Movie Review: Alabama Moon

Alabama Moon
(Released 2011)

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

(Synopsis from http://www.alabamamoonthemovie.net)

 

Eleven-year-old Moon Blake has spent most of his life hiding out in the forests of Alabama with his father, an anti-government radical who clings to conspiracy theories and trusts no one. Moon's life suddenly changes when the land is sold and his father dies. 

 

Knowing only what he learned from his father, Moon decides to follow his last instructions; make your way to Alaska where "people could still make a living off trapping." In the path of civilization, Moon quickly lands himself in a reform school where he meets the mean-spirited Constable Sanders and learns what friendship is all about. 

 

Determined to get to Alaska, he and his new friends escape from the school outwitting Constable Sanders each step of the way. "Alabama Moon" is a classic kid's film (based on the novel by Watt Key), complete with adventure and survival that most kids only dream about.

Starring: Jimmy Bennett (No Ordinary Family), Uriah Shelton (The Glades), and John Goodman (Evan Almighty)

 

Directed by: Tim McCanlies 

MOVIE TRAILER 

MOVIE RATING - PG

(Movie Rating & Parental Info. from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/alabama-moon)

What parents need to know:

Parents need to know that this family adventure movie, based on a bestselling 2006 novel by Watt Key, features some intense scenes of violence, including the death of a parent, and a shot of a broken leg with protruding bone and some gore. A second character also dies. There are knives and guns on view (no shots fired), as well as some threats and fighting. The movie features some gateway language ("d--n" and "h--l") and some offscreen kissing between teens. The 11-year-old hero makes some mistakes, but eventually learns some good lessons: he learns to trust others rather than hiding away.

Positive messages: The main character engages in some bad (and illegal) behavior, but there are consequences for his actions, and it's all in an attempt to undo his father's wrongheaded teachings: rather than living alone, hiding in the woods, it's more fulfilling to trust and love others. 

 

Positive role models: The main character, Moon, is resourceful and kindhearted. Despite being raised in the woods and taught to mistrust others, he's quick to sympathize and care about the people he meets. However, he is learning, and he makes several dangerous and unlawful mistakes along the way. The lawyer character (played by John Goodman) is also big-hearted and helpful toward a kid he doesn't even know. 

 

Violence: The movie begins with its most intense sequence: an 11-year-old boy buries the body of his dead father. In flashback, we see the father breaking his leg while crossing a fast-moving river. The broken, protruding bone and some gore are visible in one shot. A supporting character also dies (offscreen). Otherwise, the movie features knives and guns (no shots fired), plus threats and shouting, and some manhandling. There's also a brief fight between the boy hero and a slightly older bully. (The hero punches the bully in his crotch.) 

 

Sex: In one scene, an older girl kisses the 11-year-old hero offscreen, and he emerges visibly shaken. 

 

Language: "D--n" and "h--l" are heard at least twice each (from adults). Otherwise, we hear things like "crap," "shoot," and "shut up" from the kids. 

 

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One boy apparently requires various medical "pills" each day, though it's not clear what these pills are or what they do.

 

Talk to your kids

• Families can talk about the movie's violence. Was it necessary to show the father's gory broken leg? Was it necessary for two characters to die? How does the hero react to, or learn from, these events?
• At what point does Moon start to realize that his father's lessons may have been a bit wrongheaded? What parts of his father's teachings come in handy?
• How does Moon handle the bully, and what happens afterward? is the bully scary? How would this attempt work in real life?

MOVIE REVIEW

I liked this movie, however, I think as a parent you will need to be sure to review the rating information above to see if you feel it appropriate for your family and children.  It does deal with some issues that could definitely be misleading or confusing to small children, and the presence of profanity, while not as bad as many movies presently made, is still disappointing to say the least.  

 

Their are serious issues mixed in with this seemingly light-hearted adventure, such as the serious injury and death a parent, paranoid behavior, death of a childhood friend, child abandonment, and constant law breaking.

 

I believe that some of the issues regarding the boys' disobedience to authority are glorified under the idea that they are brave and adventurous, but these are things that may be very good for discussing with your child afterwards.

Overall I enjoyed the movie, however I would not recommend it for younger children at all and would suggest watching it and discussing with your older children.

 

Happy Movie Watching,

 

Jessica

Movie Review: A Shine Of Rainbows

A Shine Of Rainbows
(Released in 2010)

 MOVIE SYNOPSIS

This is a touching story about a childless couple Alec and Maire O’Donnell.  The O’Donnell’s live on Corrie Island, a remote island off the coast of Ireland.  Maire is a gentle, fun loving, and nurturing woman who longs to have a child.  This desire takes her to an orphanage where she discovers a boy named Tomas.  Maire adopts Tomas and quickly takes him back to her colorful home with Alec.  Maire begins Tomas’ journey to his new home by sharing with him the fanciful stories of local folklore, she tells Tomas of the ‘secret of the seals’ which allows them to carry messages to loved ones who have passed on.

Tomas likes Maire but is very shy and does not speak much at all, which Alec does not understand and disapproves of.  Tomas sees Alec’s disappointment which only makes his reluctance to open up greater. Tomas wonders if he will ever fit in.

Before long, Tomas makes friends with local children who stretch him to break out of his shell by going on adventures to a secret cave.

Alec and Tomas begin to bond when they save a stranded seal together on the beach.   But soon tragedy strikes and Tomas is faced with his greatest challenge yet.  He risks everything and embarks on a treacherous journey that requires him to believe in himself and to remember the things that Maire has taught him in order to succeed.

A Shine Of Rainbows is a tale about the power of love, learning to be accepting of differences, finding courage, and finding joy in the colors that are all around us.

Starring: Connie Nielsen (Gladiator), Aidan Quinn (Benny & Joon), and introducing John Bell

 

Produced by: Tina Pehme, Kim C. Roberts, & James Flynn

Directed by: Vic Sarin

MOVIE TRAILER 

MOVIE RATING - PG

(Rating and Parental Info. from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/shine-rainbows)

What parents need to know: *spoiler warning*

Parents need to know that this poignant coming-of-age story set in the beautiful Irish countryside includes the death of a parental figure. Themes of bullying, loss, and abandonment are throughout this heartrending film, and while such topics may be difficult for younger or less mature children, A Shine of Rainbows should spark interesting discussions within families about these issues. 

Expect some strong positive lessons about compassion and the value of parental love mixed in with the hard stuff.

Positive messages: The movie expresses how valuable the love of a parent is to a child. A child learns to overcome his timidity, his stuttering, and his past experiences of being bullied at the orphanage with the help of a loving mother figure. The positives of adopting older children are shown. Characters show compassion for suffering animals. 

 

Positive role models: Maire is a patient, kind, and loving adoptive mother. Tomas learns to be more confident in himself and his place in the world, and his deep sensitivity, initially treated as a weakness, is shown to be one of his great strengths. As someone who grew up an orphan herself, Maire shows great compassion for the orphan boy. Tomas also takes care of an abandoned baby seal he names Smudge. 

 

Violence: Early in the film, a character is bullied by having a stool kicked out from under him, getting slapped in the head, and having his pencils broken in half by other boys. One character gets attacked by a bird while trying to steal its eggs. Another is tossed out of a boat while trying to row through choppy waters. A main character dies of an illness. 

 

Sex: Brief kissing between a husband and wife, who are also seen in bed together talking. 

 

Language: Not applicable.

 

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One character smokes a pipe, and he later drinks whiskey to cope with grief, and is found passed out at the kitchen table with a bottle in his hands. 

 

Talk to your kids

• Families can talk about the effects of bullying. Does this movie depict bullying in a realistic way? What are the long-term effects of bullying? What can kinds and parents do when confronted with bullying?
  
• How is this movie different from those produced in Hollywood? How would this movie have been different, do you think, if it was made specifically for an American audience?
  
• How does this film depict grief? Does it seem accurate? How can kids and adults cope with grief in a healthy way?
  

 

MOVIE REVIEW

I think I have found a well made 'family friendly' movie (available instantly on Netflix).  I feel that I should give the disclaimer that this movie does portray Irish folklore in such a way as to lead the watcher to wonder if it's true.  (Likely to be obvious to older children)  Younger children may need some parental explanations for the folklore told in this movie.

Outside of that, this is a story of love and acceptance, of finding courage in spite of tragedy, and of the power of family love.

I like the movies tagline "The Greatest Journey, is the One that Brings You Home."

Warning: You may want to have some tissue handy...

Happy Movie Watching,

Jessica