Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

13-year-old twins, Jonah and Daniel Menegaz reviewed Pirates of the Caribbean for KIDS FIRST! this week and it was a slam dunk hit with both of them. Here’s a link to their videotaped review and below is a summary: 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is a continuation of the adventures of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), this time in a race to the Fountain of Youth along with femme fatale Angelica (Penelope Cruz), the infamous pirate Black Beard (Ian McShane) and crusty Barbossa (Geoffery Rush).

The movie is very exciting, with a lot of action and a healthy dose of well placed humor.  Not only is the acting good, but the action choreography is amazing as well.

The roles of the characters are perfectly portrayed by the actors playing them.  The CGI is so real, (especially of the mermaids) you are sure to be on the edge of you seat, almost in the movie.

But if you want to feel like you’re really a part of all the action, see it in Imax or 3D… or both. The picture in Imax 3D is astonishing and helped make the movie all it could be. The soundtrack is also very well played, setting the tone of each If you’re looking for a good movie, go see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  You’re guaranteed to have a great time!  Daniel Menegas age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a very entertaining action-adventure movie. The fight scenes and snappy dialogue are set up in just the right way to make the movie captivating.  As the fourth installation to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, On Stranger Tides follows characters Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), former girlfriend-turned pirate Angelina (Penelope Cruz), Jack’s nemesis Black Beard (Ian McShane) and the salty Barbossa (Geoffery Rush) all trying to find the Fountain of Youth.  According to pirate legend, a prophecy states Black Beard will be killed and stabbed through the heart by a one- legged man, so they set sail to find to the infamous fountain before the one- legged man finds them.
        
The sword fighting scenes are very well choreographed – like the actors are actually fighting. It’s how I imagine actual pirates would fight. Job well done.
        
I also thought the sound effects are great – they just make the movie. The clash of the swords, the rocking of boats, all set up in the perfect time, not a sound out of place. The music compliments the movie wonderfully. The orchestra seems to capture and define each scene flawlessly, and really sets the mood of the film.
        
The plot line of the movie is interesting and the numerous clever plot twists are fun but easy enough to follow.
        
The performances of the actors are awesome too. My favorite character is Johnny Depp, who plays the role of Captain Jack Sparrow. I might be biased because he is one of my favorite actors, but I thought he is hilarious.  The other characters are believable and fun to watch, too, so all in all, it’s a movie to see. Jonah Menegas age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow and is joined by Penelope Cruz, playing a woman from his past. He’s not sure if it’s love — or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past. Trailer

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D will open this Friday on a record 402 Imax screens internationally. The digitally re-mastered version of the studio picture will be simultaneously released by Imax on 257 screens domestically and 139 screens overseas.

Directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides stars Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Hollywood Reporter review.

This is great. You can now download PBS Kids Videos on a new iPad app that gives you free, streaming access to more than 1,000 videos from top PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! shows. What a great way to blend education and fun where kids develop their reading skills, learn about science and other subjects through their favorite characters from these shows. 

As a true app fan, I can’t tell you how exciting this is and, of course, like all of their content, the PBS KIDS Video FREE, designed with kids in mind, and supports curricuular goals. Whether your kid is below grade level in these areas, or exceling, this is wonderful and fun content to help them work on these skills, particularly over the summer. Don’t go to school, go to your iPad.

For more information, go to the App Store on iPad or at http://to.pbs.org/pbskidsvideoipad.   More information about PBS KIDS mobile apps is available on PBSKIDS.org/mobile.

Our 13-year-old youth Film Critic. Raven Devanney definitely resonated with this film which opens this weekend. Here’s what she has to say: “Something Borrowed is a brilliant laugh-out-loud comedy. I guarantee you’ll laugh so hard your sides will hurt!

I am in love with this movie! It is so hilarious I almost fell out of my set at the theater! The visual aspects of this film are great because of the crisp images and the dialogue is so funny. My favorite character is Ethan because he is so blunt and straight forward. There  is no hiding his emotions and I laugh at almost every thing he says and does!

Something that is so clever about this movie is that it is very emotional, so you can go from cracking up to crying in one scene.

The only thing that really bothers me about this film is the ending. I do not think Dex and Claire should be together in the end, I mean, I know they wait for 6 years but it just doesn’t sit right with me and I feel bad for how Claire and Darcy’s relationship ended up.

This movie is for ages 13 and up because teens and adults will love it for the hilarious adult humor and it is pretty inappropriate for children under 13.

So if you’re 13 and up hurry to the nearest theater on May 6th! Don’t wait! I give Something Borrowed 2 thumbs up!

Credit: Raven Devanney, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

The Colorado Film Society, the non-profit organization that produces the Boulder International Film Festival, will conduct its “World Cinema Day” program for students age 13 and above on Friday, April 29, 2011, a no-school day due to teacher in-service meetings.

This World Cinema Day program will be held at the Boulder Public Library Auditorium at 9th & Canyon from 1 to 3 p.m. and will feature a program of six short films screened previously at the Boulder International Film Festival:

There is no cost for students to attend, though seating will be available on a “first come/first served” basis. CFS staff will be present at the screening.

The program is appropriate for ages 13 and older. It is NOT appropriate for younger students.

The Colorado Film Society is a non-profit organization that produces the Boulder International Film Festival. The CFS is dedicated to building a cohesive film community in Boulder through educational outreach to area students and providing educational forums and networking opportunities to filmmakers and industry professionals in Boulder.

“World Cinema Days” are presented by the Colorado Film Society/Boulder International Film Festival, and are made possible through support from The Community Foundation, Xcel Energy and the Colorado Council on the Arts.

Please call 303 449-2283 or email [email protected] for more information.

This unique collection of six best-selling cultural stories is narrated by celebrities such as B.D. Wong and Ming-Na Wen.
The title tale, Tikki Tikki Tembo, is based on the classic picture book by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent. What’s in a name? A great deal according to the Chinese of long ago who honored their first son with the grand, long name Tikki Tikki Tembo. But such names can cause a lot of trouble, as the younger brother and his mother discover when the eldest falls down a well! Additional stories include:
• The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks – Based on the book written by Katherine Paterson and illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon. A compassionate couple risks their lives to save a pair of Mandarin ducks. Narrated by B.D. Wong.
• Grandfather’s Journey- Through compelling reminiscences of his grandfather’s life in the United States and Japan, Allen Say poignantly recounts his family’s journey to America. The feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries are sensitively expressed. Narrated by B.D. Wong, with music by Ernest V. Troost.
• The Stonecutter  -Based on the book by Gerald McDermott, based on a Japanese folktale, tells the story of a lowly stonecutter named Tasaku who longs for wealth and power. The soundtrack features a Japanese koto.
•  Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China – This award-winning version of the Red Riding Hood story features Lon Po Po, who pretends to be the grandmother of three little girls left at home.
• Sam and the Lucky Money – This animated story is based on the book by Karen Chinn, this story. It’s Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and Sam meets a stranger who helps him make the perfect decision on how to spend his lucky money. Narrated by Ming-Na Wen.

Visit http://www.newkideo.com/ to learn more about Scholastic Storybook Treasures