Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel

Part of a Christmas tradition for my family is to go to the movies after opening up our gifts. Today we chose to see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. I have not seen the first Chipmunks movie (even though we own it) so I don't have anything to compare it to. My children (ages 17, 5, and 3) have seen the first one and say this one is much better!

I had a huge smile walking out of the theater. I wish I could have captured the smiles of joy in the dancing steps of all those leaving the theater. My own little boy (the 5 year old) about broke the seat from all the dancing!!

In this movie, Uncle Dave is injured (thanks to Alvin) so the boys have to go stay with their aunt. Well, Toby, who is aunt's grandson, comes along to the airport to pick the boys up. Boy was that an adventure. Aunt ends up in the hospital so Toby has to take care of the boys. They are under strict order of Uncle Dave to go to school.

There are many adventures at school (just like in "real life" today) and they find out that the school music program is dying. I just love how they worked this in along with a Toys for Tots toy drive!!! Anyway, the principal learns of a competition where the winning school will win money to save their music program and she is a closet fan of the Chipmunks. She asks them to compete and of course, they say they will. Then...well, the Chipettes move in and there is now some competition. How will they handle all the stress to win the money for their school?

This is a super cute movie and one that still has me singing!! "Put a Ring On It" is definitely the show stopper and you will sing the song for days (quite possibly after reading this post too!). With voice talents of Amy Poehler, Christina Applegate, Jesse McCartney, and Jason Lee you just can't go wrong!

This is rated PG, mainly for some mildly crude humor. I also heard a few "choice" words that we do not allow in our house, but you had to listen carefully to hear them.

Overall, I highly recommend this one! We will purchase it when it comes out on DVD!

For a little Chipmunk fun, visit this Munked website and create your own Chipmunk avatar!

We viewed this movie at a Carmike Cinema.

Movie Review: A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey

This is my first, and hopefully not my last movie review! Yesterday, we took the family to see "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey. This particular review will be on the 3D version of the movie.

I do not have enough words to tell you just how wonderful this movie really is!! I have been a fan of Jim Carrey for many, many years and this movie just proves even more what a great actor he is! I didn't realize until the credits rolled that he played several of the parts!

I loved the 3D aspects of this show! It was (obviously) snowing throughout the entire movie but there were times it looked like you could stick your hand out and feel the snow. Being from the North (and now suffering in the South), I LOVED this part!! I love snow and never get to see enough of it. This would make a great 4D movie too!

There were parts of this movie that I thought might scare my little ones (ages 3 and 5). The scene where Marley comes back from the dead might be a little scary to some, as there are a couple of "jump" scenes. The Ghosts aren't too scary but for some it might be a little uncomfortable. For most of the movie, my little ones kept their 3D glass off and it didn't seem to affect their viewing the movie. In some cases, it might have made what I thought might scare them a little less offensive.

I will admit, I'm a softy and did tear up a couple of times in the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Future. Seeing the reactions of Scrooge's character in response to the outcome of Tiny Tim tore at my heart.

Overall, I would give this movie 5 out of 5 stars!! This is a great family movie, especially during the holiday season. I had originally intended for us to see this on Thanksgiving day after we had our meal but hubby and I decided we just couldn't wait!! Once we viewed the movie, we made a trip to our local Borders and bought a copy of the book to read to our children. We have decided that it will become one of the traditional things we will do with our children during the holiday season...read the book and watch the movie. This is one movie we will purchase to keep for many years to come!

You can view a video trailer of this show here. For those with small children or those who are concerned about what your children/family might see/hear, there is only one "bad word" that I recall hearing in the movie and if you are not listening critically, you might not even hear it. Otherwise, this is a mom-approved, child-friendly, family-recommended movie!

Happy Holidays!!