Kid Sister Movie Review: Ramona and Beezus

Warning: may contain spoilers.

There were few funny, sad, and heartwarming scenes in the movie. My favorite characters are Ramona and Beezus, their family, aunt and uncle. I would love to see that movie again so many times until it came on DVD! It's about misadventures of young 9 year old mischief girl, Ramona Quimby who drives her family crazy because of her distraction of imangination. Meanwhile, her father lost his job, and they might lose their house! Now it's up to Ramona with her mischief and imagination to save her family's home before moving away.

I say the grade "A+"! My favorite parts: Ramona keeps in trouble at school, their dad comes home and sisters came running and hugging on hin, Ramona jumping on her bed and her imagination of space, Beezus letting her sister to sleep with her, her father and Ramona coloring a large picture for school and the wedding scene at the end. Least favorite parts: her dad yells at her, to girls fighting over phone and let oven on fire, baby spits food on Ramona's face and aunt and uncle got each other's nerve. Sad parts: their cat died, family losing money, their dad yelling at Ramona and Ramona ran away from home.

Kid Sister Movie Review: The Karate Kid

I would like to introduce a new feature on my blog, in which my kid sister reviews movies.

This project is still in the early stages. Last month I emailed kid sister a request for a review of the movie, "The Karate Kid." Here is our email exchange:

from: [kid sister]
to: [sophisticate]
date Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM
subject Re: reminder: Karate Kid Movie Review

"The Karate Kid" is about a 12 year old boy Dre Parker new kid moved to China with his mom at Breverly Hills apartment and was a new student at Chinese school where he made two friends.

He immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is about maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

What I like about it is when we get to know the Chinese culture and martial arts including kung fu. Mostly for the first time, we get to see Kung Fu tournment not to be seen on TV unlike anywhere. What I dislike about it is when two lovable kids on their secret date in the storytelling theatre at the festival. Mom told me to never do that without permission when I had boyfriend over. I'll say the grade is A-. I hope that's enough infromation for your blog! Good luck with that! Love and miss you! Chat with you later! Email me back soon as you got this message!
Love,
[kid sister]


from: [sophisticate]
to: [kid sister]
date Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 12:49 PM
subject Re: reminder: Karate Kid Movie Review

Thank you so much!!

I really love the parts that you wrote. It looks like some parts are copied and pasted from Internet websites. Can you write the plot summary in your own words?

Love,
[sophisticate]

from: [kid sister]
to: [sophisticate]
date Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 10:25 AM
subject Re: reminder: Karate Kid Movie Review

[sophisticate],
I guess I could I try summary better in my own words. It's not that easy to do it though. We talked about this before online. Never mind.
Bye!
Love,
[kid sister]

We're taking baby steps. Stay tuned for reviews of "The Last Airbender" and "Ramona and Bezus."

I heart this t-shirt, but Kid Sister does not

This t-shirt is pretty great.

I want one for myself. And for my sister. And for my other sister. But first I have to convince them that they want the t-shirts, too.

I decided to start with Kid Sister on the phone the other day.

Me: Do you know anything about Twilight?
Kid Sister: Well, kind of.
Me: Ok, do you know the names of the guys?
Kid Sister: Well, I think one is kind of like a vampire.
Me: Edward.
Kid Sister: And the other one. I don't know. I think he's kind of like a wolf.
Me: Jacob.
Kid Sister: Ok. Jacob.
Me: What would you think of wearing a t-shirt that said, "I heart Jacob?"
::long pause::
Kid Sister (disgusted): That is part of romance.

She has a point.

True Life: Kid Sister and I Make a Bet

Another gchat conversation with my kid sister. The only editing I've done has been to remove names. "K" stands for "Kid Sister."


K: Hola! How was school?

me: hi! isn't it almost your bedtime?

K: Yeah well, I only got until almost 10.

me: wow, you are such a bid girl

bid = big

K: Okay, that was confusing.

You really know how to translation, don't you?

How did you do learn that? From teachers or [The Fiance]?

me: i don't know

i just know how to do it

K: You just know how though. Very sneaky aren't you?

me: why?

K: Gues what lol stands for?

me: laughing out loud?

K: Correct! How about btw?

me: by the way

K: Correct again! Wow, aren't we smart or what?! (laughs) It's like testing quiz game of knoweldge.

Test me.

Le's see who is he smartest in family.

me: lol, ok

what does g2g stand for?

K: Gotta 2 go?

I mean, gotta to go!

me: correct!!

one point for you!

how about ttys?

K: Umm...

ta-ta see you?

I think I got this wrong. (sgihs)

me: very close though

"talk to you soon"

K: Ughh! Man! (frustrated) You win, fair and square.

I knew that, somehow

Got any eaiser ones I can answer better?

me: i think you were close enough!

K: You think?!

me: that's still two points for you

and two for me

we are all tied up

K: It's a tie!

me: if you get one more correct, then you are the winner!

K: How can we bet on something? Hey why not? Hannah Montana S3 Finale DVD? Whoever wins the last round gets to own the DVD and the other doesn't! Ha! Finder keepers!

Just playing with you!

me: haha

K: Didn't mean that. Jsut having some fun and humor? Get it? Humor?

What do you think Wanna bet?

me: we can bet Hannah Montana

if you want

K: Give me your best shot!

me: or how about something like this

K: Sis!

me: if you win, then you get to keep the Hannah Montana season 3 dvd

if I win, then you will help me with wedding planning

K: Absoluetly not! That's not a fair bet! Pick a better bet! (huffs)

me: sigh

ok....

K: Thank you.

me: if you win, you will help with wedding planning

and if i win, i get the Hanna Montana DVD

K: Now give me your best shot to the last question! I'm ready! We'll see about that missy! [The Fiance], I hope you're watching this!

me: [The Fiance] isn't here right now

K: Sister vs. sister! Now give me your best shot to the last question! I'm ready!

me: i just want to make sure that you read the conditions of the bet

if you win, you are helping me with wedding planning

and if i win, i get the Hannah Montana DVD

K: Now give me your best to the last question! I'm rady for the challenge!

me: ok....

what does idk mean?

K: Oh, that's a tough one. Give me a hint to that translation?

me: ok

your hint is

it's three words

the first one is "I"

and the third one is "know"

K: I didn't know?

me: CORRECT!!!!!

K: Duh! Stupid? How close am I or not>

me: you are the winner!

K: YES!!!!!!!!!!! I'm the winner! I get to keep the DVD and you're not!

me: ummm, I don't think so

K: WHA?!

That's nto fair!

me: were you listening to the conditions of the bet?

if you win, you get to help with wedding planning!

K: NOOO!!!!!! Take te bet back!

me: too late!

K: [The Sophisticate]!!! [The Fiance}!!! I'll get you for this!!!!!! [The Fiance]! DVD emergncy! Sister not playng fair and square! You have Mom coming to Indiana to help you on wedding planning, not me. That's the whole point!

me: ooh, you are so cute

weddings are a lot of work!

I need all the help I can get!

K: Seriously, okay? This is not fair to take advantage of me for playing this trivia game. (groans)

I will not help you on wedding planning. This is final.

You have Mom instead of me.

me: sigh

K: Sorry. The only reason I'm part of this is why I'm happy for [The Fiance] to be my brother in-law, not the marriage part and wedding recpetion.

That's all there is. End of discussion. Gotta go! Mom's making me to go bed before school tomorrow morning. I'll let you two talk about my discussion. I'm fine on the bridesmaids' dresses part for the wedding. that's another reason.

me: ok, bye

K: adios amigos! Hasta luengo. Love and miss you! Signing off! Again I sorry about my decision but that's final for me. Talk to Mom when she comes to Indiana this Saturday morning. Wen you see her, talk about it.

Bye for now!

True Life: Spelling Bee

In the car this evening...

Kid Sister: Spell xanthosis.
Me: X-a-n-t-h-o-s-i-s.
Kid Sister: Correct. Now you spell loghorrea.
The Boyfriend: L-o-g-h-o-r-r-e-a.
Kid Sister. Correct. Now spell towncenter.

True Life: My Kid Sister Explains Romance

My Kid Sister has discovered g-chat.

She calls it "chattering."

She also emotes on g-chat through artful parentheticals, like you would expect to read in a play. Or, more accurately, like she reads every day as she watches tv with closed captioning on.

She uses g-chat to harass me and the Boyfriend. The Boyfriend's patience never runs out. He politely asks her questions about her favorite topics (movies, the weather). Witness this exchange. Only the names have been edited:

The Boyfriend: So what's new with you? The movie "Up" comes out tomorrow, I think.
My Kid Sister: Actually, it's coming to Disney DVD, not in theaters. (laughs) I saw it before the first time with Dad six months ago when it opened on May 8.
The Boyfriend: Did you like it? Would you recommend that I get it from Netflix to watch with [the Sophisticate]?
My Kid Sister: I liked it a little. I think I mght let you two watch it, but it will be sad in the beginning and a little bit sad at the end, but there's also happy ending though. If you two promise not to do anything boyfriend-girlfriend thing! First getting to know each other, became friends, something in common, hang out as friends, then realationships ilegally towards romance of boyfriend-girlfriend! Uggh! Why can't you two being friends?! I'm all about friends, not realationhip toward romance!

True Life: "The Last Song" Release Date Has Been Pushed Back...

...and my sister is distraught.

The movie, starring Miley Cyrus, based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, and produced by Touchstone pictures, was originally slotted to come out on January 8th. It seems that the new release date is April 2nd.

Since the seismic announcement of the delayed release, I have been in near-constant communication with my Miley-loving sister. Here is an excerpt of the conversation in which she broke the news to me. When I told her that I can wait until April to see the movie, she responded like this:

little sister: ARE YOU CRAZY! We've got to see that movie! I'm not giving up without a fight! I'd do anything for you to see that movie! Think about the movie! Miley! ME! I'm calling for protest for moving the movie different date next year! HELP!!!!

I mean, it's very important to us! I'm not giving up on you or the movie!

Get that!

6:41 PM Sorry. Just trying to show my demonstration of courage and determination!

I'm very really serious, through.

6:42 PM sophisticate: ok, i understand

well, i need to go to school soon

little sister: Check some resources about the mis dating movie!

6:43 PM sophisticate: ok, i will

but i have to run, now

i can call you later

talk to you soon!

little sister: Oh, yeah. More school work to distract you from not getting involve our mission to save our movie. No problem, I guess! Don't forget!

Talk to you soon too! Bye! I love you!

6:44 PM me: love you too!

ttys!

little sister: Tell [the boyfriend] about this! He can do something about to save our movie! We have a movie to save from moving away! HELP [THE BOYFRIEND]!

As promised, I did some google-ing and confirmed that the release date had been changed. I emailed my sister with this confirmation and some words of encouragement. I received this reply:

"I don't want to believe this! I'm not giving up without the movie's mid-date permission! HELP!!!
Love from your desperate sister,
[redacted]
PS Love you! Got any more brillant ideas to stop the movie from moving? I still need your supportive! Tell [the boyfriend]! Maybe he can help! Email me back soon!"

Eventually my little sister pulled my other sister into the drama as well. When my practical-minded other sister suggested that the little one write a letter to Touchstone Pictures, the little one had some concerns:

little sister: I could try, I don't think Mom will allow it, according to the law. What will happen if we break a law. We could be in big trouble with Mom and maybe President Obama. (sigh) Got any ideas to cheer me up?

other sister: Maybe go watch a Mile Cyrus movie?

Readers, got any ideas to cheer a little sister up?

True Life: I am not a very good babysitter.

Usually a babysitter can bribe a child not to tell the child's parents when something goes wrong. It's a little harder to escape liability when the child is your sister and the parents your parents. It's even harder when the category of "things that can go wrong" includes eyes falling out and noses forgotten at bedtime. Worst of all, when the usual bribe -- junk food -- is inapplicable, all bets are off for the poor babysitter.

Such were my adventures in babysitting my youngest sister. Her eye really did fall out and sometimes I forgot to put a nose on her at bedtime. Those things sound much worse than they really are. For years she didn't eat any solid food (chocolate is still anathema to her) -- so I couldn't use Hershey bars as bribes and didn't have the heart to use them as threats.

I also babysat my young cousin in the summer. I gave her baths with a little Korean* and supervised her at nap time. The baths were only complicated by my cousin's fear of water in her eyes; she used to wear a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle helmet to play in the sprinklers. Nap time was fine; I rewarded quiet behavior with the privilege of petting our cat. My system was arbitrary. "[Cousin], you've been quiet for five minutes, you may pet the cat six times. [Sister], you've been quiet for ten minutes, you may pet the cat four times." You can imagine this sometimes caused fights between the cousin and the little Korean, but if you're making noise, then who's petting the cat?!

I once babysat for the two young daughters of some friends I knew through work. I played in the yard with the girls and let them knock me over. The older girl particularly enjoyed this game. I worried that I might have created a monster. After dinner, the girls and I watched Barbie as Rapunzel on DVD. Poor Barbie spent most of the movie locked in a tower, the prisoner of a hideous CGI witch.

"Did you like the movie?" I asked the girls as I tucked them in.
"I liked the witch," the older girl announced.

Definitely a monster.

My worst babysitting experience came when I strayed far from babysitting my own kith and kin. Worse even than babysitting for total strangers is babysitting for strangers who are also rich and famous. And strange.

In college I babysat for the children of a celebrity. I've blocked out most of the stress and trauma involved in those evenings, but I still remember the 30-page manual I was handed upon arrival at the mansion. I also remember the nauseating moment when the father called to check on us and I couldn't figure out how to answer their fancy, office-style telephone. Hint: picking up the receiver and saying "hello?" were not enough to be heard. They were enough, though, for me to hear the father shouting "HELLO?!" and directing his wife to call the police. Page 12 of the manual told me to run with the children to the neighbor's house in the event of a kidnapping attempt; I guess he assumed that's what had happened.

That experience turned me off from babysitting for awhile.

It was probably for the best.

*Again, my sister

True Life: My Kid Sister and Her Movies

My Kid Sister sees any movie she likes in the theatre. Then she sees it again. The day the DVD comes out, she will cajole you into buying it for her. Then she will begin watching it over and over again. She watches with the closed captioning on, memorizing every line. If the movie is shown on television, she will play the DVD at the same time as the broadcast version, switching back and forth between the two, pausing the DVD during the commercials so that the two “don’t get messed up.” Just when you think you will go mad if you hear, “Look, it’s Miley!” one more time, she begins to watch the movie in French.

At Christmas time several years ago, my Brother took my Kid Sister to see the new, live-action Peter Pan. Kid Sister, just on the cusp of adolescence, liked the frothy, Mary Martin musical version. This darker film, starring Jeremy Sumpter, didn’t seem impress her. Kid Sister was silent on the car ride back to the house. Finally, in the driveway, my sister spoke. She was reverent. “His name is Jeremy.”

Ever since then, that little phrase has been a sort of shorthand for me. It means adoration. It means “isn’t he dreamy?” It means “this is someone I would move to Never-land to be with.”

I have a nice Boyfriend. He’s also a little magical. Over the summer, he enchanted my French press; every time I used it to make coffee, it seemed to wash itself. More importantly, he listens to me, he helps me, he cares about my friends and family.

And he takes my Kid Sister to any movie she likes.

“His name is Jeremy.”




(Photo reproduced without permission from moviesmedia.ing.com).