Horton Hears A Who!

Some people say that this movie is just for kids, but I disagree. This movie is great fun for all ages. I must confess that this film does a fantastic job of taking a Dr. Seuss book and bringing it to life. Starring the titular elephant, the film begins with Horton miraculously hearing a cry for help from this tiny, tiny, tiny sized “speck,” as they call it in the film. Horton takes it upon himself to rescue the speck and then realizes that he was not imagining the cries after all; they are actually emanating from a small town called Whoville contained on the speck. Despite his eager efforts to convince others in his giant-sized world of the existence of the Whos, Horton is met with skepticism and ridicule. Along the way he learns some important morals and though I don’t want to spoil the movie, the film really does teach kids a few lessons that are still important even today. The end of the movie is uplifting, I promise, but you just have to watch it to find out what happens. The film takes the viewer through sad times and happy times, and don’t be surprised if your stomach hurts after the movie from laughing a lot (and not because you had too much candy).

This picture is taken by Perry Marco from Flickr.








Other mentions: The film’s animation is truly fantastic and the characters suck a person right in. Jim Carrey was a perfect choice as the voice for Horton because he really embodies the character. Other talented actors lending their voices include Steve Carell as the honorable mayor of Whoville, and Carol Burnett, to name a few. Whether you are a Jim Carrey fan, or just want to watch a fantastic family friendly animated film, you won’t be disappointed.

In a nutshell: Horton Hears a Who! is great fun for all ages, and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud! The film is sure to uplift anyone who is feeling blue because one can’t help but fall in love with this movie. Ultimately, this story is about remembering what it is like to believe the unbelievable and what real friends will do for each other.

Movie companions: Invite some friends over and have a movie night! Call it “movies for kids, but amusing for adults” or whatever you wish.

Movie recommendations to watch along with Horton Hears A Who! are: Finding Nemo, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, and Shrek.

Treats to have by your fingertips:
• A big bowl or bag of fluffy popcorn
• A box (or bag) of your favorite candy (I recommend strawberry sour straws and peanut M&M’s).
• Water or soda that satisfies your taste buds
• If you are not a candy lover, try some chocolate chip cookies and milk.
And of course, last but not least, remember to enjoy Horton Hears A Who!

This picture was taken by Darren Hester from Flickr.com.

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, released in 1991 is a movie for people that want a movie with a plot that is not overly too meaningful. Starring Christina Applegate, the film focuses on the exploits of the Crandell children who are left in the care of a horrible babysitter while their mother takes a summer vacation to Australia. Shortly after the story begins, the children, fed up with the cruel treatment they are receiving from their babysitter, Mrs. Sturak, hatch a plan to confront her. After they discover that she has passed away, the children are left to fend for themselves.

Over the course of the movie the siblings bond together while Sue Ellen (Applegate) seeks a job to fund their survival over the summer. I am a bit of a Christina Applegate fan, so my opinion may be a bit biased, but I felt that she did a great job in this movie. Her character goes through some ups-and-downs that as a girl I can relate to, even though the wardrobe is a bit dated since the movie came out a while ago. The clothing may have seemed hip and cool back then, but is definitely out of style by now, which is something that the fashion conscious may have to simply tune out.

Co-starring with Applegate is Joanna Cassidy in the role of Rose Linsdey, Sue Ellen’s boss at a fashion company in the city. Cassidy’s style of taking an emotion and running with it I felt helped this movie a lot. She is very expressive, like when she is ecstatic and her smile conveys how excited or happy she is. She really lets the viewer know how her character feels at all times.

Also appearing in the movie is Keith Coogan as Sue Ellen’s brother Kenny. At the beginning of the film he is a complete stoner who manages to avoid the domineering path of Mrs. Sturak, the babysitter, but gradually over the course of the movie becomes a more developed person with individual thoughts and even helps the family clean the house. The scenes between him and Sue Ellen are great, and he even manages to steal the spotlight a few times through his dialogue, like when he is learning to cook and complains that the casserole he was making is a mess because she didn’t call him.

In a nutshell: Is this movie Oscar worthy? Not really, but if you are looking for a fun movie to turn on and enjoy without having to do a whole lot of thinking, microwave yourself some popcorn, open a box of your favorite candy, and enjoy Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.