Strollerderby : reviews

Father's Day Book Pick: Buy Grandpa Time

JeanneSager — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:33:00 GMT

I've always been a fan of kids books for adults on holidays - especially grandparents who can very well buy themselves everything they've ever wanted . . . except time with the grandkids.

Just in time for Father's Day, Kristy Dempsey's Me With You offers grandpas plenty of time to cuddle on the couch with their favorite little munchkin.

A grandcub finds she's comfy just being herself with grandpa bear leading the way, in a story that's filled with gorgeous illustrations and the types of things grandfathers and grandkids do best (picking flowers, playing baseball, you name it . . .). Celebrating the special relationship between grandpas and grandkids, Me With You solves the bigger question - is there anything I can get him for Father's Day that he'll actually use?

How about time with his grandkids?

It's time they'll be looking back on when they paw through his shelves in twenty years so you can read it to their kids.

Though it's technically the tale of a girl cub, the story doesn't have a clear gender and some of the pictures are gender-neutral, which allows the book to find a wider audience. The simple rhymes put this at the earlier end of the four-to-eight age group recommended by publisher Penguin, but kids who enjoy snuggling up to grandpa will overlook the story and just enjoy the ride.

Check out the "video trailer" for the book and get it from Amazon!

Image: Amazon

Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid’s Music, Part 3

editors — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Cathy Heller, Say Hello to the Sun

Heller, who has written song for Kodak and the Jim Henson Company, promotes (you guessed it!) positivity and self-confidence on her ‘Say Hello to the Sun’ CD. Heller describes herself as a mix between Carole King and Punky Brewster; I thought she sounded more like Lizzie Maguire, but her ballad ‘Make A Wish’ proves that she can really sing.

Various, Funky Kidz Music

I don’t have kids, but I’d feel no shame in jamming to these funky, revamped covers of classics like “Yellow Submarine,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The dude that sings the standout track “If I Only Had A Brain,” sounds eerily like Michael Buble.

Captain Bogg & Salty, Emphatical Piratical

Grab your floaties, bandana, and eye patch: these upbeat nautical tracks will have your kids rocking out pirate-style in their kiddie pool. Plus, everyone will get a quick lesson in ship parts: “Poop deck, it’s the deck in the back where the captain’s at.”

Brady Rymer, Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

A little church youth group-y, but Rymer’s a genuine country crooner. He and his five-member band could easily be opening in Nashville.

Playhouse Disney, Music Play Date

For better or worse, Disney has a knack for catchy songs, the kind that stick in your head 8 hours later. Seriously. I was humming something called the “Bunnytown Hop” on the subway.

Mr. Ray: Songs for Seeds

Song for Seeds is pure easy listening. Too easy, in my opinion. I kept waiting it for the tracks to pick up but they never did. Maybe this would work for naptime?

Reviews by Andrea Zimmerman.

Earlier Today: Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid's Music, Part 1

Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid's Music, Part 2

Read more from Babble's Music and Video Issue.

Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid’s Music, Part 2

editors — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Easy

If you are a person who has always believed there should be more rap songs about dragons, mermaids, and talking grasshoppers, then this is the CD for you. 23 Skidoo’s debut album, “Easy,” deftly mixes reggae, bluegrass, and funk with classic hip hop beats, and his own daughter Saki gets the best line on the album:

23 Skidoo: Yo, Saki. You got the juice?

Saki: Man, I’ve got more rhymes than Dr. Seuss.

Peter Alsop, Uh-Oh

With sing-a-long classics like "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and the ABCs, listening to Uh-Oh may just take you back to your own childhood days. But be warned: Peter Alsop is not trying to make a crossover album for kids and parents alike. This is straight up kid’s music, so you may get tired of hearing, I don’t know, “Poop Goes the Weasel,” for the forty-second time.

Rocknocerous, Pink

At their best, these sunny tunes take tot rock to a whole new level, like on the R.E.M.- esque “Playground” and the lovely “Lucky Lindy.” However, some of their songs miss the mark by veering into all-too-familiar kid’s music territory.

Daddy A Go Go, Come On, Get Happy

If the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet got together to make an album for kids, it would probably sound a little like this one. The songs are fun, singable, and certainly appealing to children, but they all seem to hit the same overtly cheerful note. Listening to “Come On, Get Happy,” is like spending time with a deeply and persistently perky friend: best done in small doses.

Various, Putamayo Kids Presents European Playground

No worries if your kids aren’t as well-traveled as Suri or Maddox: the fifteen songs on this album represent sixteen countries and range from Scottish folk to Scandinavian pop to Belgian quasi-rap. Cheerful in a mellow way, this is one holds up to repeated listenings, and will even teach your kids such useful foreign phrases as “Stop that little kangaroo before it jumps off again!”

Abby and the Pipsqueaks, Abby and the Pipsqueaks

Abby and I clearly have a difference of opinion over whether or not sirens and train whistles -- the world’s most annoying sounds -- should be used in songs.

Reviews by Lindsay Armstrong.

Earlier Today: Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid's Music, Part 1

Read more from Babble's Music and Video Issue.

Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid’s Music, Part 1

editors — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

It’s been a while since we’ve had our interns weigh in on the ever-growing stack of children’s CDs in the Babble office. So for the Music and Video issue, we decided to revive the tradition. Here are intern Emily’s reviews; check back later today for Andrea and Lindsay’s two cents. -The Babble Editors

Jonathan Sprout, American History #3

I was excited to get a US History 101 refresher; instead, I had to study the liner notes to find out exactly which hero each song referred to—“Peanut Man,” and “Doctor” not being clues enough for me. The gender representation is well- balanced, with a lower dead-white-guy quotient than I expected. Some of the lyrics, though, may put off younger listeners who don’t yet know that polio “frightens, and cripples and kills.”

Peter Alsop,Wha’D’Ya Wanna Do?: Rainy Day Laughter with Little Kids!

Alsop begins on a whiny, nasal-y note with a song about boredom that left me, well, bored. But take heed: the album’s energy builds until you’re chanting ‘I Am a Pizza,’ your toddler rolling on the floor with laughter.

Ben Rucknick and Friends, A Frog Named Sam

Creole and Bluegrass-inspired musical interludes mix well with Ben Rudnick’s way with words and slight Dylan rasp. Thanks to Ben I have a new compliment: “It’s like a milkshake, when I see your face, I want to drink it up and take it with me.”

Recess Monkey Field Trip

The songs are repetitive to a nerve shattering point. And, while I know that the point of ‘L.I.C.E’ is to inform kids that everybody gets them, this song is disgusting (especially when the lead vocalist takes on the persona of a militant louse.)

Trout Fishing in America, My Name is Chicken Joe

Nestled into a hardcover book of lyrics and playful illustrations, ‘My Name is Chicken Joe’ is an easy-going children’s folk album that perked me right up. The title song is catchy and wise, proposing ‘What’s in a name?’ Grown-ups, don’t tune out ‘My Best Day’with the vacuum cleaner, it’s a sweet tune that will re-center you: “Think about a good time that never ends."

Reviews by Emily Frost.

Previously on Babble: Our Childless Intern Reviews Your Kid's Music

Read more from Babble's Music and Video Issue.

Beyonce Shines on Wubb Idol

JeanneSager — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Forget Sasha Fierce. Beyonce's got a new alter ego - and she's blonde-haired and blue cheeked.

The songstress is lending her voice to a new character on Noggin's Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and can we just say she shines in the role?

We've gotten a look at a sample cut from the show, set to air May 1 at 1 p.m. on Nick Jr. followed by a prime-time appearance Sunday, May 3, at 7 p.m. on Noggin. Heading up a three-part girl group (sound familiar?) Beyonce stars as "Shine," the lead singer for the Wubb Girlz as Wuzzleburg gets its sing on.

She'll debut the new "Sing a Song" on the show as part of Wubb Idol, the Wubbzy-ied version of American Idol.

Want a sneak peek? Call the kids over and click here (this will launch your Windows Media Player, don't be alarmed - that's what it supposed to do).

Motherproofing the Motor City

JeanneSager — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:32:00 GMT

Ever wish your car was a little bit more kid friendly?

Kristin Varela doesn't just wish it. She's making it happen. The founder and editor-in-chief of Motherproof.com sat down with Babble to cover cars, kids and how her team of moms is making over Detriot for the good of parentkind.

Varela says she was getting "mommy Jell-O brain" from being home with two kids just around the time she realized it was time to go out and buy a new car. With a child in nursery school, she was looking to start a neighborhood carpool - but her two girls' carseats took up too much space in the backseat of her Subaru to make it practical.

"With two young children, the last thing I wanted to do was drive to 10 different dealerships and look at cars," Varela recalls. So she did what we all do - she went online. Only to find reviews that were family-specific for cars were few and far between. So she did her research, and Motherproof was born.

The site is now five years old and features not just cars reviews by Varela and her team of mothers but family car news, from tips on the accessories to buy and those to skip to tips on travel. And when we're talking reviews, we mean real life, "are we there yet" test drives with the kids. Varela and the other Motherproof moms keep each car for two weeks, driving it as though it IS the family car.

"Goldfish are crushed into the carpet, and cups are dumped over onto the upholstery," Varela admitted with a laugh. "It's real life mom car driving."

They'll drive any car, anywhere - from Mini Coopers to the minivan made for the prototypical soccer mom, because parents aren't one size fits all - and neither are drivers. Which is what's made Detroit listen up. Market research puts mothers' spending on cars at $83 billion a year. Moms influence eighty-five percent of all car buying choices. And dads want kid-friendly cars too - just ask the spouses/partners of some of Motherproof's writers . . . or their sons.

Adding to the success of the site are the Motherproof families. None of the parents are associated with the Motor City, nor are they professional writers - just parents with experience being parents. And they take their kids, spouses and days of driving into account in their reviews - nothing else. So they can be brutally honest, Varela says, and when they are, they pass their advice on to Detroit where she says several of the carmakers are inputting their findings into changes on future models.

When adult fingers get a mauling trying to slip into the crack in the backseat to hook a latch hook in for a carseat, Varela's crew lets the car manufacturers know parents don't want a knuckle busting. When the wireless headsets paired with the backseat DVD player are too big for kids' heads, she shoots them a line. Better still, they share it with all of us . . . so we don't have to drag two point five kids to ten dealerships looking for the right car to fit our needs.

Sound like the dream gig? Varela's looking for more moms to sign up to have a free car show up in her driveway every two weeks, so check out Motherproof.com and find out how to get your gripes and must-haves in front of the bigwigs in Detroit.

Where Have All the Trees Gone?

JeanneSager — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:36:00 GMT

Arbor Day is coming up fast, and nothing gets kids in the mood for fun better than a big mystery. Babble took a look at Oliver Jeffers' new nature-inspired novel for little bears.

There's something funny in the forest, and it's up to the critters in Jeffers' The Great Paper Caper to put an end to the great tree disappearing act. But first they need to stop finger (paw?) pointing and figure out who's to blame for lopped-off branches and stand-alone stumps.

Peopled with goofy looking animals with sticks for legs, Jeffers' books are always a hit with the three to five set, and The Great Paper Caper gives them a look at their favorites from the forest. The tale of missing trees - being stolen by a bear with a good heart but very little brain (sound like someone else we know?) - doubles as a warning that deforestation can happen quickly. And it's up to little critters - and little kids - to protect our woods. They can start, Jeffers' animals learn, by reducing their paper waste.

After reading, parents can head over to the Arbor Foundation Website to find out when their state will celebrate Arbor Day (the national day is the last Friday in April, the 24th this year, but some states vary based on the best time for planting) and download a nature explorers kit for their own adventure in the woods.

Image: Amazon

Review: Unstable Fables Goldilocks and the Three Bears Show

JeanneSager — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:36:00 GMT

The girl who's always looking for "just right" and the family of bears that shows there's always three sides to every story gets a full-length feature in the latest installment of fairy tales with a twist.

Fresh to DVD, the Unstable Fables version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears puts the golden girl on the tube as a reality show host and fleshes out the story of the bears who usually come in at the tail end of the fairy tale.

Lisa Henson (you know, daughter of Muppet creator Jim) told Babble editor Gwynne back in October that the Unstable Fables would give some of the shortest stories of our childhoods new life, using them as jumping off points for entirely new family-oriented adventures.

That's exactly what they've done with Goldilocks, reimagining the little girl lost story as The Goldilocks and the Three Bears Show. Underneath the CGI animation, satirical fun poked at reality show programming and - of course - the kiddie jokes, the fable still has its morals. The bears start looking for "just right" only to find they had it all along, with a tight-knit family that the lonely TV host Goldilocks (voiced by a pre-pregancy Jamie Lynn Spears) would trade her eyeteeth and screen fame for.

Spears as the whining Goldilocks can be grating, but then again, she's supposed to be a starlet who always wants the best and the brightest (remember, papa bear's porridge was too hot, mama bear's too cold and baby bear's just right . . . ). Tom Arnold as papa Mac Bear is the typical slightly loser-ish, lumpish dolt with a big heart, while mom Brooke Shields is the consummate earth mother as Ruby Bear, the mom who takes the Paris Hilton-esque Goldilocks (complete with dog companion) under her paw and slips her some honey.

It's not exactly a fractured fairy tale - with the hilarity and ribald (read adult) take that genre has come to convey - but Goldliocks and the Three Bears Show is, after all, a kid's movie. Come at it expecting anything else, and you may be disappointed, but it's got the kid concept just right.

Image: Amazon

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Movie Review – "Delgo"

Brett Singer — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:45:00 GMT

It has been said that if you're going to steal, steal from the best. The new film "Delgo" (now in theaters) certainly does that, but they seem to have swiped more than they could carry.

This new CGI animated feature has elements of "Star Wars", "Dune", "Lord of the Rings" and even "Shrek", the latter only in terms of the animation. There are the usual cheap attempts at kiddie humor – characters running into walls suddenly, things falling down, yelling – but that alone wouldn't be enough to make this flick worth skipping. (In fact, that's probably the only part of the film most children will enjoy, other than a couple of halfway-decent action sequences that occur much too late to save the movie.) What truly makes me say that this is not a film for children, despite the fact that it is clearly meant for a family audience, is the confusing story and oddly graphic violence. It does have genuinely beautiful character and scene design, and although the animation isn't the best you've seen, it's far from the worst. But following the plot requires effort that just isn't worth it.

Let me try to summarize the story. There are two races in the land of Jhamora, the Lockni and the Nohrin. The Nohrin have wings, the Lockni don't, but they can make stones levitate. The two races/tribes/whatever have an uneasy truce, which was reached after a Nohrin invasion of a Lockni village, when our hero Delgo's (Freddie Prinze Jr.) parents were killed. Delgo soon meets the Nohrin Princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt), whose mother was killed by a fellow Nohrin named Sedessa (Anne Bancroft, in her final screen appearance) when Kyla was just a baby. Sedessa was exiled and her wings were chopped off. Delgo seems conflicted about his feelings for the Nohrin, and it affects his ability to make rocks move with his mind. Elder Marley (Michael Clarke Duncan) tries to teach him how to move rocks better by offering subpar Yoda-esque lines like, "Connect with the stone, Delgo…feel its pulse," and "The stones are a path to a higher good… they will teach you about yourself." (It doesn't exactly have the resonance of "Do or do not. There is no try.") Meanwhile, Sedessa has been plotting her revenge from an aerie in the sky somewhere. She has a closet filled with dozens of fake wings that makes her seem like an alien Imelda Marcos (remember her? The shoes?). Sedessa is in control of a race of creatures that look like Tolkein's Goblins whom she uses as muscle, as well as another group of smaller creatures whose sole purpose seems to be to screw things up when they are needed. (Their leader, if you can call him that, is Spig, voiced by Eric Idle, who speaks in bad malapropisms like Shakespeare's Dogberry. Unlike Dogberry, he's almost never funny.) Sedessa has help on the inside from Raius (Malcolm McDowell), a Nohrin soldier who wants to be general, which he becomes after framing the current general, Bogardus (Val Kilmer), who appears to be a compulsive gambler. Through various manipulations, war breaks out between the Nohrin and the Lockni, then Sedessa leads her Goblins-that-aren't-Goblins into battle while the two races are fighting. But the winged and the ground-bound fight together and save the day.

Got it? If so, can you explain it to me? The elevator pitch could go something like this: "It's like 'Lord of the Rings' meets 'Romeo and Juliet' meets 'Star Wars' meets 'The Lion King', which itself was cribbed liberally from 'Hamlet', so throw that in too." If this film were any more derivative, it could be traded on the Nasdaq. "Delgo" isn't complex the way well-crafted stories are; it's more bloated and obtuse. This could be due to too many writers; six are credited, and many more receive credit at the end, including Jeff "The Dude" Dowd – yes, the guy "The Big Lebowski" character was based on – as a "script consultant", but that may be fake. It's not clear. Jokes are thrown in here and there, Delgo's character becomes a warrior of sorts without any particular explanation, Bogardus uses the term "vig" when talking to a creature who may or may not be his bookie – storytelling at its finest, this is not.

By far the best thing about "Delgo" is the designs that the animation is based on. Most of the reviews have slammed the CGI, but by now I’m used to it, and the many years that were apparently spent on post-production paid off somewhat. There are a few beautifully drawn backgrounds, some cool-looking creatures (like the flying warship-things that the faux Goblins ride) and these nifty walking plants. The drawings that appear over the end credits (which feature a litany of bizarre jobs such as "Alchemist of Pseudo-Reality" that must be inside jokes) have more life in them than their animated brethren, which isn't a good thing. Maybe someone could re-release "Delgo" as a series of picture books, perhaps emphasizing the undeniably good message respecting different races and the dangers of war, which is definitely present in the film but gets lost amidst all the clutter.

The main reason I need to tell parents to be cautious about "Delgo" is the violence. I'm not anti-violence at all, but some things here seem unnecessarily graphic, like a character who gets run-through with a sword, and another who gets shot in the back with an arrow. There's not much blood, but the suddenness of the deaths could be upsetting to younger children. Also potentially disturbing for little ones is a flashback scene when Nohrin warriors kill Delgo's parents while he hides in the closet of their Lockni hut. (Let me be clear – a child is playing with his dad at home, and scary people break in and kill his mother and father while he watches.) Then a Nohrin soldier sees him, pokes his head into the closet and says, "You're on your own, kid." Of course, there's a very good chance that any human children in the audience will have fallen asleep by the time these events occur, and even if they don't there's virtually no chance they will have become involved in the characters because the script simply doesn't allow them to do so. Many other films targeted at children are violent and/or dark, like the last couple of "Harry Potter" movies. But at least the story backing them up has some depth. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the outfits some of the characters wear are oddly tight-fitting and, especially in the case of Bancroft's Sedessa, weirdly well endowed. (Think wasp-waist, C-cup.) That's not a bad thing, I suppose. But it seems like an odd choice.

As for the cast, it's "all-star" but not exactly A-list. Where "Kung Fu Panda" had Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman, "Delgo" has Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. Other folks picking up a paycheck include Burt Reynolds, Louis Gossett Jr., Kelly Ripa, and Chris Kattan (who I almost feel sorry for, since even when animated he gets cast as a nitwit; then I remember that at least he's working and any sympathy goes out the window). They all give fairly generic and uninspired line readings except for Malcolm McDowell, who does a decent enough villain, and the late Anne Bancroft, who uses her considerable talents to create an actual character with her voice. This is Ms. Bancroft's final film to be released in theaters; remember that she died in 2005, which should give you an idea of how long the newly created Fathom Studios has been working on this thing. Saying "an actress of her talent deserves a better screen farewell" is a cliché, even if it is true. Still, she does more with the material than her younger cast members, and at least she went out playing a much younger character. Sometimes in Hollywood, actors have to take what they can get. Family moviegoers, though, should probably exercise freedom of choice and stay home.

"Delgo" is now in theaters. The trailer, which makes the film look less weird than it is, is below.

Image: Amazon.com

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Reading with Toddlers: A Girls Rock Book Blog

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:36:00 GMT

Perpetually tired of the annoying Sandra Boynton books that my daughter is finally, thankfully, outgrowing, I am always on the look out for great children's book reads, whether for story or illustration -- which is why I was thrilled when a friend sent me Reading with Toddlers, a new blog that reviews books from then and now.

I was particularly struck by the great girls-rock outlook espoused in a review of "A Bargain for Frances," a tale of a curious woodland creature (which is later determined to be a badger).

Says Sara, the reviewer:

"Girls are heavily socialized in the importance of being "nice," with wide-ranging consequences in everything from our adult relationships to the price we pay for a used car. Despite her inherent sweetness, Frances has chutzpah. I can't help wondering: how might the world change, if we carefully champion such cleverness and self-assurance in all our little girls?"

With a daughter of my own, this is a review I can get behind.

Check it out for some great reads or maybe just a stroll down your own childhood library lane. (Oh Ferdinand, I loved you so.)

The Dark Knight -- parents strongly cautioned (to go see it)

Brett Singer — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Let's get one thing out of the way right now – you shouldn't bring your children. They might want to go, but unless they have a very high tolerance for a long movie (2 and half hours) and an abnormally high tolerance for what might be the most frightening performance ever (Heath Ledger's Joker), I'd get a sitter.

Now: this is some incredible movie. At first, I was a little bit apprehensive. Part of that feeling was the hype, which was so intense that it seemed impossible anything could live up to it. (Part of it was also that the movie didn't start until almost 1am because we had to sit through 7 commercials, none of which I remember at all – money well spent, advertisers. But I digress.) There are some slow spots, especially in the beginning, and I think the director, Christopher Nolan, could have cut 10 or 15 minutes of film and made it a tighter movie. But that's nitpicking, because there are several scenes, some just quick moments and some long, exciting action sequences, that will put your jaw on the floor.

The saddest thing about Heath Ledger's death is that his daughter will never know her father. But it's fair to say that if an actor had to go out with one performance, this is that performance. He's so good that I completely forgot I was watching an actor, which, for me, almost never happens. (It's worth pointing out that Gary Oldman as James Gordon, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, do the same thing in smaller and less flashy roles.) He's frightening, but not the way a horror movie villain is frightening. It's not shock value, although there is some of that (there's a bit with a pencil that might be the best 5-second description of a character in the history of cinema.) Without giving anything away, The Joker is referred to as a "terrorist" a couple of times, but unlike the terrorists in our world, this one has no cause that he fights for. He's just… mad. Not angry-mad, just flat out crazy. And Ledger captures that in every possible way. You could teach an acting class using this movie – what he does physically, vocally, emotionally; it's all stunning to watch.

The rest of it is, for the most part, equally good. I don't care about the love story, but it's fine I suppose and does serve the story. Aaron Eckhart is a solid actor and he does a good job as Gotham City District Attorney Harvey Dent. Christian Bale is by far the best Batman yet, although Ledger is so good that he really takes over the movie. Michael Caine is a good Alfred Pennyworth, Maggie Gyllenhaal is fine as token love interest Rachel Dawes; she's more than that, I guess, but it's not her movie. Gary Oldman is amazing; as in "Batman Begins," he somehow manages to completely capture the essence of a fictional comic book character that isn't a superhero, meaning that, as an actor, he has fewer details available to work with. I can't explain it but he IS Jim Gordon.

The nits to pick if you want to go there: some of the dialog is hokey (although the lines written for Ledger are brilliant.) There are a few slow spots. At times the action sequences are a tad frenetic, here and there. But it really doesn't matter. You'll read a lot about the surprising depth of this movie, and this is true to an extent. "The Dark Knight" is incredibly entertaining and does have some thoughtful moments amid the comic-book chaos, but there's no need to over think them. I would say just relax and enjoy it, but it's not a relaxing experience. Ledger's Joker is uncomfortable to watch, but in a good way. I don't want to give anything away, so you'll have to see it for yourself (but, as I said, get your tickets early; even the 12:30am showing was completely sold out.)

Now, despite the fact that there isn't much in the way of blood, this is not a film that you should take your children to see. Obviously, you know your offspring better than I, so if you think they can handle it, that's your call. And of course older kids will be fine. I hesitate to suggest an age-range, but I recommend seeing it yourself first if you're not sure. Worst-case scenario – you get to see it twice. Believe me, that's not a bad thing.

image: Reuters

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Batman: get your tickets now

Brett Singer — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:42:00 GMT

So, being a guy who sees superhero movies, I wanted to see the new Batman movie. Today.

A friend wanted to come with me, so I couldn't pull my usual "go during the day when it's not busy" thing. So OK, let's see when its playing… What? Sold out? You gotta be kidding me.

Well, I'm not. If you're planning on seeing The Dark Knight this weekend, you'd better get your tickets in advance. This is unbelievably annoying. I tried at 2pm to get tickets to a 10:30pm showing, and it was already sold out. The reviews so far are over the top in their praise. Over at Rotten Tomatoes, a site that aggregates reviews from various sources, the rating is a whopping 94% positive (the only film with a higher rating is Wall-E.). If you go to the "top critics" section (print outlets and sites like salon.com), only a couple of the reviews are negative, which is extremely unusual for a comic book flick.

A lot of the interest in this film is because of Heath Ledger's death, but I've never seen anything like this. A movie that you can't get tickets to unless you go at midnight, which is what I'm doing? Come on. (And yes, I know I'm nuts.)

I'll let you know what I think of the film, and whether or not it's appropriate for children, later tonight. But for now, if you plan on going, order those tickets early, Bat-fans. Otherwise, you ain't getting in.

See you tonight -- different Bat-time, same Bat-channel...

image: Rotten Tomatoes

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Sexy Superhero Parents: The Top 10

Little Matilda Had Heath's Heart

Hulk want puny blogger to review Hulk movie

Brett Singer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Yesterday I received the following email:

To: Puny Blogger
From: Hulk
Subject: Hulk Movie

Hulk get right to point, Puny Blogger. Why Puny Blogger not review Hulk's movie? Puny Blogger wrote about Metal Man movie. Hulk hate Metal Man! Hulk smash!

Hulk know last movie had stupid plot and gamma-charged poodle. Hulk tell stupid producers about script problems at first table read, and Hulk not hire Ang Lee. (Hulk think Tiger/Dragon movie highly over-rated.) But Hulk feel good about latest big screen effort. New movie tell Hulk story in entertaining and emotionally satisfying way. Hulk see movie. Hulk happy with final cut.

Hulk angry that Puny Blogger not write about Hulk movie! Hulk just trying to get something going with career. Hulk father now, need to get ducks in row. Has Puny Blogger seen price of tuition? Hulk need start saving now. Hulk finally get big movie with big opening weekend gross, and Puny Blogger not care.

Write review of Hulk movie, Puny Blogger – or Hulk smash!

Cordially,

Hulk

Hulk, please accept our apologies for not reviewing your film sooner. I've just been busy with other projects, and of course, my family. As a new father, I'm sure you can understand. Please, do not smash me, my computer, or anything else for that matter. Here is my review of "The Incredible Hulk."

The last time Marvel brought ol' Greenskin to the big screen, it was a disaster. Too long, bad CGI effects, and a gamma irradiated poodle were only some of the problems. Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk because his father was mean to him, injecting him with some experimental serum, which is triggered by a blast of gamma radiation? Oookay. No disrespect to Ang Lee, but he was a bad choice.

For this latest effort, Marvel took over the producing reins and went back to basics. The story actually picks up where Lee's film leaves off; five years have passed, both in the film and in actual reality (Ang Lee's "Hulk" was released in 2003.) Ed Norton is a good Banner, although there are too many scenes that are clearly meant to "deepen" the character. When the Hulk shows up, it's great. The CGI isn't perfect, and it's not nearly as seamless as "Iron Man", which almost made you believe someone could build a shiny flying super-hero suit. But this new "Hulk" is 1000% better than the last one.

One interesting choice the director Louis Leterrier (the "Transporter" movies) and screenwriter Zak Penn (the last 2 "X-Men" flicks, as well as the upcoming "Captain America" and "Avengers" films) made was to go back to the much-beloved television series. They use a new version of the intro, the music shows up a couple of times, and some of the feeling of Banner wandering the globe looking for a cure is very much a part of this new "Hulk". (They did do away with the amazingly bad choice of renaming Hulk's alter ego "David Banner", although Bruce does use that name as an alias at one point.) I'm one of the millions of people who fondly recall the old "Hulk" series, which starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferigno. (Lou has a cameo as a security guard and is still in body-builder shape.) That show, hokey and mopey though it was, had something that the first "Hulk" movie didn't, which was a sense of reality. Having a real person (Ferigno) play the Green Goliath made it feel more like it could actually happen. Part of what the new "Hulk" does better is to just have better CGI effects. But part of it is keeping things simple. Somehow going back to something that worked – the TV show – made this easier to pull off.

It's not a great movie. But it was so much better than I expected. Also, it sets up for future Marvel super-hero movies featuring multiple characters: Robert Downey Jr. shows up at the end to do his Tony Stark thing; this time you don't have to wait until after the credits. There's even a hint at a villain for a "Hulk" sequel. Part of the fun of watching our beloved funny books turned into movies is the recognition factor: "Hey! There's General Ross! Talking to Tony Stark! And they said something about a team!" Avengers! Yes!

"The Incredible Hulk" is still in theaters, so go check it out. It's a fun popcorn flick, and besides, Hulk needs the cash for Hulk Jr.'s college fund.

image: EOnline

Five Forgotten Fictional Fathers (Hulk mentioned here)

Stay out of my room or I'll pee on your tree (Hulk not mentioned here, but Hulk think story funny)

Here's to the laddies who lunch (Hulk not want have coffee with fellow dads)

Sexy Superhero Parents: The Top 10 (Why Hulk not mentioned? Hulk very attractive! Look at Hulk's abs!)

Hancock Tops U.S. Box Office for Holiday Weekend (Hulk knocked from top spot, but Hulk OK with that. Will Smith box office gold. Hulk relative newbie in movies)

An American Girl: Lisa Kudrow (Story mentions Hulk)

Night Out: Boeing-Boeing on Broadway

Brett Singer — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Every now and then the wife and I actually get to leave the house while its still dark out, leaving the kids behind for an evening out. This is what happens.

Theatergoing has gotten so expensive ($100+ per ticket for a full-price Broadway show) that it can be tough to justify the purchase. "Macbeth", which we paid close to full price for, was not even remotely worth the money, sadly. "Jersey Boys" was so much fun that I would go back and pay full price a second time (really, it's great.) "Boeing-Boeing", now playing at the Longacre (220 West 48th Street), isn't quite as good as "Jersey Boys" but it was a lot of fun, especially at the relative bargain price I found using a discount code from BroadwayBox.com (similar codes can be found at nytheatre.com, Theatermania, Playbill and BroadwayWorld.)

This is a revival of a play from the 1960's; the pre-show music, featuring popular 60's pop songs sung in French, is a nice bonus. Refreshingly, there is no revising of the attitudes, which are playfully retrograde and yes, sexist -- but that's how they wrote 'em back then. It's impossible to take anything that happens in the play seriously, which is a good thing. The plot deals with an American living in Paris and juggling three women, all of whom are his fiancée. How does he physically accomplish this feat? Because all are "air hostesses" for different airlines. He consults a timetable like the Bible, marking his calendar and tightly scheduling visits from each lovely airborne lass.

The cast is a big reason why the show works: Bradley Whitford ('West Wing', 'Studio 60') is probably the weakest link, but he's more than good enough. Mark Rylance is brilliant as the friend who arrives unexpectedly. Gina Gershon is funny and sexy as Whitford's Italian bride-to-be, and Kathryn Hahn is your basic loud-mouthed Ugly American who has a sequence in the second act that almost steals the show. That honor, though, goes to Mary McCormack (aka Howard Stern's Movie Wife), playing a German Lufthansa "hostess". McCormack plays everything for broad laughs, and the stage lights up every time she's on it. Hopefully she'll do more comedy in the future because she's the funniest thing in a very funny show. (She received a well-deserved Tony nomination.) Christine Baranski has the smallest role as the long-suffering French housekeeper. She's brilliant as always whenever she's on stage but it's not really her play.

"Boeing-Boeing" runs a little bit long at 2 hours and 40 minutes, but for a light-hearted evening out of adult entertainment, it fits the bill. Highly recommended.

image: boeingonbroadway.com

Breaking News: Tori Spelling and Other Non-Famous Women in Labor

Top 5 Kick-Ass Movies for Girls (No Princesses Allowed)

Marvel's greatest sh*t

Harry Potter and the Schlong of Broadway

Queen Latifah and Jeannette Jenkins Will Marry, Adopt Child (she was in the movie version of 'Chicago'. OK, it's a stretch.)

Suri Cruise Gives "Hairspray" Two Teeny Thumbs-Up

Babble Film Review - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

editors — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:09:00 GMT

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.

In this second installment of The Chronicles of Narnia, the four Pevensie children are summoned back to their beloved magical land, only to find that hundreds of years have passed and their kingdom is in ruins. With the help of a reluctant dwarf, they learn that an evil (and inexplicably Hispanic) rival nation has conquered Narnia, forcing dwarves, talking animals, and all other mythical creatures into exile. It's up to the children, and a displaced prince, to reclaim the kingdom.

Aside from filming in Slovenia, the film's creators have made two very smart decisions: the casting of Peter Dinklage as sarcastic dwarf Trumpkin and Eddie Izzard as the voice of swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep. But those same creators added an extraneous love story (which turns a competent female character into a damsel-in-distress) and several excrutiatingly drawn-out battle sequences. The result is a film that wants to be all things to all viewers, at the expense of its rich source material. -- Gwynne Watkins

More Superhero Movies to Come

Brett Singer — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:30:00 GMT

In the wake of Iron Man's massive domination of all things box office this past weekend, Marvel has officially announced their next crop of comic book flicks. Here you go, true believers:

- Iron Man 2, April 30, 2010: I have to admit that despite my non-rave review, I don't want to wait this long. Yes, I'm a fanboy. Sue me.

- Thor, June 4, 2010: the last time a live action Thor was on screen was in a TV movie that also featured the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil. It wasn't very good. Here's a clip from YouTube. Dig those furry shoulder pads. Very godlike. Not.

- The First Avenger: Captain America, May 6, 2011: If you haven't seen the never released in theaters version of Captain America, get very drunk and do so. It's astonishingly bad. There were actually posters announcing the release; then somebody saw it and it went straight to video immediately.

- The Avengers, July 2011: EW.com says that this film will include "Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, and Thor". Stay for the end of the credits for a teeny sneak preview of this (or just read this: SPOILER ALERT). That's four of the original Avengers, but they left out Ant-Man and the Wasp. But wait…

- Ant-Man, in development: I'm surprised that they would make a separate Ant-Man movie. The part of the character that's interesting is Henry Pym, who's a genius but also kind of jerk. Depending on which version of the character he's either an egomaniac or an egomaniac, alcoholic and wife-beater. The whole story is much too long and complicated for a feature film, and as a straight-up superhero, he's not exactly first-tier. I predict this will never actually get made.

Those who can't wait (like me) will have to settle for the new Hulk movie, coming on June 13. From the DC side of the comics world, we also have the new Batman, coming on July 13. Trailers for both are below. Indie-comics fans can make do with Hellboy II and Wanted. Yes, it's a great time to be nerdy.

image: FirstShowing.net

Quickie movie review: IRON MAN

Brett Singer — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:51:00 GMT

"Iron Man" opens officially on Friday May 2^nd, but my local theater had an 8pm showing on Thursday (tonight). I kinda had to go, even if I couldn't convince anyone to join me in summer blockbuster bliss. Here is my quickie review, along with my thoughts on whether or not you should take the kids.

I wanted to like it. I really did. And I liked some of it. Kenneth Turan in the L.A. Times says in his review that there were two scripts that were kind of mushed together, and the movie definitely feels like it was done in pieces. For the record, most of the reviews are very positive.

One of the biggest mistakes that makers of superhero films make is not giving us enough time with the hero. Sure, Tony Stark is the main character. But we need to see a lot of Iron Man. When we do, it looks great. A lot of effort was clearly put into making the mechanics of the Iron Man suits look as realistic as possible. I say "suits" because there are four of them – the first, which looks appropriately clunky, the second (all gold), and the third, which has the red and gold that is most recognizable. The fourth belongs to the super villain. I won't give it away, but it isn't that much of a surprise. Apparently there is a much cooler surprise scene after the credits, which I didn't see, I only read about it (don't read this if you don't want to "spoil" the moment.)

Jen pointed out some of the main concerns a parent might have. I'm going to add another, which is that a lot of the film feels very real. The scenes in Afghanistan are well done and pretty effective – it's not "Full Metal Jacket", but you do see war. In one scene a father is almost shot in the head in front of his family. There is almost no bloody violence shown, however. Like so many things, it really depends on your kid. Some little ones are more bothered by graphic violence, others get more upset at psychological realism. The other potential knock against kid-friendliness is the pacing, which was sometimes slower than molasses. For me, the most important thing about a superhero movie is pacing, and "Iron Man" occasionally slows to a crawl. I could definitely see a younger kid getting really bored.

Marvel is clearly trying to create a complete Marvel Universe on screen (the bit after the credits is definitely an attempt at this), which will be fun if it works. "Iron Man" will probably make at least $85 million this weekend (not sure why that number popped into my head), which would mean a sequel. Hopefully next time around they'll make it a little tighter.

Bottom line: a little slow, not always consistent in tone, and not nearly enough Iron Man. The good parts are good, the bad parts aren't exactly "bad", they're just not that great. Worth seeing? Sure. A "must-see"? Nah.

image: FirstShowing.net

Our Childless Intern Reviews Your Kid's Music

editors — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:01:00 GMT

There are basically two criteria for a good children's album: 1) It makes your kid happy, and 2) You can listen to it without incurring slow brain death. While we're of the opinion that the first criteria trumps the second — anything that makes a four-year-old happy can't be totally evil, right? — we did not have a resident four-year-old to test this latest batch of new children's CDs. Instead, we handed eight albums to our music-savvy intern Caitlin McRae. Here's her un-child-biased take. Heard 'em? Leave your two cents in feedback. — Gwynne Watkins

Ellis Paul, The Dragonfly Races

Sweet, catchy, musically interesting. Some nifty social commentary as well (Million Chameleon March! Heck yeah!).

Princess Kate & Racer Steve, Fast & Feisty

Slick proto-ska-for-kids music weirdness. The echoey vocals would probably kill a parent if given long-term exposure.

Uncle Rock, Uncle Rock U

Way, way better than I expected. Nice range of tones & topics — probably really fun for kids.

Thaddeus Rex, Shakin’ in Chicago

Lots of dinosaurs and travel, and a weird, obtuse commentary on Upton Sinclair vs. Dr Seuss?

Gwendolyn & The Good Time Gang, Get Up & Dance!

Sweet merciful jesus. No.

The Harmonica Pocket, Ladybug One

Nifty fact: it was recorded using only solar power. Includes a Hindi lullaby. Also: darkest ABC song I’ve heard so far.

Recess Monkey, Wonderstuff

Back and forth between a narrated story and really cute, hip music; if I had kids I’d probably burn myself a copy of the just the music & listen to that.

Suzi Shelton, No Ordinary Day

There’s a song about being a Park Slope momma. So, no.

— reviews by Caitlin MacRae

Delicious Droolicious: Huggy Sluggys Are Saving the Earth and Sending Kids to Therapy

Kelly Mills — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:28:00 GMT

Posted by Mir

I really want to like these. I do. The concept is brilliant -- each Huggy Sluggy has a pet environmental cause, and they're cuddly plushes made with organic cotton, shipped in a reusable bag along with a book made of recycled paper. Plus, they're made here in the USA. Each pack retails for $34.95. It sounds great, right?

In reality, the "reusable bag" is a burlap sack; no sane person wants to cuddle with a slug, much less a disturbingly anthropomorphized slug who cares about the environment but is wearing lipstick (or, if you check out the other drawings on the site, a bra top); and the kicker, of course, is the Huggy Sluggys' notable similarity to something most of us would rather not have our toddlers wandering around clutching. They may as well revise the website to read, "Save our trees," "Protect our animals," and "Always wear a condom."

Other yeas and nays at Droolicious:

Babble Talk: Summer Film Guide

Gwynne Watkins — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:38:00 GMT

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.

Babble Talk: Happy Father's Day!

Gwynne Watkins — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:43:00 GMT

Sure, Father's Day isn't until Sunday -- but with so worthy a holiday, why wait to celebrate? Start by reading Babble's interview with Jim Lindberg, lead singer of the punk band Pennywise and author of the new book Punk Rock Dad. How does a man known for playing songs like “F*** Authority" handle the pressures of parenthood? (By watching American Idol, apparently.)

Next, watch as two recent dad memoirs square off in Babble Reviews Books. Which will emerge victorious: Robert Wilder's Daddy Needs a Drink or Philip Lerman's Dadditude? The first is written by a Santa Fe essayist; the second, by a former America's Most Wanted producer. Think you know how this one will turn out? See if you guessed right.

Happy Father's Day to all you Babble-reading dads!

More Potty Seats Than You Can Shake a Stick At. Or...Something.

Karen Murphy — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:35:00 GMT

I shouldn't have been at all surprised to learn that there are a TON of potty seats out there. After all, this pooping and peeing is big stuff! Everybody seems to want a corner of the market. But which one, which one? It seems a shame to try seat after seat in a futile attempt to find one that works both for you and your child; after all, how hard can this be, anyway? So we've taken some of the guesswork out of it and compiled a semi-comprehensive list of the potty seats out there, doing exhaustive research from one of my favorite user-review sites, ePinions in Strollerderby's attempt to continue providing you with the best parenting information out there.

(Yeah, Karen, just get on with it.)

The Baby Bjorn Potty Chair got high marks from users. Or, users' parents, anyway. It's simple, doesn't leak, easy to clean, and it has nice clean Euro-style lines. This one was top-rated.

The Baby Bjorn Little Potty is...well, little. As in low to the ground. Which is great if you've got very little people using it, but can be kind of short for your taller toddlers, never mind the preschoolers. But at under $10, what more do you want? It's functional and easy to clean, and style-wise it's a smaller version of it's bigger brother. And users say that it's great for Elimination Communication.

The Fisher Price Royal Potty looks more throne-like, which could be appealing to some. The problem is, it leaks and the music plays at odd random times. Like when there's no one in the room. Music?

The Fisher Price Fun to Learn Potty "helps child get acquainted with a real toilet". Like all that experience flushing Daddy's watch or unrolling seven miles of toilet paper wasn't enough? I think kids already know plenty about real toilets; do they really need a plastic mini-me version?

Mommy's Helper Cushie Tushie Padded Potty Seat. Despite the really awful name, this one's pretty good, and it's what two of my kids used. I liked that it got kids used to using the actual toilet itself, and the seat insert insures no fears of "falling in." Plus it's portable. And did I mention that it's padded? And cheap? If your kids are small, though, they might find it a bit daunting to climb all the way up there.

If you like the cushioned potty seat insert idea, your kid can also pee on Dora, Sponge Bob, and Big Bird and Elmo.

The Kalencom On-the-Go Potty Seat is a completely portable seat that comes with disposable liners. Because you never know when nature is going to strike.

You like the throne idea? For $60 you can invest in the Levels of Discovery Potty Time Potty Seat - Her Majesty's Throne, Princess (also comes in a Prince version) that's personalizable with your child's photo. Please don't get this. I only included it to mock it.

Don't even get me started on the Peter Potty. I already told you how I feel about it. A portable plastic urinal? [shudder]

What's your, I mean your kids' favorite potty seat?

Babble Talk: New Children's DVDs Reviewed

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Television. Love it or hate it, there will come a time when you'll need/want your kids to watch it. The nice thing about DVDs is you can free your kids (and yourself) from the undue influence of TV advertising and unknown content streaming into your living room. Lucky for you, Babble reviews a slew of new children's DVDs to save you from Barnie hell, or Dora overload. Think of this as your Netflix and Blockbuster Clif's Notes.

Here is a selection:

1. Free to Be You and Me - A classic from the 1970s that is at times dated, but still a great watch. Marlo Thomas and friends sing songs and tell stories.

2. It's a Magic Al World - Potentially annoying for parents, but great for kids who appreciate magic (aka: "loving lie").

3. Gustafer Yellowgold Wild Wide World - Apparently, best viewed when high (parents only). Lisa Carver's kids thought it was boring.

4. Peter Pan Two Disc Platinum Edition - You'll feel guilty as hell letting your kids watch the totally inappropriate racist carryings-on with "injuns" and sexist nonsense about how girls and boys act, but the children will enjoy it, so fair warning.

For more suggestions, go here.