Opinions for Nothing

Date Night -- DVD Review and Giveaway

Did you see DATE NIGHT when it was in theaters? It seems like everyone I know did. I wanted to see it because I love Tina Fey and Steve Carell, but it came out at the height of my 2010 IS TRYING TO KILL ME phase. (Note: This phase is not yet complete.) So, when I received an email offering me a review copy of DATE NIGHT, I might have been so happy that my eyes welled up with hormonal, on-the-verge-of-losing-it tears. Not unlike several date nights in my distant past.

This movie provided a funny, light diversion for the evening. I highly recommend the DVD for a couple who can't get out of the house for a date night and have to make do with a couple hours of alone time on the couch after the kids go to bed. The crazy mess that is the date night in this movie will make you appreciate your night in. I was a little concerned in the beginning, when the date first goes awry, because the movie looked like it was veering off into cheeseball action flick territory, but it quickly righted itself and I settled in for an hour and a half of much-needed escapism.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid -- DVD Review and Giveaway

When Diary of a Wimpy Kid came out in theaters, I remember all the school-age kids I know raving about how funny it was. My aunt, who taught third and fourth grade, said her students were crazy for the books. We never saw it in theaters because our kids are teeny tiny, which means we don't see anything in theaters.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the story of Greg Heffley, a middle child entering middle school with the goal to be a class favorite by becoming the best at something, anything. He has a chubby, nerdy best friend and meets a smart, sassy girl who thinks popularity is overrated. On the home front, Greg has harried parents and mean older brother.

I can see why eight-year-old boys loved this movie. It's full of mild gross out humor and pranks and cleverly-hidden lessons about bullies and being true to yourself. My husband and I enjoyed it, too. We found it to be a nice family-friendly film.

Letters to God - DVD Review and Giveaway

When I was offered a copy of Letters to God for review I thought of my sister, who I describe as "churchy." She is a Christian who is very involved in her church and bible study. Since I am an atheist and I didn't think I would enjoy this movie, I asked my sister to review it. I am also giving away one copy.

When my sister asked if I wanted to review a movie called Letters to God I was immediately interested. I like family movies and Iam game for basically any movie about God that isn't an obvious slam.

Letters to God is about Tyler Doherty, a young boy struggling with cancer. He faces it head on, with a good attitude. He maintains his faith by writing letters to God. Brady McDaniels, the alcoholic mailman, doesn't know how to handle the letters and soon finds his life turned upside down as he is drawn into the Doherty's family situation.

The cover showed that it was from one of the producers of Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Since those movies had good content but were a bit predictable, I wondered if this would be similar.  It started off not looking so good with a some very obvious acting and a little awkwardness but the acting got better and the storyline became more engaging. Overall, it was very similar to the other movies with good content.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief - DVD Review

A friend recommended the Percy Jackson series of books to me. I am always excited to discover a new series of books when the series is complete. Man, I hate waiting for the next book in a series to come out. The Percy Jackson series is approximately ten times better than Twilight series. It is well written, the action is exciting, and the characters are relatable and likable.

I was really looking forward to the movie because the books were so exciting. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is based on the first book in the series, where we meet Percy as he finds out the truth about the father who left him when he was an infant. Percy discovers that his father was a Greek god and that Percy needs to go to a camp for halfbloods in order to keep safe from sinister forces who want to kill him. Percy takes on an epic quest to save himself, his friends, and the world. (Don't worry, it isn't as over-the-top as it sounds.)

This book should have translated so well to film and, in better hands, it probably would have. The pacing of the movie was S O  S L O W. It felt like it took all night to watch it. I was also disappointed about how little they showed of Percy discovering his heritage and his special abilities. Regardless, I still liked seeing a story I enjoyed immensely make it to film.

If you have not read the Percy Jackson series, do it! It is written for the middle school set, so sometimes you see some things coming, but the writing isn't dumbed down and the action carries you quickly through the books. Older kids and adults will both enjoy the books.

If you have read the books and haven't seen the movie, you can win a copy of the DVD/Blu-Ray here.

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF TWO COPIES OF Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief on DVD/Blu-Ray

Leave a comment on this post by midnight Sunday 7/25. One entry per person. I will randomly select two winners.

I was provided with a free copy of this DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment for the purpose of creating this review.

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days - DVD Review

I am not going to beat around the bush with this review. I LOVE Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days. It is everything I was hoping Sesame Street - Old School would be, but wasn't. I found Old School to be dated, not nostalgic. That's part of the reason I had the 40 Years DVD for over a month before I finally got around to watching it. I am so glad I did.

Watching a full episode of Sesame Street from the 1960s or 1970s is boring, but Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days takes the best segments and puts them all together. There were so many segments that I remembered from my childhood once I saw them on the screen. It just made me happy to watch it and I was thrilled that my toddler enjoyed watching it, too. (She did not enjoy Old School.)

There are a couple different options for watching. You can turn on the pop-up facts and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. This collection also comes with a little commemorative book.

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days is a joy to own and watch and I highly recommend buying it to anyone who every watched Sesame Street as a kid.

This DVD was provided to me free of charge for the purpose of writing this review.

Winner of the Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian DVD/Blu-Ray Giveaway

And the winner is Cheryl W., as chosen by the random number generator at random.org.

Email your mailing address to me at peevedmichelle at yahoo dot com, or DM me on Twitter.

DVD Review and Giveaway -- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

I have been meaning to post this review and giveaway for WEEKS. The holidays, they done snuck up on me. First, I could never find time to watch the movie. I finally popped it in the DVD player one day during the week of Thanksgiving when my friend, Joanne, and I found ourselves stuck in the house with the kids. Then, I could never find time to post this review. Long story short, this review is going to be short, too.

I enjoyed this movie. I don't think Joanne did. She kept saying, "We are not the target demographic for this movie." I actually enjoyed Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian more than the first Night at the Museum. In this one, Ben Stiller's character isn't as much of a loser as he was in the first one, and he isn't battling against the museum exhibits; they are united with him against a common foe.

If you liked Night at the Museum, you will like Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. If you never saw Night at the Museum but you have school-age children, you will probable enjoy this movie as well. At least your kids will.

WIN IT

I have one copy of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian to giveaway.

To enter for a chance to win it, leave a comment here telling me whether or not you watch Glee and who your favorite character is if you watch it. (Not as random as it seems. The coach on Glee plays Attila the Hun in this movie.

For another chance to win, tweet about this giveaway. "RT @PeevedMichelle Enter to win a copy of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Ends Monday 12/14 http://bit.ly/84xhI6" You must leave a second comment on this post letting me know you tweeted it. (If you aren't on Twitter, but you are my friend on Facebook, you can get a second entry by reposting this link on Facebook. Again, you must leave a second comment on this post letting me know you reposted this on Facebook.)

Contest ends Monday 12/14, Midnight Pacific.

I was provided with a free copy of this DVD for the purpose of creating this review.

*WINNER* Chop Socky Chooks Vol. 1 - DVD Review

Jenna is the winner! Email me your mailing address. peevedmichelle at yahoo dot come

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CHOP SOCKY CHOOKS!

That's how I say it in my head every time I read it, in all caps, with an exclamation point. CHOP SOCKY CHOOKS! It's a tongue-twister, though, so sometimes when I say it aloud, it comes out, "CHOP SUEY SOCKS!"

From wikipedia:

Chop Socky Chooks is a British animated television series produced by Aardman Animations and DHX Media that debuted on March 7, 2008. It was created by animator Sergio Delfino, a prominent animator at Aardman. It currently airs only on Teletoon (EU & UK). For now, it airs on Cartoon Network, except in the USA. The name is from "chop socky" which is slang for the Asian martial arts film genre, and "chook" which is Australian and New Zealand slang for chicken.

Chuckie Chan, the wisened sensei; K.O. Joe, the smooth-talking muscle man with a giant afro; and Chick P, the brains and the beauty of the operation, battle the evil leader of Wasabi World, who else but Dr. Wasabi, of course. Dr. Wasabi rules his shopping mall world with help of his dim-witted bodyguard Bubba, his wily Ninja Chimps, and a host of evil minions. He's not the only one after the Chooks, though. Wasabi World is full of baddies.

Kids will love the contemporary themes, fast-paced action, and kid-appropriate humor. Adults will love the irreverent asides and pop culture nods. Though it's aimed at kids a bit older, Chop Socky Chooks, Vol. 1 even held the attention of my toddler.

WIN IT

I have one copy of Chop Socky Chooks, Vol. 1 to give away. Enter to win leaving a comment telling me your favorite Chinese dish. I love mu shu pork and shrimp in lobster sauce and wor won ton soup.

For an extra chance to win, tweet about this review and giveaway. For it to count, you need to leave a second comment on this post, letting me know that you tweeted it. "RT @peevedmichelle Win a copy of CHOP SOCKY CHOOKS VOL. 1, a hilarious animated series from the UK. Enter by Mon. 11/9 http://bit.ly/vycD4"

I will choose a winner at random on Monday 11/9 at Noon PST.

I was provided with a free copy of this DVD for the purpose of creating this review.

DVD Review of Sesame Street: Elmo's Animal Adventures

You know how sometimes when you are watching Elmo's World on Sesame Street you start bleeding from your ears and develop hysterical blindness? Well, you'll be relieved to know that Sesame Street: Elmo's Animal Adventures causes no such side effects.

Each of the three episodes (plus bonus feature) teaches kids a certain aspect of the animal world in a way that is fun, entertaining, and educational. The first episode really cracked me up. Elmo and Telly are helping Little Bo Peep find her wayward cow (she was tired of those sheep always running off) by looking at animal tracks. When they need help with what to look for in the tracks, Luis pops up - literally - and sings clues for the monsters. Every time he popped up out of nowhere and started singing, I couldn't help cracking up.

In the other two episodes, kids learn all about amphibians and the different types of foods woodland animals eat. Each one held the interest of both my toddler and her parents.

For little Elmo fans, this is a must-have DVD - one parents won't mind having to watch over and over again.

I was provided with a free copy of this DVD for the purpose of creating this review.

DVD Reviews: Definitely, Maybe and The Brave One

I had planned to do a full movie review for each of these but, [blah, blah, blah, excuse, excuse, excuse].  We recently watched these DVDs and I thought they were great. Fantastic. Worth watching.

Definitely, Maybe

I should preface this opinion by letting you know that I love romantic comedies. On the one hand, that means I was predisposed to like Definitely, Maybe starring Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin. On the other hand, that also means I know a good one when I see one. Definitely, Maybe is sweet, touching and funny. It isn't the usual romantic comedy, but it still delivers everything you expect in one.

The Brave One

I LOVE when bad guys are shot/punched/stabbed/clotheslined/waterboarded by good guys. I LOVE vigilante justice. I LOVE badassery. This movie had all of that along with excellent screenwriting, which focused on story and character. Amazingly, it did not have gratuitous violence. Jodie Foster was impeccable and I have new respect for Terrence Howard.