Tuesday, March 27, 2007

G-r-e-a-t. Great.

M-o-v-i-e. Movie.

Akeelah and the Bee was this weekend's fun family movie (with Ramona's ears covered for a few words.)

If you want your kids to walk around saying, "Prestidigitation: p-r-e-s-t-i-d-i-g-i-t-a-t-i-o-n ... Prestidigitation" just pop in this movie and watch the pulchritude. If you didn't think a spelling bee could be exciting, think again. Keke Palmer is adorable and Laurence Fishburne is admirably subdued and complex. Somewhat predictable in its inspirational message, but tear-inducing in this mom, nevertheless. Great for various discussion topics with my older kids, including goals and perseverance, the right and wrong reasons for doing things, race and class tensions, good parents living tough lives. (See the ScreenIt review for a complete rundown of things to watch for in this PG-rated movie.)

Enjoy it. S-o-o-n. Soon.

3 comments:

Jenn said...

I've been searching all morning for a decent kid film. Really. My husband wants to take my daughter to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Is this on DVD or did you see it in the theater?

Karen Edmisten said...

It's on DVD. I think it came out last year. But I wonder if Lucy might still be too young/sensitive for this one? Be sure to read ScreenIt (they don't leave out a detail, regarding the language problems, and social issues -- I find it so helpful!)

Another great site to help discern what might work for your family is Steven Greydanus's Decentfilms.com

Anonymous said...

Marianna adored this film, it actually prompted her to want to start learning Latin. Akeela had to know the root words...I should go order it from the library right now!