Marveling at a One-Rating World
“Is the PG-13 rating helping or hurting families?” That’s the question I posed in an article published in Plugged In magazine in the summer of 2001. The answer seemed pretty obvious even then. But after watching two recent movies featuring heroes from the Marvel Comics universe, I’m more convinced than ever that this baffling rating […]
Relieving Media Stress
It’s 6:30 p.m. Supper’s over after an exhausting day, and you’d love nothing more than to pop in a DVD and “veg” a little. In fact, now that their homework is finally finished, the kids are eager to join you. What comes next should be relaxing, but it’s usually enough to trigger heartburn: choosing something […]
Old Rivals Clash in XLV
As Super Bowl XLV steamrolled along, the hard-fought battle on TV’s biggest stage seemed to grow in intensity. With so much at stake, each competitor jockeyed for position. Who would win the day? We saw a stark contrast in styles. And I’m not referring to the Packers and Steelers; I’m talking about Coke and Pepsi. […]
The Golden Rule at the Golden Globes
For award watchers and showbiz prognosticators, Sunday night’s Golden Globes went pretty much as expected. Lots of people hit the “like” button for The Social Network. Acting front-runners Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Annette Bening and Christian Bale all took home statues. And the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Toy Story 3, found equal favor […]
Long Live Rankin/Bass
We teach children a lot of things. Most go in one ear and out the other. After all, when you’re 6 years old, it’s hard to know which tidbits you’ll really need later in life. But one useful truth stuck with me at an early age: bumbles bounce. C’mon, admit it. The first time you […]
Subtle Twist in Tangled
I can’t believe I missed it. After nearly 20 years of analyzing films for Plugged In, you’d think I would have been more perceptive. But it just goes to show how subtle some errant spirituality can be, especially in a film as fun, charming and disarming as Tangled. Disney’s new princess story focuses on Rapunzel, […]
We Saw Voyage of the Dawn Treader!
Pssssst! Yeah, over here. Word on the street is you’re lookin’ for the scoop on the third Narnia movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I hear you want to know if it’s entertaining. You’re curious about whether the move from Disney to 20th Century Fox is good for the franchise. You’re hoping this film does […]
Jersey Shore Ain’t All Snooki
I grew up at the Jersey Shore. So in defense of the folks back home, let me clarify that we aren’t all like the knuckleheads on MTV’s reality show Jersey Shore (the second season of which premieres tonight) any more than the 8,722 square miles nicknamed The Garden State is what you see when flying […]
When Kids’ Meals Aren’t for Kids
The other day I learned that fast-food kids’ meals may be even less healthy than I thought. Fries aside, and not counting greasy burgers, sugary drinks or those processed chicken nuggety things, it turns out something else in those colorful, puzzle-tatted bags o’ fun could be a problem: the prize. Apparently, Wendy’s recently removed a […]
Little Girl Lost
Lindsay Lohan is up to her old tricks again. Sadly, I’m not referring to the playful mischief that endeared her to us in 1998’s family comedy The Parent Trap. “I will be very surprised if she doesn’t go to jail,” criminal defense attorney Steve Cron told Fox News in response to Lohan’s latest probation violation. […]