Happy New Year
How has the start of everyone's 2023 been? Apart from cold and wet!
We live down South, and we had a cold start to the year. I'm looking forward to those spring days coming, with a bit of sunshine, warmth, and daylight when I go to work each day. Springtime walks are a favourite of mine. Bluebells, daffodils and snowdrops make for very pretty strolls if you can find the right places. It is even better if you have a walk with a mid-way pub for lunch before getting home and snuggling for some afternoon TV with a lamb roast...... My first recommendation for a little bit of binge-watching with the older children has got to be Wednesday.
Wednesday Addams is the daughter of Morticia and Go- mez Addams from the old Addams Family movies and TV series. It is an edgy, darkly comedic drama series. Wednesday has been expelled from her latest school. She's being sent to Nevermore, the "school for outcasts" where her parents, Morticia and Gomez, met and where Wednesday's downbeat approach to life might finally be appreciated. Alas, there's been a spate of murders in Jericho, the small town near Nevermore, and it falls to our heroine to solve the mystery under the watchful eye of her new principal, Larissa Weems.
We enjoyed watching Wednesday, but it is unsuitable for the family's younger children. There is a bit of violence and the odd naughty word thrown in.
COMMON SENSE MEDIA
is recommended from age 11 years plus.
AGE RATING: Parents guide those aged 12 years or older. Children are recommended aged 11 years or older.
Puss In Boots - The Last Wish
Available in cinemas
The fearless hero Puss in Boots is back and enjoying the spoils of his fame when he's unexpectedly killed at the start of PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH. As he's brought back to life, he's warned that he has run through eight of his nine lives. The reality of his mortality fills Puss with a newfound fear of death. This is amplified by the menacing wolf who begins pursuing him, promising to take his last life. Puss hides at a cat rescue home, where he meets an innocent and lonely Chihuahua, Per- rito, who clings to Puss as his new best friend. One day, the three bears and Goldilocks show up at Puss' hideout, and the cat overhears their plans to make off with a magical map that will lead them to the mystical Last Wish -- which could be the secret of regaining his immortality. Puss takes off, Perrito on his tail, to find the map and make his wish. En route, he encounters more threats, especially Jack Horner, and runs into old flame Kitty Softpaws.
After the success of the first Puss in Boots film, I have very high hopes for this new one.
COMMON SENSE MEDIA
is recommended for ages 8 years or older.
AGE RATING
Parents guide from ages 9 years plus.
Children are recommended for ages 9 years or older.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events
Netflix
An old classic book series has finally been revamped into a Netflix series and is getting rave reviews. Unlike the 2004 feature film adaptation, which stuffed three novels into a 1-hour 40-minute runtime, the Netflix adaptation turns each novel into a two-hour-long episode, leaving room for all the narration, black comedy, jokes and mystery that made the original novels so compelling.
A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS introduces the Baudelaire children -- Violet, Kraus, and baby Sunny - whose life of wealth and privilege ends with the death of their parents. They're shuttled off to their closest relative, the devious washed-up thespian Count Olaf. Upon learning that the children's sizable inheritance is safeguarded until Violet comes of age, Count Olaf makes his wards' lives miserable. At the same time, they depend on him, but these inventive and learned children nonetheless find small bits of happiness. As the story evolves, the mystery of their parent's death also takes curious twists and turns, changing the Baudelaire orphans' fortunes.
COMMON SENSE MEDIA is recommended for ages 10 years or older.
AGE RATING: Parents recommend for ages 10 years or older. Children are recommended for ages 10 years or older.
Mandalorian
Disney+
The 3rd series of Mandalorian is out on 1st March 2022.
After the fall of the Empire, our favourite lone Madalorian continues to make his way through the galaxy with his new foundling, Grogu. Disney are keep- ing the synopsis to the 3rd series very close to their chests, it's almost like a secret mission.... but we know it's going to be another knock out.
As of yet, there are no age recommendations on Common Sense Media, but Disney themselves are advertising it as 14 years plus.
BARRY KEOGHAN
From Foster
Homes To
A First Oscar Nomination
We are talking about the incredible Barry Keoghan, who is winning awards all over the place for his recent role in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, "The Banshees Of Inisherin' follows lifelong friends Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Padraic, aided by his sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Padraic's repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend's resolve, and when Colm delivers a desperate request, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.
Not only has Barry been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category, but he has already won a Bafta, beating off some tough competition. His story is more remarkable because he grew up in the care system.
BARRY'S STORY
His mother had a drug addiction, and he grew up in 13 different foster homes in Ireland before moving in with his grandmother at the age of ten. Barry's Mum sadly died two years later. He said that living in foster care it was difficult. Whilst he had a positive experience with each of the families he and his brother Eric stayed with, he grew attached to them and moving on to the next placement was hard.
Barry participated in plays at school but was once banned for messing around. He was also banned from the local cinema after sneaking in to watch films with his friends without paying. His first role was in a crime drama Between The Canals, which he got after spotting an open casting call in a shop window when he was 16. Wanting to pursue acting seriously, he studied at a local acting school in Dublin called the Factory. He remembers not having enough for his bus fare to get there at the time, but he quickly established himself in the industry, taking on some exciting roles. He now has a long list of screen credits, including Dunkirk, Marvel's Eternals, and The Banshees of Inisherin.
COMMON SENSE MEDIA is recommended from age 15 years or older.
AGE RATING: Parents recommend those aged 15 years or older. Children are aged 13 years or older.
