Guest Reviewer!

The following review is by the Super Mommy:

OK, first let me say that The Happening is NOT as bad as you’ve likely read. Yes, I read all the reviews that basically said M. Night Shyamalan has lost his mind and finally produced the stinker that will sink his career. You know, the ones that said The Happening is not only HIS worst movie, but one of the worst movies ever. (I tend to think those reviewers never saw Gigli or Message in a Bottle and so don’t really have a good basis of comparison for saying a movie sucks.)
I went to see The Happening anyway because … well it’s M. Night Shyamalan and I’ve seen every one of his flicks on the big screen since The Sixth Sense. There are millions of worshippers like me who will go see this movie just because it’s … M. Night Shyamalan. And therein, I think, lays the heart of the problem. If anyone else had made this movie, I don’t think critics and the public would be bashing it quite so viciously.
In brief, the movie revolves around a phenomenon – a “happening” – that is inducing people to commit suicide in some very grisly ways (hence the R-rating, the only one of Shyamalan’s movies to get the rating). Elliott (Mark Wahlberg), a Philadelphia high school science teacher, goes on a spiritual journey – and physical jaunt through the Pennsylvania countryside – to keep his loved ones safe while trying to discover the cause of the phenomenon.
This movie is definitely worth seeing. It’s got a thought-provoking ecological message, a lot to say about human nature in times of crisis, and some very good performances from Wahlberg and John Legiuzamo (one of my favorite under-rated actors). And pay attention to Betty Buckley – who arrives late in the movie.
You’ve probably heard the story is dull, and I can understand how many people would think so. There are no explosions, no high-speed car chases, no profanity, no nudity and – frankly – not that much gore. How in the world Shyamalan thought he could make a summer movie without at least ONE of those blockbuster elements is truly bewildering to me. He’s not guilty of making a bad movie; he’s guilty of seriously misreading what Americans want in a summer blockbuster.
The Happening is a thinking movie, as are ALL of Shyamalan’s films. Like all his work, the movie is built on an underlying message and you have to pay attention to glean what that message is. Unlike his previous films, however, there is no punch at the end, no “Ah-HA!” moment when it all comes together. We’ve come to expect that from Shyamalan – from the revelation of Bruce Willis’ life-challenged status at the end of The Sixth Sense to the true nature of the community in The Village. That payoff isn’t present in The Happening, and critics and fans are crucifying him for it.
If The Happening truly fails as a movie – and I don’t think it does – it’s because the writer/director overestimated the maturity of his audience. After five successful films, he thought his audience had grown up enough to NOT need that final bonk over the head that sums up his movie’s message and delivers a final adrenaline spike. Apparently, he was wrong.

The above review was by the Super Mommy. The Super Mommy is an experienced movie goer, writer, mommy, reviewer and regular contributor to the movie mommy blog.

Separate Lives

With my daughter in preschool and my son in summer day camp I have come to the realization that I don't know how they are spending their days. Seems silly doesn't it? But in the past they were in small day care home environments with only a few other children (sometimes they were the only children). I would get reports on cute things they did or new things they said or experienced. Now that they are among the masses I don't get such reports. Only that they, "Had a good day."
I have to admit that I feel like an "empty nester." Once again - silly notion. But there they are...off on their own having conversations, meeting other people, even going places...without me! I have no idea what they are doing! Silly.
I worry about them but have be confident that they are being well taken care of and will know what to do and how to act. The wish of every parent to be sure...until their child is well into adulthood.
It's a little scary that I don't have total control over their lives or know how they are being taken care of. Will someone be there to cut up his pizza? Do they know she doesn't like apples?
They come home with songs and sayings that I have never said to them. And scraped knees. They also give the standard answer on how their day was, "Okay." I ask them what they did and sometimes they tell me and sometimes they don't. I really have to pry to get any real response.
They are growing up before my eyes and when I drop them off...I wonder...what are they going to do, see, say, hear and experience. I will never know.
I just have to let go...a little.

Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: If you can get over Harrison Ford looking like the Crypt Keeper, the references to the past Indy movies and the other worldly nature of the plot...then you can enjoy this movie. Of course Indy is gonna look old, I know it's set 20 years since the last movie. Now that we are in the 1950s there is also a new enemy...exit Nazis and enter Ruskies. The Russians are in search of artifacts that can give them an advantage...even an alien advantage over their capitalistic enemies.
I liked this movie but if you are not a fan then I don't think you will. It's basically made for fans. There are all the references to the old movies and even bringing back Karen Allen's character from the first Indy movie. There some predictable plot lines that come up involving Shia LeBeouf (least impressive role I've seen him in) that we didn't need...well, we didn't need his character at all. I don't think him being in the movie will be appealing enough for young movie goers to really go for this movie.
There is action! Good old fashioned Indians Jones action! Whips, knives, guns, vehicles, snakes, quicksand, bugs, waterfalls, booby traps...you know the usual stuff we come to expect from this type of movie. In that aspect - it will not disappoint!
The whole crystal skull thing is pretty cool and some parts of that mythos I would have liked to have seen more of but they spent so much time on set up that they didn't leave much for the actual meat & potatoes of the movie...then they rush to the ending - which was interesting.
I won't give too much away about the movie because I still recommend it.
If you are a fan - go see it! You should have seen it already! I liked it. I'm a fan.
MMM1/2M (out of 5 M's)