We recently went to watch Microcosmos (not high, despite many who claim it as the only way to experience this movie) on the big screen at the BYU International Cinema. It's an award-winning french film entirely of insects in their element-up close and incredible.
Initially our whole family was watching it, but Canary (just learning to talk) kept narrating for everyone, "Bu-fly" "Wa-er" "Big!" She loved it, but afraid others wouldn't, Mr. Owl chivalrously walked campus for the duration of the film. At home Kingfisher was adamant about not wanting to go watch it, but it took 4 taps and a jerk to wake him from his cinematic trance and leave too.
It was gorgeous. To the point where I was totally entranced by an ethereal fairy emerging from her mystic lagoon, only to later realize it was a mosquito! Ugh! I hate mosquitoes. But it wasn't emotional manipulation--so I had no one to blame but my eyes and nature's own beauty.
In fact, what sets this film apart from most, and what I loved about it, was the absence of a sentimental storyline voice-over by some celebrity. It also lacked anthropomorphizing and editing to aid the stupid viewer in grasping some straw of connection with the natural world. This film expects more of its audience and doesn't tamper with perfection. No talking, minimal music, and no obvious fancy editing.
Just magnified clips of life happening; relentless fighting (stag beetles of course), meticulous working (ants), endless eating (caterpillars), and some unabashed loving (snails, yes...snails). The film is rated G, despite the revolting love scene between two snails set to opera music. I'm sure the filmmakers got just the response they wanted from our audience's snickers and head shaking. Opera music. Snails. I'll never see them the same again...
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Friday, November 9, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Family Movie Night Resources
Mr. Owl plans his January around the Sundance Film Festival. He's volunteered there for 3 years and Loves it. Not just because of the free Kenneth Cole jacket, plant-base inked mug, and other SWAG. It's the 8+ indie film premiers he can cram into 2 weekends for free. Oh, and the celebrity sitings are cool too.
No surprise that he initiated, and keeps going, the tradition of Movie Night at our house. If you were to peek in on us of a Friday night, you would hear the hand-crank popper rattling like loose ball bearings, the remote being searched for (again), and see our couches draped in tablecloths. This is not because we are worried about the moonlight fading our Craigslist furnishings, but because we all like to have our popcorn buttered. And it ends up everywhere. But that's OK, because now we have a vacuum with a removeable canister and 4 people in our family who are tall enough to operate it. And they will operate it.
Something that has helped us know what kinds of films our kids might be ready for is the book The Best Old Movies for Families: A Guide to Watching Together by Ty Burr. Not only is it an enjoyable read but it hits the mark for what is age appropriate as well as offering rabbit trails within genres.
Commonsense Media is a site I refer to often for their breakdown of parental ratings on violence, sex, positive messages, and language. It also has a quick summary written to let parents know just what to expect. Parent and kid reviews tell what age they think it appropriate for and help me guage if a movie is right for us with a 4, 6, and 9 year old.
No surprise that he initiated, and keeps going, the tradition of Movie Night at our house. If you were to peek in on us of a Friday night, you would hear the hand-crank popper rattling like loose ball bearings, the remote being searched for (again), and see our couches draped in tablecloths. This is not because we are worried about the moonlight fading our Craigslist furnishings, but because we all like to have our popcorn buttered. And it ends up everywhere. But that's OK, because now we have a vacuum with a removeable canister and 4 people in our family who are tall enough to operate it. And they will operate it.
Something that has helped us know what kinds of films our kids might be ready for is the book The Best Old Movies for Families: A Guide to Watching Together by Ty Burr. Not only is it an enjoyable read but it hits the mark for what is age appropriate as well as offering rabbit trails within genres.
Commonsense Media is a site I refer to often for their breakdown of parental ratings on violence, sex, positive messages, and language. It also has a quick summary written to let parents know just what to expect. Parent and kid reviews tell what age they think it appropriate for and help me guage if a movie is right for us with a 4, 6, and 9 year old.