my kid is pretty Brave...

This weekend we took the girls to see their first movie in the theaters. I, personally, have not seen a movie in the theaters since Enchanted came out in 2008. Sad, but true. Aurora had been wanting to see Brave ever since the commercials started playing on TV. I was excited for her but a little nervous too. The movie seemed a little intense for her and I wasn't sure how she'd handle the big dark theater.

We decided to go to an earlier showing on Saturday morning, thinking there would be less people. Well, that wasn't exactly true. I don't think the movie time was sold out but it was pretty close. I was happy to see I wasn't the only mother with her young baby going to the movie theater. We all wanted to go see the movie. One of us wasn't about to stay home with our 10 month old while the other got to go out. That didn't seem fair. Carolina did pretty well during the movie. She got pretty upset about half way through. She gets so cranky when she's tried. Once she fell asleep she was gold.

Aurora didn't find the movie or the dark theater scary at all, to my surprise. Her biggest problem was the theater seat. She wasn't heavy enough to keep it down so it kept folder her up into it. It freaked her out a little. I ended up lifting the arm rest up and sitting half on her seat and half on mine to keep it down. Thank goodness for my thunder thighs!

I think she really enjoyed the movie a lot. She was cracking up at points and really didn't seem effected by the more intense scenes. On the car ride home she said that she "doesn't like bears" but I know she liked the movie. I have to hand it to Disney and Pixar. They did a really great job with this movie. The story line was pretty good. The animation was beautiful. It was the right amount of cute, funny, scary and action packed with little to no romance at all. It was a nice change of pace from all the other Disney princess movies out there. I totally would have been obsessed with this movie in my younger years.

I hope that there will be more movies like that in the future that we can take Aurora and Carolina too. It really was a fun way to spend time with the family.

“Robin Hood is like Batman.”

Last night after finishing my final projected for my Digital Image Management class I sat down in the living room with my husband to enjoy the remaining piece of the new Robin Hood movie he was watching. What makes us so obsessed with the Robin Hood story? Is it the good versus the evil? Taking back what’s rightfully the “little mans”? Who do we truly identify with in this story? Do we wish that there was a hero like Robin Hood that would come save us all? Receiving the new Russell Crowe version of this story got me thinking about all the different Robin Hood legends that have been told through the years.

The first version that popped into my mind is one of my all time favorite movies, I mean, who doesn’t love Mel Brooks?

I think “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” was probably the start of my sense of humor. You’ve got everything in this movie I love, a little dark humor, quirky characters, romance, singing, and a sprinkle of slap stick. Even though the story isn’t very “realistic” if you’re looking for a really good laugh watch this movie! And after you’re done watching this one, watch “Princess Bride.” If you haven’t seen them then you are seriously missing out of classics comedies. I wish they would make more movies like these.



Okay, moving on in our journey brings us way back to my childhood. Disney’s Robin Hood! If you love Disney and foxes this is great! I recommend it to kids of all ages to watch. I think I played this VHS so many times as a kid I broke it and we had to get another one. It’s classic Disney, although I love the new animation, these just something about these characters that I love. They’re always coming out with new Princess stuff they need more things like this in the Disney world.


Next stop is a movie I don’t think I’ve actually watched myself but of course it’s a “classic” so I had to mention it. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner, most people don’t have a whole lot of great things to say about it. I can’t say for myself yet but I’m going to have to watch it and see what it’s all about. Anyone out there have any insight on this possible diamond in the rough?


Another Robin Hood that I’m going to have to check out is the BBCs take on the story of Robin Hood. It’s a new kind of twist on the story were Robin Hood has seen so much killing while he was fighting in the Holy Land that he won’t kill anyone. It seems like an intriguing tale that might be worth a look.



Our last stop on our voyage through Robin Hood movies brings us back to the start of this entire blog entry. I’m not the biggest Russell Crowe fan in the world but I did enjoy him in this movie. It is also a slightly different look at the famed “Robin Hood.” It’s kind of a prequel to his story. Robin is fighting in the Holy Land and stubbles upon the dyeing Robert of Locksley who asked Robin to take his sword back to his family. There Robin poses as Robert and thus our tale begins. I really enjoyed the characters in this movie. I think the Maid Marion character is my favorite out of all the tales I’ve seen. Kind John is an interesting character as well. He is defiantly a tyrant but a virgin to so many things in the world he lives in, which makes things very interesting. It has the same kind of feel as “Brave Heart” but with a different tale. If you like action movies and love Robin Hood I think it’s a good choice.


What is your favorite Robin Hood story? I would love to hear about it!

I will leave you with this, just because. I love Wishbone and who can resist a dog in a hat?


Happy Trails!

"Edward,don't lick Max."

I have currently been completely addicted to the movie “Penelope.” I love quirky, almost dark, but still sweet and romantic movies like this one. I took some screen shoots for you to fully understand what I am saying here, (beware this is very picture heavy.) If you have no idea what movie I’m talking about I’ll give you a little insight:

Generations ago a curse was placed in the wealthy Wilhern family. That curse would be on the next born daughter of the family. The curse would only be broken by the daughter being excepted by her own kind. Time passes and luckily no daughters are born into the family until; Penelope. Her mother is obsessed with finding her a “blue blooded” husband to marry her and break the curse.

The characters of this story are so colorful and vibrant. Each of them is well thought out and very well played, not to mention great line! From the pirate patch wearing report Lemon to the main character Penelope. You may think they are a little over done and over dramatic but really, I think most people don’t realize how we really act most of the time. Dramatics is our life.

Let’s talk wardrobe. I wish I had the grace to pull off the adorable outfits Penelope wears is this movie! I adore her flowing skirts, cute tops, and lovely brooches’. I would also kill for her sweet heels! The wardrobe has an excellent way of making the movie seem just a little vintage without over doing it. Ever character in this movie I think is made a little extra special by the clothes they wear. The costuming for this movie is excellent. I think one of the best parts is the color choices they picked for each character. They truly did a brilliant job.

Another great thing about this movie is that I want Penelope’s bedroom! Staging for this movie was excellent. You get and interesting glimpse into the secluded life of this poor girl. She created her own little world in her bedroom. She wasn’t allowed to play outside or be with other kids so she created her version of the outside world inside. Plus, I love terrariums’!

Can you tell I love Penelope’s character? She’s kind of sad and pathetic, but also innocent and quirky. One of my favorite scenes of the movie (careful there’s a little spoiler here) is her for glimpse of the outside world. It’s a wonder land to her. Each thing she comes upon is a new fresh discovery. The cinematography is this seen is beautiful, something out of a dream.

Last thing I’ll say is that the sound track is great. Its sweet a quirky and kind of melancholy, just like Penelope. Every piece of the movie is orchestrated in such a manner that tells the story and brings the characters to life. I know your probably thinking, really a movie rated PG that didn’t really win anyways or hasn’t been talked about that much is that good? Trust me, step back from your world for a little while and walk in Penelope’s high heel shoes, you’ll see what I mean. Enjoy.