The School of Rock

Don't you love how Hollywood can turn a potentially sinister situation into something lighthearted and funny?  So goes The School of Rock (See also Overboard).  It is every parent's nightmare that a substitute teacher would swear their children to secrecy about what they are doing in the classroom, hide those activities from school authorities and then make a way to take said children on an unaccompanied field trip.  But when Jack Black does it, it's hilarious and you root for the guy.  Oh Hollywood.

We like awkward humour and we thought The School of Rock would be a great way to introduce this style to the kid.  Well in parts it was so awkward she was hiding behind one of the cushions on the couch.  Mission accomplished.


Rating: The School of Rock was a fun movie and we will probably watch it again sometime in the future.  We should educate the kid on some classic rock first so she gets more of the references.

Naughty bits: The School of Rock is as clean as Summer's uniform (apart from the stranger danger element).  A good opportunity to talk about dodgy adults with your kids.

Snacks: Filled Roll

Family In-quotes: "Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock! "

Related Goodies:
The School of Rock TV series

She's the Man

My Mom'n'law took me out to see Shakespeare's Twelfth Night when the play rocked into town and we had a fun day out.  I didn't take the kids (2 hours of sitting through mostly talking and raunchy antics, no thank you) but I liked the story and when we discovered that there was a modern equivalent we put it on the list for Family Movie Night.  Thus one Friday night we sat down to She's the Man;  a very loose adaptation of the Twelfth Night.

Viola is gutted to discover that her school has cut the girls soccer team so when an opportunity arises for her to join the boys team at a rival school she leaps at the chance.  The only issue is that she has to pose as her twin brother in order to join.  Viola is played by Amanda Bynes and in the early 2000's she was the queen of the outrageous teen comedy.  See also Sydney White.  Her facial expressions and physical comedy are impressive and hilarious and it doesn't hurt that Tobias Funke is the principal of the school.

Rating: This movie is quirky and hilarious.  The kid laughed out loud and so did we.  We will watch again sometime.

Naughty bits: There is some mild language, sexual references a half naked Channing Tatum which will lead to naughty thoughts.

Snacks: Cheese

Family In-quotes: "Oh! She shoots, she scores! Goal!"

Related Goodies:
Twelfth Night Plot overview
Surprising facts about She's the Man

Aquamarine

Number 2 daughter is obsessed with mermaids so we thought this would be a good one to include her in Family Movie Night.  She loved the mermaid bits but sadly they were few and far between and we ended up flopping around on the floor being mermaids rather than watching most of it.  Although there is nothing dodgy in this movie it's not so suitable for nearly 4 year olds.  Too much relationship drama and not enough mermaid action.

Two besties are celebrating the last days of summer together before one of them moves away when a storm brings a new fishy friend into their lives.  She is wanting to learn about love and the three of them set out on a mission to find it for her.  Weird hilarity and serious girl bonding ensues.

Rating: It's a little corny but a fun watch and a way to introduce teen love and relationships topics to an older child (especially since the main characters gather their knowledge about relationships from magazines.  Big mistake).  Our number 1 daughter enjoyed it.  Not suitable for younger kids for the boring, it's a talkie movie factor.  We may watch it again in a few years if number 2 is still interested in mythical creatures.

Naughty bits: Some teen kisses and mild language occurs. 

Snacks: Jelly snakes

Family In-quotes: "Wait you need shoes!  And undies!"

Related Goodies:
Barbie: A Mermaid Tale A more suitable mermaid movie for young girls.  Plenty of mermaid action!
The Little Mermaid - A classic Disney mermaid movie
H2O: Just Add Water - An Australian TV mermaid series for older kids/tweens

Spy School

When you hear the title "Spy School" does it spark your imagination to dream up images of kids learning how to be spies and then having to save the world from some dastardly villain?  Yes we were sucked in by our imaginations and chose this one hoping for great things.  We were disappointed.  Very disappointed.

Spy School is about two regular tweens (a boy and a girl.  Friends.  The girl is heavily friend-zoned) who attend a regular school.  The boy has an overactive imagination and tells tall tales to gain popularity.  However the tales are not tall enough to warrant any surreal imaginative sequences but they are tall enough to get everyone to reject him.

Then when you've almost gone to sleep the president's daughter turns up, almost gets kidnapped and the boy tries [pointlessly and improbably] to save the day.


Rating: We almost quit on this one half way through, it was sooo slow and boring.  Won't watch again.

Naughty bits: This movie is as clean as the science lab before the practical joke and purple sludge incident.

Snacks: Hors d'oeuvres

Family In-quotes: "You're so disturbed"

Related Goodies:
Spy School book series (not related to the movie but seems more like what you would expect from the title)