My Dog Skip............................A Dog Tail

My Dog Skip
PG

I remember when this movie came out it got a whole lot of good review and I always intended to watch it but somehow never did.  Perhaps a part of that is that it is just within the last year or so that my kids will consider a movie that is not a cartoon.  I consider this a great milestone.  LOL

I found this film to be a odd little film.  It didn't really seem to go anywhere and at the same time was a little formulaic.  WWII era boy has no friends, save an older next door neighbor who is going off to war.  Since he is lonely, his mother gets him a dog over his father's objections.  The dog does indeed, become the best friend.

What to do before viewing


1) Huge cast.  Diane Lane.  Kevin Bacon. Luke Wilson.

2) I appear to be losing my mind.  I told my kids I didn't understand the toilet on the poster.  They looked at me like I was crazy then told me there was a big scene with a toilet and that it had become a running gag throughout the film.  I have absolutely no recollection of this.  Perhaps I wasn't paying that much attention?  I have no answer for that.  I thought I was watching.  It is scaring me a little actually.

3) My kids and husband liked this one better than I did.

4) Based on a true story.  I didn't know this until the end.

What about the kids?


We watched it for family night.  Here is what the experts say.

Currently available on Netflix Instant Viewing and here.


Three Stars- "I Liked It" - truthfully I would probably give it two but the rest of my family would probably give it a four so I am splitting the difference since I might have been having a bad night.

MY DOG SKIP: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: My Dog Skip, Luke Wilson

Gnomeo and Juliet...............................A Rose by Any Other Name

Gnomeo and Juliet
G

This is a real break out movie for me as it is still in the theater.  (chuckling in a bit embarrassed manner) It totally figures it would be animated as I pretty much only get to see movies I take the kids to see.  In this case it was for my youngest's birthday.  But that's okay cause this was a fun film.

Gnomeo and Juliet, voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, are garden gnomes that live in rival gardens.  The Red Hats and the Blue Hats have been feuding for as long as anyone can remember. Of course, you pretty much know how the rest of the story goes.

Yes this is a kids' film but there is plenty here for the accompanying parent to enjoy.  Shakespeare quotes, and not all from Romeo and Juliet, are woven through the entire script and it is fun to try and find them.  If you are better educate than I turned out to be, it would also be fun to figure out which plays they are from.

Some of Britain's best stars turned up to do voices.  In addition to James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, there is Maggie Smith, Micheal Caine, Jason Straham, Ozzy Osborne, Julie Andrews, Patrick Stewart, and Dolly Parton.  Yeah, that last one isn't British but she sure does have a recognizable voice.

What to know before viewing

1) Yes, I know the above poster isn't in English. I just thought it was cute.  Here is the translation for those who have an overwhelming need for the English version.  I like the other one better.

2) Tybalt is BAD.  I kept thinking I needed to go back an re-read the play because I didn't remember him being that bad.

3) My biggest disappointment in the film was that James McAvoy's voice didn't turn out to be that distinctive.  Pleasant, yes, but not distinctive.

4) Elton John's music is featured quite prominently here and is a lot of fun.  I love it when they weave existing songs into a story line.

What about the kids?


This is all about the kids.  My youngest got up half way through the film and thanked me for bringing him to see it.  LOL

Currently in theaters and eventually here


Five Stars-  "Loved It"


If you noticed this has gone to video and I have not changed it, please comment and I will fix it.

UPDATED to add- this is now on out on DVD