Fun Size is a comedy that was undersized for the audience. It didn’t have anywhere near the impact or humor that industry executives had hoped. Many were expecting director Josh Schwartz to take over for the late John Hughes who brought us classic coming of age films like “Home Alone,” “Beethoven,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “The Breakfast Club”.

Schwartz’s freshman film had the right cast, but poor execution. There was nothing cinematic about the story and its imagery was less spectacular than many television shows. It might have faired better on Nickelodeon than in theaters, especially since screenwriter Max Werner delivered a flat script, far from his normal work on the Colbert Reports.

Tween sensation Victoria Justice held the lead role of Wren, but she was given nothing to work with. All the other characters had better dialog, more action, and unique costumes, leaving Justice with nothing but her sheer ability to perform. Even her electropop music video at the beginning of the film lacked the panache required by the silver screen.

The large amounts of product placement within the film aimed at tweens and moms were incredible. It was so abundant, that it took me out of the story several times. However, the teens I sat next to saw it as a wonderful time to chat, just like they do at home during commercials.

The movie was also filled with messages aimed directly at tweens. Most of the messages were covered over with various bathroom jokes, “boob” and “butt” innuendo, and various forms of Halloween violence that most everyone puts up with. However, there were several deeper messages so well crafted that discerning tweens and teens might miss it.

One of these messages came from two lesbian characters. Jackie (Ana Gasteyer) and Barb (Kerri KenneySilver) were down to earth, overachieving moms to Roosevelt (Thomas Mann), sidekick to Wren (Victoria Justice).  While the characters are a bit kooky, they raised the most “normal” teen in the film. They were not referenced as lesbians, but as great moms. While they were comedic, the other characters respected them.

Hollywood is working overtime to change the norms of society and this film’s messages are in sync with that movement. Bringing awareness to society about gays and lesbians is no longer a part of the agenda, as this was accomplished a few years back. The next phase is about resetting the norms of society by making these characters the most “normal” and accepting individuals in stories.

Regardless of the messages, I don’t recommend you, or your teens/tweens watch this poorly made film. Nor do I recommend it as a video rental later. The story was overly predictable, flat, and had little value worth watching. The teens sitting next to me were even bored. Although, I will say it was refreshing to watch Chelsea Handler, one of the raunchiest comedians of all time, playing one of the least raunchy people in the film.

Copyright © 2012 by CJ Powers

Photos © 2012 Paramount

I read the children’s book titled “The Sparkle Box” this past weekend and found it to be a perfect Christmas gift for children and young families. The story is about Sam finding a special box on the fireplace mantle and asking questions about it. His mom points out that the whole family will open it together on Christmas Day, but it first needs to be filled with a few special things.

Sam’s exploration of what items were to be added to the box was refreshing and childlike. The incredible illustrations supplemented this wonder and encouraged the reader to follow Sam through his particular actions that brought about hope, faith and peace.  The story was heartwarming and gave me the desire to put a sparkle box in my living room this Christmas season.

Author Jill Hardie wrote from the heart and her own family’s sparkle box experiences with the goal of refocusing her family away from commercialism, to the real meaning of Christmas. Christine Kernacki did a great job illustrating the book with her love for painting and desire to bring stories to life.

I was amazed at how many moments in the story I could relate to based on my childhood and family experiences. I found it to be the perfect story to help families develop a new tradition that includes adding a sparkle box to their Christmas decorations.

To help someone develop a new tradition that encourages his or her kids to see Christmas in a true light, I’m giving away a free copy of the book with a free sparkle box. To qualify, Just write a short essay (150 words or less) on why you’d like a free copy of “The Sparkle Box” and email it to cjpowers7@gmail.com with the Subject reading – “The Sparkle Box”

Entries must include YOUR NAME, STREET ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and YOUR ESSAY. I will select one winner on November 1, 2012. The selection criteria are simple: I will select the one essay that touches my heart. If I’m touched by more than one, then I will draw a random winner from a hat.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Total Recall has a great action cast headed up with Colin Farrell (The Recruit, S.W.A.T., Miami Vice), Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, Pearl Harbor), and Jessica Biel (Blade, Stealth, The A-Team). The film is a remake of the successful Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi story about a man who goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars and unexpectedly finds himself in a harrowing series of events that force him to go to the planet for real, or does he?

This reboot has some aspects of the same story salted throughout the film, but it is a more contemporary version and redesigned as a thriller with lots of robot police chasing after our hero. The world is made up of great CGI constructs including “elevators” that go up, down, and sideways, which made for a great action chase sequence.

Director Len Wiseman did a great job capturing the essence of this mind-bender and created some great sci-fi chase sequences, making the film a unique stand-alone piece. Wiseman is known for his creativity in writing the six Underworld films, which gave Beckinsale a great sci-fi franchise to helm and fueled his own directing of this futuristic thriller with great heart pounding action.

Biel found the perfect balance between a demonstrable romantic interest and explosive action with her character. She was believable even in the most unbelievable situations. Her athletic drive in running away from police robots ordered to kill them was just as realistic as her gentle moment shedding a single tear.

Farrell dominated the screen with his local boy charm turning into a dynamic hero and overcoming his near death to save the colony from destruction. Even his subtle facial gestures gave rise to great subtext that drove the emotions of the film during the short quiet moments.

In my mind, Total Recall is a successful film in its own right. While it might disappoint some hardcore film purists with only a few nods to its original, the story will captivate the average goer. Being released in the shadow of Batman is its only drawback for those desiring a roller coaster ride of thrilling adventure. And, with its high-speed action sequences, waiting for it to come out on video will be a disappoint for most, as it was truly designed for the big screen.