Mommy Movie Reviews: Jurassic World and Inside Out

Good morning friends!

I’m here in sunny Las Vegas today, celebrating Father’s Day with the fam. As I’ve mentioned before, Jon and I recently expanded our business to LV – which means we will also be spending time here with the family. Jon has set up his house for people that will be coming to help get the operation going – but we are taking full responsibility for making sure it’s a fun endeavor and not just work.

The pool has hardly been empty since our arrival – at least when the Moss children are here – and we are all wondering how in the world Las Vegasians survive in this extreme summer heat! It’s 97 degrees, and only 10 am! I guess that IS why everyone has a pool. It is really nice to be staying away from the strip  – without the casinos, smoke, and well… more. We have enjoyed venturing to town for shows and adventures, but we do enjoy not physically staying right in it all. It is fine every once in awhile, but not weeks at a time.

Last night we went out to a movie, because well.. that’s just what we do. We love the movies! It’s rare that we don’t see them right as they come out, and quite often see them more than once. Because of this, we have become quite the movie critiques. We see them all, we talk about them all when we are done – and we have fun deciding what we do and don’t like. When I say we – I’m meaning my husband, but especially my kids! I love hearing how the story line affected them, why it bored or intrigued them, and if they’d recommend it to their friends!

Because of this, I’ve decided to share a movie review now and again. We all love the summer blockbusters – or at least we hope to! Our family also loves visiting the Sundance film festival – and did you know that now there is a FAMILY film festival? It is amazing and so much fun! Anyway, back to the present. I’m going to mention two movies this time – first, the new Jurassic World, and second – Inside Out, the new kids movie.

Jurassic World

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Photo Credit Universal

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Steven Spielberg does it again, with Jurassic Park 4 – Jurassic World. This story line takes us back to the original Island Nublar where a fully operation dinosaur park with live dinosaurs is normal. But don’t worry, a new, genetically altered dino will be on the big screen scaring your little ones soon enough!

Pratt (pictured above) will portray a raptor researcher who’s “trying to figure out the limits of the relationship between these highly intelligent creatures and human beings.” followed by a great cast – making the story complete.

Without getting into too much detail – because my kids will be awake soon enough, I would like to share two quick thoughts about this movie. ONE: It was most definitely the best installment of the Jurassic movies since the first one was released – a long time ago, and TWO: Be cautious taking young children. I am a very visual person, and I was on the edge of my seat! I loved every minute of it – but I kept thinking “If Jordan (6) and Halle (8) were here, I’d be worried.

Having said that, I’m sure they would LOVE to go! I guess it’s up to you as the parent – because you know what your kids can and can’t handle. I think my kids would be just fine watching it, (even love it) but then we’d pay for it later with bad dreams of dinosaurs eating them. I actually had scary dreams of dinosaurs all night when we got home! I wouldn’t have a problem sending my older kids – 11 and up. I’d probably say that 10 is they youngest I’d recommend – and that depends on the child.

Having said this – with a big disclaimer – I have let my kids see movies that some of my family or friends haven’t, and I haven’t let me kids see things that other parents have. Movies are such a personal thing. True to the history of the Jurassic movies until now – the caution is for the graphic gore ridden – enthusiastic eating -monster dinosaurs, not from anything else.

Mommy Movie Review: 4 stars because of a BIG caution for littles viewers. Otherwise, a great flick!

Inside Out

“Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.”

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Inside Out absolutely WON my heart. I often write about the protective factors on My Mommy Style, and this movie was the BEST I’ve ever seen for teaching EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE OF CHILDREN. I was so excited to see a movie that actually taught my children something, in a fun and entertaining way! It’s our job to talk to kids about their feelings – and it isn’t always easy to do that. There are a limited number of books that even attempt to cover emotions, and an even STRIKINGLY LESS amount of movies.

Princess movies are great, and they have their place – but this movie left me wanting more. Even as an adult, I felt like I came away with some insight into my personality – and things that I tend to do. I could relate with Joy the most, and well .. I won’t ruin it for you, but let’s just say that even when you try and live in happiness, you have lessons to learn.

I asked some of my children what their reaction was to the movie, and which character reminded them most of themselves, and these are the comments I got.

Whitney (17): “Fear reminded me of myself as a child. I feel like I’ve gotten better at dealing with my tendency to worry, but this is how I always felt as a child. I would constantly list out all the things that could go wrong in my life, and what I would do about them.”

Brighton (14): “I loved anger, because it reminded me of how I feel right now when I want something and I can’t do what I want. Especially the scene at the dinner table. I thought it was funny because I could see “anger” in dad too, as he tries to parent in the best way.”

Halle (8): “Joy reminded me of myself. I think I act like she does, the most.”

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I explained that we all have every emotion, but that we tend to live in some more than others. One interesting critique that Brighton brought up, was that “I can’t believe that LOVE wasn’t an emotion..” I didn’t event notice that until she said it – but she is right! Love is the most powerful emotion on earth, and although them mention it a lot in the movie as they talk about her family, it isn’t a character. We also talked about how we really enjoyed the memories that were made and saved, and how important it is to record our thoughts and memories into journals – because we do forget.

The biggest thing I learned is that we need to let ourselves feel all emotions, to be healthy AND we need to let our children feel all of their emotions. It isn’t wrong to feel – it helps us . We need to help them identify how they are feeling, so we can go ahead and process. Bottom line, this movie was a GREAT introduction to begin doing that. My husband was just happy to sit next to me after being apart so much this summer – but he thought it was great, too! Especially the dinner table scene as you get a chance to look inside the parents mind and how the TRY to communicate! It was shockingly accurate and very funny.

In the end, we were left wanting more – and we hope PIXAR chooses to have a part two, leading into her “Puberty” phase of life! We deal with that in our house ON THE DAILY!

Mommy Movie Review: 5 STARS! Find a way to see this movie with your family- whether it’s on the big screen, rental, download, or borrowed from a friend!

janae moss

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  • Mady

    I really want to see inside out, it looks so cute!! Thanks for the great reviews!ReplyCancel

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MyMommyStyle Meet Camille

Hello! I am Camille, a wife, mother of four, Disney obsessed, certified teacher, and reality optimist. Motherhood comes with its ups and downs, and I hope while you're here you'll find something that makes your #momlife easier!

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