Wizard of Oz Book & Movie T-Shirt

Love this Wizard of Oz t-shirt and the vintage-style image that shares the book and the movie versions of the iconic story. You will love the Tinman, Scarecrow, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), the Wizard and the Cowardly Lion. It’s a lightweight, classically fitted t-shirt available for men, women and children though I am featuring the female style here on this page. It's available is sizes small through 3XLarge. 

What fan of this story wouldn't love this t-shirt. You will find this Wizard of Oz book and movie themed t-shirt here, on Amazon.

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

MORE WIZARD OF OZ READING:

Find a few Wizard of Oz items in my eBay store.

Discover Why  Ruby Slippers Are So Popular.

The Wizard of Oz. One of the Best Blu-ray Movies Ever.

Wicked Flying Monkeys Coffee Mug

The House with a Clock in its Walls Blu-ray Movie Review

The title of this movie is mysterious and will have you wondering what the movie called The House with a Clock in its Walls is all about. I had previously seen trailers and was intrigued but it was not until Halloween 2023 that my husband and I put this 2018 movie on to watch. 

The story, is based on a children's novel by John Bellairs and Edward Gorey. The movie tells the story of a clever 10-year old boy named Lewis Barnavelt (played by Owen Vaccaro) who goes to live with his slightly odd uncle, Jonathan Barnavelt (played by Jack Black) and his friend and neighbor Florence Zimmerman, (played by Cate Blanchett). It turns out that his uncle's house is full of mystery and intrigue and danger. It's the first children's spooky movie from Eli Roth, director of a number of adult horror stories. Roth considers this film a "starter horror movie" for families and tweens. Here's the official trailer:  

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS

Common Sense Media gave the movie 3 stars saying, "it isn't a masterpiece, but it's just spooky and funny enough to entertain young moviegoers who are new to the horror genre."

Simon Abrams on Roger Ebert.com called the movie, "basically watchable" was fairly critical and gave the film a 2.5 star rating.  

Finally, The Hollywood Reporter calls the interactions between Black and Blanchett (that Simon Abrams did not like) an "enjoyably unlikely pairing." 

WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?

Common Sense Media recommends the movie for children aged 11 and up.  They say, in their Parents Need to Know Section, that "the movie is very creepy, and that there are a few scenes that are downright jump-worthy for kids. There are scary toys and dolls, ominous sounds, a demon, witchcraft, necromancy, and the occult" but they also say "that good ultimately prevails against the forces of evil." Within the story are also a few injuries, a few milder curse words and an exchange of insults. It is not a lightly frightening movie but it does have messages about "teamwork, perseverance, friendship and facing your fears."

MY THOUGHTS

The House with a Clock in its Walls is part fantasy, part horror and part comedy. It's a supposed children's movie that might be too scary for your children so beware. Consider Common Sense Media's age recommendation from above, KNOW YOUR CHILDREN and pre-watch the movie if you are unsure. 

As an adult, I enjoyed way this movie was able to go, as one reviewer said, from "really funny to pretty freakin' scary" and I loved the house and all of its trappings. I think that this movie is just the sort of movie that might become a cult favorite in the way that Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Under Wraps and The Peanut Butter Solution have. Also a fun movie for adults who don't want a horrific horror film. I loved the baby scene!

BLU-RAY VERSION

With regard to the Blu-ray version, High-Def Digest says, "The enchanting fantasy flick casts its charm on Blu-ray with a mesmerizing picture quality, a reference-quality Dolby Atmos presentation and an enjoyable set of supplements" and gives it 3.5 stars. I will add that there is much to see in this film and Blu-ray shows it well.

Order your copy of The House with A Clock in its Walls here from Amazon. It is available in your choice of format including Prime Video, DVD, Blu-ray and 4K.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

MORE READING

A page of Not-Too-Scary Movies for Tweens.

Disney's Under Wraps movie reviewed.

The Peanut Butter Solution movie reviewed.

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Book

Looking for a simple, but heart felt Valentine's Day present for a Peanuts fan? Don't miss this cute little Charles M Schulz book called Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.

Packed between the covers are 128 pages of Valentine's Day themed comic strips. Love is in the air for the beloved Peanuts characters and it could be for you, too.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your copy of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown from Amazon.

Hop Easter Bunny Movie (2011)

We almost missed the creation of an Easter bunny themed movie in 2011. Hop premiered on April 1 and turned out to be a very colorful, musical, state-of-the-art animation movie featuring live action (human) actors. It was released on blu-ray disc and DVD on March 23, 2012.

Fast Facts About Hop

ACTORS: Russell Brand, James Marsden, Gary Cole, David Hasselhoff as himself
DIRECTOR: Tim Hill
WRITERS: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2011
RATED: Hop is rated PG.
RUNTIME: 95 minutes.
HOP DVD AND BLU-RAY DISC RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2012

HOP Storyline in 100 Words or Less

We all know that the Easter Bunny has an easy job. He works one day a year, travels the world in a single day and is loved by everyone. Sound great? Well, it does NOT sound great to EB, the bunny whose job it is to be the Easter Bunny this year. He finally reconciles himself to the fact that all artists have to suffer to become great and that he will have to be the Easter Bunny.  However, he is struck by a car and the driver is forced to take him in and eventually to help save Easter. In the process, both the bunny and the man are forced to grow up.

The Official Hop Movie Trailer

The Voice of Hop

Russell Brand voiced Hop. You'll recognize him from other projects that include Despicable Me and Get Him to the Greek. You can find his full filmography on IMDB.  On the blog She Knows, author Kim Grundy says that Russell Brand turns on the charm and his English accent to play the son of the Easter Bunny in HOP. In her interview with the actor they discuss, amongst other things, childhood Easter traditions, rabbit "whoopsie" and why he believes in the Easter bunny.

Age Recommendation

Hop is rated PG for comic peril and violence. The Movie Mom recommended it for children in kindergarten to third grade. Unfortunately, her review of Hop is no longer available but NYC Single Mom also wrote an excellent review in which she included a list of what she liked and what she did not like about this movie. She summarised by saying that it was wonderfully funny, that she would recommend it and that the trailer does not do it justice.

Hop Movie Merchandise

I did not see a lot of movie merchandise available for this movie though there was some. I love this  plush version of E.B., which is no longer available on Amazon. 

It turns out, however, that there is some E.B. Bunny Hop movie merchandise available on eBay.  You can see for yourself by following this link.

Do you know where jelly beans came from? If you do not, we know that you did not watch the trailer or the movie, LOL. This movie definitely had some potty humour. Did you enjoy the movie Hop?

If you would like to add Hop to your collection or even just watch it on Amazon Video, you can find it on Amazon by clicking right here.

Hoppy Easter!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order your copy of HOP on Amazon.
A fun Easter bunny jigsaw puzzle. (With a real rabbit and a chocolate Easter bunny.)
My family friendly Easter dinner menu.

Author's Note: This page originally written elsewhere.

Jumanji Board Game, A Review

Whether you are fan of the book by Chris Van Allsburg, of the original movie starring the late Robin Williams or of the remake with Dwayne Johnson, you should check out this board game.The story Jumanji  originated with the popular 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. In 1995 it was made into a movie starring Robin Williams and into a board game. Once again, it was made into a movie in 2017. This time it starred Dwayne Johnson and once again it was made into a board game. As a matter of fact, I originally wrote this review before the new version was produced and, at that time, it was often priced out of reach. Because of the reboot, the game is once again available and it is affordably priced.

As you likely know, the story Jumanji actually includes a board game, which makes a board game a pretty interesting movie tie in. In the original game, which was recommended for two to four players aged 8 and up, you roll the die and follow the path on which you are pitted against the dangers of the jungle. Raging rhinos, lurking lions and quicksand are but a few of the pests and plagues you might have to battle in this game. The new game is recommended for individuals 5 years old and up.

My description of the game is from having played the original version so I am not sure what might or might not have been changed with the new version. Anyway, the original version of the game includes a large game board, four pawns or playing pieces, a rhino figure, a timer, a number die, four rescue dice, 30 danger coards, a game board center, a decoder and instructions.

Jumanji (1995) Movie Prop Sells for $60,800

Of interest, the original Jumanji board game from the making of the movie sold for $60,800 at auction on eBay in 2014. The seller noted that it was an "an original, authentic, screen-used game board box from the motion picture Jumanji."  Here's a screen shot of the auction results from former eBay seller neon_galaxies:

Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

Of course, those familiar with the first movie know that Robin Williams was the star who took us on our Jumanji adventure on the big screen. The world lost this brilliant actor and comedian when he left us on August 11, 2014. Williams was a lot of fun in the movie Jumanji.

---------------------------------------------

If you are interested, you can read more or buy your copy of Jumanji the board game on Amazon by clicking right here. Of note, both versions of the game are available though you will pay more for the original.

If you know a really big fan, why not assemble a Jumanji gift set with a copy of the book, the movie and the game? My boys would have loved a set like that. They might actually still enjoy it.

Are you a fan? Do you like the Jumanji movies? The board game? Have you played the new version or the old version? If you don't already own it, you can buy your copy of the board game Jumanji on Amazon by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

MORE GAMES:

Jenga Stacking Games
Harry Potter Clue Review

Author's Note: This page originally published elsewhere.

Celine Dion's The Magic Man Video

Listen to the Magic Man is one of two English songs that Celine Dion performed for movie the The Peanut Butter Solution. This song and one called Michael's Song were Celine's first English language recordings. Here's an early music video featuring the song and the movie:

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

More Peanut Butter Solution:

My Peanut Butter Solution movie review.

Buy The Peanut Butter Solution on Blu-ray and DVD.

Celine Dion Through The Eyes of the World review.

The Peanut Butter Solution Recipe for Baldness

I recently reposted my review of the 1985s movie, The Peanut Butter Solution, here on my movies blog and am also sharing this recipe, which does NOT come HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me, LOL. Enjoy it at your own risk! It is posted simply for fun and not really intended to cure baldness. I think you will see why when you read the ingredient list.

The Peanut Butter Solution Recipe

Ingredients

1 really ripe banana
5 dead flies
1 rotten egg
3 licorice leaves
A fistful of kitty litter
3 Connie Crisps
3 Crosbie Crackers
9 spoons of soil
Glass of pepper's fizz
Spoonful of peanut butter

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and then put them on your head, being particularly careful not to add too much peanut butter. Also be cautious of getting the mixture on the rest of your body as hair will grow wherever the mixture lands.

Unfortunately, I have no idea where I originally found this recipe many, many years ago.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Read my review of The Peanut Butter Solution.

The Peanut Butter Solution Movie Review (1985)

What Happens When You Misuse The Peanut Butter Solution?

Bald is beautiful...unless you are a young boy who suffers a bad fright and has all of his hair suddenly fall out. That is the story in The Peanut Butter Solution, a rare movie from 1985, which is currently only available on VHS videotape and not on DVD, which is now available on eBay as a Blu-ray and DVD combo.

What follows the loss of his hair is both touching and humourous. It really is a serious problem when he loses his hair but he does not quite follow the recipe that he receives for curing baldness and adds too much peanut butter...bald might have been bad but once that hair started to grow...look out! What follows is a hairy mess and, as the cover says, "a hair-raising family adventure" that will make you laugh out loud.

On this page, find more information and reviews of The Peanut Butter Solution as well as sources for buying your own copy of the movie. And, just in case you want to try it out, you can find a Peanut Butter Solution (for baldness) recipe here.

   

The Peanut Butter Solution Story Line

"Michael is an 11-year old who investigates a supposedly haunted house that has recently burned down. What he sees scares him so badly that he faints, and on top of that, two days later all of his hair falls out. A couple of ghosts give him a magic recipe to make his hair grow back, but Michael puts too much of one of the ingredients - peanut butter - in the concoction and astonishing results occur!"

Fast Facts About The Peanut Butter Solution

ACTORS: Mathew Mackay, Siluck Saysanasy, Alison Darcy, Michael Hogan, Michel Maillot

DIRECTOR: Michael Rubbo

WRITERS: Michael Rubbo, Andre Pelletier, Louise Pelletier, Vojtech Jasn

PRODUCERS: Jim Kaufman, Nicole Robert, Rock Demers

RATED: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

STUDIO: Anchor Bay

ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: 1985

VHS RELEASE DATE: July 28, 1994

RUN TIME: 94 minutes

MUSIC: Celine Dion performs two songs in English in this movie. They represent her first English recordings.

BLU-RAY DVD COMBO RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2017

Reviews of The Peanut Butter Solution

YES! The Peanut Butter Solution Is Really a Movie! The Peanut Butter Solution was not a figment of your imagination.

It is a movie that people remember vaguely and leave comments online like: I can't believe this was actually a real movie!, "I thought this movie was just a dream..." and, "Wow. It was actually real."

People have spent years trying to figure out what this weird movie was that they remember watching as a child. A movie in which a boy lost his hair and used something to grow it back. When they finally figure out that it was this movie, they feel better. One writer said, "There should be a society called The Peanut Butter Solution Viewers Anonymous... for those who saw this movie who were haunted by it and told that it doesn't exist".

Canuxploitation said, "The Peanut Butter Solution has proven it has just enough of an eccentric Dr. Seuss touch to permanently wedge itself in the memories of young viewers. Watching it again today, the film holds up generally well, despite some dated special effects."

Click here to buy your copy of The Peanut Butter Solution Blu-ray DVD combo on eBay.

Have you seen The Peanut Butter Solution? Are you a fan of 1980s movies? Is there a movie that you remember from the past that is haunting you?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

MORE RARE MOVIES:

Orson Welles' Ghost Story (1951)
The Cheaters (1945)
The Great American Cowboy (1973)
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Author's Note: Previously published elsewhere.

Harry Potter Wallets for Harry Potter Fans

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. That is definitely the case with these attractive Harry Potter wallets. They feature themes from our favorite book and movie franchise and they are so cute that I hardly need say a word about them! A picture alone would do the job quite nicely.

Anyway, whether you prefer the Mischief Managed theme, you would like the Hogwarts Express wallet with the platform 9 3/4 reference or you always dreamed of an acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, there is a wallet for you.

You can read more about them and find them on eBay right now by clicking here. They seem reasonably priced for a product that is not leather. Yes, that is the obvious downside of these wallets. It would be great if they were leather but, if they were constructed from leather, no doubt they would be a lot more expensive.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your Harry Potter wallet on eBay.

MORE HARRY POTTER:

Who played Lord Voldemort?

Hogwarts Express Lego Set.

Pretty Fantastic Fantastic Beasts Gift Ideas.

Create A Barbie Mermaid Tale Gift Set

Toy company HASBRO and Kidtoons joined together to share movies based on popular toys that are appropriate for young children to view. On this page, the first in a series, let's celebrate Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2. Here is a peek into the story via the official movie trailer:

The animated movie A Mermaid Tale 2 finds Barbie acting as the character Merliah, a champion surfer who also happens to be a mermaid and a princess. "Anything is possible when you stay true to yourself!"

Fans of Barbie and her adventures will want to own this 2013 animated Barbie movie and probably the first movie, too. I am also sure that they would like to own this mermaid-themed Barbie doll. Put the two items together to come up with a great gift set for a young Barbie fan. If you would like to put this gift set together for a wee one in your life, you will find the Mermaid dolls on Amazon by clicking here and the movies by clicking here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order your copy of Barbie in a Mermaid Tale from Amazon here.
Find the mermaid Merliah Barbie doll here.
The Barbie Andy Warhol Doll.

Author's Note: Originally published elsewhere in 2008.

Dark Angel Movie Review (2016)

I love many PBS Masterpiece productions and sat down with my husband to watch DARK ANGEL not quite knowing what I was getting into. When you watch this show, you need to know that this film is based on the true story of Britain's first female serial killer. Knowing that fact lets you know that what you are about to see is not a lovely, uplifting film but rather a very dark one and helps make sense of the number of deaths that occur fairly early in the film.

Joanne Froggatt, who played lady's maid Anna Bates on Downton Abbey, plays the notorious Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton who was raised in the northeast England coal fields.

RECOMMENDED? Yes, I will recommend this film for fans of period pieces and the history of Britain. Be aware that there is sexual content and multiple deaths though not of the bloody and gory kind they but rather the violent result of arsenic poisoning.

How many people did the real life Mary Ann Cotton kill? The tally is not and will never be known though it is thought to be between 13 and 21. We lost count in the movie of the total number of people she killed in the film version of her story.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy Dark Angel on Amazon.
Read about the real Mary Ann Cotton on the websited devoted to her story.

The Founder: The McDonald's Restaurant Story Movie Review (2017)

The Founder is a 2017 movie based on the true story of the McDonald's restaurant chain. How much is true and how much is fiction is not clear to me but the story is very interesting and tells how one of the world's biggest fast food chains grew from one tiny location in 1955 to become a restaurant that is recognised around the world.

The movie is based on Ray Kroc's autobiographical book but apparently also includes references to unofficial biographies. McDonald's approved the use of their brand including buildings, uniforms and equipment as long as it was accurately represented.

As the following trailer says, with orders ready in 30 seconds instead of the normal 30 minutes, the concept was definitely unique, original and revolutionary. It changed the face of the restaurant world. Watch for yourself:

Here's another interesting video from Alltime Movies with 25 facts about the making of the movie The Founder:

As the Alltime Movies video points out, Ray Kroc can be taken to be either a money making monster or an American hero. Because of the way he is portrayed in this film, I would definitely vote with the first. However, I still thought that this movie was well done and interesting because of the importance of McDonald's in America's history and pop culture and I would RECOMMEND it for anyone who likes historically based stories and who has a relationship either good or bad with McDonald's.

Blogger Flixchatter thought that the film could have been paced a little faster and that the performances were a bit uneven and closed by calling it an "intriguing biopic about the dark, shady side of the American dream." I would say that pretty much sums up this movie.

You can learn more about The Founder on Amazon by clicking right here where it is available on DVD, blu-ray disc or as a rental on Amazon Video .

Have you seen the movie? What did you think?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

More About Ray Kroc:

Read Ray Kroc's book: Grinding It Out The Making of McDonald's.
Buy Biography's: Ray Kroc Fast Food McMillionaire.

Don't Look Now (1973) Movie Review

Don’t Look Now is a 1973 psychological or psychic thriller, a horror movie that is full of suspense rather than a lot of gore. This film stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. The Guardian considers this to be amongst the top five performances given by Sutherland and Christie, like Sutherland, has a long list of credits to her name that include Doctor Zhivago, Finding Neverland and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Don’t Look Now is set in Venice, Italy an “elegantly decaying city," words that certainly depict the Venice you see in this movie. Shot in the wintertime, Venice is abandoned, gray and miserable. Watching this film gives you a good idea of what the layout of Venice is like in terms of canals, walkways and bridges but it will do little to make you want to visit the city.

Venice is the third star in this movie, lending exactly the right atmosphere with plenty of dead ends and wrong turns to create the perfect atmosphere and set. Roger Ebert  said that could not picture this film set anywhere else and I agree and The Guardian calls the Venice of this movie mysterious and exotic and untouristy. Once again, I agree.

Don't Look Now tells the story of a couple struggling to get past the death of a child who relocate to Venice and chance to meet two weird sisters, one of whom is psychic. These women appear throughout the movie in a haunting fashion but beware for as the movie tagline says, “Things are not what they seem.”

Here’s the original movie trailer, which has no spoilers in it.

What is there to object to?

This movie is rated R for Restricted so there is a lot to be aware of. There is an accidental death, an extended sex scene and a nasty murder with blood but the movie is really more suspenseful than gory. There is drinking and smoking.

As I expected when we were watching the movie, the sex scene was very controversial in its time. It might be important to note that, although lengthy, the scene is meant to be the beautiful coming together of two married adults who had drifted apart. The Guardian  considers the sex scene to be one of the ten best because of the “emotional freight” that comes with it.

Recommended?

The case for this movie says that Don’t Look Now is as renowned “for its innovative editing and haunting cinematography as it is for its naturalistic eroticism and unforgettable climax and denouement” and that it is considered one of the great endings in horror movie history.

In 2002, Roger Ebert said this movie “remains one of the great horror masterpieces” elaborating by saying, that it “works not with fright, which is easy, but with dread, grief and apprehension.” Exactly.

I chose this movie because it was set in Venice and it definitely turned out to be an interesting choice though not perhaps in the way I thought it might. With the warnings mentioned in the preceding paragraph, I would recommend this movie for those who want something different and who are interested in the history of cinema. It does give a peek into the workings of Venice but is definitely not a great travelogue for the city.

Blu-ray.com  praises Criterion for the quality of the digital restoration so if you buy this movie, you probably should buy the Criterion Collection version, which will also allow you to watch the special features and learn more about how this movie was made and why it is important to the history of cinematography.

Here’s the trailer for the Criterion reissue in which you will definitely be able to see the improvement of quality from that of the original trailer, which was shown above.

Don’t Look Now is based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier. If you are a reader, it might be a movie to check out in print form prior to or even after watching the movie. Because it was a short story, the movie provides more story than the author's version. You can learn more about or buy your copy of the Criterion Collection's version on Amazon by clicking right here.

By the way, The Guardian and other sources online say that  Don’t Look Now is being remade. Given the nature of the story and it’s position as one of Britain’s finest horror stories, there is considerable scepticism about whether this is the appropriate type of movie for a remake. If you watch the film or have seen it, I am sure you will understand why it might be hard to successfully remake this movie.

Will you be watching or reading Don't Look Now? If you have seen it, what did you think? Finally, what do you think of the idea of a remake this movie?

See you
At the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Read more about Don't Look Now from Amazon.
Not-too-scary Movies for Tweens.

All Roads Lead to Rome (2015)

Last night we watched another Italy-themed movie. All Roads Lead to Rome (2015) stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day, Raoul Bova (The Tourist, Under the Tuscan Sun) and Claudia Cardinale (an Italian actress.) It is a romantic comedy that starts off in the beautiful Italian countryside and arrives, after an adventuresome journey, in Rome hence the title All Roads Lead to Rome.

The movie was a light and entertaining film, definitely not the best romantic com ever but an enjoyable film with not much to object to. No sex although there is reference to a teen’s unhealthy relationship, some social drinking, marijuana use once and infrequent swearing. The movie is rated PG 13 and that seems like a good guideline to me.

While we did finally arrive in Rome (in the movie), it showed some highlights of the city. However, this would not be my top pick as an Italian-themed movie to enhance your enjoyment of an upcoming or a reminder of a past trip to Italy and Rome. There were a few, “I’ve been there!” moments but overall I felt that the movie did not really do a fabulous job of displaying Rome.

Would I recommend it? Yes, as I said for a light movie. However, I’d pick Letters to Juliet or Under the Tuscan Sun first. You can read more about All Roads Lead to Rome on Amazon by clicking here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

More Italy Movies:

My Letters to Juliet movie review.
Dangerous Beauty movie review.
The Tourist with Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolie.

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Movie Review

Kudos to J.K. Rowling and all of the folks at Warner Brothers who brought to life Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them on the big screen in November of 2016.  I went to the movie with trepidation. Would this new movie live up to the expectation of the fans and the reputation of the Harry Potter series books and movies?  I should not have worried; I totally enjoyed the movie. I don't often want to revisit a movie especially immediately after the fact but this is one that I could easily go and see again right away and I am betting that many fans feel the same way.  Fantastic Beasts really was that good.

The movie left me wondering if someone who was not plugged into the Harry Potter franchise would enjoy it as much as the rest of us did and I am not sure. Newcomers might but they definitely would not understand all of the insider references.  Since there are four more Fantastic Beasts movies to come, if you are keen and unacquainted, you might want to go back and read the Harry Potter books and then watch the movies.

Highlights for me were many but I know I laughed out loud quite a few times. I came away wanting some Gigglewater and a certain special umbrella for Christmas.  Gigglewater is a wizarding alcoholic beverage that may cause you to laugh out loud when you drink it though apparently it is a real term from the 1920s.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an enjoyable film, well done, that sets us up for four more stories.  Eddie Redmayne is outstanding as Newt Scamander, Dan Fogler is a good pairing as the no-maj Jacob Kowalski and Colin Farrell is good when he appears as Percival Graves, Director of Magical Security.  I also particularly enjoyed the sister characters, Porpentina Goldstein as played by Katherine Waterston and Queenie Goldstein as played by Alison Sudol.

OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER

You likely don't need it but just in case you do, here is the final trailer for the movie.

MOVIE RATING

Fantastic Beasts is rated PG13. The Movie Mom says that it is given that rating based on fantasy action violence and she recommends it for middle school aged children. I think that is reasonable and this movie comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me particularly if you are involved in Harry Potter's world.

You can order your copy of this movie on Amazon by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Pre-order Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on Amazon.
Nifty Fantastic Beasts Niffler Gift Ideas.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Calendars.

Pete's Dragon: Elliot Gets Lost Children's Book

From the Disney movie, Pete's Dragon comes the children's picture book Elliot Gets Lost by David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. In the movie, this book is one of Pete's prized possessions and with the release of the book, it can be yours, too.

It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 though of course anyone can enjoy the story and pictures in a wonderful children's picture book.  Pete's Dragon and dog lovers alike will love the tale of this puppy's adventure.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order Elliot Gets Lots from Amazon.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Movie Review

I recently watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and was once again enchanted by the story, which stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel. It's a lovely film that features a pair of magical blue jeans. (I do love my denim.)

This 2008 movie takes place a year after the first. It finds Tibby, Bridget, Lena and Carmen following their own lives apart for the summer but still planning on sharing the jeans. Carmen will be working behind the scenes putting together a play in Vermont, Lena will be in an art class, Bridget will be doing archaeology work in Turkey and Tibby will be working in a movie rental store.

Anyone remember when you used to go to the store to rent a movie on VHS tape? I date myself as I digress. Anyway, here's a peek at the story via the official movie trailer and Youtube:

Of course, life is not so simple and the girls are reminded of how important their friendship really is. Much more so than a pair of blue jeans, which take less of a starring role in this movie.

What's to object to in this movie? Well, not much if you are an adult. If you are a teen girl or considering this movie for a teen girl, you need to be aware that there is a sexual situation that is not actually enacted on screen but is referenced and discussed. There's a nude model posing for painters although he is not revealed and there are references to lost loved ones including a suicide. I have tried to pick the most important issues but for a complete list visit IMDB's Parental Guide here.

An aside from someone who loves denim, I smiled at the innocent or maybe not so innocent product placement of Levi's iconic red tab on the cover of the first movie. Did you notice?

A bit of poking around shows that The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 and 2 are available in many options. I like the set that includes both the first movie and the second movie as shown below and available on Amazon by clicking right here. I think that it would make a great gift idea for someone who appreciates light-hearted, fun movies like this one and who also loves blue jeans. To create a gift set, I would package the movies with a pair of blue jeans - Levi's or otherwise - with some pretty patches to embellish them with and give them to a teenage girl or to any woman who appreciates blue jeans and a sweet movie. You could even include a copy of the book for a really complete gift set! You can see all of your choices for buying The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants on Amazon here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your copy of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from Amazon.

Harry Potter Butterbeer T-Shirt

Another fabulous Harry Potter themed find from Etsy! This time it is a very attractive t-shirt from a shop called Portkey Apparel that has a closet or maybe I should say a chest full of HP options for you.

I like this one because I LOVED the butterbeer when I had it at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I would go back just for the butterbeer. It was that good though I realize it may not be to everyone's taste.

I think this tee would be a great gift idea for any woman you know who loves the world of Harry Potter but don't despair. Portkey has men's options, too and other patterns like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry crests, Dobby and the Tri-wizard Tournament. 

You will find all of Portkey's Harry Potter merchandise by clicking right here if you are interested in seeing and or reading more.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

More Butterbeer:

Harry Potter Butterbeer Steins.

Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipes.

Not Too Scary Movies For Tweens or Pre-Teens on Halloween Or Whenever

Eight Scary Movies For Your Pre-Teen Children

Your Tween will probably be clamouring to see a scary movie this Halloween and probably will want to do so without you around. Scary books are one thing, you can put them down and walk away but scary movies on the other hand are 'live.'

"Movie horror walks the line," Janes Grainer a Toronto editor said, "fun scared can easily become scared scared."

Dr. David Palframan, a child psychiatry specialisty at the University of Ottawa is pretty clear in his instructions NOT to let your children see horror movies without your permission and hopefully even without your company. When you do give permission, he adds, be careful -- most horror movies are simply NOT appropriate for children of this age group.

Horror films are extreme in their subject matter which, of course, makes them attractive to your tween. The result is often problems after-the-fact like waking anxiety and sleep disorders or even acting tough or being violent.

Do not, however, make the mistake of condemning all horror films. If you are a parent, you probably know what this does. It pushes children toward whatever it is you are condemning. Instead, talk about horror movies, let your children ask questions and take the time to answer them.

On this page, you will find eight recommended horror films for your preteen child. You will also find a short review of each movie and a few links to more lists of scary movies for tweens that people have put together online. I hope you and your family find some boo-rrific ideas on this page!

THE MOVIES

1. Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)

The Creature From The Black Lagoon features a scary monster who turns out to be in love! It takes place on a tributary of the Amazon River where scientists discover a weird creature with gills that doesn't want to be captured. It was a low-budget film in 1954 that has some tense moments and is not too scary. It is 50 years old and still going strong!

Order Creature from the Black Lagoon on Amazon by clicking here.

2. The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

The Watcher in the Woods is spooky but not too spooky. Disney definitely did it right for this age group! In this film, a teenager who is staying at an eerie English country house tries to discover what happened to another young girl who disappeared there 30 years ago.

Order your copy of this movie from Amazon by clicking here.

3. The Private Eyes (1981)

THE MOVIE STARS TIM CONWAY AND DON KNOTTS.

The Private Eyes film is a Scooby-Doo-style horror/comedy movie. A fun approach for a Halloween film. The comic duo solves a murder in a spooky old house.

Order your copy of The Private Eyes from Amazon by clicking here.

4. Gremlins (1984)

This film manages to be cute and scary but really downright mischievous! (Don't let those Gremlins near water and don't feed them after midnight!) It is a dark comedy and the creatures do turn nasty so beware that this film is filled with mischief, mayhem and murder.

Click here to buy Gremlins from Amazon.

5. The Monster Squad (1987)

All the classic monsters show up in this film with the kids fighting and defeating them! Pre-teens stop Count Dracula when he tries to destroy an amulet. This film is full of fun but the monsters demise is worthy of caution for the very young.

Read more about and order your copy of The Monster Squad on Amazon by clicking right here.

6. Under Wraps (1997)

Under Wraps is a 1997 movie that was produced for the Disney Channel by the Disney company and Hallmark Entertainment. It's a mostly humorous movie about three children and a mummy though it does open with a scary scene. The scary scene is quickly over and, it turns out, is not really real. I don't want to say more and ruin your surprise. This movie has an almost cult-like following of people who watched it in the late 1990s.

Order your copy from Amazon by clicking right here.

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Not too sure if this is officially a Halloween or a Christmas movie, but it is fun for both with a bit of the macabre thrown in! Imagine Santa Claus kidnapped and tortured, which is enough to put you off this stop-action animated movie that is part musical, part fantasy, part horror and part comedy. It is definitely a Tim Burton production. However, Roger Ebert said, and I am inclined to agree, "some of the Halloween creatures might be a tad scary for smaller children, but this is the kind of movie older kids will eat up; it has the kind of offbeat, subversive energy that tells them wonderful things are likely to happen." Perfect, for your tween!  This is another film with a cult-like following.

Order your copy of the Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon by clicking here.

8. Coraline (2009)

I was so pleased to be able to add a Coraline to this movie list for tweens. I know that sometimes some tweens just do not want to consider an older movie and this presents a more recent release.

Coraline is an excellent movie and (if you are watching on HDTV and blu-ray) it was rated as one of the best blu-ray movies of 2009. However, that being said if you are a concerned parent you need to know a bit about the rating of Coraline.

The movie association rated it PG. However, there is considerable concern from parents as to whether or not that rating was high enough though I have seen this movie recommended for children 11 years old and up and for middle school aged children.

On my review page of Coraline, I said, "Some children might find the images disturbing. Others may be upset by some of the themes. Still others may be reassured by the brave heroine."

Children do react to movies differently and it is up to you to know your own child. Keep these issues in mind if you are considering this movie for your tweens.

You can order your copy of Coraline on Amazon by clicking here.

Well that's it. My list of tween movies. Be sure to let me know if this page was helpful. I'd also love to hear your recommendations for scary Halloween movies for pre-teens!

You never know
what movies I might
have in store for you!
Brenda

More Halloween Movie Ideas For Pre-Teens

The Little Vampire
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Casper
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
The Goonies
Hocus Pocus
Halloweentown
Disney's The Haunted Mansion

Author's Note: Originally published elsewhere in 2009.