C
There's nothing harder to get right in a movie than whimsy. And there are few clumsier crashes when it goes wrong. What could have been a charmingly whimsical children's book becomes an arch and sugary movie, its failures of...
| Audience: | Kindergarten - 3rd Grade |
| MPAA Rating: | G |
| Movie Release Date: | November 16, 2007 |
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Great site so far, Nell. I will be frequenting here from now on.
I saw "Mr. Magorium's..." last inight and was torn about it. I agree with you that for a film that is supposed to be whimsical, this one has an usually somber and not very joyful undercurrent. At the same time, I do believe kids will like it (the theater I saw it in last night was busy and boisterous with children, who didn't make a peep once the movie started) and I had to admire it for not having any bathroom humor in sight. How refeshing! I also really respected it for its forthright treatment on death and morality. At the end of the day, I liked it with reservations. Of course, you can go read my review now for a more in-depth review (shameless plug).
One other thing...I am disturbed by the spelling errors in my last post but cannot fix them. Thus, "inight" should be "night," "usually" should be "unusually," and "morality" should be "mortality." Now I feel a whole lot better!
I really love this movie! I agree with you though, Nelly. The humor was too gooey. I really wanted to use the humor goo for lotion too. See you soon at Ovoi French School!
My sister and I took 5 children, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 to this movie last week. Our circumstance is a little different because my mother died 2 years ago and the children were very close to her. I think the movie did our group of kids a great deal of good. The theme of death was addressed in a way that our kids could appreciate, relate to and benefit from. There was a positive message about how we remember those we love and how death is a very natural part of life, and something you can't fight.
The holidays can be especially hard for us all, so I did appreciate the movie. I would highly recommend it to families in similar circumstances. All of the children remained engaged for the whole movie.
In the negative degreed Minnesota afternoon, with three young wild children taking over and outnumbering me, I decided to finally haul them out to see a movie. Being the oldest is only 8 and the youngest is 3, the only G rated movie that was available at this particular theatre was Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I, being the film aficionado, sat with mouth agape waiting for Dustin Hoffman to spring to life and, well, act. I never expected much out of Natalie Portman; it's jut not her forte regardless of her decided profession. Bateman? Wow, he hell it together well... as an accountant. Almost believably until I disturbingly witnessed him in a jester hat. Actually, only disturbing because it is far too reminiscent of many of my afternoons trying to entertain children. Whimsical in nature? Yes. To the point it could have been done? Not even close. I was disappointed, but in love with a few of the lines. Poignant castings of "life is an occasion. Rise to it." A little too deep for such a movie, but at least gave me food for thought while I was waiting for something more. All three children were blissful and, for once, not up and running amok through the theatre. No shock and awe, no cars blowing up, no twisted, demented humor that kids shouldn't catch but always do. I have to say, all it all, for the children, it's a great movie. And, for the adults, it's an hour and a half to not have to chase around children.
Luna, your comments are wonderfully thoughtful and very entertaining. Glad to hear that the movie worked for your family.
Orson Welles once said that as a cardinal rule for the success of American motion pictures is not to have two Jews in the same scene. Mr. Magorium etc. via Hoffman & Portman we have for the entire movie, and for Christmas too.
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