Hope everyone’s having a great day today. Any plans?

It’s movie day for us. Actually it’s been that way since Friday. We really didn’t have plans for anything this weekend other than cleaning, doing laundry, and relaxing. It’s been pretty nice. The only time we’ve even left the house was to get groceries or to go to church.

We’re still watching movies (MR. Popper’s Penguin currently) but I tell you what—we’ve had an amazing line up of movies this weekend and we’re not through with them yet.

On Friday we watched Fat Boy Chronicles (must see movie). Saturday was Real Steel…and after the girls went to bed the hub, CJ and I watched Kill Katie Malone. Yesterday was Dirty Girl (it’s funny, really it is) and Apollo 18 (interesting movie)…and today (for the second time already) it’s been Mr. Popper’s Penguin (the girls absolutely love this movie).

If you haven’t seen Fat Boy Chronicles, you should—especially if you’re a parent or educator—because being bullied is not something that anyone should take lightly.

This movie was great and really captured the essence of this issue among kids today. It’s highly recommended!

Fat Boy Chronicles

SRP: $29.99 USD, $32.99 CAD

Release Date: Jan 3, 2012

Runtime: 78 minutes

Rated: Not

Genre: Family

Synopsis:

Inspired by a true story, the Fat Boy Chronicles follows Jimmy Winterpock, the subject of brutal high school bullying. Jimmy overcomes the torment by finding the strength to focus on his goal to lose weight and win over the girl of his dreams. Based on the acclaimed novel by Diane Lang and Michael Buchanan, the film has been heralded by critics for bringing real world issues that affect teenagers to an audience looking for answers. Dr. John Barge, Superintendent of Schools—State of Georgia declares it” a must see for every parent and educator.”

Special Features:

- Audio commentary with the Director and Authors of the Novel

- Cast Interviews

- Bullying Prevention info

- Official trailer

Learn more @ www.phase4films.com

What else can I say about this next movie; except that I found it to be very scary. CJ and dad didn’t think so but I couldn’t watch the whole movie because of the nightmares I knew I’d have. Even leaving early on in the movie, like I did, gave me a few nightmares last night…

Your idea of “scary movies” might not be the same as mine…I still have nightmares from chucky so many years ago.

Kill Katie Malone

SRP: $29.99

Release Date: December 13, 2011

Runtime: 91 minutes

Rated: R

Genre: Horror Thriller

Synopsis:

College students and best friends Ginger Matheson, Jim Duncan, and Kyle “Dixie” Canning, pool their cash to buy a ghost in an online auction. The three think it’s all a prank, but once they open up the antique box to examine their treasure, they unleash the vengeful spirit of a servant girl who has been wreaking havoc on her owners throughout the generations.

Apollo 18 was a scary movie, but not in the traditional form of “scary.” No. This movie played with you mind—like trying to figure out the conspiracy theory behind the Apollo missions. This movie made you walk away from it wondering if it was totally real or not.

You can see that some of the footage in the movie was real. But other times you were left questioning what you saw. It’s definitely a movie that will send chills down your back bone.

Learn more about Kill Katie Malone @ Phase 4 Films

Apollo 18

SRP: $29.98

Release Date: September 2, 2011

Runtime: 87 minutes

Rated: PG-13

Genre:  ? (seriously…don’t know what this movie would classify as)

Synopsis:

Officially, Apollo 17, launched December 7, 1972, was the last manned mission to the moon. But two years later, in December of 1974, two American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it’s the real reason we’ve never gone back to the moon.

Special Features:

- Feature commentary with Director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego & Editor Patrick Lussier

- Deleted and alternate scenes

- Alternate endings

Learn More @ the official site for the Apollo 18 Movie

Dirty Girl was by far the funniest—most quirky—movie I’ve seen in some time. I loved it.

How can I explain this movie in just a few short sentences? This movie is a cross-country road trip between to friends. Well, they weren’t “friends” at first, but they sure do learn what it means to be friends. Great movie…though, because of some language, a little nudity and some sexual content—put the kids to be before watching.

I don’t know if “cute” is the right word for describing this movie, but I think it is.

Dirty Girl

SRP: $29.98

Release Date: Jan 17, 2012

Runtime: 90 minutes

Rated: R

Genre: Adult Comedy

Synopsis:

Dirty Girl is the story of Danielle (Juno Temple), the dirty girl of Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma, circa 1987. Her reputation takes an unexpected hit when her misbehavior gets her banished to a remedial class, where she is paired on a parenting project with Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), an innocent closet-case with no friends. When her mother (Milla Jovovich) announces her engagement to her family-minded boyfriend (William H. Macy), mortified Danielle vows to get to California to find the father she’s never met. Clarke is desperate to escape being sent to military school by his homophobic dad (Dwight Yoakam) and repressed mom (Mary Steenburgen), prompting the two mismatched misfits to make their getaway: on a cross-country road trip that leads to an unexpected and serendipitous friendship.

Special Features:

- Feature commentary with writer/director Abe Sylvia

- Deleted and extended scenes

More on this film by visiting tie official site for the Dirty Girl Movie

& last, but definitely not least, we have Real Steel. A movie that if you wanted to see this movie on the wide screen you can still find it in theaters, still selling tickets, and still getting rave reviews.

This movie is amazing; total action packed madness from beginning to end. I actually want the soundtrack for this film because the music is just as awesome as the movie.

Real Steel

SRP: 3-disc Blu-ray = $44.99 U.S. & $51.99 CAN | 2-disc Blu-ray = $29.99 US & $46.99 CAN | 1-disc DVD = $29.99 US & $35.99 CAN | HD Digital = $39.99 US & $46.99 CAN | SD Digital = $29.99 US & $35.99 CAN | on-demand = check with your television provider or favorite digital retailer for pricing

Release Date: Jan 24, 2012

Runtime: 127 minutes

Rated: PG- 13 for US & PG for CAN

Genre: Action Thriller

Synopsis:

Enter the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high-tech—2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring. Starring Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter turned small-time promoter, Real Steel is a riveting, white-knuckle action ride that will leave you cheering. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the thrill-packed arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback. Visually stunning and complete with knockout bonus material, Real Steel is a pulse-pounding, inspirational adventure filled with heart and soul.

Special Features:

- Bloopers

- Making of Metal Valley

- Building the bots

- Audio commentary with Director Shawn Levy

• Exclusive to Blu-ray: countdown to the fight: The Charlie Kenton Story, Real Steel Second screen: Ringside with Director Shawn Levy—simultaneously explore exclusive interactive content with your iPad™. Deleted and extended scenes

For more on this film; visit Steel Gets Real

Final Thoughts:

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and look forward to seeing at least one of the films above. We’re a little pooped after watching all these movies, but I can tell you this…it was a fun weekend for sure!

Oh yeah…and Mr Popper’s Penguin was a great movie too. I’ve always loved watching Jim Carrie’s movies. he’s a great actor and makes any movie a good one. In other words—it’s a great family film!

PS—all movies (including Mr Popper’s Penguin) are available on-demand and in most mass retailers where movies are sold (both online and in stores).

Have a great rest of your Martin Luther King day! Have you done anything fun yet?

Disclosure: I was provided with the above films (from a number of PR companies) for the purpose of my review. This was not a paid post nor did receiving any of the films influence any “positive” feedback. This is my personal blog and any opinions, testimonials and/or thoughts expressed here are solely my own.