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Like the station inspector chasing after Hugo, or Hugo and Isabelle seeking out the answer to a mystery, last week Nancy and Karen went in search of a magical movie experience… We saw Hugo, based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick!
And did the movie deliver? To find out, you’ll just have to watch the video review below! You know, just like Hugo and Isabelle watching a film, or — oh, forget it, let’s just get to the review:
(PS – If you’re on the go — or busy winding the clocks at the local train station — don’t worry, you can still listen to our review. Just download the audio.)
Have you seen the new movie Hugo? Leave a comment with YOUR review! How do you think it compared to the book? And what do you think: do you need to know the book already in order to enjoy the film?
I know it’s a cliché to say, “You learn something new every day,” but I really did learn something new today! I found out that there’s a movie adapation of Wendy Mass’ book Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life that’s supposed to come out sometime in 2011!
And there are only a few months left in 2011, so it should be hitting theaters any day now, right? Right?!
Unfortunately, I can’t find any info on a precise release date, but that’s okay — it gives everyone more time to read the book before seeing the movie!
(Btw, if you’re not familiar with the book, it’s about a mysterious wooden box that Jeremy receives in the mail with the words, “The Meaning of Life — for Jeremy Fink to open on his 13th birthday.” The only problem? Four locks and no keys! So Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzy, set out on a quest to find the keys and discover the meaning of life.)
Here’s the movie trailer:
And for some behind-the-scenes fun, check out Wendy Mass’ blog post about her day on the movie set!
So… what do you think? Leave a comment with your opinion on the trailer. How do you think the movie will compare to the book?
— Karen
Karen has no idea what the meaning of life is. When you find out, please let her know.
More about Karen »
Have you looked outside lately? It’s spring! The birds are chirping, the sky is blue, the flowers are blooming… Oh, wait. Uh oh. It’s starting to get overcast… and now the rain is pouring down. =( Well, you could always curl up with a good book — or watch these new movie previews for some upcoming book-to-movie adaptations!
Check out Count Olaf — I mean, Jim Carrey — in Mr. Popper’s Penguins:
I don’t think literal dancing penguins were part of Richard and Florence Atwater’s book, but I fully support dancing penguins in nearly any movie.
And when you’ve d’awwwed enough about those so-called “pesty” penguins, check out this zany preview for Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer:
Roller coaster puke, a search for Bigfoot, and a new book out this summer? It sounds like my rainy spring is soon going to be a NOT bummer summer!
Let me know in the comments which upcoming book-to-movie adaptation you’re more excited about: Mr. Popper’s Penguins or Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer?
— Nancy
Nancy sometimes enjoys movie previews more than the actual movies themselves. The trailers sometimes just have the best parts of the movie in those two minutes!
Meet Nancy »
Zoo-Wee Mama! Know what tomorrow is? Well, yes, it is indeed Friday Friday Friday (and now I have that song in my head — get it out get it out get it out!)… But it’s ALSO the release date for the second Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie, Rodrick Rules!
We shared the first trailer with you guys as soon as it went public, but we had very limited intel about the film at that time. Happily, now there’s TONS of sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes awesomeness available on the magical interwebs. And if you’re as lazy as Rodrick Heffley, then you’re in luck — because we’ve rounded up some of our favorite goodies right here:
Factoid! Did you know that Rowley’s mom in the movie is played by his real-life mother? (Er, I mean Robert Capron’s real-life mother…) Read the Scholastic’s interview with the cast to get the lowdown. [Full disclosure: I work at Scholastic on the very site where this interview appears. But sadly, I did not have anything to do with this interview. Cry.]
Straight from the source! Also from Scholastic, an interview with author Jeff Kinney reveals that he’s got at least two more Wimpy Kid books in the works, and probably another movie. Keep ‘em coming!
Just in time for April Fool’s! Apparently, Zachary Gordon (who plays Greg) and Devon Bostick (who plays Rodrick) are huge pranksters, and kept things lively on set. Zach dumped a whole mess of salt into one of Devon’s water bottles, and Devon tricked Zach into eating an Oreo filled with toothpaste instead of frosting! Author Jeff Kinney also got into the act when he pulled one over on Zach — watch the video of his prank on Cartoon Network (click “Behind the Scenes” on the left side, and then choose “Inflatable Extras” down below).
Trailer #2! Turns out there’s a new trailer for the movie, and it’s full of funny stuff from the books — Mom Bucks! Rodrick caught on camera! — plus, some scenes I don’t recall and assume are brand new for the film (roller rink party?). Check it out for yourself:
Between the official site and Cartoon Network, there are about a bazillion more video clips for you to watch… or you could just wait until tomorrow and see the whole movie — that’s what Nancy and I are going to do! So check back next week for our review.
For now, I’ll leave you with this hilarious video. I started this post by referring to a big YouTube sensation, so it’s only fitting to end with what very well may be the next big Internet hit. At least, I think it should be!
And leave a comment if you’re planning to see the film! How do you think it will compare to the book?
Unlike Rodrick, Karen never threw any parties when her parents were away. That they know of! Just kidding, she never did. She was a good kid. Really.
Nancy and I are huge fans of How to Train Your Dragon — both the movie and the book by Cressida Cowell. (If you missed it, check out our review — it’s as glowing as a village that’s been breathed on by a dragon!) So we’re extremely pleased that yesterday, Dreamworks announced the release date for the movie sequel: June 20, 2014.
Yeah, I know that’s really far away. But the way I like to think about it, that just gives them more time to make an awesome movie. Right?
Just like the first film, How to Train Your Dragon 2 will be in 3D, and the cast will all be pretty much the same. But what will happen in the movie? I have no idea! Unfortunately, no one’s spilling much about the story. I’ve been doing furious research on the Interwebs, and all I could find was this little teaser from the writer/director, Dean DeBlois:
“What I presented to them was the second act of a much larger story. So the film takes on much more breadth, it’s really quite epic. We leave the first film with these Vikings on the backs of dragons, so the world just opens up and expands exponentially.”
Hello, talk about vague! Can we have some actual details, please?!
Normally, I’d say that since there’s actually a whole series of How to Train Your Dragon books, we should all just read the second book about Hiccup, and that would reveal all. But in this case, the movie was actually quite different from the book. So somehow, I have a feeling that How to Train Your Dragon 2 ISN’T going to be all about Hiccup’s search for Grimbeard the Ghastly’s treasure — which is the focus in How to be a Pirate (Book 2 in the series).
Oh well. I guess we have plenty of time to speculate: over three years! [wail of agony] Thank goodness there are so many Hiccup books to keep us entertained:
You can find out more about them all at Cressida Cowell’s official site.
So… if you had your choice, what would you want to see in Hiccup’s next onscreen adventure? More romance? More adventure? More Viking helmets? Share your ideas in the Comments — the sky is the limit! (Just like how the sky is the limit when Hiccup and Toothless are flying! Get it? Har har har.)
Karen imagines she would not be very good at training a dragon. Once she killed a cactus in two weeks. A cactus…
As you might have noticed from our theme announcement earlier this week, Karen and I are gaga over all things Harry Potter — so much so that we’re devoting an entire month to it! And so has the rest of the world.
AS THEY SHOULD!
So here are some suggestions on how YOU can celebrate the awesome, magical, magnificent wonder of Harry Potter(ness):
Thursday, November 11 to Sunday, November 14: The ABC Family channel will be playing the previous Harry Potter movies and airing two exclusive clips from Harry Potter 7 Part 1. The first clip will debut during Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on November 11 (that’s tonight!). The second clip will debut on November 12 during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The two scenes will then air throughout the rest of the weekend. (But if you can’t be glued to your TV, you can always wait for the clips to show up online. I sense some upcoming book-to-movie comparisons and dissection of the clips….)
Saturday, November 13 to Sunday, November 14: The Quidditch World Cup in New York City! Now an equal-opportunity sport available to Muggles like ourselves.
Monday, November 15 (4 days left): Prepare for the upcoming premiere by heading to the store Hot Topic, where they’ll carry HP-themed items. Or, make your own costume (here are my tips for Luna Lovegood).
Tuesday, November 16 (3 days left): Construct a fort of your Harry Potter books and other Harry-Potter-like series. Hide inside fort and literally surround yourself with Harry Potter.
Wednesday, November 17 (2 days left): Quick, take down that fort! What were you thinking, making a fort?! You need to re-read the series! It’s only about 4,224 pages, no big deal.
Thursday, November 18 (1 days left): Start the day with 10 jumping jacks, a balanced breakfast, and a big smile. Try to subtly incorporate as much Harry Potter into your day-to-day life as possible. For instance:
Teacher: [Your Name], what is the answer to math question 6? You: Psh, that’s easy. As my personal hero, Hermione Granger would say, 310.
Mom: Honey, could you set the table, please? You: Sure, Mom! Ha ha, can you imagine if we were the Weasleys? There’d be an awful lot more dishes!
Your Friend: Hey, what are your plans for tonight? You: I’M STANDING IN LINE FOR HARRY POTTER 7 PART 1. DUH! AND OBVIOUSLY YOU SHOULD STAND IN LINE WITH ME BECAUSE WE SHOULD SHARE THE THE AWESOME, MAGICAL, MAGNIFICENT WONDER OF HARRY POTTER TOGETHER. [crickets chirp, awkward silence…] Your Friend: YEAH, TOTALLY! I WAS JUST TESTING YOU. LIKE IN POTIONS CLASS (Snape-era, not Slughorn).
(Maybe this last one wasn’t so subtle.)
12 AM Midnight, Friday, November 19: Make sure your eyes don’t blink for the next 150 minutes.
Nancy is pretty bummed that she and Karen won’t be watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 together. Despite putting it on their calendars literally one year ago, it just wasn’t meant to be. Like Neville and Luna. Give it up, Neville + Luna shippers.
More about Nancy »
The new movie Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole really SOARED opening weekend, coming in at #2 at the box office. But did the story — adapted from Kathryn Lasky’s Guardians of Ga’Hoole book series — really FLY on the big screen? Was it a HOOT? Or is it FOR THE BIRDS? And just how many owl puns can we fit into this paragraph?
Lucky for you, that paragraph is over — so we’re done with the bad jokes and now you can watch our video review of Legend of the Guardians. (Be sure to stay tuned until the end for a rousing game of Owl or Cheese!)
(PS – If you want to listen to our review ON THE FLY, you can download the audio. Sorry, couldn’t resist one more bird pun…)
Have you seen the movie? Leave a comment with YOUR review! How do you think it compared to the books?
Bryce and Juli, sittin' in a tree... (Yeah, we're immature. What of it?)
Juli hearts Bryce. But Bryce hates Juli. OR DOES HE? If you’ve read the book Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen, then you know how their story goes — and you also know how awesome it is! Seriously, Nancy and Karen want to marry this book; we doodle hearts in the page margins while dreaming of romantic moonlit walks with this book; we call this book and then hang up when it answers. For reals.
So, of course, we could barely contain our excitement over the movie adaptation. (You may recall Karen’s giddy post announcing the upcoming film.)
And did the movie live up to our expectations? Is Flipped a hit? Or did Flipped flop? You’ll just have to watch our video review to find out:
(PS – If you’re on the go — say, climbing a sycamore tree or running away from a neighbor who wants to kiss you — don’t worry, you can still listen to our review. Just download the audio.)
Have you seen the movie? Leave a comment with YOUR review! How do you think it compared to the book?
PS – Here are links to the awesome fansite and Wendelin van Draanen’s blog, which we mention in our review. Check ‘em out!
Up, up, and away!
If only we had wings, then both of us here at Kidsmomo would be soaring sky-high and doing crazy loop-de-loops right now.
Why? Because we LOVED the new movie How to Train Your Dragon, based on the book by Cressida Cowell.
Check out our video review of the film:
(Some of those dragons sure are ghastly. If you’d prefer not to lay eyes on the beasts, just download the audio of our review!)
Have you seen the movie or read the book? Leave a comment with YOUR review of How to Train Your Dragon!
yawn! or, rawr! (take your pick)
Do you have a Wild Thing inside of you?
Check out our review of the Where the Wild Things Are movie, which was adapted from Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book. The gist of our review: very pretty, but . Yeah, you know you want MO Kidsmomo! Check out the video:
On the go but need your Kidsmomo? Download the audio! (But make sure to come back to check out our Wild Things drawings!)
Have you seen the movie? Leave YOUR review of Where The Wild Things Are in the comments!
