I remember seeing the original Jumanji movie growing up (dang I miss Robin Williams!) and how just hearing those drum beating to the tune gave me chills. When I heard there was going to be a new Jumanji movie, I was thrilled – especially because of such an incredible cast line-up! When I found out it was rated PG-13, I was a bit worried – is Jumanji okay for kids to see? Due to a bunch of family being in town last weekend, and reading several notes as to WHY it had this rating, we agreed that we’d take the kids with us to see it in theaters. Here’s about our experience with our kids (ages 12, 11, two 8-year-olds, and a 6 year old) seeing this film for the first time together. Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures.

Now, I want to be very clear that I’m a firm believer that YOU KNOW YOUR CHILDREN BEST. Just because I may think a movie is okay or not okay for a certain age does not – in any way – mean that it has to be that decision for your family as well. These are just my own thoughts to help you out while you make your decision.

The action is pretty basic – much more ‘violence’ in actual video games, and I don’t remember seeing any blood except a tiny hint of it when one of the characters get shot, and it’s after the fact. For my kids, I had no problem with the obviously-pretend fighting that was even a bit cheesy (but on purpose, because the idea is they’re IN a video game). The ‘evil villian’ in the movie/game is a bit creepy – he has bugs coming in/out of his ears and up his sleeves, and at one point a scorpion comes out of his mouth to sting one of his henchmen, killing them. My kids thought it was a little icky, but still not a huge deal or very scary, in my opinion.

Now, one big concern I had was the fact that one of the FEMALES was playing a MALE avatar in the game, so Jack Black was acting as a girl in a man’s body. They did touch on this, where she needed the other guys to tell her how to pee. They make a few little comments about their male-parts during that. I thought my ever-so-silly boys would never let that go, but while they might have laughed a bit at that part, it wasn’t as big of a deal as I was afraid it could end up being.

At another point, the Jack Black/girl hugs a cute guy and then everyone stares at her/his crotch because it’s ‘obvious’ she likes him. This part went completely over my kids’ heads (if the girls got it, they didn’t let on) and they definitely don’t show anything at any point. SPOILER: Then near the end she/he tells him ‘see you later’ while looking down. Again, not a major thing.

By the way – I think Jack Black did a PHENOMENAL job in this part!!!

Another thing you should be aware of to assist in your decision, is that at one point two of the actors (as their avatars) attempt to kiss – it’s both of their first times, so it’s really awkward and about as ridiculous as can be. My kids laughed – it was funny, after all – but then moved right on. At one scene some of the teens-in-adult-bodies try alcohol for the first time – spitting it out quickly since it’s disgusting – but one continues to ask for more and ends up drunk.

My big issue that has me almost regretting letting my kids go see it was the LANGUAGE. I knew there would be swearing, but there was a LOT in it – mostly by Kevin Hart. I don’t believe there was any use of the F-word, but many many uses of s**t, a** and ‘oh my g**’. Now, I know my kids will hear some of these in normal life and even in plenty other movies they’re fine seeing – but in this film it seemed over the top.

An important thing to note – since they’re in a ‘game’, they all have three lives, so it does show them ‘dying’ some crazy – but gore and basically blood-free – deaths. Being chomped by a hippo, trampled by rhinos, or being bitten by a snake are a few of them – as are falling from very high up. They’re very fake-looking. There are a few ‘jump’ scenes, but even my most timid child just jumped a tiny bit then moved right on.

So is the new Jumanji safe for kids? I think it really depends – overall, please just keep in mind your OWN child, their level of maturity or scare-ability, and make the best choice for your own family. Overall, I’m okay that I took my kids to see this film – but to be perfectly honest, if I’d known the amount of swearing, I probably wouldn’t have just yet.

For older kids and adults – Jumani is HILARIOUS, and I love how they tie it in to the original one through a few hints. I loved it – especially since my hubby was laughing WAY out loud the whole time! This will be a definite DVD purchase for us when it comes out, and I recommend those mature enough to go see it on the big screen!

Walking into the open room at the hotel, several bloggers gather around. We pulled up fluffy chairs and some sat on the couch, giving this meeting more the feel of a morning visit than an interview. With about five other bloggers, I spent roughly 30 minutes talking with and listening to one of Disney-Pixar’s sketch artists, who worked on their upcoming film COCO. During our discussion, which was full of laughter and connections, we learned some of the challenges of a Pixar’s COCO Sketch Artist – an interview with Ana Ramirez.

The first impression I got of Ana was just a big welcoming ‘Hi, I’m Ana, so glad to meet you!’ After grabbing some coffee, as she had a busy week speaking at some local colleges here in Dallas, we all gathered around like old friends and began discussing many of the aspects that go in to being a sketch artist, particularly in her part for the movie COCO. Everyone in the room had seen a special screening, and agreed that it was absolutely STUNNING! Even my kids were in awe of all the colors, designs, and overall visual look and feel of this movie – they’re begging to see it again when it’s in theaters November 22nd.

If you’ve seen the trailer for the movie, you know that it occurs during the day of the dead, in a small town in Mexico. Ana is actually from Guanajuato, México, and she said it was really special to her to be able to work on a film of her culture. She explained to us that she was one of the few actually from México working on the film, so as things were being written and planned, she would mention when something wasn’t quite right like ‘no, that’s not what happens in Mexico’. She told us that at first she was shy, not sure if she should speak up, but was encouraged by everyone working there to please let them know, which lead her to feeling like they really wanted to get it right as far as the Day of the Dead and the culture of México and her people. She helped with a lot of research for it, so not just the art side!

As she said “I think the main challenge for me to, maybe, maybe just the pressure that I felt being one of the only Mexicans, to do a good job, to make Mexico, my country, my people, proud.”

After seeing the film, I’m sure they were very proud of COCO and the hard work that went into this movie to represent their country and this particular holiday to the rest of the world who may not understand or know much about what Day of the Dead is.

While there were several different aspects we discussed, my favorite and the most interesting to me was when she explained how big of a challenge it was to do this film as far as designing not only the humans, but the skeletons. She explained that normally with films, they can take generic models/parts of previous films to save some time and change it to fit the current one they’re working on. With COCO, however, practically everything was from scratch. They wanted it to be REAL and AUTHENTIC, so being based in a town in Mexico, they had to consider sun spots, wrinkles and skin tones. There weren’t really types such as this they could pull from other films, so had to work right from the beginning on them.

The skeletons presented a whole new type of challenge, since the body types are VERY different than a human body. They wanted to make them approachable – being a movie geared towards family and kids – and not scary. One thing that helped was the colors and designs on their skulls – Sugar Skulls, someone said – that not only gave them personality and helped them look more like themselves before death, but also made them seem more bright and fun.

Ana has quite a background with costume design and such, as well, so worked with that quite a bit during COCO. Outfitting a skeleton isn’t something most people do often, though, so figuring out how to make things fit the skeletons in the right way, how to color or style them to fit their own personalities and make skeletons all look different than each other, were all challenges faced by the team.

Even after seeing the film, Ana mentioned something that I hadn’t actively noticed, but definitely made a difference – the more ‘remembered’ a skeleton/person was, the more shiny they were – the more bright and vibrant, well-kept hair, etc. The more ‘forgotten’ though, the more worn they look. Less polished, more grubby clothes, perhaps a bit more falling apart or not walking as smoothly. It’s all this attention to little details by the whole team, like Ana, that made a remarkable difference to the whole film, making it a total must-see and one I hope to re-watch many times with my family!

While Ana helped a ton on the entire film, when you do see the film – watch the beginning closely. The intro, with all the cool tissue paper designs that start the story – Ana basically did that entire part herself, showing just how incredibly talented she is!

I learned so much from my interview with Ana Ramirez – from her journey leading her to working with Pixar, to the 6 years working on this film – even though the average time for a film is more around 4 years. THAT is how much they wanted this film to be perfect, and they sure didn’t disappoint!

Learn more about COCO when I write my full review soon!

 I was invited to an early screening to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine alone. #ThorRagnarok

Ya’ll know my absolute love (or obsessive geeky-ness, however you look at it) for superhero movies, right? I’ve been barely able to contain my excitement for Marvel’s newest movie hitting theaters, especially after hearing such amazing reviews for it. Now that I’ve FINALLY gotten to see it for myself, I’m sharing with you my personal thoughts on it – and NO SPOILERS. And guess what? You should NOT see Thor: Ragnarok if…

…if you don’t like laughing during movies

As you’ve come to expect from Marvel movies, there’s plenty of humor – and I think Thor: Ragnarok has even more than usual! Right from the start, it has you laughing out loud. After seeing some of the trailers, I knew it would be hilarious and wasn’t disappointed at all. You can’t expect much else from a duo like Thor and Loki. Or Thor and Hulk. Or Thor and Valkyrie….hmmm, I’m seeing a pattern here.

…if you’re eager to see who the REAL ‘strongest Avenger’ is

There’s often debate between Thor and Hulk as to who the strongest Avenger is, and since these two do go head-to-head in this film, and it seems we MIGHT finally have an answer. Or at least someone’s opinion!

…if you don’t like amazing super villains that you can almost understand their reasoning

Often we love super villains, even though we have no clue why they’re so power hungry. Hella – Thor and Loki’s older sister, apparently – is one you can’t help but totally admire. She’s ridiculously strong, and even funny (though I’m sure she doesn’t intend that – Hella seems a more ‘serious’ Asgardian). The thing with her, is that you can completely understand WHY she’s trying to take over Asgard. She has every belief – and I guess rightfully so, given her creation by Odin for certain purposes – that it’s her destiny and her RIGHT to do so. It’s hard to argue with that, although her methods and overall goals leave us a bit scared!

…if you don’t prefer movies with interesting supporting characters

I’ve always loved the supporting cast in the other Thor movies, and many of them are back – like the all-seeing Heimdall. Such a strong character – and definitely not bad to look at. He’s back and plays a more active part than in the past, I believe. Along with him is – of course – others like the Hulk (and Bruce Banner), Loki, and new-comers like the drink-loving Valkyrie, an Asgardian with quite the history with Hella, and Korg, a stone-creature gladiator you can’t help but adore (and he’s played by director Taika Waititi!)

…if you hate seeing characters battle with inner feelings as they must choose right or wrong

Another new character we see is Skurge, who just wants to prove himself. Despite his ‘good survival instincts’ that land him a job assisting Hella with her ultra-hostile takeover, you can tell he struggles with the tasks he may have to perform as she is determined to destroy any that stand in her way, especially the people of Asgard. For a ‘non-main’ role, they do a great job at showing you a lot of his progress through the entire ordeal – so guess you’ll have to see if which way he decides to go!

….if Loki’s mischief, humor and antics don’t amuse you

If you’ve seen any of the previous Thor movies, or even just the trailers, you know that Loki is anything but serious 90% of the time. He’s always up to something, often getting himself in major trouble, and loves to get Thor all worked up. He has no shortage of witty remarks or troublesome actions in the newest film.

…if you never want to see a movie with a view like this

You’re welcome.

…if you never want to see Thor and Hulk duke it out

They were hilarious as they butt heads (and shoulders, and fists) while working side by side in the first Avengers, but let’s be honest – so many wanted to see these two REALLY go at it full force. Wish granted, because these two aren’t holding back!

…if a fantastic, talented cast is not your cup of tea

Even if Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston aren’t enough alone to entice viewers to the theaters, you’ve also got the fabulous Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo and many more – including Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Damon. Many, many reasons this cast is ‘out of this world’!

…if awesome music during epic battles isn’t your thing

You should’ve seen my hubby’s grin when rock music starting blasting as Thor kicked some serious alien butt, it was hilarious! Normally I’d wonder at if it was a good fit, but during this movie it was PERFECT.

…if you’re not at all interested about Asgard & Odin’s real history

I don’t want to spoil anything, so just know that you learn that Odin may not have always been such a benevolent leader, and Asgard not always such a peaceful land.

…or if you never want to listen to Thor and Hulk having a ‘serious’ conversation

Well, as ‘serious’ as these two can manage, at least! They’re both dealing with some major emotions and loss, and since they don’t have a lot of other friends on the planet they’re now stranded on, maybe need to lean on each other a bit.

Okay, if you haven’t guessed by now, I absolutely LOVED the newest Thor film, and unless you have an extremely different taste in movies and actors than I do, I highly recommend you go grab a ticket RIGHT NOW and see it for yourself!

Trust me, you’ll think this movie is great IF you enjoy comedy, appreciate good casting, storylines and character development, and love superheroes – or at least eyeballing Chris Hemsworth 😉

I was invited to a screening to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine alone. #HomeAgainMovie

I’ve always loved romantic comedies, especially for a fun date or a ladies night out. I look for the humor, the laugh-out-loud moments, as well as the ‘feels’ these type of films often give. When I saw the new movie Home Again with Reese Witherspoon, it was no exception!

This hilarious new romance is about Alice, a mom of two who’s now been separated from her music-business husband for several months and has moved from New York back to her childhood home in LA.

On her 40th birthday, her life takes a major turn when she meets three amazing guys who are in town to make a movie, who end up moving into her guest house. Plenty of funny moments and adventures arise as Alice, her two young daughters and the three guys learn to live together, getting into a nice flow with their makeshift family unit.

Things go from hectic to downright crazy when her still-officially-husband shows up wanting to work things out! The guys aren’t so sure about him and his part in Alice and her girls’ lives, so things get pretty hilarious. Starting over is NOT for beginners!

This great story of love, friendship, and – mostly – family is hilarious and touching from start to finish. I highly recommend seeing it with your girlfriends, or take your hubby if he’s down for some great laughs 🙂 I, personally, hope they make a sequel so we can follow along with what the future holds for this crazy, wonderful bunch!