Movie review: Ender's Game (2013)

Movie Summary: Ender's Game (2013)

Asa Butterfield's eye made Hugo. And his eyes are the only redeeming thing of this movie remake of a stunning book. When the action in the film is confined to consoles, all you have is the reactions of the little actors to convey the sheer relevance of the action scenes. Subplots did little to enhance the overall quality of the movie. It's like a mix of Tron with a younger version of a war game.

The story revolves around training Ender to become the commander of the entire fleet of battleships. The goal is to end the war FOREVER. That all sounds good, but Ender is a kid and the war is against another spieces.

The idea of using kids to fight a war... 

My psychological perspective:

The idea of using kids to fight a war is in reality brilliant. Especially if they were trained in this way before they developed appropriate executive functioning neurologically. But the shrink in the movie is right, it will be up to her to put these kids back together. In fact, there are many social developmental theories which point to the importance of appropriate role models and societal rules during these crucial stages of development to shape our decision making processes and our moral view of the world. 

The film is a great reminder that children are just that- children. They should not be asked to do things like killing or fight wars much less wipe out entire species. But there really are child soliders out there in our society- brainwashed to think that killing is ok. Desensitized to empathy for pain.

Topics to talk about with your teenagers

Bullying. Assertiveness. Compassion for enemies. 

My Christian Perspective:

I'm not sure what my opinion is of this film from a Christian point of view. 

Parallels are drawn between God destroying all sin, so that it cannot ever cause a problem again. But this doesn't hold. God didn't destroy us all so we can start again, but he reaches out to each of us individually, and asks us to respond. 

Some are drawing parallels between Ender and Christ. The balance of understanding enemies and defeating them through this understanding. Yes sure, Jesus was put through many different challenges on earth, but these were not to break him. Jesus came first out of love.

Poor
This has not been a useful resource or good use of time.

The movie didn't do the book justice. May be entertaining for 13+ year olds out of sheer boredom from the Christmas holidays and need of aircon in 40+ degrees weather.

As you can see I wasn't the biggest fan. If not for Asa's deep eyes conveying the story, I don't think I would have sat through the film. The storyline was disjointed and did not truly represent the freshness or radical notions the 1985 book would have bought at the time. 

Not my pick of movie to watch this year.

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Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Movie Summary: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

This review is biased because I've read the books. And the only reason I read the books is because the youths at my church wanted to see the first movie. So as a responsible adult, I went to read for myself and give them my informed opinion.

I found the original book really aimed for young adults, it was a gruesome view of an alternative world where children tributes from poor districts go into an arena and kill each other with only one victor left. And the victor is promised wealth and safety by a richer Capital district. In the last movie/book, our heroine was able to save herself and her partner from death. and Catching fire picks up from there. 

*Spoiler alert*  Due to the disturbance last time, the Capital has difficulties controlling the poorer Districts. As Katniss and Peeta tour the districts in an attempt to calm down the resistence fighters, Katniss realizes that people are starting to see her as a figure of hope. The Capital isn't happy with this. This time, all victors are drawn to go back in a whole new arena. Our heroine is called back into the arena with Peeta. But when people start sacrificing themselves for the couple, they realise something is different with these games.

I felt that Catching Fire was really true to the book. I laughed, I cried, I scream, and I can say, as an adult, I really enjoyed the movie and felt it was rather well made for a sequel.

My psychological perspective:

For adults, this film can trigger so many different emotions. And may I urge you to seek help from a Medical professional should you be severe affected by the content of this movie. PTSD (symptoms include the flashbacks, reexperiencing shown in the film) is a serious mental health problem which could benefit from psychological intervention.

Suitability for children: 

No. I don't believe children under the age of 13 should be seeing this film with or without the supervision of parents for several reasons. Firstly, the triology is based on killing, you see children killing other children for their own survival. This can be traumatic for some children, and there is research to show that watching violence or playing violent video games encourages violence in children. And far from an animated video game, the characters are just too real. Secondly, Catching fire begins with dealing with themes of adult relationships where the heroine is kissing one character but is in love with another. This can be quite confusing for young children. Thirdly, the main characters use of alcohol is questionnable.

Things to talk to your teens about:

Differentiation between the movie and real life. How they felt about the killings and death.

My Christian Perspective:

As a Christian watching Catching Fire, I feel somewhat embarassed. I feel like I'm a member of the Capitol district watching killing and pain as entertainment. How much of these sins amd I committing? Self-indulgence...

I urge Christians to reflect on the inappropriate use of alcohol, profanity, nudity, violence. And be prepared to have answers for these thing.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

As a film for adults, this was a really good movie- it elicited the full range of human emotions. Themes of resistence is resounding. Young adults and adolescents would benefit from adult guidance. For children, I don't recommend this film.

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Movie review: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2

Movie Summary: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2

I was wowed by the first movie. This movie was comparably a disappointment. This movie is really focuses on a far younger market, a market that may not have watched the original movie at the cinemas when it first came out. Endless pun after pun after pun is thrown with enough pause for kids to laugh. the group of kids I took to the movie really enjoyed it. They were copying the foods and retelling the funny bits.

*Spoiler alert* This story picks up from the first movie.  (and since most of us don't remember much, they review the first movie within the first 5 minutes). And our main character is once again tasked with "saving the world" by recovering the machine he created. Little does he know, this is more complicated than he thinks. His band of trusty friends try to help him every step of the way.

As an adult, I found deeper themes than kids will ever learn to appreciate. Large parallels with a famous "fruit" and "web search" innovation company where made. But after watching the movie, I am wondering to myself, if even vegetables had feelings, what on earth are we left to eat? But then I remembered, than even in the new twisted reality portrayed, even the foods ate each other suggesting that the ecosystem balance is preserved.

My psychological perspective:

Suitability for children: 

I believe that this movie is suitable for most of the family. Kids any younger than 10 should really have parental guidance as the action scenes can get a little scary. It's a fun little film for the family, but more suited for DVD release than a cinema. I can see kids watching this film again and again and again. Primarily because the storyline wasn't the main attraction, but the cuteness of individual food types. Hopefully, this film doesn't put kids off eating particular food groups - meats, vegetables or fruits. The main themes for a kid is the understanding of the importance of friendships, and putting aside personal success for your friends. 

Things to talk to your kids about:

Eating different types of food.

Things to talk to your teens about:

Importance of friendships and trust. Not judging a book by it's cover.

My Christian Perspective:

The themes of friendship is very well valued from a Christian perspective. From my own personal Christian perspective, I am a little worried that a machine can give birth to life, and not just vegetation and food, but life, including all it's emotions and attachments. It's the same argument some people use to combine the big bang theory and God, perhaps God created the big bang theory. From my own personal perspective, both God and the big bang theory could not coexist. Because that suggest that God didn't create the world in 7 days.

But at the end of the day, this is an animated film and even kids know it's not real. They are much more concerned about the cute little foods. I was surprised though, that on our way home, some of the kids asked me about Adam and Eve, and things to do with Creation, based on this film, so be prepared with answers. 

My overall rating: 

Good
This resource maybe useful and maybe a decent use of time.

The only reason why I've scored this so highly is because it's released perfect for bored kids during Christmas school holidays, and it's got enough stuff to keep adults and children occupied.

The sunday school class I took to this really enjoyed it, and I laughed heaps. This was thanks to Reading Cinemas at Harbour Town for $1 movie tickets. Legendary!

#cloudywithachanceofmeatballs2 @sonypicturesAUS

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Book review: Matilda saves Santa Claus

Book Review:  Matilda saves Santa Claus (2013) by Alex Field

A Christmas gift, that is a picture book about Christmas? Yes please!

It's a beautifully illustrated book your kids are going to enjoy for the whole year. 

Kids won't really care that the story lacks a lyrical flow or that it's really repetitive.

My psychological perspective:

Suitability for children: 

This is a book that needs to be read to little children. Some of the typeface makes it difficult, and a few words would be unfamiliar to preps. It's a simple story with a great moral. It' doesn't matter how small you are, you can make a huge difference, and be rewarded for it.

My Christian Perspective:

God uses the most unlikely of heros to do great things. He chose the youngest child to be a king, a persecutor to be an evangelist. So the themes of getting little ones to recognise that their size or age isn't a barrier to serve others is a great message.
Whether santa claus is real or not, and whether as a Christian, we should perpetuate this is another debate. But I heard on the radio the "origins" of Christmas stockings. It's goes something like this, there was a poor man with three young daughters, he was too proud to ask for assistance during Christmas, but couldn't afford any gifts for his little girls. Saint Nicolas findng out about this threw 3 gold coins down his chimney which landed in the stockings the girls were hanging out to dry.
Yes, the spirit of Christmas is about love, it's about giving, whether gifts or services to others. And it's not expecting anything in return.

My overall rating: 

Good
This resource maybe useful and maybe a decent use of time. 

Great solid picture book that will withstand the multi-re-reads your child will enjoy.

I was provided with a review copy of this book.

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Book Review: Bailey Beats the Blah (2013)

Book Review:  Bailey Beats the Blah (2013) by Karen Tyrrell

We know CBT works, but somehow it's difficult to describe how this works with children. A great book for parents, GPs, schools and psychologists working with young children. This is another great mental health book by Karen. Well done.

"Blah" a word to use, when you can't describe the yucky feeling. 

My psychological perspective:

Suitability for parents:

Particularly if it's your first child, parents aren't used to talking to little people about feelings. This book is a simple and short way to help parents and their offspring communicate emotional distress.

For children:

Topics presented are a great way as an "in" to discuss mental health issues with young people. Children aren't great at describing what's wrong. They often point to the same problems listed in the book - like tummy pains. When there is no word for them to describe this yucky feeling they have, the lack of energy of joy, "blah" is a great alternative.

My Christian Perspective:

Depression isn't a word we can find in the NIV version of the bible. Yet, we find that symptoms of depression are actively described in some of the most influential biblical characters. Moses, David, Solomon, Job, Paul. They are mourning, downcast, miserable. Sometimes it's helpful to be able to identify times of distress. And the bible tells us that Jesus is our friend and support in these times. I was so blessed to hear a testimony from a young child at my Children's Sunday School. Mother came up to me on Sunday and said, "sometimes I'm ashamed of the lack of faith I have compared to my daughter." She went on to describe a situation where her daughter was required to list people she could turn to when she was in trouble. Number 1 on the list was God. This was closely followed by police, her mother and her friends.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

I liked it, it does a great job of pinpointing what mood disturbance in young children look like. And best of all, there is a happy ending with practical ways parents and schools can help. Sometimes simple is best.

I was provided with a signed copy from the author- Good reads. It retails for $13.45 on Amazon or $3.99 on Kindle (Christmas sale!). Its aligned with Kids Matter national education program. 5% sales go to Kids Help Line. 

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Book review: Best friends and mean girls (2008) WIN!

Book Review:  Talking with Your Daughter About Best Friends and Mean Girls (8 Great Dates) (2008) by Dannah Gresh

Looking for ways to broach hard subjects with your tween daughter? Looking for ideas for activities to get closer to her?

Although this book has a lot of focus about God, it still works great if you ignore the spiritual references. Teaching your daughter that Love is patient, kind, bears all things.

I have started letting parents read this book in the waiting room of my practice.

My psychological perspective:

Suitability for tweens: 

Talking to your daughters about these subjects is perhaps more effective in the tween years than later in life. Research shows that strong parent-child relationships and firm guidance about certain behaviours are protective for offspring. It's a great and fun way to begin to talk to your daughters about difficult topics. Some ideas included in the book include having a slumber party, going on a shopping spree, doing random acts of kindness to others. All these are great ways to spend quality time with your girls.

Main topics the book covers includes: what real friendship looks like, how to be a nice neighbour, friendships with best friends, how to deal with mean friends, parents, siblings and boys. Wow.

I like how the book is really interactive with tonnes of activities, technology bits you and your daughter can listen to and spaces to put down thoughts and notes.

For children:

Topics here are less relevant for younger children, but the ideas to spend time with your daughters still apply. There are even sections with adjustment for younger children. 

My Christian Perspective:

There is a large focus and assumption that readers are christians. But I believe the content is not necessarily directed as such. Any daughter/mother can benefit from learning that love is patient, love is kind, love doesn't gossip, love trusts, love endures. But it's an added bonus for Christian daughters and parents to be able to reflect on the many blessings that God has given. And it also offers specific prayer requests you may have. 

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time. 

I liked it, it has some really great ideas for spending time with your tweens. I didn't think all the topics were relevant for all girls, but this is still a worthwhile read for parents, even if it was in the waiting room. 

I was provided with a signed copy from the author- Good reads. It retails for $13.00 a Big W, you can also obtain copies from Amazon and the publisher's website. 

And here's your opportunity to get a copy. The publisher has given me a copy to give away!

HOW TO ENTER. 

Simple fill in the form to enter (If you don't  like Rafflecopter, you can just comment below to enter). Be sure to enter your email address so I can contact you if you win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

I was provided a review copy by the publisher but was in no way paid for writing this review. 

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Movie Review: Smurfs 2 (2013)

Movie Summary: The Smurfs 2 (2013)

This was much better than the first movie, which doesn't happen often with sequels. I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews out there for this movie. It was never intended as a masterpiece. The humour is such that adults can have a little giggle while their children enjoy the adventure.

*spoiler* Some of my favorite bits include the use of a media play- ipad like device to plan ahead, and "Patrick-Barney" coming to terms with loving a step father.

Yes the graphics weren't the best, but they were great compared to the 2d blue smudges I used to see on TV. And what I liked about the movie is that it didn't lose sight of the main themes and attitudes of the original Smurf series.

My psychological perspective:

Suitability for children: 

I believe that this movie is suitable for most of the family. Kids any younger than 13 should really have parental guidance as the action scenes can get a little scary and some of the jokes a bit off! The story lines and morals are great for the kids. -- it doesn't matter where you came from or who you were, it's who you choose to be.

Things to talk to your kids about:

Good vs evil. step parents

Things to talk to your teens about:

Rebelling, identity, step parents, unconditional love

My Christian Perspective:

The theme about choices in this movie is great. Grumpy can choose to be grumpy or positive, smurfette can choose to be a smurf or a naughty. Some choices can have small consequences, but others choices can influence your entire life and even the future of the world as we know it.

My overall rating: 

Superior
This is a fantastic resource or was an extremely great use of time.

This review may have been slightly biased because I grew up with Smurfs on TV, but which review isn't biased by personal experience? This is a keeper. When the DVD comes out, it will be on my shelf and I intend to watch it many times with children of all ages. And I think this is an excellent addition to any DVD library.

This isn't a movie for everyone's taste, but if you are a fan of kids animated movies, the original smurfs series, this is one for you.

#Smurfs @sonypicturesAUS

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