Game Of Your Life Hits the TV Screens

Pop the popcorn, gather the kids it's family movie night with the premiere of Game of Your Life - Airing Friday night December 2, 2011 on NBC at 8pm ET/7pm CT. 

Thanks to P&G and Wal-Mart millions of families are rediscovering their family rooms and actually watching great family movies together that are now being broadcast FREE on network TV.

After having the opportunity to pre-view the Game of Your Life movie I can tell you that it will quickly become a family favorite especially for your gamer loving kids - you will be happy knowing your family can actually sit down together and watch a wholesome film with a great message.

How about a little sneak peak into the movie Game of Your Life?  this will get you to gather the kids and pop that popcorn -

When high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a scholarship to an exclusive video game design program led by billionaire gaming icon Marcus Bentton, his future takes a promising turn... as long as he can survive the intense freshmen project that eliminates half of the class in the first three months. Teamed up with determined group leader Sara and his brilliant yet socially awkward roommates, Donald and Phillip, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. As the project intensifies, Zach learns that his father is in financial trouble. Distracted and desperate to help, he accepts an opportunity to work with Bentton on a secretive and suspicious side project. Zach finds himself stretched to his limits and torn between his responsibility to the team and his desire to help his father. With nowhere else to turn, he confides in Professor Abbie Lambert and is forced to make a decision that will affect his future and the lives of everyone around him.



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“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Movie Review - The Mighty Macs

by: Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

The Philadelphia born filmmaker Tim Chambers takes an inspirational true story that is recorded in the annals of women’s sports for his latest feature The Mighty Macs. He writes, produces and directs the film that he describes as “the equality of dreams”. Forty years ago the cultural norms for women were still very traditional and it did not afford women the luxury of equal opportunities their male counterparts had in the world of sports. Chambers notes, “That while the most successful inspirational sports movies use the sport as a metaphor, The Mighty Macs isn’t just about basketball, but it is how a young coach, Cathy Rush, could unite a team and change a generation of young women”. Chambers, familiar with the historical account, is the perfect insider to tell their story as a Philly “home boy”, raised Catholic and his personal recollection of seeing Cathy Rush in action as a boy of ten years old. His desire to give credence to this forty year old story speaks volumes to the women who chose to pursue their dreams in spite of cultural adversity in the early 70s. Chambers not only wanted to tell of those days gone by but acknowledge the accomplishments these women made on society because they dared to break through cultural barriers.

In the fall of 1971, the Immaculata all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia hired a new basketball coach, twenty-two year old Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino). Rush never would have dreamed that her sassy, strong, charismatic, attractive, and stylish leadership would leave an imprint on the legacy of the college or in women’s sports. The stress and strain of being the newest faculty member at the all-female college was just the beginning of Cathy’s concerns. Her first day on the job she learns that a fire destroyed the gymnasium on campus. The Mother Superior (Ellen Burstyn) tells her that there is no plan to resurrect the sport facility due to insufficient funds and gives warning that her job is on the line if she doesn’t produce. Taken back by the rude awakening of a community that showed her very little love, Cathy embraced the word creativity and leaned into her supporters. The offer from Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton) to be her assistant coach and the backing of the college nuns was her first answer to prayer. The next hurdle was to see if she had enough women to make up a team. The disastrous first practice forced Coach Rush to instigate a tough but attractive training plan rally a team together. She wanted force the players to decide if they wanted to work as a team that could dictate their destiny. Soul searching was immanent! Coach Rush taught the difference to why teams get to championships and why teams win the championships with the words: trust, believe, and unite. The inspirational journey these women embarked was history in the making and a story never to be forgotten.

Immaculata All-women Catholic College was the 1^st National Women’s Basketball Champions in 1972. They also won in 1973 and 1974.  In 2005 the college went Co-Ed. Cathy Rush was a mentor and an inspiration to many who committed to follow their dreams. In 2008 she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Some of her original players went on to be doctors, lawyers and teachers.  Several went on to coach basketball in colleges such as St. Joseph University and in the WNBA – namely, Theresa Grentz (University of Illinois), Rene Portland (Penn State) and Marianne Stanley (Old Dominion and the WNBA). 

Movie Review - Courageous

 

A surprise to mainstream press was the debut of Sherwood Pictures’ latest faith-based film Courageous. CinemaScore gave a rare A+ to the film and Variety quotes, “Time and again, the pic effectively emphasizes how the deputies are reminded on a daily basis what eventually can happen to at-risk children who don’t have fathers involved in their lives.”

Directed by filmmaker and screenwriter, Alex Kendrick worked alongside of his brother Stephen Kendrick, Executive producers Dr. Michael Catt and Jim McBride and many volunteers to bring to the big screen the a gut-wrenching narrative on the topic of Fatherhood—those heroes who desire to make a lifelong impact on their children.

Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel) transfers to the Albany, Georgia police department and makes a lasting impression on his new colleagues the weekend prior to his first day on the job. Hayes is minding his car at the local gas station. He finishes the fill-up and gets in his car to leave, turns on the engine and sees that his windshield needs a heavy cleaning. He gets out of the car and goes to get the windshield washer located two islands over. The car is running and unattended. Hmm! Yep, the truck is hijacked. The thief must whip Hayes’s vehicle doing a 180 degree wheelie for the quick get-away and to avoid oncoming traffic headed for the gas pumps. Hayes is following the action in a state of frenzy. In his attempt to stop the driver, he leaps toward the vehicle to grab onto the steering wheel as the truck is in hurried motion. The thief tries to push him off the car but to no avail. The scuttle continues as they head onto the main road dodging one car after another. Hayes does everything in his power to derail the thief. The thief loses control of the vehicle throwing Hayes off into the ditch and he drives the truck into a tree. A partner in crime following close behind the action rescues the thief and the two escape the scene. Eyewitnesses call police and attempt to tend to Hayes as he is painfully moving toward his truck. He swings the back door of the vehicle open to see his baby was still alive and secured in his car seat. Hayes act of courage to save his little baby was just the beginning of events that would transpire to challenge his conviction to be a man of courage.

Nathan and his fellow law enforcement partners, Adam Mitchell (Alex Kendrick), David Thomson (Ben Davies) and Shane Fuller (Kevin Downies) had one calling: to serve and protect their community. The slogan represented their daily acts of valor on the job but when their police uniform came off a transformation took place. The courageous father and husband uniform did not transpire. Why? Too much ego and not enough love; but, when tragedy hits the ego mask seems to slowly disintegrate and the need for love is exposed. On the lighter side you’ll enjoy delightful real people humor and a few editing glitches; and, I finally know why police officers rarely pull people over for cell phone infractions.

Courageous is the journey of a group of tough guys in hot pursuit to serve and protect; but, along the way they learn that courage has to do with being men of integrity and to confess that honor begins at home.

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Movie release in theaters: September 30, 2011

Movie Review - Dolphin Tale

Dolphin Tale

By: Karen Pecota
24/7 MOMS Movie Reviewer

The world of Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) takes a downward spiral with the news that his beloved cousin, Kyle Connellan (Austin Stowell) will enter military service, in place of pursuing his long-time dream to train for the U.S. Olympic swim team. Kyle has been a strong mentor to Sawyer since his dad walked out on him and his mother, Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd) leaving them to struggle both on an emotional level and financially. The questions left unanswered for the two is the most damaging. Sawyer is angry. His emotional state is fragile and is worried for the life of his cousin. He would be devastated if his cousin never came back from the war zone he is assigned. Kyle is Sawyer’s hero and wants to see him excel as an Olympian but the optimistic Kyle says there will be time to pursue his dreams after the military.  Kyle presents Sawyer with a heavy-duty Swiss Army knife as a going away gift to be something tangible to be remembered, as well as, a helpful tool in Sawyer’s workshop. Sawyer is creative and builds amazing gadgets.

Sawyer needs time to ponder his feelings of sadness and takes the long way to school which trails the Clearwater, Florida coast line just off the Atlantic Ocean.  Sawyer is on his bike and hears someone calling for help. Sawyer heads down to the beach in the direction of the male voice. Sawyer sees that a Dolphin has washed up on shore and awfully tangled in crab-pot wire. It’s alive! Sawyer grabbed his Swiss Army knife and began franticly cutting wires to release the pressure that was strangling the dolphin to its death. The dolphin is at the mercy of Sawyer’s hand and sees the work that Sawyer is doing to save its life making a connection to him. Sawyer is able to free the dolphin but the tail is badly damaged from the injury. Sawyer’s sadness is compounded with the fact that he could not do more to ease the dolphins’ agony. The authorities from Clearwater Marine Hospital arrive on the scene to transport the dolphin to a safe haven.

The evening news makes the accident newsworthy. The Marine Hospital’s Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), states that the dolphin, they have named Winter, will lose its tail. Sawyer yearns to help Winter one more time. After supper he heads to his workshop to do some research and wonders if a dolphin would take to a prosthetic tale. Sawyer connects to Dr. McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), a famous prosthetic limb designer for military veterans to ask help to save Winter. Though apprehensive the two embark on an inspirational journey of true valor; between a dolphin in need, a young boy’s desire to have purpose and a group of friends willing to be on the cutting edge of mammal life survival using technology to save the life of a dolphin.

P.S. Dolphin Tale is based on a true story, written and directed by filmmaker Charles Martin Smith with Alcon Entertainment. Smith notes, “The real Winter, who plays herself in Dolphin Tale, today serves as a symbol of courage, perseverance and hope to millions of people—both able and disabled—who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.

Rated: PG

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Released in local theaters: September 23, 2011

Movie Review - The Grace Card

The Grace Card Review

by : Karen Pecots

24/7 MOMS Movie Reviewer

August 16, 2011 marked the film release on DVD for The Grace Card directed by filmmaker, David G. Evans. Evans takes the screenplay by Howard Klausner and collaborates with seasoned actors Michael Joiner, Mike Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr. to present ramifications of a life marked by grace or not. Klausner’s words and storyline communicate a process necessary to have a life where grace is not only evident but abounds.  The cast eloquently portrays Klausner’s vision and reason why a lifestyle marked by grace is complex especially without loved ones to help carry each other’s burdens.

Klausner takes a traditional African word to describe family in the opening scene of his script. Evans directs the visual imagery to expound on the definition as the backdrop for The Grace Card. The definition is twofold that describes the meaning, as well as, a feeling. Narrated to beautiful cinematography and thoughtful music the definition explains, “The creator (God) made us for one another to be connected as a family which is the essence of being human. To hurt is to hurt us all; to reach out to one another and take care of one another is to care for us all.”  

The Memphis Police force is making personnel changes and pair up two unlikely seasoned officers, Bill “MAC” McDonald (Michael Joiner) and Sam “Preacher” Wright (Mike Higgenbottom)  for patrol duty. Neither officer is happy about the arrangement especially MAC. He begrudges the fact that Sam just beat him out of a needed promotion and is in no mood to be partnered with a preacher for eight hours a day. MAC is happy to wallow in his ill feelings but his resentment about the promotion is only part of his woes. His emotional pain and false guilt to reckon with began fifteen years early with the accidental death of this first born son. Guilt carried for too long is now the cause of a broken relationship with his second son.

Sam is thankful for the monetary raise but not happy about the promotion because with the reward comes more responsibilities. His part-time job on the police force is only temporary until the church he pastors can afford to pay him a full-time salary. Sam is frustrated that God is giving him more blessings as a cop than in his position as a preacher. Sam is not happy to be partnered with a mean-spirited bigot; but, Sam’s attitude sinks just as much as MAC’s only for reasons that are worlds apart. Sam continues to hang on to bitterness spurred from his own father. Sam’s grandpa George (Louis Gossett Jr.) gives him advice that causes serious contemplation. Grandpa George also gives Sam a family bible for comfort. Tucked inside its pages Sam discovers a hand-written piece of paper called the grace card.

Day after day, MAC and Sam try to tip-toe around each other’s emotional pain with minimal conversation.  Sam is forced to cover for MAC’s inability to respond appropriately to a domestic violence situation leaving MAC embarrassed and down trodden. Sam takes the opportunity to use the grace card on MAC which is a promise of three things: 1) To pray for him every day, 2) To ask for forgiveness, 3) To grant him to do the same and be his friend always. Sam begins to confess his own issues with MAC that opens a door for the two to grow in their relationship and attain mutual respect for one another and eventually desire to have each other’s back both on and off the job -- a bond of resilient  family ties they both desire.

Movie Review - The Help

The Help * * * * *

A first time novelist, Kathryn Stockett, who never gave up looking for the right literary agent, a tenacious film director, Tate Talyor, and a new song by Mary J Blige transforms an unforgettable motion picture production onto the big screen in The Help.

Five years in the making and sixty rejection letters from literary agents, first time novelist, Kathryn Stockett asks childhood friend now filmmaker, Tate Taylor to critique her manuscript. She knew her friend would give honest advice to either give up on the project or seek other options for publication.  Taylor devoured the document called The Help.  His reaction to Stockett, “This is fantastic. You cannot give up… this will be published. If it doesn’t, I’ll make it into a movie.” As we now know the rest is history.

In 2009, “The Help” was published by Penguin Books. A passionate literary audience allowed it to stay on the New York Times bestseller list for 103 weeks running and six of the weeks were in the No. 1 spot. Taylor and mutual friend, producer Brunson Green worked to acquire the film rights to “The Help” (with Stockett’s blessing, of course) while Taylor began to adapt the novel into a screenplay. The most difficult job Taylor addressed was to get the first 200 pages of the novel into 20-25 minutes of the script. He lived and breathed Stockett’s story not from reading it more than thirteen times, but mainly because he was from Jackson, Mississippi. He understood the racial tensions that frightened and paralyzed communities. Though Stockett and Taylor were raised in the 70s--unlike The Help’s characters of the60s—racial discrimination was still visible for their generation to observe. Taylor worked hard to write a script worthy of Stockett’s message. The box office sales tells us that his hard work paid off to write one of the most intelligent scripts for a big screen project to date.

Stockett’s story begins in the 1960s when one of Jackson, Mississippi’s hometown girls, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) returns home, as a college graduate, to find work. Skeeter earned a degree in journalism with aspirations to become a writer. Unlike her married high-society girlfriends from the Jr. League society, Skeeter follows her dream. In spite of her singleness, is hired by the local newspaper to write the Miss Myrna cleaning-hints column, Skeeter shares her good fortune at the Jr. League Bridge group only to be ridiculed. They can’t imagine Skeeter knowing what they know about a clean household if not married nor raising children. Feeling shunned she ignores the unkind remarks though in reality she knew some truth was behind their words.

Overwhelmed by the back log of letters for the Miss Myrna column, Skeeter seeks help. Skeeter needed advice from a professional and who better to ask than those she knew in the hired help business. She asks Aibileen (Viola Davis) who is the hired help of girlfriend, Jolene French (Anna Camp). Her column needed the best expertise available. Skeeter wanted to enlist her own family’s hired help, Constantine (Cicely Tyson), but she had moved away before Skeeter returned from college. Though saddened by the absence of Constantine, Skeeter needed immediate help because her job was on the line. Jolene reluctantly allows the working arrangement between the two until longtime friend, Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard) interferes. Appalled at the frightening and inhumane treatment toward the hired help her girlfriends employ, Skeeter births an idea for her first literary masterpiece. She attempts to tell about life from the perspective of the hired help employed by the white households in Jackson, Mississippi. This is a scandalous venture! Nothing like it had been written prior and though the book editor from New York is skeptical Skeeter can pull it off, she remains open and encourages her to proceed.  Skeeter’s bold and courageous idea seems providential and with the rise of Martin Luther King’s popularity; she knows she has a story.

Her task is to recruit the right people willing to put their jobs (and possibly their lives) on the line to tell their stories. The horrific discrimination toward the black community from portions of Jackson, Mississippi’s white community is driven by an evil force beginning to spiral out of control. Change is imminent but at what cost? The educated and optimistic Skeeter embarks on a group project in secret with hired help, Aibileen and Minny (Octavia Spencer) who is Aibileen’s outspoken best friend. Skeeter is confident positive change will come by documenting their stories and getting them right. And, for some white folk, it’s payback time!

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Released in local theaters: August 10, 2011

Movie rating: PG

Movie Review: Disney Winnie The Pooh

 Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Wow! It’s been 35 years since the adventures of Winnie the Pooh from the Walt Disney Animation Studios has emerged onto the silver screen. So, back by popular demand, the celebration to reunite Christopher Robin (voice of Jack Boulter), Winnie the Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings) and their fine furry friends from the Hundred Acre Wood will begin on July 15, 2011. To mark this special release, the Disney Studio, under the direction of filmmakers, Stephen Anderson and Don Hall unveil another delightful tale from the inspired stories of A.A. Milne’s books in Disney Classic.

The narrative opens with Winnie the Pooh waking up from a good night of rest and feeling a rumbly in his tummy says, "Pooh Bear takes care of his tummy by never forgetting to eat.” On this particular day, no form of honey could be found in Pooh’s house. In his search of a big pot of honey he goes to visit the neighbors. On his way, he meets his good friend, Eeyore (voice of Bud Luckey). Pooh finds out that Eeyore has troubles of his own--his tail is missing. Pooh feels so sorry for his friend and offers to help. Pooh Bear calls for assistance and enlists their good friends Tiger (voice of Jim Cummings), Owl (voice of Craig Ferguson), Piglet (voice of Travis Oates), Rabbit (voice of Tom Kenny), Kanga (voice of Kristen Anderson-Lopez) and Roo (voice of Wyatt Hall). The Hundred Acre Wood inhabitants together embark on an unforgettable quest to help Eeyore find his missing tail.

In the process of helping Eeyore, the group gets side-tracked by a few misadventures. One calamity being that Christopher Robin needs to be rescued from a bad guy named “Backson”. Their well-intended efforts end up in chaos due to their friend, Owl being the perpetrator of a big misunderstanding. At the end of the day, the mission to find Eeyore’s tail is renewed with rigorous momentum because he is still in need. The search seems like an eternity to Eeyore but is comforted by Pooh’s words of encouragement, “If you find yourself missing something important, like a tail, always remember that it can take a lot of trying to find the right ending. And, even in the rumbliest of times, a good friend should come before a rumbly tummy.”

Winnie the Pooh’s executive producer, John Lasseter, notes, “We always set out to make a movie that will transcend generations—appeal to kids, entertain their teenage brothers and sisters, and make Mom and Dad laugh out loud.” In my opinion, their goal is accomplished with a combination of creative animation and charming music. The actress/musician/songwriter and singer Zooey Deschanel performs an adorable rendition of the beloved “Winnie the Pooh” theme song. The feature’s music selection made way for smooth transitions to develop the storyline much like a mini- musical, or like a sing-a-along morality tale when, Pooh says, “It’s good to face your fears, particularly when you’ve been hiding from them for a while”.

The original illustrations by E. H. Shepard continue to be the inspiration the Disney animators use to make the characters pop-off of the page—literally! Disney’s veteran animator Burny Mattinson was the senior advisor to dynamic directorial duo of Anderson and Hall. I thought there even might be an educational subliminal message with the use of the letters of the alphabet-- to encourage reading, or to emphasize its importance. Well, I think many parts of stories are left to the imagination. One thing we do know, Pooh Bear has a good heart! He might a little slow but he describes himself as, “A bear of very little brain and long words bother me”. But, he truly believes his formula for life by encouraging Eeyore that, “The Thing To Do isn’t the easiest Thing To Know”.  On Pooh’s words of wisdom here rests another day of adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.  

Released in local theaters: July 15, 2011

Movie rating: PG

Movie Review - Monte Carlo

Every year someone happens to make a summer girly-flick and Fox Pictures creates a cute one for a 2011 release. Film director, Thomas Bezucha, teams up with screenwriters April Blair, Maria Maggenti and Kelly Bowe to make an adaptation of Jules Bass novel “Headhunter” for the girly-adventure in Monte Carlo. Bezucha notes that, “This story is about the experiences and memories of youth that forever affect their life. He adds, “I felt that it (the storyline) was a meaningful and emotionally honest take of what resonates with girls this age.”

A small town realist, Grace (Selena Gomez) along with her fashion conscious and best friend, Emma (Katie Cassidy), take the pomp and circumstance of their high school graduation to a new level. The two diner waitresses put their earnings toward a dream vacation to Paris, France to escape their small town existence for a few short weeks. As luck would have it, Grace’s mother (Andie MacDowell) and soon-to-be stepfather (Brett Cullen) put a damper on the trip with the purchase of a ticket for Meg (Leighton Meester), Grace’s soon-to-be older stepsister, to join the high school grads. Their idea was as that the “older and wiser” chaperone would keep the inexperienced teen’s in-line in spite of their mutual love-loss. Meg, annoyed at the parental guidance scheme, agrees to travel but only for selfish reasons: to take advantage of the chance of a life-time and with the hope to come to terms with the abandonment she’s felt by the death of her mother.

The girls arrive in Paris and are off to a normal start with their catty banter ranging from the shoes they wear to the city tour they chose to their interesting European accommodations. The grand illusion of the Paris vacation of their dreams unravels when they miss the tour bus at the Eiffel Tower. They must walk through the city in search of their hotel in a miserably wet thunderstorm. Money for a cab to the frugal threesome was not in the budget. Lost and cold, the girls can’t bear to walk on one more cobblestone road, sopping from head to toe, so they enter a near-by hotel in search of warmth and shelter.

The Hotel is one of the most elite in the city; unbeknown to them. Their only concern is that the lobby restroom is wonderfully warm with dryers. Posh and luxurious was an added benefit. Shocking is who Meg and Emma encounter in the special convenience room, while Grace is still occupied. It is a Grace look-a-like! The semblance to Grace is the very bratty British heiress, Cordelia Winthrop Scott (Selena Gomez). Emma and Meg eavesdrop on Cordelia’s restroom telephone conversation complaining that she must attend a charity in Monte Carlo at the request of her Aunt Alicia (Catherine Tate) but her luggage did not arrive at her layover in Paris and must return home immediately. Cordelia leaves the restroom and the hotel but stops to yell at the hotel staff of their incompetency. Grace, Meg and Emma eventually exit the restroom and attempt to leave the hotel until the staff mistakes Grace for Cordelia. They inform the girls that their luggage has arrived safely and hands over the key to the reserved suite for the night. One night of luxury and a good night of rest is all Emma wants and strongly convinces Grace and Meg to indulge her.  

Morning dawns and the girls hurriedly try to leave the hotel before their true identity is revealed. The hotel hopes to regain their positive reputation with the heiress and properly whisk the girls away to their private jet bound for Monte Carlo under the stolen identity of Cordelia Winthrop Scott. Their dream vacation begins as they seize the moment to handle Cordelia’s charity engagement but must conceal their identity for a whole week. The romantic adventure is complete with available bachelors, beautiful jewelry, clothing and parties. They experience all that high society has to offer; but, these girls with heart can’t masquerade with a clear conscious. Truth is revealed but not without a comedic adventure, involving endearing characters that contribute to the threesome learning serious life lessons at a very formative age. (Karen Pecota)

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Released in local theaters: July 1, 2011

Movie rating: PG 13

Movie Review: Cars 2

The Disney Pixar connection in animation film brings on the big sports car race of the summer in CARS 2. In 2006, Pixar Animation Studios chose the feature film debut of CARS to celebrate its 20^th Anniversary and it acquisition by the Walt Disney Pictures. CARS 2 will be presented in Disney 3D, IMAX 3D and the traditional two-dimensional formats to audiences across the U.S.A. beginning June 24, 2011. It is no coincidence that CARS 2 shares the spotlight on another Pixar milestone, its 25^th Anniversary of animation creations. 

In CARS, a hotshot greenhorn sports car racer, Lightening McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) heads out west to participate in the big Piston Cup Championship in California. He is anxious to race in the big-time professional competition. He is confident he will be the next rookie champion. Oddly, Lightening McQueen gets side-tracked on the famous Highway Route 66 in the town of Radiator Springs. The detour is an enlightening stop-over and a life-altering adventure once McQueen heeds the advice from some of the towns’ eccentric characters, such as, Doc Hudson (voice of Paul Newman), Sally Carrera (voice of Bonnie Hunt) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), that a reality check is necessary to address his competitive spirit of racing.

The Disney Pixar sequel CARS 2 opens with a reunion in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs when Lightening McQueen makes a surprise appearance. He comes to town to ask his friend, Mater, to assist him in a competition that determines the world’s fastest sports car. The event is The World Grand Prix held in three different countries: Japan, Italy and England. McQueen knows he has a shot for the title but needs help from his friends. McQueen, Mater and their sleepy town pit crew take on the challenge to put McQueen to the test and embark on a new adventure around the world. The competition for The World Grand Prix is knowingly stiff which gives the team due concern. The events that surround each race are complicated. It takes the stress level for the American team to an all-time high, especially on the relationship between McQueen and Mater. In a case of stolen identity, Mater is innocently taken for a spy. Maters curiosity in the world of espionage undermines his focus to help his friend win the race of a life-time. McQueen and Mater are forced to depend on new friends or foe, such as, Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine), Francesco Bernoulli (voiced by John Turturro) and Holley Shiftwell (voiced by Emily Mortimer) to refocus and set priorities in perspective for the win. The Disney Pixar morality tale communicates the importance of friendship, faithfulness, commitment, and truth-telling told from a variety of animated cars with a personified human heart by each of their characters. Actress Bonnie Hunt (voice of Sally Carrera) says, “Their (John Lasseter and the artists at Pixar) imaginations go to the fantasies of the heart, and of life, and of our values. The heart and soul is what turns a steel car into a character and a person.” CARS 2, the Disney Pixar sequel worth the effort to make, will be remembered for its individuality, as well as, the hit film to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios 25th Anniversary in animation. Oh Happy Day!

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Movie release in theaters: June 24, 2011

Movie Review: AFRICAN CATS

The world of Disney collaborates with several seasoned artists to bring to the silver screen the latest saga in the Disney Nature adventure African Cats. The Disney Studios continue to be the leader of the pack with their nature preservation emphasis and renewed branding in DisneyNature. “Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing thirteen True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®.” In April 2008, over fifty years later, The Walt Disney Studios refreshed their heritage of True-Life Adventure films and coined the project DisneyNature. The Studio’s project now brings the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and creates real stories with theatrical balance.  The Walt Disney Studios nature-feature documentary “Earth” opened in 2009, and was the first to premiere under the new DisneyNature label. In 2010, “Oceans” appeared on the silver screen and was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history.

Filmmakers, Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill join with narrator, Samuel L. Jackson to take the film audience on a mesmerizing nature safari in African Cats. It’s more than a movie; it’s a true to life close-up, moving tale of the survival-of-the-fittest on the African Savanna. African Cats was filmed in Masai Mara, Kenya over a two year period observing the lifestyle of a variety of African Cats. The diversity of these species lives in a hierarchical world where the Lion is the King. He rules over many animals of the African wild but his pride is the pack of lionesses that follow him day and night. The story with this lot of furry animals begins with crisp cinematography of a real live Antelope Herd making their seasonal trek. Their travel at racing speeds will draw on your imagination of the visuals in the Disney animation feature-film The Lion King. The scenes are incredibly similar though one is the animation copy of the other’s reality. Their movement is absolutely stunning. The beginning to the African Cats story is due to the Herds’ movement. The Herd is generally the Cats’ source of nutrient. So, when the Herd moves, the Cats try to follow but they end up in a different part of the Savanna tundra where they are not in control. Each breed of the big African Cats must manage to survive on foreign soil searching for food and water, as well as, a safe environment for their young.

African Cats is a magical account that follows the true-life adventures of Layla, a strong River Pride lioness and her daughter, Mara; Fang, leader of the River Pride Lions; the single cheetah mother, Sita and her five cubs; as well as, the Lion King of the North River, Kali and his four burley sons, as they journey where deadly foe and life dragons dwell.*

For educational purposes and a fun activity that you can do with your kids go to the Disney Nature website and link http://www.disney.go.com/disneynature/africancats and download the guide. You will engage in conversation with your kids to answer questions such as: How does the African Savanna Compare to where I live? Or, what is in an African Savanna? Or, what jobs do living things have on the Savanna?

*Rated: G, but a very slow moving film with up-close and personal cinematography not necessarily appropriate for the very young in some scenes.

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Released in local theaters: April 22, 2011

Soul Surfer Movie Review - A Must See Movie

By: Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

The veteran filmmaker, Sean Patrick McNamara (“Big Mac”), brings to life the telling story of Kauai’s surfer girl, Bethany Hamilton in his latest motion picture Soul Surfer.  The Webster dictionary describes a Soul Surfer as, “a term coined in the 1970s, used to describe a talented surfer who surfs for the sheer pleasure of it. Although they may still enter competitions, a Soul Surfer’s motives go beyond winning.” McNamara and six screenwriters (Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk, Matt R. Allen, Caleb Wilson and Brad Gann) adapt Hamilton’s book about her grueling deep water experience and the following consequences of her life choices. McNamara’s well executed narrative gets Hamilton’s story right--especially in regard to her faith. Hats off to McNamara for a proper portrayal of her Christian faith as a positive life-style and not one that is questionably strange. The stellar cast and amazing cinematography put sheer sparkle into visualizing Hamilton’s story and the amazing impact on the world thorough her eyes as a sold out surfer girl.

A Native of the island of Kauai, Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) was the third child born to surfer dude parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt) Hamilton in 1990. Bethany and brothers, Noah (Ross Thomas) and Timmy (Chris Brochu) were natural surfers but she was different—the type of girl that was born to surf. At the age of thirteen, Bethany and best friend, Alana Blanchard (Lorraine Nicholson) received sponsorship from the surfing icon Rip Curl after placing in several national surfing competitions. Shortly before their first major championship Bethany, Alana, Alana’s brother Byron (Jeremy Sumpter) and dad, Holt Blanchard (Kevin Sorbo) are surfing in a beautiful remote cove off the Kauai Coast known for its awesome morning waves.  Out of nowhere Bethany is attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark that takes huge chunk out of her surf board, carrying with it her left arm and almost her life.

Facing the giants of other famed surfers, Bethany’s twisted journey of broken dreams and a lack of purpose is nothing like a smooth ride through the ultimate pipeline. Youth leader and friend, Sarah Hill (Carrie Underwood), helps Bethany to look at life with a whole new set of eyes pushing Bethany’s strong faith, family ties and the will to take her adversities to a different level of maturity. Bethany’s tenacity and determination to take a horrific casualty and use it to make a difference in the world is a riveting narrative wrapped in the arms of love and grace. A story to remember!

"Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of.” -- Bethany Hamilton

Released in local theaters: April 8, 2011

Movie rating: PG (note: a scary shark attack scene)

Change Of Plans - It's Family Movie Night

Let's face it... America loves TV. It is an enjoyable part of their daily life. It is entertaining, enlightening and even educational. But unfortunately, there are very few programs that you can watch together as a family. Most programming is either inappropriate for certain family members or uninteresting for others. As a result, families become divided by the shows they watch.

Remember when we actually watched TV together? Fortunately, there are companies that care about families and are working to create better television options. Moms4FamilyTV is a national group of moms who support and encourage companies that are creating entertainment options we can enjoy together. The group works with partner organizations to help spread the word and expand the efforts of these companies. I know you are already thinking so when is the next movie airing so we can have our own Family Movie Night?

The movie "Change Of Plans" will air January 8th on FOX at 8/7C.

So grab the family, make a bucket of pop corn and get ready to watch a Family movie on TV once again.

2:30 Change Of Plans Trailer from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

Movie Review - Alpha And Omega 3D

Filmmakers Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck use screenwriter, Steve Moore’s imagined story about a road trip involving wolves as the premise for their latest 3D animation Alpha And Omega. Moore had been reading an article about a federal program designed to save the wolf population in the Idaho wilderness. Moore says, “They were capturing wolves up in Canada and releasing them in Idaho for mating purposes.” Moore’s imagination began to run wild with the thought of two wolves being caught but the mating thing was an unrealistic venture. Screenwriter, Christopher Denk helped Moore put together the fabulous script which, with ease, an accomplished cast would bring to life a magical world according to wolves. Lionsgate and Crest animation team up with the experts to produce an emotional loving story of animation adventure. The directors describe, “It is a “painterly” look that the audience has not seen before. They will feel like they are watching a moving canvas also using unique graphic wolf characters so that it is a world where people will say that it is amazingly beautiful and a place I would love to be”.

Kate (Hayden Panettiere) and Humphrey (Justin Long) are childhood friends who belong to a large wolf-pack residing in a Canadian national park. As they become of age to learn the trade of the wolf-pack, leadership responsibilities await them for which they need special training to fulfill their respective roles. Kate is sent to a special school to be trained as an alpha wolf – a strong, serious leader in charge of hunting and finding food for her pack. Humpfrey, an omega wolf, has the job to keep things in life fun. Hence, he is one of the light-hearted comedian’s of the pack. The time comes for the alpha and omega youngsters to find a significant other. Kate is pursued by a brainless stud with no impressive moonlight howl causing Kate to abruptly end their evening together escaping the clan to the nearby lake. Humpfrey is bemoaning the fact that he will never be able to be the wolf of Kate’s dreams. As fast as one can blink an eye, the two are shot with tranquilizers. The human huntsmen have drugged the two youngsters and whisked them to a U.S. national park in Idaho to populate the state with wolves. Awake from a drowsy spell, Kate and Humpfrey find a couple of feathered friends, Paddy (Eric Price) and Marcel (Larry Miller), who explain to them their new destiny. The news of their abduction and plan for their life could not have come at a worse time, especially for Kate. Paddy and Marcel clearly see that the two are the opposites that will not attract and understand their troubles within their own wolf pack. The fine-feathered comedic-duo agrees to escort Kate and Humpfrey back home. The journey they embark is a dangerous one; but, an adventure of a lifetime that ignite and uphold true love.

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS official film journalist

Released in local theaters: September 17, 2010

Movie rating: PG

ALPHA & OMEGA 3D - LIONSGATE film Giveaway

WIN: It’s giveaway time at 24/7 Moms and you could be the lucky winner to receive the prize pack to celebrate the film ALPHA & OMEGA 3D Adventure that will be released in theaters this coming Friday, September 17, 2010. What is in the prize pack? See below the full color photo and description: it includes A&O Posters, A&O Bookmarks, A&O Activity Booklets, A&O Wolf Ears, and ROE (Run of Engagement)* passes to see the film. The film rating: Rated PG and Runtime: 88 minutes. *Note: ROE passes may only be for Seattle area theaters.


Enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on September 19, 2010.

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Film Synopsis:
What makes for the ultimate road trip? Hitchhiking, truck stops, angry bears, prickly porcupines and a golfing goose with a duck caddy. Just ask Kate and Humphrey, two wolves who are trying to get home after being taken by park rangers and shipped halfway across the country. Humphrey is an Omega wolf, whose days are about quick wit, snappy one-liners and hanging with his motley crew of fun-loving wolves and video-gaming squirrels. Kate is an Alpha: duty, discipline and sleek Lara Croft eye-popping moves fuel her fire. Humphrey’s motto – make ‘em laugh. Kate’s motto – I’m the boss. And they have a thousand miles to go. Back home rival wolf packs are on the march and conflict is brewing. Only Kate and Humphrey can restore the peace. But first, they have to survive each other.

Good Luck!
Karen Pecota
24/7 Moms Film Editor

KIDTOONS BRINGS “BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE TO THEATRES THIS SEPTEMBER

KIDTOONS BRINGS “BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE TO THEATRES THIS SEPTEMBER

Nationwide matinee screenings at 155 theaters starting

Saturday, September 4th

WHAT: Kidtoons Films Inc., a division of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. (NASDAQ: CIDM), will bring “Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale” to 155 Kidtoons theatres across the nation beginning Saturday, September 4, 2010 just in time to celebrate Kidtoons 6th birthday.

While at the theatre, Barbie® fans of all ages will be whisked away to a colorful modern-day fairytale filled with fashion, friends and fun. Viewers will join Barbie® and her dog Sequin on a fantastical journey to Paris. Through her Parisian adventures, Barbie® discovers that magic is what happens when you believe in yourself. In addition to viewing the new film, audience members will receive a complimentary giveaway item and an opportunity to win a “Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale” raffle prize.

BARBIE is offering a “BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE” coupon for admission to Kidtoons. The coupon can be found at kidtoonfilms.com.

WHEN: Every weekend in September, beginning September 4^th.

WHERE: A full list of participating theatres can be found at www.kidtoonfilms.com

NOTE: National Amusements Theaters will feature “Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale” for one weekend only on September 11 and 12 at 12:00 noon local time. At all other theaters look for “Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale” every weekend in September.

Movie Review - Nanny McPhee Returns

Nanny McPhee Returns

Universal Pictures presents Nanny McPhee Returns starring Academy Award Winning actress Emma Thompson as none other than, Nanny McPhee. The tenacious work ethic of the miracle worker Nanny McPhee and her support to help struggling families has transformed generations of imagined misbehaved children for over 100 years. You see, Thompson’s screenplays (Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee Returns) are adaptations from the adventures of “Nurse Matilda” written by the Malaya-born author Christianna Brand and illustrated by her cousin, Edward Ardizzone. The three book series of Nurse Matilda (Nurse Matilda, Nurse Matilda goes to Town and Nurse Matilda goes to Hospital) were first written down and illustrated in 1960. They are remnants of the actual bedtime stories Christianna and Edward heard as children told by their grandparents, who had heard them from their grandparents going back to 100 years of their traditional family storytelling. Over time, each generation would add to the original version of the magical nanny who mysteriously appears on the doorstep of households with ill-behaved children with the soul purpose to assist with the task of disciplining the brood, creating a personal family legacy on how to deal with the unruly kinfolk.

Thompson’s excellence in her adaptation of Nurse Matilda’s quest also keeps true to Brand’s family storytelling of Nurse Matilda (in the films now, Nanny McPhee) to be a timeless character every generation could imagine a magical force of integration into their own lives.

Those who meet Nanny McPhee for the first time are rather frightened by her appearance and find it difficult to concentrate on her last name so in order to move the introductions along, she schools those who question by saying, “I’m Nanny McPhee, that’s little c, big P”. After the introductions, Nanny McPhee will lay her ground rules to only those who need to hear:
“I am going to explain to you the way I work. When you need me, but do not want me…then I must stay. When you want me, but no longer need me…then I have to go.” –Nanny McPhee

In Nanny’s latest adventure Nanny McPhee Returns, she arrives at the home of Mrs. Isabel Green (Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal) who is a young mother struggling to care for her unruly three children, Norman (Asa Butterfield), Megsie (Lil Woods) and Vincent (Oscar Steer) and the family farm in the absence of her husband, Rory (Ewan McGregor) who is away at war. It all hits the fan when Isabel’s snobbish niece, Celia (Rosie Taylor-Ritson) and nephew, Cyril (Eros Vlahos) from London come for an unexpected visit. A string of calamities bring Isabel to her breaking point trying to keep peace in the family with the war between her children and the cousins-- The battle known as, The Covered-in-Poo People vs. The Perfumed Townies. Nanny McPhee gets wind of the horrific crisis and unexpectedly appears on the doorstep of the Green farm knowing her help and beauty will be welcomed…eventually.

Karen Pecota
24/7 MOMS official film journalist
Released in local theaters: August 20, 2010
Movie rating: PG

Coming to theaters - SECRETARIAT

Coming to theaters October 8, 2010 - WALT DISNEY PICTURES presents:

SECRETARIAT

Based on the true story taken from the book “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack and written for the silver screen by Mike Rich, filmmaker Randall Wallace brings to life the remarkable true story of “Secretariat” that chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.—Walt Disney Pictures.

Become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyBacklot

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS official film journalist

Released in local theaters: October 8, 2010

Movie rating: PG

Ramona and Beezus Movie Review

Ramona and Beezus *****

Fox 2000 Pictures and Walden Media team up to present the summer family hit of 2010 in Ramona and Beezus. Director Elizabeth Allen, screenplay writers Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay along with a fabulous cast of performers bring to life the adventures of Ramona Quimby. Ramona’s escapades were written over fifty years ago by Beverly Cleary in her series called the Collection of Ramona. One of the stories in the collection deals with the life and times of sisters. The adventure of the siblings Ramona and Beezus is the first film featuring Cleary’s writings and begins with an energetic, accident-prone nine-year-old, Ramona (Joey King) vying for the attention of all the members of her family, especially her older and wiser sister, Beezus (Selena Gomez). Unfortunately, Ramona’s mishaps, though unintentional, seem to forever be a source of contention among the family members making her feel displaced. Cleary’s message comes to fruition with the sensitive guidance and direction of filmmaker Allen, as well as the screenwriters who honor Cleary’s style with vivacious dialogue in order that the cast can give a delightful face to Ramona Quimby and the overactive imagination that dictates her world of dreams.

The nine-year-old Ramona Quimby lives on Klickitat Street where in her every day world there is a new day for adventure and discovery. Her escapades often end in horrific mishaps making her appear to never have a clue for what is right. Beezus Quimby, on the other hand is the perfect teenager who never does anything wrong, similar to coloring perfect and neat inside the lines of her world. Beezus is forever sticking up for her accident-prone little sister because she adores the fact that Ramona works so hard to be true to herself, knowing that it rarely involves conformity. She loves and respects the fact that Ramona is a natural lover of the soul and freely acts upon her heartfelt whims. As the life and times of sisterhood would have it, Ramona ticks teenage sister off, big time, severing daily communication between the two. Ramona has colored outside the lines of her world one too many times making this phase of their sister relationship very messy. It is not until two drastic family situations begin to dominate their world that they engage upon a journey of reconciliation. Never dreaming their expedition could be so much fun or the amazing adventure planned just for sisters would be one to cherish forever and ever.

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS official film journalist

Released in local theaters: July 23, 2010

Movie rating: PG