Born in China is timed perfectly for Earth Day

Movie Title: 
Born in China

Grade:  A-

Rating:  G, 79 minutes  

In a Nutshell:  Disney Nature presents a beautiful look at some fascinating creatures born in China.  

Narrated by John Krasinski (The Office: The Complete Series) , this eco- documentary illustrates the circle of life and introduces the world to some stunning locations and animals that most people will never get a chance to see in real life.

I’ve been to China twice this past year and have fallen in love with its culture, topography, people, art, language, and food.  It is an amazing country and this film offers a deserving spotlight.  The film is full of “Awwww” moments.

Timed perfectly for Earth Day 2017, a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund.

Uplifting theme: 

• Family
• The circle of life and death
• The beauty and duality of nature: freedom vs. security
• Each of us is a part of a much larger story.

Things I liked:

• John Krasinski offers a familiar, comfortable voice to walk us through the lives of the featured animals.  He does a great job, although the script could have been even better.
• The golden snub-nosed monkeys steal the show.  They’re gorgeous and hilarious, providing delightful monkey mischief.
• One thing Disney Nature does very well is introduce children to things they could never see in a zoo.
• The Tibetan antelope, called chiru, provides the film with some epic moments and cinematography.  My question: why don’t the males accompany the females on their birthing journey to protect them?
• A crane in China is a symbol of longevity and fortune.  It is believed that when a crane takes flight, it is carrying an animal’s soul to another world.  That theme and sentiment and used at the beginning and end of the movie. I love it when a film ties ends together.
• How do the photographers get those shots?????   It’s pretty incredible.
• You get to see gorgeous red pandas, black and white pandas, snow leopards, antelope, and monkeys.  All adorable.

Things I didn’t like:

• This version of Disney Nature doesn’t offer anything particular new to the nature story narrative.
• I wish we could have learned more about the animals, more facts and information.
• Humans project their feelings and descriptions on what’s going on with the animals.  Who knows if any of that is true.
• It’s very predictable.

Interesting lines:

• “China is a land of myth and mystery.” – John Krasinski
• “Each life is just one beat in the beautiful cyclical rhythm.” – John Krasinski

Tips for parents: 

• There are several scenes when animals and birds prey on other animals.  Some animals die.  Children need to learn about life and death, and this movie does not shy away from the brutal realities.
• Some fighting and bullying.
• No profanity.  Thank goodness, animals don’t swear.
• It’s not all happy and beautiful.  There are some sad moments.
• You see a mother give birth and later nurse babies.  Your kids may have questions…

Click here to pre-order a copy of  Disneynature: Born in China (With Bonus Content) for your family's home entertainment library.  

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

The Legend of Tarzan blends Human with Nature..and a lot of CGI

Movie Title:     The Legend of Tarzan

  

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG-13, 109 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Director David Yates is most known for his work with the last four Harry Potter films.  This time he brings us a new take on Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan. 

One of Hollywood’s first silent films was the Tarzan story, shortly after the original book came out.  While the story is flawed, and many feel like there was no need for a remake, the lush, romantic images in this movie will make you feel like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bocall could float down the river at any minute.

Did you ever see the 1984 movie “Greystoke”?  I loved it and highly recommend it.  This story...sort of....begins where that movie left off.

Uplifting theme: 

• “A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves.  My husband is no normal man.” - Jane Clayton
• Honor, friendship, loyalty, revenge, respect.
• The value of human an animal life.

Things I liked:

• The musical score sounded very exotic and mysterious from the very beginning.
• Christoph Waltz is fantastic in anything.
• Alexander Skarsgard makes for a perfectly believable Tarzan.  I loved it when he greeted the lions he had known since they were cubs.  So sweet.  Great CGI moment!  As a 6'4" hunk of muscle and abs, Alexander convincingly plays a kind Tarzan who can easily kick butt when needed.
• Margot Robbie makes a lovely, spunky Jane Porter.  She's a British actress playing an American, while Alexander Skarsgard is an American playing a Brit.  
• Samuel Jackson.  Ha ha  He looks like he's having fun.  His character is actually based on a real person.
• Beautiful scenery and settings.
• Tarzan thinks those pincer ants taste like bacon.  Ha ha
• There is a lot of action and movement from start to finish. 
• There are some emotional moments akin to Bambi losing his mother.

Things I didn’t like:

• The movie jumps back and forth in time and could become confusing for some people.
• Sometimes the apes and animals looked real; other times the CGI looked too fake.
• There is a LOT of narration so that the audience can understand what’s going on.  The problem is that the movie almost talks down to the audience.  Show us; don't just tell us.
• Samuel L. Jackson’s existence in the movie is merely for comic relief.  He represents an American emissary, which doesn’t make a lot of sense in the story line.
•  You hear Tarzan's famous yell, but you never actually see Alexander Skarsgard do it.  You also hear him growl like lions and other animals, but again, it's a soundtrack behind him and you never see his face while he's making those sounds.

  Funny lines:

• “I’ve already been to Africa.  And it’s hot.” – John Clayton (Tarzan)
• “I never take the stairs.  I usually take the curtains.” – John Clayton
• “You DO know that the right side of your mustache is just a little bit lower than the left?” – Jane
• “How are we supposed to catch a train going 40 miles an hour?” – Samuel L. Jackson    “Gravity.” - Tarzan

Interesting lines:

• “He’s Tarzan.  You’re Jane.  He’ll come for you.” – Captain Rom (Christoph Waltz)
• “They say an elephant’s eye speaks the greatest language.  Who else can say so much without speaking a word?”  - Tarzan
• “These are what you came for?  What will you do for them? – Chief Mbonga (Djmon Hounsou)

“Whatever is necessary.” – Leon Ron (Christoph Waltz)

* No man ever started with less.” – Jane

• “Your husband’s wildness easily disturbs me more than I can easily express, whereas your spirit…” Captain Rom
• “That woman!”  - Captain Rom
• “What was that?” – Captain Rom’s assistant

“Tarzan, although it sounded different than I thought.  Better.” – Captain Rom

Tips for parents:   

• There is a LOT of violence.  Man vs. man.  Man vs. animal. 
• Some profanity, usually out of the mouth of Samuel L. Jackson.
• The issues of African slavery, mistreatment of the American Indians, and “blood diamonds” are addressed.
• There is a before and after sex scene, but the audience doesn’t see what happens in between.

The Shallows features a lively Blake, shark, and seagul

Movie Title:      The Shallows

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG-13, 87 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This ain’t no Sharknado.  In fact, this shark is extremely realistic looking, gigantic, and scary.  

But who’s looking at the shark when you can watch gorgeous Blake Lively in a bikini…according to all of the men in the audience.   She actually gives an impressive performance, so even the females in the audience will enjoy this "girl vs. nature" thriller.

I know the feeling of being out in the ocean and suddenly wondering what’s underneath.  It’s pretty creepy.  I’m a terrible swimmer and would be dead so fast if I were in this movie.

Uplifting theme: 

•  Tip:  Learn how to whistle loudly for help; screaming doesn’t always work.
• Be a fighter to the end.  Tenacity, persistence, hope.
• Carlos tells Nancy to stop looking down at her cell phone and instead, look up to appreciate all the beauty around her.  Great advice.

Things I liked:

• There are some easy jumps and scares that you can see coming a mile away, yet they still get ya!
• Steven Seagull!   He reminded me of Tom Hanks’ Wilson in “Castaway.”  I've read that he was real and that he was CGI.  Either way, the friendly bird provided some comic relief to ease the tension and give Blake someone to talk to.
• Thank goodness for GoPro, eh?  Other merchandising spotlights were Baby G watch, Uber, and Body Glove.
• The underwater footage is really great.
• Do big ocean buoys have flare guns on them?  Good to know.
• Blake Lively does most of her own surf shots, with a body double stepping in for the more dangerous moments.  A couple of local guys also do some pretty good surfing before becoming shark bait.  Speaking of awesome surfing, congratulations to Jordy Collins, my friends' son who just won the 2015/2016 Surfing America prime Series Season Crown for Boys Under 18!  
• The cove where the movie takes place is supposed to be in Mexico, although filming actually took place in Australia.  The scenery and colors are beautiful.

Things I didn’t like:

• I’m sure no real animals were harmed in the making of this movie, but you see a dead whale in the ocean, which becomes the shark’s feeding grounds.
• The family story in the background doesn't quite reach the emotional depths I had hoped it would.
• It's still not as good as JAWS.  
• Nancy keeps asking people what the secret beach was called in the beginning of the movie.  By the end of the movie, no one mentions it again and the running theme just gets dropped.

Funny lines:

•  “Get a life, Buddy.” – Nancy to Steven Seagull
• “Ew” – Nancy after she eats a crab and vomits it back up
• “You know my friend we left at the hotel who smells like Don Julio and bad choices?” – Nancy
• “Not very many Americans here…bummer.” – Nancy

“Gracias a dios.”  (Thank God) – Carlos  (Oscar Jaenada)

• “What’s this place called?” – Nancy

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” – surfer

“Well, that would ruin my whole day.” - Nancy

 Interesting lines:

• “I’m NOT dying here!” – Nancy 

Tips for parents:   

• The audience sees a LOT of Blake Lively.  She’s in a bikini the entire time.
• You see Blake try to sew her leg that has been bitten by a shark, so it’s really bloody and gory.
• Profanity, including 1 F-bomb.