Buzz Review Blog

Dads are parents, too! Fathering your school-age child

Okay, I admit it.  I signed up with Parent Bloggers to review the book Fathering Your School Age Child:  A Dad's Guide to the Wonder Years 3 to 9 so that my husband would read it and then he could take over the review for a day.  But then something strange happened.  I read it.  And like it.  And by the very virtue of my reading a book, he pretty much read it, too.  Why?  Conversations like this:

Did you know you should weigh your child's backpack once in a while?

Why?

To make sure it is under the 10-15% of your child's weight.  Duh!

It does not say that.  Let me see that!

And then he was off reading and then telling me about what he read.  Of course, that is just an example.  But the whole book has practical advice for Dads. And no just Dads, but for any parent.  PRACTICAL.  Imagine that.

From playing, to volunteering.  From teaching your child to being your child's advocate.  It covers just about everything you can think about.  From the Mr.Dad.com website:

When is it the best time to encourage a child's independence? What's the difference between daycare vs. preschool? What are the unique ways fathers impact their youngster's life? The answers to these questions and hundreds more are found in the pages of this easy-to-follow, informative volume. With wisdom, compassion, and humor, author Armin Brott devotes a chapter to each school year from pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade. In each chapter he outlines the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social changes the child is going though, and examines the emotional and psychological development the father may be experiencing. He also discusses issues that develop between dad and mom as well as matters that involve the whole family. In addition, each chapter contains a section called "You and Your Child," in which activities and issues appropriate to the given age are discussed.

At the end of the book there is a plethora or resources.  Good resources.  Relevant resources.  Resources that would make a resource junky like myself weep. 

One of my favorite parts to discuss with my husband was the quick reference "Talking the Talk."  It is about Internet lingo and net-speak.

What does A3 mean?

What?

A3.  Tell me what it means.

I don't know.

Bad!  You need to know.  It means anytime, anywhere, anyplace!  Seriously!
What about IPN?

Something about urinating?

Ha ha.  Seriously.  IPN?  What do you do if you see that?

*blank stare*

It means "I'm posting naked!"  Naked.  We better NEVER see IPN.  Ever.  Read this.

That is when he grabbed the book and started reading more to me.  This is a great book that is relevant.  Honestly, it is not just for Dads, but awesome for Fathers.  A book that really does show the practical ways to interact, become involved and learn more about what is going on with your child. 

The author, Armin Brott has also written books for Expectant Fathers, New Fathers, Toddlers and Fatherhood for Life.  He is a wonderful author with resources I recommend all Fathers read.  Easily laid out with handy reference guides and resources with all of his books.

Go check out his site and find out more.  He has a lot more information on his site, too.  Including a podcast and newsletter.

Wild Hogs- Wild Ride

Today Wild Hogs is released on DVD.  Go get it.  Seriously, you can come back here and read this later.  Because no matter what I have to say about the movie will never be as funny as the movie itself.

With a star-studded cast of men that I adore, I knew it would be a hit.  Hilarious men equals hilarious movie. (At least in this case.)  Starring John Travolta (Woody- the man whose life is crumbling as he remains in denial), Tim Allen (Doug- the stuck in a rut dentist), Martin Lawrence (Bobby- the author wanna-be with an over-bearing wife), and William H. Macy (Dudley- the computer programmer who is all geek).   Putting these men together in one movie was brilliant casting. It works. Logically, it may not make sense to see these four men as friends, but the way they play off of each other really does work for them. Think a semi-middle aged version of a National Lampoon's movie.  You are going to go for some cheap laughs, but cheap or not, you do laugh. 

The premise of the story involves four men who collectively are going through a mid-life crisis of some sort and decide to take to the open road from Cincinnati to the Pacific Ocean.  Just the guys, their motorcycles and the open road.  (Even had a funny no cell phones--smash them moment.)

They don their leathers, fire up their hogs and throw caution and their cell phones to the wind as they hit the open highway. A lot can happen on the road to nowhere, including a run-in with the bad-to-the-bone Del Fuegos, a real biker gang who don’t take kindly to the wannabes.

Ray Liotta is brilliantly cast as the "leader" of a real motorcycle gang, The Del Fuegos.  A rough, tough, trouble making gang that can only lead to disaster when they encounter The Wild Hogs.  (John Travolta's best scenes are when it involves the Del Fuegos.  From looks he gives, to body language to the lines he delivers.) 

Now, being from Cow-Tipping country, I loved the Slap the Bull scene.  No, really.  They slap the bull.  On the butt.  But what happens when you slap a bull on the butt the second time?  Watch it for yourself.  (This will open a window that has the clip.)  For more clips, go here and see a few more. 

I really enjoyed this movie and know that I will watch it more than once.  There is just no way to catch all of the lines in this movie the first time around.  To me, that is a bonus.  The desire to watch a movie again and again.

The disc is packed full of bonus features as well.

Bonus Features 

• Bikes, Brawls and Burning Bars: The Making of Wild Hogs
Director Walt Becker leads viewers through the process of putting together the A-list cast and describes
the difficulty of shooting a road movie involving over 100 motorcycles!  Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin
Lawrence and William H. Macy talk about working together to form the least-threatening biker gang in
history.  Also, see interviews with the stunt and special effects crews.

• Alternate Ending
The Highway Patrolman (John C. McGinley) has one last run-in with the guys in the original ending to
the film.

• Deleted Scenes
“Molar Abscess” features John Travolta’s sister, and “Chili Pepper,” a feature which shows a hilarious
run-in with the Del Fuegos at the Chili Cook-off.   

• Audio Commentary 
Feature-length commentary by director Walt Becker and writer Brad Copeland.

• How to Get Your Wife to Let You Buy a Motorcycle *
A funny featurette about the virtues of motorcycle ownership.

• Outtakes 

• Easter Egg

This is one of those movies you want your friends to see so that you can throw out those great one-liners that only people who have seen the movie will understand.  Or maybe that is just how I love to react to movies.  In either case, you will want to share this one with your friends!

For more information, go to the Wild Hogs official website.  There are a lot of great gems to enjoy there.

Becoming Jane (A movie review that is spoiler-free)

When given a chance to see a movie that does not involve talking animals or animated anything, I jump at it.  I was thrilled to be able to go see Becoming Jane all by myself.  As in alone. 

Now, one thing that is stressed over and over about the movie is that it is a fictional account based on Jane Austen's life.  Honestly, I just don't know enough about Jane Austen's life to know fact from fiction, so that detail did not bother me one bit or take away any part of the enjoyment factor.  If you are a die-hard Austen fan with extensive knowledge of her life, just know going in this is a fictional account.

I was eager to see the star, Anne Hathaway,  in this type of role. (Seeing as I was used to her in movies like Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted.) Let me first say, I thought her accent was impeccable. Not that I am awesome at picking out what is spot on, but I can get quite irritated with a bad accent. (Enough so that I will leave a movie over it.  It was completely  not an issue with Anne.  I became absolutely immersed in her character to remember she was an American.)  Anne played this character as if she were born to bring the beloved Jane Austen to life for us--fictionalized or not.  She nailed this role unlike any I have seen in a while.  She had spunk and sass and made her bring her character to life in such a way that you really wanted to know her as a personal friend. Her classic beauty and ability to act was such that you become completely immersed in her character.  For me, that is what made the movie more like the experience of climbing into a book with one of Jane Austen's own fictional characters and living life with them. 

The official movie teaser states:

“Becoming Jane,” is the story of the great, untold romance that inspired a young Jane Austen, played by Anne Hathaway.  Willful and spirited, Jane is not ready to be tied down to anything but her writing. That is until she meets Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), a charming rogue from London who spends more time drinking and socializing than on his law studies.

What is not to love with a description like that?  This movie was ultimately a love story.  But even more than the romance it teases and promises you, there was a real love in this movie. A love story for the ages from ages ago.  (Though, I now know that the actual relationship with Tom Lefroy (played in the movie by James McAvoy was less a love affair than a flirtation in real life.)  In the movie, it just worked so beautifully as a full blown love affair of the heart.  This story  and the relationship between the characters has been suggested as the the inspiration behind the classical banter between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

I have to admit one of my favorite scenes in the movie was the dialog regarding Jane and her writing.  (Thank you IMDB for pulling it out as a memorable quote as well.)

Mrs. Austen:  JANE!
 Lady Gresham:  What is she doing?
 Mr. Wisley:  Writing.
 Lady Gresham:  Can anything be done about it?

A romance with humor.  Best combination ever.  Combine that with the amazing period costumes and settings, and I was sucked in and became the total romance sap that I am!  Confession time:  I love period pieces and always forgot how much until I see one done as well as Become Jane was done.  A wonderful piece of work for the eyes, the ears and the heart.  I highly recommend seeing this movie.  Grab a box of Kleenex and a good girlfriend and go see it.  And remember regardless of whether or not this is a fictional account or not, it is a beautiful love story that is a must see.   

I plan on seeing it again.  Want to join me?

---

For more MotherTalk reviews on Becoming Jane, visit www.mother-talk.com.

 

Hannah Montana - Pop Star Profile

Hannah Montana-Pop Star Profile was released on DVD by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and has become a staple on our TV since the day we received it!

How does a super popular and talented singer and actress celebrate and promote a new DVD release?  Well, obviously she does a free concert to entertain, celebrate and promote.  And there are pictures.  (We love pictures!) Want to see them?  Go here and enjoy the fun that you missed!  But do not despair.  This DVD is full of the fun that you can miss over and over and NOT miss any fun!

Here in our home we are big fans of  Hannah Montana. Huge!  I am pretty sure that we have not missed an episode yet.  In fact, when the familiar theme song is heard, activities around the house stop so that my daughter and I can drop everything to lip synch with the Hannah Montana theme song.  Fun times. Seriously.

(Side note:  Did you know that her real name is not "Miley" but rather her nickname as a child was "Smiley" and thus morphed into "Miley"?  You are welcome for that little tidbit.  Share it with your friends and family.)

Back to the DVD, this four-episode story arc is the latest collection to release on DVD from the incredibly popular Disney Channel original series.  It follows the "budding relationship" between Hannah/Miley and Jake Ryan  (Cody Linley), the popular celebrity that she has butt heads with since their initial meeting.

It also has bonus features: You get a chance to meet Miley Cyrus's real-life family in meet "The Real Miley Cyrus" (Yes, she is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus!) and you get to experience Hannah live in  a concert performance of one of Hannah’s new songs, "Nobody’s Perfect"! (Always a bonus!)

If you want to see a clip of some of this great DVD, go here and get a sneak peek of what you want to own for youself. If you have Hannah Montana fans in your family, this is a must have DVD. 

So, go out today and get your own copy because I watch mine too often to share.

High School Musical: The Concert Extreme Access Pass DVD

When High School Musical came out, I crossed my arms and declared, "It is not Grease!" but watched it with my kids anyway.  And, yes, I loved it!  All gazillion times I watched it.  When they came out with High School Musical, The Concert - Extreme Access Pass I could not wait to see it.  Honestly.

I knew all the songs by heart at this point and thought a concert would be a blast.

The cast of High School Musical embarked on a North American tour in 2006-2007 to promote High School Musical and High School Musical 2 (coming to a TV set near you August 17, 2007!  (Cannot wait!) (THe concert was sadly minus Zac Efron--which was a huge disappointment to my daughter, but he had movie business to take care of, so we forgave him.  His replacement was incredible.)

It was in every sense a a concert and not a stage version of the movie.  It was energetic, fun and full of the songs that we have come to know and love!  And, yes, my daughter and I did dance and sing along with the cast. 

High School Musical: The Concert Extreme Access Pass DVD features the very talented stars of High School Musical:   The ever energetic, Corbin Bleu (“Chad”). The gorgeous Monique Coleman (“Taylor”). The very enthusiastic Lucas Grabeel (“Ryan”). The knock out beauty Vanessa Hudgens (“Gabriella”). And always fun and funny Ashley Tisdale (“Sharpay”) joined by the Emmy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Drew Seeley, who co-wrote the hit "Get'cha Head in the Game".  (And who does not love that song?  I sing it to my kids whenever they get "spacey" or are not paying attention.

This is one of those videos that you will watch over and over.  I can attest to this because I do believe I am nearing triple digits on this video.

Out in stores now, I highly recommend if you have kids, love fun and entertaining music and enjoyed High School Musical, it is a must for your DVD collection!