Media Monday: Chestnut & Shrek Forever After

Two quick reviews in one!  In search of a family movie that can include small children?  Our family gives "Chestnut" (currently in redbox) two thumbs UP.  This mom gives Shrek two thumbs DOWN. 

We watched Chestnut several weeks ago and we enjoyed it so much that it has left us on a quest to find more movies like it.  We grabbed it from redbox expecting it to be something that Bradlee would enjoy, Peyton possibly, and the rest of us would "suffer" through a kiddie movie.  It ended up that EVERY single member of our family LOVED it and had to watch it again.  ZERO foul language, EXCELLENT message, CUTE as could be.  Characters are shown praying at several times.  It was a feel good family movie.  If you have very small children, there are a couple of VERY mild scenes that might "alarm" your child.  The dog in the movie is hurt rescuing a character.  Without spoiling the plot too much....he recovers (and we are led to believe that the recovery came from God answering the prayers of the little girls).  There is also a short scene of some "burglars" dressed in black.  It's a funny scene, but they are dressed in black and sneaking around.  Bradlee just asked what they were doing.  Think "Home Alone" scenes. 

The only "moral" issue that we found in the movie at all was that the characters hid a dog and the movie is based on their antics in hiding him.  Obviously they are telling lies to those around them. 

All in all, this is the best family movie we've watched in a long time.  It was one that each member of the family enjoyed.  Finding ones that span all of the ages is a HUGE challenge.

On the flip side, Shrek Forever After didn't leave me with that same feeling.  Many parents I know will look at me like I'm crazy because I'm cutting down a "kid" movie.  That's ok....I do walk to the beat of a different drum! 

All in all, it wasn't a bad movie.  It had it's moments of goodness and the overall message was a good one.  There were fewer innuendos and adult humor than in previous Shrek movies.

However, I had two HUGE problems with the movie.  Drinking alcohol was shown through the entire movie.  It wasn't just in a passing scene or two.  The biggest issue I had was that it was much "darker" than normal.  Witches played a large role in the movie.  Rumpelstiltskin is the villain and is shone VERY sinister at times.  When the witches try to capture Shrek, their "weapons" are chains that have biting skulls on the end.  Scenes like that may not bother many kids or parents, but it was enough for me to say that the movie wasn't for our family.