Stuff Dudes Like. ParaNorman & Other Movies Kids Like.

Yesterday I took The Dudes to seeParaNorman.

Creeepy.

I know, you can probably see from the trailer that it’s got that whole 6th-Sense-meets-The-Walking-Dead-for-kids vibe going on. Both of which are other-level freaky to me.

ParaNorman is pretty much in that same category of being really weird, but still somehow entertaining. With a lesson to learn at the end (something about how bullying is an unfortunate part of life, that shouldn’t change who you are as a human, and forgiveness. Lots and lots of people needing forgiving in there too.).

Probably way too scary for younger kids (even #2, Mr. Nerves of Steel, cowered a little), so you may want to stay away if your little people have a conscious are affected by things like death and zombies and darkness.

It is funny though. The Dudes and I laughed out loud a number of times. But, even the humor was a tad dark, including everything from fatness to being gay (yep, I won’t tell you deets, but it’s subtlety in there).

So yeah, they liked it. And I only slept for 5, 10 minutes, tops (which in my book means it was a pretty decent flick).

Honestly, there are really only a few things that my Dudes require in a film to make it enjoyable: action, adventure, fantasy, and/or super heroes.

Throw in a ninja, maybe a spy, a zombie, and a fire breathing anything, and they’re hooked.

ParaNorman had almost all of that. Even an unlikely hero to save the day.

As did most of the long list of movies we rented this summer to keep them from killing each other entertained when Mother Nature was busy trying to fry people. Or dousing them with buckets of water. Or, making it otherwise uncomfortable or unsafe to be outside.

Want to know what some of our faves have been?

See what our resident hero, Robot Punch, has to say about his favorite summer movies…

The other Dudes declined being video taped, but they were more than happy to give me a verbal quote and take part in my Dude Approved movie rating system in case you’re looking for something your Dudes might like to view.’

Dude Movie Rating System

***: Really awesome and we intend to watch it repeatedly until our Mom hates it.

**: Pretty good and we will pick to watch it if Mom ever takes away one of our fave.

*: Not even gonna cry when it’s time to return it, and maybe even asked to watch a fave again right in the middle of this one.

Dolphin Tale. Seriously, one of the best family movies I’ve seen all summer. I cry. Every time. And, for The Dudes, it’s made it into heavy rotation, right up there with Cool Runnings.

10 year old rating: **. #1 is starting to be more emotionally affected by movies that are sad. He actually thought this one was good, but he never wants to see it again because he actually felt like he was gonna cry. And he doesn’t like that feeling one bit.

7 year old rating: ***

4 year old rating: ***

Mom rating: ***

Puss in Boots. Hilarious. Antonio Banderas is even sexy as a mostly naked cat. We actually purchased this title.

10 year old rating: ***

7 year old rating: ***

4 year old rating: ***

Mom rating: ***

Kung Fu Panda 2. I love Jack Black and so do my Dudes. He’s not made a movie in recent history that we didn’t enjoy (Nacho Libre, School of Rock, & Gulliver’s Travels are all in heavy rotation for The Dudes).

10 year old rating: **

7 year old rating: **

4 year old rating: ***

Mom rating: **

TinTin. Google a synopsis of this one, because I seriously can’t even guess.

10 year old rating: ***

7 year old rating: **

4 year old rating: No rating. His exact response when asked was, “No.” As in, no, I will not watch that, please don’t make me.

Mom rating: I slept through the entire thing. I put it on specifically so that I could grab a nap. So I will decline rating this one.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Anytime “The Rock” brings his pecs out to play, I’m gonna watch. That man is hotness. Even in silly movies. Way more fun than Brendan Frasier.

10 year old rating: ***

7 year old rating: ***

4 year old rating: **

Mom rating: **

Rango. Two words: Johnny. Depp. He’s even adorable as a chameleon. Or gecko. Or whatever he is. We own this one too.

10 year old rating: ***

7 year old rating: ***

4 year old rating: **

Mom rating: ***

Rent movies likeKung Fu Panda 2 and many other family fun titles, like Space Dogs this summer for a chance to win a family trip to the Kennedy Space Center!Official Sweepstakes Rules

3 Easy ways to enter!

1. Rent a participating movie or game at a Redbox kiosk before 8/27 and enter your email at checkout. Click here for a complete list of participating titles

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Redbox. The opinions and text are all mine.