So, the kid and I have a deal. She works hard on workbooks and reading and such this summer, and for every 20 pages she does, we get to have a ‘fun day’ of her choice. It’s worked out remarkably well – for her. In two weeks, we’ve been to see 3 movies, been to the park, she’s had 4 sleep overs with her cousins, and went camping with them. I’m fairly sure she’s going to break me before I find myself another job.

Whee.

So for those of you, like me, who are parents, Lil and I have reviewed the movies we’ve seen this summer, so far.

Marmaduke:

My review:

This movie is so chock-full of teenage angst that it would have made me sick, if it were teenagers. But it’s not, and that’s it’s saving grace. Marmaduke’s a massive dog in the throes of adolescence and all the good, bad and ugly that come with it. The movie’s dumb, frankly, and for that reason I was laughing as hard as my daughter the entire way through it. A note: there are mildy tense and scary parts where little minds find it easy to think the dog’s going to die. Sensitive children will probably need a bit of encouragement through this part. I know mine did. Overall? Worth seeing if you’ve got kids, or are a fan of dumb humor.

Lilly’s review:

It’s really funny, where the bully dog slobbers on all the other dogs. It’s kind of scary though, where ‘Duke and his girlfriend fall into the street and get washed away. I cried! I want to see this movie again though. It makes me happy and it’s good with popcorn.

How To Train Your Dragon:

My review:

I was quite entranced by this movie, much of the way through. It was action packed, with the typical heart-jerking moments of teenage angst, bullying, and just not belonging. Of course, it’s a scrawny boy named Hiccup, who doesn’t fit in with dragon-killing Vikings, but all the same! My daughter quite sympathized with him and pointed out a few of the bullies who she’s renamed after kids from her class last year. He manages to save the day, of course. Overall? Worth seeing. A bit intense in places for little ones, but nothing they can’t be talked through.

Lilly’s review:

It was awesome! The best part was where the man finds a good dragon and changes all the other dragons to be good. It was scary when the big, bad dragon came out of the mountain. The fire was scary too, and there was lots of fire! It was sad when he broke off one of his legs at the end. I really like this movie lots!

Shrek Forever After:

My review:

This movie had me sympathizing far too much with Shrek and Fiona. Uggh. It was a cute fairy tale twist though, and a fitting ending to the saga, I think. Overall, I enjoyed the movie but it’s probably not one I’d go back and watch over and over again (despite my rugrat’s pleading).

Lilly’s review:

This movie was fun. The babies were gross with all their farting! I felt bad for Shrek. I didn’t like the bad guy though. The witches were scary but it was funny when one melted away! It ended really good though, and was very funny. The baby donkey-dragons were SO cute!