What is the Jensen Project? I’m not sure. I know it has something to do with Family Movie Night. I can totally stand behind any force to get families together…eating dinner together, family game night, etc. The writeup sounds as though it is right up my alley.

Here’s what I know…

The Jensen Project is on July 16 at 8/7c. To follow the conversation plus follow tweets about the show use hashtag #jensenproject.

About the Film
The world is hanging by a string. Can this family pull it together?

After a 16-year absence, Claire and Matt Thompson are reintroduced to The Jensen Project — a secret community of geniuses conducting advanced underground research to solve the world’s most difficult problems. The former scientists, accompanied by their tech-minded teenage son Brody, are thrust into a frantic pursuit to keep a potentially dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands. As the family races against the clock to stop the group’s rogue faction, they discover an important truth. In this high-pressure, high-tech world, sometimes the smartest thing we can do is lean on each other.

—

We had a few AWFUL “first time at the movies” experiences.

I took my then-3-year-old to see Tarzan. In the first 5 minutes Tarzan’s mom and dad are mauled and killed by a tiger off screen. Lots of roaring. 3 yo kept saying “Where Tarzan’s Mom and Dad?”

I took the same child to see Elmo in Grouchland at the movie theater. Within 5 minutes Elmo’s blanket fell down Oscar the Grouch’s trash can or maybe it was the sewer. In any event 3 yo cried so hard, one of us had to go to the car for her blankie.

Other odd movies we took kids to. Lilo & Stitch — 4 yo was scared of Stitch when he froths at the mouth.

I took my 1-year-old to see Because of Winn Dixie at a Mommy-Me showing. All the other moms brought babies who slept through the movie. My 1-year-old climbed up and down the steps. Wouldn’t eat any of the snacks. Was loud. He watched about 5 minutes of the movie.

My resolve held firm until we planned a trip to the beach with our then super-talkative 18-month-old. I planned on sitting in the back with her while my husband drove. Our older daughter was and still is self-sufficient. She is one of those children who would use her dress as a puppet to entertain herself for the drive. My husband inisted that we get a car TV. I objected, but was overruled.

I freely admit that I don’t know how we would have survived long car rides without the car TV. When I drive alone I can only stand so much Kidz Bop, or hearing the same knock knock joke, or playing I Spy. When my husband drives, I occasionally like to have a conversation with him.

We do have rules of the road for the car DVD: (1) No TV on for trips locally, (2) on a long trip kids watch one movie then spend the same amount of time readiing, drawing, etc., and (3) in cases of disagreement mom/dad choose the DVD.

What is your position on the car DVD? Leave a comment over at MomSpark Forum, not here. Thanks!

I have a little problem with movies. What is my problem? If I watch a movie at home I invariably fall asleep before the movie ends. Way before the movie ends. My kids refer to it a “we watched the movie while Mommy snoozed” family movie night. So, what happened when I watched Avatar?

Which time? The first time was a snore fest for me. The teen and her dad loved it. The second time around I was determined to accomplish two things. (1) stay awake and (2) convince my tween to watch the movie with us.

How did I do? Task #1 — I stayed awake…for the whole movie. Task #2 — My tween agreed to watch the movie. I was shocked. Shocked to the core. My tween is very cautious about movies. She watches two kinds of movies…Disney movies with characters from the Disney Channel, not cartoons, and movies with animals. Avatar doesn’t fit in either category. She thought about it for many days. The verdict…she lasted the entire movie without leaving the room or hiding under a blanket. Now don’t worry, I never force any of the kids to watch a movie that they are not comfortable watching.

Avatar Review for Tweens

My tween had heard very little about Avatar. She knew about tall blue people, but very little else. We chatted about the concept of a group of people who are invaded by a more powerful group of people. She nodded. We proceeded to watch the film.

I’m not a techie by any means. I am fascinated by how Avatar was filmed. I’m guessing CGI, green screen, and motion capture. Is there a behind the scenes “Making of Avatar”? If not, there should be!

The movie starts slowly with a setting the scene. Jake is a young Army (or perhaps Marine?) guy who was injured. He must change places with his recently murdered brother. Jake is a good guy, but not educated like his brother. Jake’s twin brother was a highly trained researcher. The team have created N’Avi Avatars using some sort of technology where Jake lies in a chamber and can control the avatar by his mind. (I wish I knew the technology and lingo to better explain it, but alas I do not.)

Jake must deal with criticism and snide comments from his new boss on the research project. Tweens will sympathize with Jake. Jake has something that the team need. He is a DNA match to his brother who is willing to “be” his brother. I commented that Jake was a good sport. My tween agreed.

The action intensified once Jake entered area on Pandora in the guise of one of the indigenous people. My tween asked a few questions about how Jake could be in the pod AND in the body of one of the tall blue people. Once I explained it to her, she “got” it. The technology behind the transfer of Jake to the tall blue person is fascinating and intriguing.

As the animals arrived on screen I was cautiously looked over at my tween. She was hanging in there. The creatures were large and loud, but she handled their appearance with aplomb. She was intrigued by the way the blue people used their braid to tame any animal with a mane. I reminded my family that usually a horse rider would use her heels or a crop or a tug on the reins to tell the horse what to do. The indigenous people have a connection to their animals.

After many months — the passage of time is shown by Jake’s hairstyle — Jake needs to go through a rite of passage required of all young people who want to become full fledged members of the Pandora society. Jake’s haircut evolves from a Marine jarhead — at one point he tells his new tribe that he is from the Tribe Jarhead — to a regular haircut. Jake as one of the N’Avi has a Marine like haircut.

The fight sequences were intense, but well choreographed. We all hissed when the plain clothes guy in charge of the “unobtanium” dig reveals that he will do anything to obtain the mineral including destroying the tree in the middle of Pandora. Once the research team realize what is happening to their plans, Jake along with the rest of the team is rushed away to the secret hideaway so that their mission is not compromised. The research team was caught in the middle of a battle between the mineral hungry group and the Marine colonel in need to dominating the Pandoran people.

I won’t give the plot away as I know a few people have not seen the movie. And No I didn’t fall asleep while watching it. I am proud to say that I stayed awake during family movie night!

Want to learn the Navi language? Friend Avatar on Facebook? Follow on Twitter? Oh and for a real movie review go here to read a review of Avatar by my friend Sandie.

Speaking of not seeing the movie? Have you seen it? No? Would you like a copy? I have an extra copy — I was given a copy for my review, but received a copy as a gift from my in laws — so I have an extra copy to giveaway. Do you want it?

If you would like to win a copy of Avatar, leave me a comment. One comment = one entry. Enter now.

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I received a copy of Avatar for my review. The views expressed in this article are my own. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends May 27, 2010, at 11:59 p.m.

Blockbuster Express Triple Play Promotion.
What: Rent ONE Get the THIRD Free
When: Begins on Friday, 5/14/10 at 12:01 AM Ends on Monday, 5/17/10 at 11:59 PM

Promo Code: GCB15D2 — Enter Promo code when you preorder your DVDs online.

Go here to find a movie, rent a movie, and find a kiosk to pick up the movie!

Want to read about my experience with Blockbuster Express? Click here!

As a member of Collective Bias, I work on campaigns for Blockbuster Express.

When kids are little, it makes sense to purchase your child’s favorite movie. Our family loves watching classic movies over and over again. I don’t know about you, but even I get antsy about buying a movie for myself or for our family to watch. Will we like it? Will I watch it again? My children receive many movies as gifts from grandparents, which is wonderful. But, then there are the movies that one child or another must have. What to do?

Recently, we discovered Blockbuster Express kiosks. Blockbuster Express kiosks are in more and more locations near you. Renting DVDs from Blockbuster Express can save you money. Simply go to Blockbuster Express, choose a movie, and go to the kiosk you selected to pick it up.

By renting a DVD from a Blockbuster Express kiosk, you get a cost-effective DVD to make your family movie night rock.

Blockbuster Express has a NEW CODE for this weekend! Just like last weekend it’s a Rent 2 get the third FREE. It will expire on Sunday night.

Promo Code: G14D3
What: Rent two DVDs get the third FREE at Blockbuster Express Kiosks
When: Good through Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:59 PM

I was not compensated for this post. I work with Collective Bias on projects, such as Blockbuster Express.

Last month as many of you know I discovered Blockbuster Express kiosks. I found one at my local K-Mart. For years I was a regular Blockbuster Express movie renter. But, one kid, two kids, and three kids with sports, activities, and playdates threw our family schedule in to chaos. With one of the kids emerging in to teendom, we are rediscovering movies as a family. Movies are less “let’s throw something in to keep a kid occupied while I work, take a phone call, clean” and more “let’s find something we can all watch as a family.”

This weekend after catching up on DVR’d American Idols, our plans are to watch Where the Wild Things Are, Blind Side (again!), and Alvin and the Chipminks: The Squeakquel (again!). I suspect the teen and I will watch Blind Side while the rest of the family watch Alvin! We’ll be wearing our PJs and slippers of course!!

Have you heard about Blockbuster Express? If not, read my post. Want an idea for a movie to watch, go here to read my reviews.

For Blockbuster Express Kiosks near you, search by zip code/location here.

Want to rent a DVD or three this weekend? Blockbuster Express has released:

Blockbuster Express Triple Play

Code: G14D2

Rent TWO DVDs get the THIRD DVD Free!

Ends: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 11:59 PM

Use Code: G14D2 to get the Blockbuster Express Triple Play — Rent Two DVDs get a Third DVD Free! promotion.

You can reserve the DVDs you want to rent online: http://www.blockbusterexpress.com.

If you sign up for the Blockbuster Express newsletter they’ll learn about the NEWEST releases and get coupons directly to their inbox.

Followed on twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/blockbusterexp
Fan on facebook page at: http;//www.facebook.com/blockbusterexpress

I received a free code as a member of Collective Bias #couchcritics.

In the time I was snoozing away, he created this:

LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Plane Attack

That’s right he made one of the planes from this kit. He proudly held it up to show me as I lay looking at him with glazed eyes. I blinked my eyes fully open, checked the clock, and thought “Oh, no!.” It was 11 a.m. I really slept in. My husband will sometimes do the weekend morning shift. But more often than not our middle daughter is the early riser who keeps her little brother company. Let’s just say the boy and I missed his sister on Saturday morning!

Once I was up, I made an early lunch. He breakfasted on Pop Tarts — the breakfast of champions…I know, I know…it is our weekend breakfast food. After lunch, I had a few work tasks to do, so he watched his new Lego movie: LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers. Once the movie was over, I promised him that I would take him to the zoo or the petting farm and to Toys R Us.

The movie kept him engaged. I was engrossed in what I was doing, so much so that I did not look at the clock until nearly 3 p.m. I realized to my horror that the zoo closed at 5 p.m. and was 50 minutes away and the petting closed at 4 p.m. What to do?

I came clean with my son. He was sad for a minute then perked up at the thought of spending a gift card from his aunt. Yay for consumerism at an early age!

Toys R Us was deserted. He and I strolled the aisles the way I used to when he was about 2 and younger. I would Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and birthday shop for his sisters and him. He would be happy playing with a toy or looking at a book with buttons while I perused the stock and loaded the cart.

He chose a G.I. Joe ninja guy and a Batman for himself. He chose his best buddy a Giants Nerf Vortex Football and a Nerf Bandolier Dart Kit. Super cool choices. We are a Nerf family!

He was happy, but I am determined not to let anything get in the way of taking my child somewhere.

Coming up super awesome rad giveaways from Nerf!!

But, you know what? For us and our marriage, we need to make time…call the grandparents to come babysit…convince the teen to babysit if the grandparents are busy…cancel what is on the calendar…to go on a date night.

And how much funnier would it be to go on a Date Night to a movie called Date Night? It’s funny, right? I know, I know…I don’t get out much. Date Night is a new film to be released on April 9th, 2010. That’s a Friday, by the way…a perfect night for a date with your husband or wife!

Date Night stars stars — Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Both are super funny in my book. Steve Carrell is best known for his portrayal of Michael in The Office. Tina Fey is the force behind ANYTHING remotely funny on Saturday Night Live.

Here’s a funny clip of Date Night — a date night gone wrong type of film:

It’s not often that I giggle while watching a trailer for a movie. I’m more of a drama movie type of movie watcher, but this trailer is funny! So, check the calendar, call the babysitter, and go see Date Night on your date night with your husband or wife!

In “Date Night,” which opens Friday, a bored suburban couple played by Steve Carell and Tina Fey go on their weekly dinner date and find themselves thrown into a night of intrigue: there’s breaking and entering, a car chase, a shootout and a showdown with an underworld boss at a strip club. Husband and wife come out of the adventure with some scratches and also with their ardor renewed.

This post was sponsored by 20th Century Fox. The views expressed in the post are my own.

My kids’ grandparents buy every kids’ movie released. So yes we have Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. And yes…my kids are spoiled. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel was a hit with all of us on Easter Sunday. After running around for hours, hiding and finding and re-hiding the Easter eggs we were all ready for a nap or a good DVD!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download NOW. Of course, the DVD is wonderful, but to enhance your in-home viewing experience you will need the Double DVD Pack. We had fun playing the “The Squeak Along” Bonus Disc, with more music, mayhem and all-new singalongs! For us the bonus items AND the DVD make for twice the family fun.

Have you munked yourself yet? If not, drop what you are doing and go ‘munk’ yourself! We had a blast munking ourselves!

My husband remembered Alvin and the Chipmunks from his childhood TV viewing. I grew up in England, Italy, and the U.S. I must have missed Alvin and pals! I do have a fond memory of watching the kindergarten kids dance to the Alvin soundtrack at the end of art class last year. I was a tired volunteer who appreciated sitting back and watching the kids dance along to the Alvin and the Chipmunk tunes!

As a mom I want to find family friendly films. If my kids love it, so will I. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a favorite of my kids. Visit http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com for more munk mayhem!

This post was sponsored by Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. The views expressed in this post are my own.