Cinematters

April 2011 - Teen With Terrific Tresses Takes Timid First Step

Thursday, 07 April 2011 20:24

Rapunzel clings to Flynn Rider as he battles Maximus from the king’s army. © Disney Pictures. All rights reserved. By Laura Gray

Your daughter can think of a million reasons to avoid auditioning for her school play. She’s too this or not enough of that. The music is too hard. The script is too long. Still, she longs to join her friends on stage in the limelight.

You try reassuring her that the experience is worth the effort. You even role play the entire audition. Finally, she agrees to take that first step. It’s a nerve-racking few days as she awaits the big announcement of the cast. Happily, she made it, and her participation is a huge success. Now she’s glad she didn’t let fear keep her from pursuing her dream.

Your daughter realizes that overcoming the fear that holds us back can open the door to adventure. It’s what Rapunzel learns as well in Disney Pictures’ Tangled, available this month on DVD and Blu-ray. Have a family movie night with Tangled and then use our Talking Together ideas to discuss it. Later, you can play “Welcome to Adventure” in our Play Together activity.

In Tangled, 18-year-old Rapunzel lives high up in a tower with her “mother,” Gothel – who is really the woman who kidnapped her at birth from her parents, the king and queen. Rapunzel’s long hair has magic powers that keep Gothel youthful. Rapunzel longs to leave the tower and visit the nearby town, but Gothel warns her that danger is everywhere and she is safest at home. That fear keeps Rapunzel trapped in the tower.

One day, the dashing Flynn Rider climbs up the tower and surprises Rapunzel. She begs him to take her to town so she can see the floating lanterns. Every year, the king and queen release hundreds of them in the hopes that their daughter will be returned to them. Flynn agrees and they set out, falling in love along the way.

Meanwhile, Gothel tracks down Rapunzel and convinces her that Flynn’s motives are evil. Heartbroken, she returns to the tower. Soon, she realizes that she is the long-lost princess and she vows never to let Gothel use her hair again. Flynn arrives to rescue Rapunzel but Gothel stabs him. Rapunzel tries to save him with her magic hair, but he cuts off her hair so Gothel can no longer use her. A single tear from Rapunzel’s eye falls on Flynn and he is healed! They go to the castle where Rapunzel is reunited with her parents and she and Flynn are married.

TALK TOGETHER

Rapunzel has one wish: to visit the town and see the floating lanterns. Why do the king and queen launch them every year? Why is Rapunzel curious about the lanterns?

Why do you think she never tries to escape from the tower before Flynn arrives? Taking that first step – even when it’s something we want to do – can be scary. Why does Rapunzel decide to leave with Flynn? Does she trust him? Why or why not?

What are you afraid of trying? Talk about what might happen – good and bad – if you try it. What would be your first step

PLAY TOGETHER: WELCOME TO ADVENTURE!

You will need:
• Bag
• Various household items

Gather a variety of items, such as a wooden spoon, a hairbrush, a hammer, a paintbrush or a toy car, and place them in the bag. Pass the bag around and have everyone draw out an item. Ask each person to think of something new or different they could try that relates to the item. For instance, a wooden spoon might inspire you to try baking a cake, or a toy car might prompt you to build a model car or learn how engines work. Your children will get the idea that taking a chance on adventure can pay off!

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© 2011, Cinematters.

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FEB. 2011 - Unlikely Hero Has a Change of Heart

Wednesday, 02 February 2011 16:48

The nefarious Megamind uses TV reporter Roxanne to lure superhero Metro Man to his hideout. © DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. All rights reserved. By Laura Gray

Your shy, unassuming daughter has turned into a crusader with a cause. And it’s all because of a duck. Actually, a whole family of ducks that has wandered from the neighborhood pond into nearby yards, leaving their messy marks behind. Now the homeowners’ association wants to call in an expert to force out the foul fowl forever!

That’s when your super girl springs into action! She comes up with a plan to stop the feathered pests from straying. The association approves her suggestion and the ducks are saved. You and your daughter discover that the heart of a hero can be found in some unlikely places. Often, all it takes is the right cause.

The citizens of Metro City make that same discovery when their long-time nemesis comes to their rescue in Megamind. Check out DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.’s mega-hit Megamind, available Feb. 25 on DVD and Blu-ray, with your kids. Then use our Talk Together discussion starters to uncover the movie’s themes. Afterward, create Hero Heart Surprises in our Play Together family activity. Who knows? You might find a few “hero hearts” in your own home!

In Megamind, a super-brainy alien named Megamind spends his life battling the superhero Metro Man for control of Metro City. But despite his intelligence and creativity, Megamind is always defeated by the macho Metro Man. But after Megamind appears to have destroyed Metro Man with his death ray, he finds life as a supervillain without a foe to be pretty dull.

So Megamind decides to create his own superhero using DNA that he extracted from Metro Man. He accidentally injects the serum into a nerdy cameraman named Hal, turning him into Tighten. Posing as Tighten’s “space dad,” Megamind begins training him to be a superhero. Tighten, who has pined for the lovely Roxanne for years, embraces his new super status. Now, he figures, he can use his powers to get the girl of his dreams.

But when Tighten learns his “space dad’s” true identity – and is rejected by Roxanne – he goes after Megamind, destroying Metro City along the way. Megamind, disguised as Metro Man, arrives and runs Tighten out of town. But Tighten figures out it’s Megamind and turns on him. At the last minute, Megamind uses his Defuser Gun to remove Tighten’s powers and save Metro City. Soon Megamind is quite comfortable in his new role as superhero of Metro City. It seems the heart of a hero beats in his eerie blue chest after all!

TALK TOGETHER

Megamind and Metro Man come to earth as babies but land in very different settings. How does that affect them? Why is Megamind jealous of Metro Man?

Roxanne gets to know the “real” Megamind when he poses as Bernard. How is he different from his supervillain self? What does Roxanne like about him? Why is she upset when she discovers the truth?

Megamind and Roxanne are shocked to find out that Metro Man is really alive and hiding out. What does Metro Man dislike about being a superhero?

What kind of superhero would you be? What kind of super powers would you possess? How would you use them to help people?

PLAY TOGETHER: HERO HEART SURPRISE

Bite into these sweet treats and get an unexpected surprise!

You will need:
• Cake mix, prepared
• Cake frosting
• Conversation heart candies

Pour cake batter into paper-lined cupcake pans and bake as directed. While baked cupcakes are cooling, cut a small slit in the top of each and insert a conversation heart candy. Frost when cupcakes are completely cooled. Enjoy finding your own “hero heart” inside when you bite into a cupcake. Remind your children that a hero’s heart often can be found in some unlikely places – maybe even inside a treat!

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© 2011, Cinematters. All rights reserved.

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