I’ve known since the week before the movie released that I’d never go see it. In fact, it will never been watched in my home - not on tv or dvd. Why? Because it’s very offensive. I’m no prude, and I can easily handle the language in most movies. But Tropic Thunder misuses the word retard a minimum of seventeen times in 107 minutes.  That averages out to once every six and a half minutes. The studio and cast claim the movie is poking fun at Hollywood. That may be the case. But what they have chosen to ignore is that their brand of fun causes others pain. It’s been in the news that a number of disability groups and celebrities have chosen to boycott this movie, which I will gladly do. Please think before you go see this movie. And please think before you speak.

I recently learned about the Kids In Mind website. I’ve got to tell you this is one awesome website. Kids In Mind offers detailed descriptions of movies and dvds. Each description contains basic background information followed by sections rating the categories of sex/nudity, violence/gore and language on a scale from 1 to 10.  It will tell you what’s considered offensive, what attire is worn in the movie that you might not want your child to see and if any substance abuse is featured, among other things. It probably won’t tell you how many times promotional pens are mentioned but it will tell you how many times each different profane word is mentioned. Descriptions are factual and not based on personal enjoyment like reviews. This site is terrific, even if you don’t have children.

In a Toys R Us newsletter I received recently I learned about Kidtoon Films. Kidtoon Films are G rated movies that play in nationwide affiliate theaters on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings with a ticket price of $3.50. The movies will be geared for children ages 3-9. The Kidtoon Films website offers a newsletter and a review of each movie, so parents know what the movie is about. The movie for August is Sushi Pack and the movie for September is Sesame Street Abby In Wonderland.

I don’t know how I missed hearing about this until today but I just learned that on August 15 the animated movie Star Wars The Clone Wars will open in theaters. I haven’t watched Star Wars since the days of Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi. I didn’t see any of the “newer” ones. Die hard Star Wars fans should make sure that they’ve got their plasma tv mounted because apparently this film will lead the way into a television series that will be broadcast starting this fall first on Cartoon Network and later on TNT. Have you seen all of the Star Wars movies? Which was your favorite?

All of the women I work with have seen a movie called Best In Show, which I have never seen. I’d not even heard of it until they got to talking about it. My understanding is that the movie is a comedy about a fake dog show. The cast portrays dog owners and handlers, and the movie featured real dogs. (I bet they needed a lot of dog supplies for that movie.) I’m curious enough after hearing them talk about it that I might try and find it on tv to check it out for myself. Have you seen Best In Show? Did you like it?

Have you ever wanted to know something about a movie and went on the internet to find the answer? Thought an actor looked familiar but didn’t know from where? Chances are good if you found an answer it came from the imdb website. IMDB stands for Internet Movie Database. The IMDB website contains almost anything you could want to know about a movie and then some. The site contains biographies, reviews, news, trailers, tv schedules, movie schedules, box office sales/ money charts, quotes, upcoming releases, pictures, and lots more. You can even register for a free personal account there, which will let you rate and review movies, chat on message boards, catalog your movie collection, check movie schedules and vote in polls.

AMC Theatres is offering a nationwide Summer Movie Camp program. The program began 06/25/08 and runs through 08/06/08. Select theatres will be offering a family friendly movies for the price of $1 each Wednesday morning at 10 am. All proceeds from AMC Summer MovieCamp will benefit Variety – The Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. AMC has even made a special snack deal for these movies, which is great because we all know how expensive snacks at the movies is. The movies remaining in the season include July 23 - Bee Movie, July 30 - Surf’s Up and August 6 - TMNT. This program is open to everyone, families and schools alike. What better way to beat the heat then to go catch a movie with the kids!

My son and I went to the movies last night. One of the trailers we saw was for Dark Knight. I was surprised how different Heath ledger looked as the Joker character. I doubt I would have recognized him had I not known it was him portraying the Joker. If you haven’t seen any of the trailers for The Dark Knight, go take a look. Three of them are up on Warner Bothers The Dark Knight site.

I did notice when I saw the trailer that we have another Batman now, which got me to wondering how he’d measure up against the rest. Hubby and I have discussed who was the best Batman a number of times. My answer is and has always been Michael Keaton. I don’t include the Batman from The Dark Knight in this answer choices to this question because the movie isn’t out yet. So, in your opinion, who’s the best Batman? The choices are - Christian Bale, George Clooney, Val Kilmer or Michael Keaton. Let’s hear it.

I’m curious to know. When it comes to theater seating, where you prefer to sit when you go to the movies? If you could sit anywhere in a theater that you wanted, where would it be? We’re probably going to the movies tomorrow night with my twelve year old. My son loves to sit in the front row. He doesn’t understand that we’re just not comfortable there. Hubby and I don’t enjoy sitting so close and having to keep out necks tilted back so we can see the whole screen. I myself prefer the middle section of the theater on the aisle. I can hear pretty well there and I can see the entire screen comfortably. Tell me your favorite spot and why.

The following is a list of movies opening with a wide release in November.

Opening 11/02/07
American Gangster
Bee Movie
Martian Child

Opening 11/09/07
Fred Claus
Lions for Lambs
P2

Opening 11/16/07
Beowulf
Love in the Time of Cholera
Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

Opening 11/21/07
August Rush
Christmas in Wonderland
Enchanted
Hitman
Stephen King’s The Mist
This Christmas

Opening 11/23/07
Starting Out in the Evening

Opening 11/30/07
Thomas Kinkade’s Home for Christmas