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• Babble Film Review - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

  There's something a little off about these Narnia movies. Anyone who loved the books as a kid remembers how real Narnia seemed: It encompassed both the magical wonder of childhood and the frightening unknowns of the adult world. So why does the cinematic Narnia feel so flat and lifeless? Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, filmed in Slovenia, where I suddenly have the urge to relocate. But between the uninspired child actors and the unrealistic-looking CG characters, the Narnia of Prince Caspian has little more weight than a cartoon. Our child heroes alternate giggling and furrowing their brows, without any sense that they're coming of age, or even that their actions have consequences. The formidable figure of Aslan the Lion has been reduced to an affable animal pal, like Mickey Mouse with a propensity for self-sacrifice. Read More... Posted May 16 2008, 09:09 AM by editors with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: kids, Movies, films, film, reviews, Babble Review, Prince Caspian, chronicles of narnia, review, film review, children's

• Five Summer Movies for the Kids

  It may feel like spring break just ended, but I've got news for you: Summer vacation is right around the corner. How do I know? Because "Iron Man" comes out in two weeks, and that officially kicks off the summer movie season. And once the blockbusters start, long, hot days with kids underfoot can't be far behind. If you're already concerned about how to keep the little ones entertained -- and no, "Go outside and time how long it takes until you get sun poisoning" is not an appropriate parental response to the situation -- take a look at this list of five summer flicks you can take your children to see. Keep in mind that release dates, as well as my assessment of these films once I see them, is subject to change. Read More... Posted Apr 15 2008, 11:32 AM by Jen Chaney with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: films, pixar, speed racer, Kung Fu Panda, Wall-E, Space Chimps, Kit Kittredge, American Girl movie, summer movies, family fare

• Sex on Screen: Girl Stereotypes in Kid's Media

  My daughter claims she's a ninja, and I believe her. She also has an older brother deep into some semi-imagined ninja culture. Coincidence? Hardly. Today, though, she put her ninja mask aside and is dressed provocatively as Padme Amidala in her homemade version of the outfit at right. At 8, does she know it's sexually provocative? I hope not. But my kid, along with yours and everyone else's is constantly assaulted by a barrage of sexually-stereotypical images in kid's film and TV. Here are the numbers: Read More... Posted Feb 23 2008, 11:39 AM by Karen Murphy with | with no comments Filed under: tv, media, films, star wars, children's media, female stereotypes

• Taking Kids to Adult Films

  I still suffer the nightmares: as a kid I went regularly with my parents to movies, and it wasn't just "Winnie-the-Pooh" at the drive-in, either. No, I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Andromeda Strain, Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (see an old-movie sci-fi trend here?) and worst of all, The Lost Continent, a movie that has inhabited my dreams ever since with its weird sentient seaweed that attacked people through ship portholes but that you could walk over while wearing huge balloons attached to your shoulders. [shudder] So if I was so affected by these movies, I got to thinking after reading this little blurblet about kids and movies: how okay is it to take kids to films that aren't for kids? Do you? How do you know what's okay and what's not?   Read More... Posted Feb 03 2008, 09:15 AM by Karen Murphy with | with 11 comment(s) Filed under: kids, Movies, new york times, films, adult films, adult moivies

• Babble Talk: Ricki Lake

  With the national release of her documentary The Business of Being Born, Ricki Lake is getting a new round of reviews (from glowing praise to immature "ewww..."s) and scandalized coverage (she's naked! in a bathtub! giving birth!). We spoke to Ricki and her director back when the film was making the festival circuit -- check out the Babble interview here.  Posted Jan 11 2008, 05:44 PM by editors with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: films, babble talk, ricki lake, filmmaking, filming birth

• Holiday Movies With (Popcorn) Balls

  I'm not a very sentimental person, so most of the traditional holiday movie fare doesn't do it for me. I generally prefer films with a dark, snowy backdrop and occasional Santa suit mishaps and plenty of bitterness or big explosions to the kind where the true meaning of Christmas triumphs over some dark force as the music swells. The Poop had this great, great post with comments on fringe holiday movies you can bust out and make part of the season. Films like Die Hard and Trading Places and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. And apparently, I must watch the Hebrew Hammer very soon. Of course my favorite movie for the season is one you can watch with kids, and while it isn't as edgy holiday as the ones listed here, I feel like it should get a special mention since the director just had a baby.  Read More... Posted Dec 17 2007, 04:06 PM by Kelly Mills with | with no comments Filed under: christmas, santa, Movies, holidays, films, die hard, traditions, tim burton

• Child Rape on Film: Young 'Kite Runner' Actor Protests

  Last year's cinematic-child-rape-controversy was Hounddog, the Dakota Fanning film that has yet see a national release.  This year it's The Kite Runner, the film adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's hugely successful and devastating novel.  Is it unrealistic of me to hope that there won't be a controversial child rape scene in the movies next year? Read More... Posted Sep 24 2007, 05:22 PM by Alisyn with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: films, Kite Runner, child rape, A mommy storyhmed Khan Mahmidzada, Khaled Hosseini

• Babble Talk: Summer Film Guide

  With the first summer heat wave approaching, shouldn't you be spending your time enjoying someone else's air conditioning? The Babble Summer Film Guide gives you a rundown of this summer's kid-friendly fare, plus a few R-rated selections prominently featuring parents. In addition to Knocked Up (Have you seen that yet? Seriously, call the sitter and go.), the most promising picks include Pixar's Ratatouille, the superdark new Harry Potter, the Hairspray remake (John Waters for kids!),  the documentary Arctic Tale and The Simpsons Movie.  Things get a little dire in August (The Bratz movie -- shudder), but Neil Gaiman comes to the rescue with his fantasy film Stardust. Check out the complete list here. Posted Jun 19 2007, 09:38 AM by Gwynne Watkins with | with no comments Filed under: harry potter, bratz, films, ratatouille, Knocked up, babble talk, reviews, the simpsons, arctic tale, hairspray, stardust, summer film guide

• Rock Mama Films Presents: "Rock n' Roll Mamas" - A Documentary

  Break out the popcorn and the biggest box of Raisinettes you can find - this is one film I am not gonna miss, and you shouldn't, either.  Wanna make it a date? Rock n' Roll Mamas is a documentary by Portland, Oregon-based director Jackie Weissman.  Her goal in exploring the public and private lives of such well known musicians as Kim Gordon, Patti Smith, Kristin Hersh, Corin Tucker, Liz Phair and more, is "to bring mothers together in the solidarity that we are all indeed rock star moms just by trying to remain true to ourselves while parenting our children."  Hell, yeah!  The film isn't due out until September 2007, but you can buy the Rock n' Roll Mamas CD for a mere $10, with proceeds going directly to the film.  If you absolutely can not wait until September, check out an excerpt of Corin Tucker's interview on Babble's main page, or watch Jackie Weissman's trailer here.   Posted Mar 15 2007, 08:07 AM by Alisyn with | with no comments Filed under: films, celebrity parents, rock n' roll mamas, jackie weissman

• Disney Going Retro with Hand-Drawn Animation

  Read More... Posted Feb 09 2007, 06:39 PM by Karen Murphy with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: children, disney, animation, films, Fantasia, Toy Story