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Moviefone's Fall 2011 Preview Guide: Family Movies

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 31st 2011 10:00AM
Filed under: Movie News, Family Film Guide, Coming Soon

It's almost September, which in the movie world means that school's back in session, the Toronto International Film Festival is ready to unveil its slate of upcoming movies, and theaters start gearing up for the onslaught of holiday movies and Oscar hopefuls. If you leave the prestige dramas, romantic comedies and award fodder for date nights, here are your best bets (from a limited-release 3D classic to the return of everyone's favorite feline) for whole-family fun at the movies this fall.
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Fantasy Casting: Who Should Star in 'Catching Fire'?

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 30th 2011 4:20PM
Filed under: Movie News, Family Film Guide

Now that we've had our first look at 'The Hunger Games' courtesy of the MTV Video Music Awards, we're obsessed curious about the second installment, 'Catching Fire,' which Lionsgate announced will be released on Nov. 22, 2013, just in time for Thanksgiving. Since production on the first 'Hunger Games' is close to wrapping, we've set our sights on dream casting 'Catching Fire,' in which we meet several new characters, most of whom are previous Hunger Games Victors. Let's start with the hunky Finnick Odair.
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Open Letter to Hollywood: Fewer Talking Animals, Please, and Other Suggestions

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 24th 2011 3:30PM
Filed under: Features, Family Film Guide, Columns

Dear Hollywood Executives, Producers, Directors and Screenwriters,

I love movies -- so much so that I make my living watching and writing about them. I'm also a mother of three kids under the age of 10. So it's with considerable professional and personal expertise that I ask you to please, for the love of previews and popcorn, make better family films. Why? Because so many of the movies released in the genre are, as my 6-year-old daughter likes to say, stinkalicious. They seem more like gimmicky ploys than well-thought-out projects.
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'Harry Potter: The Exhibition' -- A Potterhead's Final Hurrah

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 23rd 2011 7:00AM
Filed under: Features, Movie News, Family Film Guide

With the 'Harry Potter' film franchise officially over this summer, there's only a few things a Potterhead can do to extend their fandom mania: a) head to Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter b) wait for the 'Deathly Hallows' Ultimate Edition DVDs c) beta-test Pottermore d) read fan fiction or e) visit 'Harry Potter: The Exhibition' in New York City. Given my family's love of the movies (and the fact we've already been to Universal's Wizarding World), we opted for "e" and journeyed to Manhattan for the traveling exhibit at Discovery Times Square.

What Is 'The Exhibition': Currently on its final stop in North America, the Exhibition is a traveling display of craftsman-made costumes, props, and other artifacts that were created specifically for the film series. You can see everything from Snape's signature black robes and Bellatrix LeStrange's Azkaban garb to Harry's Hogwarts trunk and Hagrid's hut decor. After its New York run ends on Sept. 5, the Exhibition heads Down Under to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
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Embarrassing Movie Moments With Mom: Readers Share Their Cringe-Worthy Stories

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 18th 2011 5:30PM
Filed under: Movie News, Family Film Guide

Most of us have at least one terribly embarrassing memory of watching something inappropriate with our parents or kids. We know you've all been through it -- gone to see a film you thought would be a crowd-pleaser only to realize it's cringe-inducing -- at least while sitting next to the parental units or offspring. Here are some true stories about unbearably embarrassing movie moments, starting with my own confession.
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Unleash Your Inner 'Gleek': Age-by-Age Guide to Family Musicals

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 15th 2011 1:30PM
Filed under: Features, DVDs, Movie News, Family Film Guide

'Glee The 3D Concert Movie' may have only landed in 11th place at the box office its opening weekend, but there's little doubt the teen show is a hit that has made the word "musical" acceptable -- even cool -- with kids. Interest in Fox's highest-rated comedy series, which regularly features Broadway show-stoppers like 'Don't Rain on My Parade,' 'Defying Gravity,' 'On My Own,' and nearly all of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' proves that there's no time like the present to introduce kids and teens to movie musicals.

To help you select from the hundreds of musicals available, we've narrowed it down to eight classics that should appeal to your brood depending on their age. In no time they'll be singing show-tunes and practicing their shuffle-hop-step routines -- or at the very least learning about one of America's most enduring contributions to popular culture.
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Family Film Guide: 'The Help' Is a Weepy Mother-Daughter Date

By The Moviefone Mama (Subscribe to The Moviefone Mama's posts), Posted Aug 10th 2011 4:00PM
Filed under: Family Film Guide
The Help starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia L. Spencer

'The Help'
Director: Tate Taylor
Rated: PG-13 for thematic material
Starring: Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Emma Stone , Octavia L. Spencer
Common Sense Media rating: On for 11+

Moviefone Mama Says: Mothers (and fathers) be warned -- this film will require the use of a Kleenex, sleeve, or concessions' napkin. But don't let the tissue requirement keep you away, because for once a movie is not only as worthy as the book on which it's based, it's a fantastic way for families with middle and high-schoolers to discuss prejudice and humanity and what it means to be an American. The performances in Tate Taylor's adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's debut novel are divine; there's not a weak link in the cast, from the ambitious and slightly misfit Stone to the please-give-her-an-Oscar Davis to the evil-with-a-smile Howard and the hilariously mischievous Spencer. Go for the cast, stay for the story, and leave feeling like a good cry and conversation.
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