Director Zach Snyder is looking to reboot the franchise after the Bryan Singer version, Superman Returns, failed at the box office.  Snyder has been at the helm for some of the biggest comic book movies such as 300 and Watchmen.  His style is perfect for the genre and he should do a great job with this Superman.

Christopher Nolan (director of the new Batman franchise as well as Inception) is also involved and will make sure this new series will follow in the steps of Batman and be more “realistic” with a few changes to make it more accepting to mainstream audiences and not just comic fans.

With this movie, the Batman franchise, Green Lantern movie and upcoming Flash movie the next logical step is for a Justice League movie that will follow.  Hopefully DC doesn’t fall too far behind of Marvel who already has their major hero group movie, The Avengers, coming out next year.

The official press release is here:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have provided the first look at the new “Man of Steel,” revealing star Henry Cavill as Superman in the film from director Zack Snyder. The film also stars three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (“The Fighter”) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”).

Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”), and Faora, Zod’s evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman’s native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, played by Julia Ormond, and Superman’s father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”).

Rounding out the cast are Harry Lennix as U.S. military man General Swanwick, as well as Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy.

“Man of Steel” is being produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer, from a story by Goyer and Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

Currently in production, “Man of Steel” is slated for release on June 14, 2013 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Walmart has received a total of 58 incident reports: 24 reports of the food processor operating without the lid in place, of which 21 resulted in injuries to fingertips; and 34 reports of the unit smoking, including 3 reports of fires.

These products were sold from September 2009 through February 2011 and retailed for around $50.  Anyone who purchased on of these units should immediately stop using the product and return it to Walmart for a full refund.  For more information you can call Walmart Customer Service at 877-207-0923 or visit the website here.

Adam Mansbach’s words along with Ricardo Cortes’ illustrations make this book a must have for any frustrated parent just trying to get their kid to sleep so they can go watch their shows in peace. It hasn’t been officially released yet but a piracy leak along with word of mouth through the Internet have lead this unpublished book to already be at the top of Amazon’s Bestsellers List. That kind of popularity only attracted the studios and Fox 2000 has already optioned it for a movie deal. All for a book that hasn’t even officially hit the market yet.

An advanced PDF copy was sent around and was leaked to the Internet so the buzz has only added to the book’s momentum.  Copies have been popping up all over, including this video of someone reading the book to you.  Check it out to see what it will be like but make sure to get a copy for yourself when it does come out.

Here are a couple reviews from people who have had a chance to see it:

“Total genius.” — Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn, father of two

“A children’s book for grown-ups! I really did laugh out loud–hilarious!” — David Byrne, musician, father of one

“I wish this book had been around during my daughter’s overly protracted sleep rituals! Finally, someone tells it like it really is. This is no-guilt funny and a godsend!” — Cristina Garcia, author of The Lady Matador’s Hotel, mother of one

“This is the most honest children’s book ever written. And it’s f*cking hilarious.” — A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically, father of three

“Go the Fuck to Sleepis the secret anthem of tired parents everywhere. Adam Mansbach’s homage to the tropes of bedtime stories is pitch perfect, and Ricardo Cortes’s stunning illustrations will keep grown-ups and kids alike returning to these pages again and again!”– Bliss Boyard, author of One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life

There are 3 night light models being recalled: 71193, 71194 and 327879. Only those with KML molded on the back are being recalled. All models have KML, ETL, the AmerTac™ logo and the model number molded on the back of the night lights’ plastic housing. Model number 71193 is a square shaped, white plastic unit with a flat translucent square window on the front and a button for changing the screen color. Model 71194 and 327879 resemble a computer mouse with white plastic housing and inset translucent windows on the front and sides.  They were sold in hardware stores and other home improvement stores nationwide from March 2009 through January 2011 for about $7. 

Anyone who purchased one of these products should immediately unplug them from the wall and contact AmerTac for more information and refund.  AmerTac can be reached at 800-420-7511, their website, or recall website.

This film also follows the books more closely than any of the preceding Harry Potter movies, which, the Hollywood Reporter writes, “rather sorely tests the abilities o the young actors to hold the screen entirely on their own, without being propped up by the ever-fabulous array of character actors the series offers.”

Still they concede that it is better in this case to give every character a proper send off, rather than be constrained.  Afterall, The Deathly Hallows unites characters that date back to the very beginning of Harry Potter.

On the run from Lord Voldemort and his followers, Harry, Hermione and Ron sever ties with their home lives and begin a quest for the Horcruxes that represent portions of the Dark Lord’s soul.

In addition to being the scariest Harry Potter film so far, Deathly Hallows also takes movie-goers much deeper into the emotions of the three stars.  Having watched as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint grow up on screen while making the series, this proves to be sweet, funny and tear-jerking all at the same time.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 hits theaters November 19, while the finale Harry Potter film is scheduled for release in July 2011.

Kids

• Space Jam – Michael Jordan defends the Earth by playing basketball with Bugs Bunny.  What more could kids ask for?
• Air Bud – Watch a not so good team go for it all when they put a highly skilled Golden Retriever in their lineup.  You can’t go wrong when animals play sports.
• Like Mike – Lil’ Bow Wow stars in this fun one about a kid who finds a magic pair of shoes that allow him to play like Michael Jordan.
Like Mike – Trailer | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Teens

• Teen Wolf – The first teen werewolf was Michael J. Fox in this classic flick.  There is some basketball in it although they may quite possibly be the worst sports action sequences ever filmed.
• Blue Chips – Stars a fresh out of college Shaquille O’Neill as a young top notch high school athlete being recruited for college.  This story could almost be taken out of today’s headlines so it just goes to show how long the slimy college recruiting has been going on.
• Coach Carter – An inner-city school with inner-city problems has a fantastic basketball team and an even better coach.  A young, fresh cast and the coach played by none other than Samuel L. Jackson keeps the younger generations interested in this worthwhile story.

Adults

• Semi-Pro – Never watch a Will Ferrell movie just once.  The second and third times are when the comedy gold comes out.  This is no exception.  Also realize that Will Ferrell movies are completely insane and in no way meant to be taken seriously.
• Hoosiers – The movie not hold younger kids attention spans but it is something that everyone should watch at least once when they are old enough to appreciate.
• He Got Game – This gritty Spike Lee movie stars Denzel Washington and current basketball all-star Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth, the most highly sought out high school basketball player in the country.  Think Lebron James type hype.  Absolutely not for kids so don’t think about showing them unless you want to answer all sorts of fun questions.

I know there are many, many others out there so comment below with your favorites and why other families would want to watch.

You might think you know everything there is to know about Facebook.  You know you can find your friends there.  You know you can waste hours on games like Farmville and Zombies vs. Ninjas.  You know your kids are obsessed with it – peek in the email inboxes of many of the under 18 set and you’ll find that the only email they’re getting that is NOT a Facebook alert is probably from “grown ups” like teachers, parents or tutors.  But watch the new trailer for David Fincher’s upcoming film, “The Social Network,” and you’ll find that you don’t know anything… yet.

That’s exactly why this film is going to be a must see for anyone who uses Facebook, or has a child who uses Facebook.  The first full length trailer for the film was released this week and it promises to bring along everything a great movie should have – drama, intrigue, emotion, excitement – in its discussion of the origins of the social networking revolution and how it has changed the world, for better or worse.  Not only will this film reveal the history of the omnipresent Facebook for you to discuss with your teens, it will open up a very important conversation about the implications and consequences of social networking.

It’s nearly impossible to keep teenagers out of the social networking world, but you can make sure they truly understand it and “The Social Network” promises to be a great tool to help parents do that.  Oh, and it also seems like it’s going to be a damn good movie too!

Featuring the voices of the hilarious Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand, Gru, a would-be super villain (voiced by Carell) sets his sights on stealing the moon.  That scheme requires (obviously) the use of a shrink gun, so Gru hatches a scheme to take it from a top-secret lab only to almost immediately have the shrink gun stolen from him by his nerdy new rival (Segal).

Wikipedia explains, Gru delights in all things wicked.  With his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand on his way.  That is, until he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him in a way no one has ever done before: as a potential dad.

Watch:

The Toronto Star writes, “If Despicable Me wasn’t arriving so soon after Toy Story 3 – Pixar’s latest triumph in the eyes of critics and tykes alike — it wouldn’t have any real competition of its own this season.”

Personally, I can’t wait to see it!

RottenTomatoes.com sums it up like so: “Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won’t win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.”

Having seen the last two movies, and the trailers for this installment, that sounds about right to this determinedly “Twilight”-neutral movie fan.  The critics seem to agree that this installment, while not Shakespeare, takes what’s good about the series and makes the best of it. Negative reviews, about 49% of “Top Critics” according to Rotten Tomatoes, mostly seem to hate the series on principle.  Those willing to watch “Eclipse” with open eyes and open minds appear to have found an entertaining flick that satisfies fans and at the very least won’t appall the regular movie goer.  Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic put it best: “What elevates Eclipse above the previous “Twilight” films is that it doesn’t take itself so seriously, and Slade doesn’t allow his stars to.”

Stephen Witty of the Newark Star Ledger says, “Although Eclipse isn’t a great film on its own, it’s pretty much the Twilight movie fans have been waiting for.”  While Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times is a bit more enthusiastic – one suspects Ms. Sharkey of being a bit of a “Twi-hard”  - “The kiss of the vampire is cooler, the werewolf is hotter, the battles are bigger and the choices are, as everyone with a pulse (and a few without) knows by now, life-changing.”

Even A.O. Scott, of the the New York Times concedes.  ”A more robustly entertaining film than either of its predecessors.”

So, for all of you about to be dragged to into the world of “Twilight” for the weekend, have no fear.  It should at least be fun.

The Disney and Family Channel production stars Debby Ryan (right) as Abby Jensen, an almost 16-year-old girl whose secret birthday wishes come true after an encounter with a mysterious woman. Abby gets the attention of her crush, played by Jean-Luc Bilodeau , and revenge on her lifelong nemesis, but eventually it all goes terribly wrong and Abby must race to put things right.

In true Disney fashion, the story spins out predictably to reveal the  “be careful what you wish for” moral of the story. While the plot line is not a new one, the  story is good, the actors do a good job, and it ends up being a great TV movie for girls 8-15.

16 Wishes premiered on Disney Channel last night and will encore this evening, tomorrow, and throughout the month (check your Disney Channel listings).

Famous for movie roles in Baby Mama, her eight seasons on Saturday Night Live and her new series Parks and Recreation, Poehler partnered with long-time TV industry friends Meredith Walker and Amy Miles to create the series of web videos which “celebrates extraordinary girls who are changing the world by being themselves.”

Amy told the Huffington Post, “The idea [for the show] came out of us wishing we had a time machine so we could go back to the younger versions of ourselves and let them know it was gonna be OK. We wanted to do a show that we would have wanted to watch at that age. And we knew we wanted to have a dance party at the end. We basically started with the dance party and worked backwards.”

In the weekly web series (now on its second season on ON Network) Amy and friends interview a pre-teen girl with “a unique talent, community interest or point of view”, and they do it with a fun, quirky style that’s pure Poehler, and totally accessible to girls.

The actress and mom says of her subjects, “We looked for girls that had passions, girls who felt passionate about stuff, no matter what that was.” Each episode showcases an average “smart girl next door”, with guests including a young writer, a robot builder, a dancer and a gardener.

Without a doubt, Poehler, Walker and Miles provide positive, realistic role models to their audience, but its the guests who make Smart Girls At the Party one of the most inspiring and empowering shows for girls out there today.

When asked about the overall message of the show, Amy had this to say:  “Be yourself! And then tell us about it! And then let’s dance!” What more can you say? Check out the “Cameron the Writer” episode below!

Find more videos like this on Smart Girls at the Party

With a whole summer’s worth of talent based reality competitions hitting the airwaves, including “So You Think You Can Dance,” we’ve all gotten an eyeful of talented street and break dancers.  But, most of them haven’t been this short and none of them have been this cute.

Nine year old Bailey Munoz, aka “Bailrok” and his five year old partner Miles “Baby Boogaloo” Brown brought their dance team, Future FunK, to “America’s Got Talent” this week.  Their perfect aplomb in the face of enormous crowds, judges and TV cameras would have been enough to earn these pint sized performers a place in our hearts.  The fact that they pulled off everything from hip-hop to ballroom to the robot in almost perfect sync was even more remarkable.  That they did it with the kind of style, personality and connection with their audience that many seasoned adult performers struggle to attain was enough to earn judge Howie Mandel’s first “wow” moment of the season and the season’s first tickets to Vegas.

If you haven’t seen them yet, check out the video above

For parents, the HS is a pretty good, and very green, solution to the problem of finding a car that’s practical but doesn’t make you feel stogy. It boasts an eye catching and youthful look, especially for a four door, eco friendly sedan.  There’s nothing that screams “parent” about the exterior of the HS.  It’s sleek interior also looks decadent, but its blend of natural woods and leathers with surfaces made from renewable, plant based resources (rather than petroleum-based products) makes that decadence a sneakily responsible decision.  Also responsible, both as someone with kids who you’d like to be able to breathe and drink clean water and as someone who wants to watch their gas budget, is the HS’s Super Low Emissions status.  The HS is at the top of it’s class in fuel economy, and if you keep the battery well charged you can even drive in full electric mode and use no gas at all.

*Click photos to enlarge

User friendly dashboard readouts let you keep your acceleration in non-gas-hog mode and tell you how far you can go on the gas you’ve got – I drove the HS all over the Los Angeles area, including a few minor road trips, and never got below 270 miles of “cruising distance” so it’s clear a little gas in the HS goes a long way.  Add in tons of airbags, an impressive navigation system, an emergency crash detection/stolen vehicle tracking system and a handy fold down arm rest in the back seat that’s wide enough to keep argumentative siblings from duking it out while you’re driving and the HS is a great candidate for family car.

So what’s the down side? The instrumentation panel is the biggest issue with the HS – basically, there are too many buttons (and a joy-stick, seriously, it’s kind of an old school video game flashback).  This feels like a car that’s stuck somewhere between the past and the future.  Most of the bells and whistles, back up camera, side view cameras etc can be accessed with the surprisingly easy to use once you’ve got the hang of it joystick and the nav screen.  But, many of these features are also accessable through the traditional buttons and dials we’re all used to.  There are a lot of redundant access points, and the cockpit like control panel that hosts all these gadgets kind of dominates the front seats of the car.

To sum up – is the HS perfect? No. Is it pretty darn sweet and family friendly? Absolutely!

“Jeans have always been a Mommy fashion must-have, but now it’s time for their little ones to steal the style,” says Huggies spokesman Stuart Schneider.  Huggies did some research and found that 40% of mothers wear jeans most days of the week and 57% buy jeans for babies within their first six months.  That’s a big market and the jean print should be a hot seller but remember that it is only a print and not actual denim.

Keep an eye out for the ads that will soon be coming to a TV commercial near you.  Huggies has shelled out big money to keep up with the market and this ad will feature some very hip little babies looking very cool and fashionable.  I’m sure mother’s everywhere will utter the word “cute” before the ad is finished.

Michele Devon Krantzow is a child’s bedroom designer who agrees whole-heartedly with Huggies.  “It’s about time that the plain white or kiddie-designed diaper gets a makeover,” Krantzow said. “Nearly every other purely functional item in the baby industry has been redesigned, from the high chair to the baby bathtub. Chic diaper covers have been on the market for several years now, so it’s nice to finally see the big brands catching up with ways the design winds are blowing.”

Huggies says that they will only be available for those two months but I would be willing to wager that if they do well, then they will be available for some special extended engagement that will extended their availability for another3 months or something.  While this may be a great idea for fashion conscious babies, this may not be a great idea for money conscious parents. Especially with these economic times, I am not sure that baby fashion should be where extra money should be spent.

A quintessential imagination toy, the Bilibo is designed with just enough function and form to vaguely resemble a number of things, from a bowl to a spinning seat to a tortoise shell. Put two together and you have a happy little clam shell or a topsy-turvy seat. Made from really sturdy polyethylene that is food safe, weather-proof and recyclable, it comes in six bright colors. It is marketed to kids aged two to seven, and since it can stand up to almost any activity or terrain, it will be an ideal toy for the beach, the water or the backyard. This is a toy that will survive every season and for many years.

The Bilibo’s ability to incite creative play has earned it a lot of acclaim, including the 2010 Toy of the Year award and the 2009 Fat Brain Toy Award Winner.  And while the Bilibo’s appeal to children may be mysterious, the $30 price tag will undoubtedly appeal to adults. Look for the Bilibo in specialty toy stores in your area, or browse through online retailers to find a good selection of both the larger and smaller versions of the toy.

Finding Entertainment Appropriate for Kids,” or FEAK, runs every Friday and discusses places – mainly the movie theaters – where parents can look to find things for their kids to watch over the weekend.

This will be the final edition of FEAK. We hope you enjoyed our column. Follow author Germain Lussier at Real TV Addict.

Every kid dreams of being a superhero: dressing up in a cool suit, going out and fighting crime. What if you could fly, have super strength or be invisible? Literally everyone has thought about this kind of stuff. That exact conceit is the subject of the new film “Kick Ass” which hits theaters today.

By design, the film seems perfect for kids. A young man named Dave (Aaron Johnson) decides that he wants to become a superhero so he dresses up like one, goes out and does it. And though he doesn’t fare too well, his exploits inspire others and then a bunch of newly found superheros, including Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), go out to try and bring down a mob boss.

Since the stars of “Kick Ass” are all teenagers, or at least playing teenagers, parents might choose to ignore the R rating of the film. That R rating that reads “for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use – some involving children.”

Yes, you read that right. Though it features kids and is about kids, “Kick Ass” is about as inappropriate a film for kids under the age of 17 as one can imagine. The violence is off the charts. The language is off the charts and there is sex and drugs mixed in to boot.

To put this in perspective, a young character named Hit-Girl (played by Chloe Grace Moretz) has several scenes where she gets shot, shoots people, cuts off limbs and uses the C-word. Yes THAT “C-Word.” She’s 13, by the way, in real life.

Honestly though, for adults and people who fit in the rating, “Kick Ass” is a fun and fantastic movie. But parents are urged to use caution when their kids ask to see the film. It’s not for them, it’s for you.

If you want a new movie to see with your kids, this weekend, seek out “The Perfect Game” instead. But check out “Kick Ass” when you can. There’s something sinfully superb about watching an 11-year-old beat the crap out of dozens of henchman.

NUK

1. The Genius pacifier. This is the next generation of natural orthodontic pacifiers.  It is made from extra thin silicone for maximum softness and flexibility.  Integrated soft channels on the nipple reduce pressure on the jaws and teeth.  And it is available in 3 sizes, making it the first and only silicone pacifier available for babies 18 months and older.  My very finicky 6 month old will only take the Soothie pacifier that we got at the hospital.  This is the first “traditional” pacifier that I could get him to use.  It is a lot less bulky than the soothie, so he doesn’t constantly knock it out of his mouth.
2. The Healthy Start training tooth brush set. The 3 piece package comes with 2 brushes and a ring.  The cleaning trainer brush gently massages gums and and mouth to sooth teething discomfort and pain.  The brushing trainer is your baby’s first tooth brush to use to clean and care for new teeth.  The protective ring can go under the head of the brush to limit how far baby can push the brush into their mouth or it can go on the base of the brush to be used as a stand.  The whole set is made of gentle but firm rubber that makes it perfect for teething babies.  My son has had one heck of a time with his teeth coming in so far.  There has been a lot of fussing and crying.  But as soon as I give him the trainer brush, he quiets down and happily gnaws away.
3. Teeth EZ. This is a pack of coolable teething rings that have no liquid filling.  They are ergonomically designed to ensure that all areas of the jaw are reached and soothed.  The three rings range from soft to firm to comfort during all stages of teething.  the soft ring lightly massages gums while the firm ring gives a more intense massage.
4. Soft Bite feeding spoon. This innovative spoon is made from ultra soft silicone.  Its flexible tip is more comfortable in your baby’s mouth, making it the perfect transition from sucking down milk to eating baby food.  I love these spoons because my son has a tendency to grab his utensils out of my hand and try to feed himself.  Being that he is only 6 months old, he misses his mouth a lot.  Because the tips are made of a bendy, rubbery material I don’t have to worry about him poking his eye out.
5. EZ Cup. This handy sippy features ergonomically shaped, anti-slip handles and a soft non-spill silicone spout.  It fits nicely into my son’s hands.  He hasn’t quite got the idea of drinking from a cup down yet, but he sure loves to hold this thing!

In 1957, a group of kids from Mexico came out of nowhere to shock the world at the Little League World Series. Yet, over six decades later, this incredible true sports story isn’t very well known. That’s about to change.

“The Perfect Game” hits theaters on April 16 and tells this unbelievable story. It stars Clifton Collins Jr. as a washed up major leaguer who moves to Mexico to get away from the world. There, a young group of kids who are obsessed with the game – including Jake T. Austin from “Wizards of Waverly Place” and Moises Arias of “Hannah Montana” – recruit him to be their coach. From there, the kids begin to compete against the best in the world all the way to Williamsport, PA and the Little League World Series.

Rated PG for thematic elements, “The Perfect Game” is a great movie for kids of all ages. The “thematic elements” include issues of sexism and racism that the Mexican boys and their team must face over and over again, so be aware of that when you take your kids. And though the film does take almost an hour of its two hour run time to get to the real baseball action, the places this story goes are worth it.

It’s filled with cliches, the baseball action isn’t all that well shot and some of the boys aren’t the best actors but though “The Perfect Game” is a flawed film, it’s so beyond inspirational, if it’s playing in your area – and your kids like baseball or play Little League – they will almost certainly love the film.

Below is a list of theaters playing “The Perfect Game.” Check to see if it’s in your area and – if it’s not – do your best to seek it out. It’s not a big Hollywood production and it definitely needs as much support as possible.

Courtney Watkins has been tooted as the Mary Poppins of the new millennium.  And that is something that I would definitely agree with.  The Web site oozes whimsy and creativity.  And the webisodes are heavy on patronizing silliness, which is great for kids.  But this show is supposed to be for moms.  There is no denying that Watkins is full of great ideas.  I couldn’t find a single project on there that my kids wouldn’t love to do.  It is my new favorite site to find boredom busters for them.  But will I be signing up for the webisode email reminders?  Probably not.  They are fun to watch with the kids, but now how I like to unwind.  I see enough of that gooey, super sweet dribble on Noggin’ all day long.  And don’t get me wrong, it is great for the kids.  But when the kids are sleeping or away, I like to be a grown up again.

The Final verdict: visit the Web site and watch webisodes for childrens’ entertainment and great kid related ideas.

“Finding Entertainment Appropriate for Kids,” or FEAK, runs every Friday and discusses places – mainly the movie theaters – where parents can look to find things for their kids to watch over the weekend.

Two of television’s biggest stars team up on the big screen this weekend and another small movie gets a grassroots wide release.

“Date Night” starts Steve Carell (“The Office”) and Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) as a suburban married couple who begrudgingly go into New York City for a preplanned date night. They just want some food, wine and a night away from the kids. However, when they get mistaken for two criminals, the couple finds themselves in the middle of way more action than they want.

Fans of Carell and Fey will find plenty to like in “Date Night.” There’s action and tons of comedy. For adults, this is a home run night out at the movies. What about for your kids, though? The film is rated PG-13 for “sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference.” Nothing in the film is ever too blatant or overtly racy, but it does center on a bunch of adults in an adult situation. I’d say the PG-13 rating is warranted, but if you let your kids watch these stars on TV, there’s not going to be anything in the film that you’ll find too offensive.

Another film opening this week is “Letters to God,” a small release that will play in about a quarter of the theaters of “Date Night.” It’s the PG rated true story of a boy battling cancer who starts to write – you guessed it – letters to God and it inspires his entire town.

This is obviously a family friendly film, especially if your family counts religion among its core values. There’s a bunch of information on the film at its official Web site which you can get to here, so definitely go check that out.

Those are the new releases for the weekend. If you are curious as to other films currently in theaters and if they are appropriate for kids, here are some more links.

“How To Train Your Dragon”

“Clash of the Titans”

“The Last Song”

1. aden +anais swaddling blanketsNow swaddling blankets may not sound all that inspired, but that is because you are probably thinking of those tiny receiving blankets from the hospital.  These blankets are huge, 47in x47in to be exact.  That is nearly 16 square feet of blanket that will take babies well into their toddling years.  They are made of soft, breathable muslin cotton and come in super cute designs.  They already have a huge celebrity following and I can totally see why.  I can’t put my finger on it, but whenever I use these blankets they make me feel hip and trendy.  Even when my hair is messy and I am in sweats.  You get four blankets in a pack for $44.  Now you see what all of the fuss is about.  You can round out you gift bag with aden +anais co-founder’s book Swaddle Love. It goes into detail about the importance and benefits of swaddling.  It is a great way to get an expectant mother excited about using her new blankets.  And it equips new moms with tools to bond with an inconsolable baby.
2. My Breast Friend nursing pillowSure moms can use their Boppy as a nursing pillow.  But this pillow offers a lot more.  It was specifically designed with breastfeeding comfort in mind.  First off, it buckles around your waist so that it, and your baby, stays securely in place if you have to move around.  This is crucial in the early days of feeding when latching on can be difficult for babies.  Second, it helps your baby lay correctly.  It has a firm flat cushion and little bumps on it that help to position the baby, making it easier to latch on.  The bumps also hold a baby’s head up just enough to aid in digestion while still allowing them to lay comfortably.  Third, it helps mom maintain good posture, which any mom will tell you is hard to do when you are nursing all day long.  It has a built-in back rest to help you hold your body straight and it has arm and elbow rests to eliminate stress on your arms and shoulders.  Last, but certainly not least, is the adjustable and silent-release strap.  It adjusts to fit waist up to 44 inches and unlatches without waking your baby.  This allows mom to nurse her baby to sleep and transfer them without waking them up.
3. Smartipants cloth diapersThese diapers are among the best of cloth diapers.  They fit babies from 7-35 lbs, so they work from birth through potty training.   Because their liners are sewn in, they won’t leak.  And they have a sleeve inside to hold absorbent inserts.  There is no need to separate inserts from the diapers when you wash them.  The inserts come out on their own in the wash.  You can get a 3 pack for $40 or 24 for $300.  This may sound expensive, but it is actually a great deal for cloth diapers.  Especially ones that will carry a child through diaperhood.   Although a full set may be pricey for the casual shower gift, it is a great idea for someone you are very close to like a daughter, sister or best friend.
4. DaddyScrubsThis is a little somethin’ for the fellas.  Yes, they are expecting a baby too.  And although they may not get excited about booties and bibs, they still want to be part of the action.  DaddyScrubs are medical scrubs that proudly read “I’m the Daddy” on the back.  They are meant to be worn to the hospital for delivery so that Dad can fit in with the rest of the crowd.  But because they are so comfy, they are great to wear as PJ’s after the baby arrives as well.  This is a great gift to help new dads feel involved with the baby growing inside that belly.
5. Danzo diaper bagThis is for when you really love an expectant mommy.  Danzo bags are manufactured in the same factory as Kate spade bags, so you know that they are well made.  They are also just as gorgeous.  But their genius is in their pockets, all 10+ of them.  Each bag is literally lined down the sides with pockets and there are more hidden pockets on the outside of the bag.  each inside pocket has velcro tabs where you can stick one of the 13 labels that come with the bag.  There are labels for things like diapers, wipes, toys, clothes, etc.  Each bag zips down on each side so that you don’t have to stick your arm in there and root around for things.  It opens up flat and allows you to see everything.  You also get  a handy nylon changing pad.  The only downside is the price tag.  These bags weigh in at about $300 a pop.  They are worth every penny in my opinion, though. But that is why I said you have to really love that mom-to-be, because for that kind of coin you could buy yourself a new Louie.

“Finding Entertainment Appropriate for Kids,” or FEAK, runs every Friday and discusses places – mainly the movie theaters – where parents can look to find things for their kids to watch over the weekend.

Summer has started very early this year at the local cineplex. Last week’s release of “How To Train Your Dragon” was a, no pun intended, monster success and families surely turned out to enjoy the tale of Toothless and Hiccup.

This week, the huge movies keep coming. On Wednesday, Miley Cyrus’s new movie “The Last Song” came out and it’ll surely be something many families will try to see this weekend. We ran a review of the film on Thursday and basically said that young girls will probably like it, but parents will not. Still – it’s appropriate for tweens and up, as long as they are comfortable dealing with death – which features prominently in the movie.

Also in theaters this weekend is the massive, special effects extravaganza “Clash of the Titans.” It’s a remake of a semi-classic, but very cheesy, 1981 film of the same name that shows how the son of Zeus must try to fulfill his own destiny, even though some of the other Gods don’t approve (Sounds a lot like “Percy Jackson,” right?) In this version, that role is played by that film some people might have seen “Avatar’s” Sam Worthington. He’s joined by a very impressive cast such as Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.

“Clash of the Titans” is rated PG-13 for “fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality” and I think that rating should be upheld as it’s read. The film has some huge action sequences with amazing creatures, but those creatures will surely be very frightening to younger kids. Plus, no one is really wearing any clothes in the entire film.

Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too?” also hits the big screen this weekend. It’s a sequel to Perry’s 2007 hit “Why Did I Get Married?” and is rated PG-13 for “thematic material including sexuality, language, drug references and some domestic violence.” Again, the rating is probably just about right. However, Perry’s films are certainly more for adults – especially the non-Madea one’s like this that deal with relationships. The film has comedic elements, but gets very serious at times too so make sure your child is wise in the ways of life.

Next week “Date Night” is the big movie and, here’s a sneak peak, it’s really funny. More then.

“The Last Song” marks the singer turned actress’s first big starring role away from “Hannah” and, in it, acting is involved. Uh oh. Her character, Ronnie Miller, is so much more complex than Hannah has ever had to be that Cyrus simply doesn’t have the acting chops to handle it. And that’s just the beginning of the problems with “The Last Song.”

The film is co-written and based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks. You know him. He’s the guy who wrote “The Notebook,” “Nights in Rodanthe,” “A Walk to Remember” and several other romantic dramas that usually end in tragedy. So knowing that, and having seen the trailer to “The Last Song,” one can easily imagine that the film isn’t what it appears.

What it appears to be is about a young girl, forced to spend the summer away from home with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear). She hates him, lashes out against him but becomes more balanced when she meets a boy named Will (Liam Hemsworth). The two enjoy a storybook romance of epic proportions until tragedy befalls them all.

Being as this is more a Miley Cyrus movie than a Nicholas Sparks movie, it has to draw in the young girls and “The Last Song” does that by focusing on Will and Ronnie’s romance for the majority of the time. There’s an incessant and overly coincidental courting, some way too soon swooning and then multiple fights, surprises and immersions in mud, water and more. The whole thing feels way too good to be true and only gets more incredible. And by “incredible,” I mean it in its literal sense – the things that happens are not-credible. They would only happen in a fairy tale.

And that would be fine if that’s what the movie is about. But it’s not. Something happens and the movie twists away from its pop song infused, bubble gum romance. It becomes downtrodden, sad and actually kind of interesting. However, there’s that pesky first 60% of the film that has already happened.

“The Last Song” will make many young girls very happy and frustrate the crap out of the rest of us. The main characters don’t really learn anything of value, the performances are horribly lack luster, we meet pointless characters galore and the story ultimately goes exactly where every other Sparks story has before.

See “The Last Song” only if your kids are 100% totally in love with Miley Cyrus. If they aren’t, then avoid it. It’s not a particularly good movie.

Easter egg hunts are a blast for kids, as long as they can find the eggs. Let’s face it, though – some kids can’t find a hole in the ground when they fall into it! Enter the Hide ‘Em & Find ‘Em Eggs from Techno Source. First off, these eggs are larger than the other ones you buy, making them easier for little eyes to find. They are also in bright colors. But there’s an extra feature that pretty much guarantees you kids will find every last egg: they talk!

Each Hide ‘Em & Find ‘Em egg has a character inside that calls out and makes noises. The ones I received included two rabbits and two chicks. The bunnies have cartoon spring sounds and giggles along with phrases like, “I’m over here!” The chicks tweet and giggle, as well as talk. On the outside, they’ve been decorated with cartoon faces on the top and animal paws on the bottom. Between the feet are a parent’s dream: the on/off button.

Did the voices help my kids find the eggs? Definitely? Was it cute? Yes. Did the novelty wear off quickly? For Mom and Dad, yes, but not for the kids. They wanted to hide them over and over again. The noise will – like just about any kids toy – get on your nerves after a bit. Be prepared to be driven nuts by the giggles, tweets, and boings. The on/off buttons are very sensitive, too, so be careful transporting them if you want to keep them quiet.

From a parent’s perspective, the Hide ‘Em & Find ‘Em Eggs are a noisy (if not cute) proposition. But Easter egg hunts are all about the kids, and your kids will love them.

We’ll be giving out two sets of Hide ‘Em and Find ‘Em Eggs on Wednesday. Check back then.