Family Flicks from 20th Century Fox

It's a rainy afternoon and the kids stuck inside are driving you crazy. Sounds like a perfect opportunity to pop some pop corn and settle down to watch a movie together. We had the chance to view some of the latest family flicks from 20th Century Fox.

Strawberry Shortcake: The Berryfest Princess
Kids-Animated, Not rated, 64 mins (available on DVD)

It’s time for the annual Berryfest Spring Festival but with Princess Berrykins away, the town needs to elect a new Berryfest Princess. Strawberry Shortcake and her friend Orange Blossom are up for the same positon but only one can win. No matter who wins, the girls are determined to still be friends in the end. Good thing too because the role of Berryfest Princess is much harder than it sounds. The friends eventually learn to work together to make a successful Berryfest Spring Festival for everyone

This film is obviously going to appeal to the younger aged girls, perfect for my 3-year-old who not only loves Strawberry Shortcake but princesses too. However, I was surprised that my 5-year-old and 7-year-old also enjoyed watching the film. The disc also includes some printable colouring pages (for your computer) and a sing-along.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Family, Not Rated, 89 mins (available on DVD and Blu-ray)

The singing chipmunk brothers Alvin, Simon and Theadore return for another funny adventure the whole family will enjoy. While their manager Dave recovers in hospital from a concert mishap, the boys take a break from the music scene and enroll in school as a way to try and fit in with kids their own age. But music doesn’t take a back seat for long. The Chipmunks enter a school talent contest and meet the Chipettes, who are managed by the boys’ evil ex-manager Ian.

It didn’t really matter what the movie was about, if it has the Chipmunks in it my kids will love it. They loved the first movie and we’re excited to see the ‘Squeakquel’. My 3-year-old and 5-year-old loved the silly situations the Chipmunks got themselves into; they especially loved Alvin and would often quote him during (and after) the movie. My 7-year-old loved the film too but her favourite part was the singing; she loved the songs and that they were popular dance songs she knows from the radio. She couldn’t help but sing along.

Starring Jason Lee (voice of Alvin and the Chipmunks), Zach Levi, David Cross, Justin Long, Anna Faris, Amy Poehler, Christina Applegate, Jessie McCartney

One of our members and writers, Caroline (from ParentClub) had a chance to meet and interview the humans behind the chipmunks.

Carrie, a teen from the city, is sent to live with Hank, her estranged father on his horse ranch. Feeling out of her element, she's more comfortable on her skateboard surrounded by steel and concrete in the city than the dirt and wide-open spaces of the country, Carrie makes an unlikely friend in the form of a wild horse named Flicka.

The extra features include an interview with Clint Black, how the film was made as well as some footage on real wild horses; great for the horse enthusiast.

This movie seemed to have something for everyone in my family: my 5-year-old son loved the whole cowboy, living on a ranch lifestyle; my 3-year-old loved that it was a story about horses; my 8-year-old loved the innocent romance between Carrie and the ranch hand who taught her how to ride a horse. Also be prepared to cry, I did. Animal movies seem to be either tear-jerkers or comedies. Flicka 2 is the later but everything turns out in the end.

Starring Tamara Sursok, Patrick Warburton, Clint Black

Tooth Fairy
Family, Rated PG, 120 mins (available on DVD and Blu-ray)

Derek is one of the toughest hockey players around, which is obvious from his nickname The Tooth Fairy (he's know for knocking his opponent’s teeth out when on the ice). But his nickname takes on new meaning when Derek is sentenced to one week's hard labour as the actual Tooth Fairy. Even though he has to sport frilly wings, Derek is determined to play the Tooth Fairy his way.

Along with the standard theatrical trailers and sneak peeks found in the Extra Features section, Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Fairyoke’ was funny to watch (once) and Tooth Fairy Training Academy is a little workout for kids under the guise of training to be a Tooth Fairy (includes clips from the movie too).

All 3 of my kids laughed at Derek's antics in his attempt to play the Tooth Fairy. The especially loved the Tooth Fairy’s arsenal of tools (shrinking paste, amnesia dust, barking pills to name a few). My kids laughed out loud throughout the film and retell parts of it to their friends often. A fun film.

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Julie Andrews, Billy Crystal, Ashley Judd

* These movie titles were provided for the purpose of this review

About the Author Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier? Posted by Carrie Anne in book reviews on April 20, 2010 More from this author  |  Author Website Follow Carrie Anne on:  |  |  |

Comments  

 

0 # tracyo 2010-04-23 13:20

I was so in love with Strawberry Shortcake when I was little. Even though I have boys, I might just rent this one for me :O) I might also pick up the Toothfairy...I think that one would be so funny!
Thanks for the reviews :O)

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