Saturday Matinee - Ramona & Beezus

Welcome back for another family film fest.  Last weekend I found my daughters watching Ramona & Beezus again, they have watched this film so many times, they are beginning to know the script! I actually don't mind as this is a fab film.  I read all of the Ramona stories as a child and was so thrilled to see that the Beverly Cleary characters were  being brought to life.  Of course there is the instant appeal to my children as Beezus is played by Selena Gomez, of 'Wizards of Waverly Place' fame.  For me the films appeal got even better when I realised SATC actor John Corbett, who played Ade, was Ramona & Beezus's dad! Anyway with that aside, the biggest issue with bringing books to life is whether they live up to our expectations. 

Having recently been reading the Ramona stories with my daughters they were already familiar with the characters and the film takes several of the books ideas to make a brilliant feature film. Ramona is a nine year old girl whose best intentions usually end in mishap and her imagination and creativity is brought to life perfectly by the young actress, Joey King.  Her family is always on hand to deal with the mishaps she creates and the films story is uplifting, especially when they seem set to loose their home. But fear not as Ramona actually manages to inadvertently save the day. With the romantic sub plot of Ramona's Aunt Bea and their neightbour, Hobart, this film maybe a little sickly sweet for some but for me it is quite simply adorable and reminds me that nice things really do happen to nice people.

As a fan of Beverly Cleary's stories I am happy to say the Ramona & Beezus movie is well worth watching and I am sure you won't be watching it just once!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Zoe
x

Saturday Matinee - Nanny McPhee

Welcome to the brand new family film feature, Saturday Matinee  I hope you have your ice cream money for the interval!  We love films here in the Grant house and I thought it would be fun to share some of our family favourites with you over the next few weeks.   To get started I have chosen one of our favourites, even though it is not all that new.  Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang are fabulous family fun and have made us giggle even after numerous viewings.

image source

 

Both films star Emma Thomson, who also wrote the screenplay for the first movie and then wrote the story and screenplay for the second movie.  She has translated the story to screen incredibly well, offering a realistic example of strained family relationships in both the Victorian era and during WW2.  With the absence of a parent the children are often led to fend for themselves or make do with inadequate domestic staff.  Obviously this leads to disruptive and very naughty behaviour leaving the remaining parent pulling their hair out at the struggle of trying to hold everything togther.  Knock, knock, who is at the door, but Nanny McPhee of course.  But she is no ordinary nanny, she is magical, wielding a cane that can change or stop actions with a single tap.  Her appearance is quite grotesque and actually makes the children stop for a single second and stare.  Yet as the childrens behaviour improves and the basic five lessons she is sent to teach have been learnt her features change, warts disappear and just as the children become more appealing so does her appearance. 

image source

 

The antics of the chidlren in both films is hilarious and captivating, appealing to young children, Kitty watched both films reguarly when she was four, through to us grown ups too.  Offering an insight into the historical time yet making it believable to modern children, the Nanny McPhee films are a firm favourite in our house.  So make some popcorn, snuggle up on the sofa and prepare to laugh, smile knowingly and maybe even cry as you join Nanny McPhee and her charge on their magical adventures.

 Enjoy your weekend,
Zoe
x