming too laid-back. Sid begins to wish for a family of his own, and so steals some dinosaur eggs which leads to Sid ending up in a strange underground world where his herd must rescue him, while dodging dinosaurs and facing danger left and right, and meeting up with a one-eyed weasel known as Buck who hunts dinosaurs intently. Written by Theshapeshifter

Review by Laura: "One day Sid falls into a hole and finds 3 eggs. He tries to take care of them. Meanwhile, the mom of the eggs tries to find them. When she does, she takes them and Sid. Everyone tries to find Sid and go underground into a world of adventures. The movie was really funny, hilarious, and little kids and big kids would love it."

Lindsey's favorite part:

Ellie, the Wooly Mammoth, asks a weasel: "When did you find out you were going to crazy?"

Weasel: "About three months ago when I woke up married to a pineapple . . .  an ugly pineapple."

You can read a comprehensive break-down of the elements of the movie and features in the DVD/Blu-Ray set HERE by Josh Clinton at Inside Pulse Movies.

                                2) Aliens in the Attic:

Summary from IMDB:

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC, co-scripted by one of the writers of "Madagascar" and the Academy Award®-winning "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," is an adventure/comedy about kids on a family vacation who must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions. At the same time, the youngsters work hard to keep their parents in the dark about the battle upstairs.

It's the Pearsons versus the aliens who "came from upstairs," in an all-out battle that will decide the fate of the Earth - and kick-off the ultimate summer vacation.

Read HERE for the rest of the summary including spoilers.

Review by Lindsey: The Pearsons go into their summer house and find out that aliens have crashed in the attic and Jake, Hannah & the other kids have to fight against them. Aliens have mind control plugs that don't work on kids. People are controlled through small handheld devices. It was a good movie. I would recommend this movie to people of all ages.

3) TinkerBell

Summary from IMDB:

Enter the magical world of fairies and meet the enchanting creatures of Pixie Hollow, who "nurture nature" and bring about the change of the seasons. Changing the colors of the leaves, moving a sunbeam to melt snow, waking animals from their winter slumber, or giving a patch of sproutlings a sprinkle of water are all within the realm of these seasonal specialists. Tinker Bell thinks her fairy talent as a "tinker" isn't as special or important as the other fairies' talents. But when Tink tries to change who she is, she creates nothing but disaster! With encouragement from her friends Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn and Iridessa, Tink learns the key to solving her problems lies in her unique tinker abilities and discovers that when she's true to herself, magical things can happen.

Review by Lindsey: I like EVERYTHING ABOUT IT -- it had all the elements of a great movie: action, adventure, romance, comedy, etc.