Seriously, I haven’t seen this many family friendly movies in theaters at the same time since the ’80s! And most of the ones at the local theaters right now are pretty good: I can wholeheartedly recommend Hugo (though it’s not really a “kids” film, per se), Puss in Boots and The Muppets. Loved the first Happy Feet and I hear the second one’s good, too (but haven’t seen it, yet) and I’ll probably catch Tintin this weekend. As today’s strip points out, however, seeing a family movie in a theater is not always a good idea, because actual, well, families go to these things, with kids and stuff. (who’d a thunk?)
Seen any of these movies? Excited about any current or upcoming G/PG films? Disney’s re-release of Beauty and the Beast, Pixar’s Brave and Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty later in the year come to mind. Sound off in the comments.
Another awesome comic Jeff ^^
thanks for the “awesome,” Kaze!
and check you out: you just achieved the Shades of Firsting! wear them well – they double as 3D glasses, should you need ’em in a theater. (actually, Hugo is probably the only movie in theaters that i can wholeheartedly recommend the 3D, at the moment.) Anyhoo:
😎
Yeah. I had to see the Midnight showing of Tangled.
not sure why, but i ignored Tangled for the longest time, Sarah W, but when i finally saw it a few months back, i totally dug it.
you know they’re putting a Tangled short in front of the 3D-ified Beauty and the Beast re-release, right?
The shame on you for ignoring Tangled, mister. It was a blast! Disney movies are so good. Which means that, yes, I’m gonna go watch Beauty and the Beast. And the Tangled short is going to be a sweet bonus for my money. But, like Sarah said, I’m going to the midnight showing so that the brats will be practically non-existant. Brats should be illegal in movie theathers.
the commercials for Tangled didn’t do it for me, Jcb! they made it look like it was just a snarky retelling of Rapunzel with modern references and sassy sidekicks, but after friends kept recommending it and i sat down to watch it, i agree: it’s actually really good! i’ve since bought the blu-ray to make amends. 🙂
I’ve seen none of them because we have one of those kids you depict in your comic. As an adult, you should see the late showings if they have them, but you have to see them while they’re new, since kids movies that have been out for awhile sacrifice their late showings for additional seats to new releases.
most of the time i do just that, Stan: i go to late showings. (it’s how i saw The Muppets.) but while most of the time this works, you’d be surprised at how many parents bring their kids to “after 9pm” showings!
Stan, random question. You live in CO?
Yes, I DO live in CO. Why do you ask?
Unfortunately, that second panel is why I wait for the DVD. (And it isn’t always the 3-to-15-year-old set that’s the problem. Plenty of so-called “adults” seem hell-bent on ruining the movie for the rest of us as well… >:-( )
that’s absolutely true, reynard61 – i can’t tell you how many times i’ve been at the theater and seen people pull out their cellphones to text (or talk, even!) in the middle of a movie.
My guess is that they’re giving a running narrative to their too-Effing-cheap-to-buy-a-ticket friends.
It’s great to have you back, Jeff! Also, that Tintin movie is surprisingly good. I strongly recomend you see it.
Yeah. I never was a Tintin fan (wasn’t big where I grew up), but went to watch it with my bf’s family in 3D and it was great!
woo! another thumbs up for Tintin! glad to hear it, Lipi. 🙂
i’m happy to be back, Soul Man, thanks! and i’m glad you liked Tintin; it’s been getting a rather mixed response amongst my friends. even though i’m not very familiar with the property, the movie pretty much had me with the spielberg/jackson/wright collabo.
I didn’t notice an influx in “family-friendly” movies. Where I live, we only get six movies at a time. *sigh* How I miss living near a REAL movie theater.
Kids and adults are so so annoying with technology nowadays. It’s not only movies, but fireworks shows (in Disney World) where people will have their flashy screens up, recording or otherwise.
So, I totally feel for you in this situation, Jefbot.
where do you live, JoLee? florida, i presume? i’m surprised you only get six movies at a time!
and yes, adults are just as bad as the kids, if not more so. glad you could relate!
More like a teeny tiny town in Michigan. That has two movie theaters! That only play three movies each. ><; And their small big screens too.
But I guess there's also a lack of people, most the time. Heh. Btw, absolutely love your comic!
Speaking of technology, I have noticed that younger and younger people have really really much technology! In fact, I think I have seen 2nd graders with an Ipod, and it pisses me off for two reasons: 1. Their parents spoil them too much, they get used to get everything they want without lifting a finger. 2. When I was in their age (Yes I know I sound like a really old person) I hadnt even gotten my first cellphone! In the future, will every kindergarten kid have their own smartphones or sumthin? WHERE IS THE WORLD GOING!!!?
At last I would like to say that the only technology I use is my computer and the TV.
Yikes. That’s a LOT of kids. This is why I like going during the day (when they’re in school) or around 4:30 (when lots of people are eating dinner). Plenty of seats, and no waiting in long lines to get tickets!
that’s a good plan of attack, KB. i generally try and go to late showings for PG movies, but that’s not a guarantee, either. will have to try hitting more matinees.
Nice! This is EXACTLY what it was like when my friend and I went to see the Clone Wars animated film a few years back.
Also, this is the first time I’ve been amongst the first batch of people to comment on the page.
yep! unsurprisingly, there were a lot of kids at the theater when i saw Clone Wars, too, NeoD (around 7-8pm.) didn’t really care for the movie all that much, but i’m digging the tv show!
I don’t think I’ve gone to see a kids movie since… gosh, I don’t even remember. I would like to see Puss in Boots, but these things cost something, ya know.
Eh? B&tB 3-D re-release? Don’t see why; it was wonderful enough the first time around in 2-D! Disney has obviously run out of ideas.
i really wasn’t expecting much from Puss in Boots, Insectoid, as the trailers didn’t do much for me, but i was pleasantly surprised! it was much better than Shrek 3, at least.
i normally wouldn’t be excited about the 3d-ification of previously released Disney classics, (i skipped Lion King 3D) but i saw a short preview of 3D B&B and it looked pretty amazing. the opening “Bon jour” scene and the Ballroom dance, especially. if nothing else, it’ll be a chance to see B&B on the big screen, again.
Heya guys!
Great strip, ‘bot, but I’m kinda seeing a missed opportunity here…
If it had been my 404th strip, I would have held off my next one for 405 and just posted a .jpeg that says “Strip Not Found”
But that’s just me, and this is good too.
Don’t take this as criticism, I’m a big fan.
heya, G-Man0091!
ha! a 404 missing strip would have been pretty cool! (to you and me, if no one else. heheh.) something tells me i would’ve gotten a lot of confused emails over that one, but it’s a good idea. (and would’ve saved me from doing a strip yesterday!)
Error, Jeffbot.404 eye remedy has not loaded. Access deneyed.
Hahaha! Only Harry Potter has this kind of crowd around here, otherwise you just have to hope for not being in that audience with THE ONE unruly child that has mystical ability to ruin the movie for everyone.
If I go to movies in recent years Its for movies I REALLY want to see in 3D, the rest I wait for or download. And Im picky, too many times lately producers use 3D as marketing tool not a tool for making films and that makes them… Well, tools.
arrrghh… i hate “THE ONE,” too, Maryz! especially when that child has parents who have no parenting skills, whatsoever. 😛
and we’re in agreement over the use of 3D: it’s usually just a gimmick, and not worth the extra dough. when it’s used well, though, it can be pretty cool. (e.g. How to Train Your Dragon, Hugo, Avatar.)
The Muppets are always boss….. But not quite so excited about Puss in Boots. Especially not after the last 2 Shreks, the last one being the worst one. Definitely not thrilled over recycled cat. No one likes old pussy.
Sorry to inform you that Puss in Boots rocked hundreds of times better than the Shrek movies.
But to each their own.
i liked PiB, too, Jcb! much better than i thought it was going to be.
yeah, was fun (and hit my nostalgia buttons, nicely) to see a new Muppets movie, Infamous Nefarious. and i’d suggest going to see Puss in Boots – i was initially put off by it, too, but ended up liking it. of course, i actually thought the last Shrek (#4) was pretty good. Shrek 3 was godawful, tho.
Well…. I have younglings so sooner or later my 5 year old daughter is going to drag me by the soul and make me sit and watch it with her. Kind of inevitable. It’s important that my midgets enjoy it.
Your expressions are just like my brother’s when he’s out in puplic. :3
*public
heheh. sounds like your brother has some wonderful expressions there, Anime fan. 🙂
Saw the Muppets and I loved it.
I also enjoy kids movies (I want to see Tintin, hope to see it.) and what I’ve discovered is, if the movie is good then the kids will be quiet and not a bother. If the movie it bad the kids get restless, start talking, and get very annoying. I saw Garfield when it came out and the kids did not seem to enjoy that movie yet, when I saw Wall-E (or any Pixar movie actually) I find that the kinds are very quiet and respectful.
i agree with you for the most part, TPC, but there’s always that ONE* kid who can ruin it for everyone. once one kid starts acting up, it’s like a chain reaction! (and yes, The Muppets ruled!) 😀
* see Maryz’s comment, above.
I’ve not been to the movies in a little while, think the last one was the last Harry Potter!
My experience with kids there is that they usually behave better than teenagers. Way better actually. And drunk teenagers are easily the worst!
Though I mostly just get annoyed at them during the commercials at the start. But once the movie starts I’m either so immersed in it I don’t notice anymore, or I don’t like the movie enough to mind.
you are 100% accurate, Nahiyana! teenagers can be the worst when it comes to movies! they’re the biggest offenders of opening cellphones, texting, talking to each other, getting up, running around, etc. grrrr…
Muppets was very good. I wanted to see Sherlock, the wife wanted to see Muppets. I’m glad I didn’t fight over it. Muppets was worth it.
yeah, i think i enjoyed The Muppets more than the new Sherlock, andy. i was hoping for a more sinister/smarter Moriarty and it failed to deliver. RDJ was, as always, fun to watch, tho.
Gooooood Morning all factions of Botdom! (Wow…I think I like this one too),
This comic hits so close to home! I hate going to see these type of movies in the theaters. People do NOT wrangle their children anymore. They scream and run around and just generally ruin it for everyone else. If you want to see these types of movies, go early.
Exactly what I said, Lady Pixie.
Hello there Pixie!
Good to see that while I ended up slightly sidetracked over the months,
You’ve stayed true to the…was it “Botateers”?
I never did get my trench coat and hat…
morning, Pixie!
yes, parents need to either learn how to wrangle their children or hire a child wrangler to stay with them at home! and i swear this isn’t always at G/PG movies, either. i swear a parent brought an infant to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo the other day! O_o
I saw it happen at Catwoman. Some lady brought what had to be her grandson to see it, he looked about 7. I think Halle Berry in that much skin-tight leather should be for ADULTS only (or oversexed teenagers)
One of the few things outside of the director’s control that can ruin an otherwise good movie is people who are loud and don’t know how to shut up during a movie. I’m guilty of talking during a movie, but I only ever make little comments about what’s going on to the person next to me(which is usually my brothers or parents) and I’m usually don’t go above a quiet whisper. I’ve not seen any of those movies yet, although I am interested in seeing most of them.
ugh. i hate that too, Fijiman. i can’t remember which movie i was at – i think it was the new Sherlock Holmes – where the guy in front of my friend and i was talking at the screen the entire time! it was an older guy, too. he wasn’t even saying funny things or anything; he was just commenting on what was going on, to himself, but much louder than a whisper. crazy.
I love kids’ movies, but I haven’t seen any of these yet. My kids and husband have seen the Muppets (they’ve been singing the songs quite a bit, including a Muppets/Always Look on the Bright Side of Life mashup that my daughter invented) and We Bought a Zoo. I’m pretty bummed to have missed both.
I love the comic, but I’m a bit surprised that at least the Cornfather isn’t throwing popcorn back at the little monsters!
how did your family like We Bought a Zoo, Shanna? for the most part, i like Cameron Crowe movies, so was interested in seeing it. and, yeah: the songs were pretty awesome in The Muppets. (although i’d love to hear what a muppets/bright side of life mashup sounds like!)
and i think the Cornfather retaliating would occur in the very next panel. 😉
Exactly… Netflix! I love the reactions!
seeing movies at home is a decent alternative, Funnyshaffer, but even a 60″ plasma and surround sound system can’t compete with a good movie theater!
Yeesh…when my wife and I went to The Muppets on my birthday, I think there were maybe 10 people in the theater, and I’m pretty sure only half of them were kids.
Also, ‘bot, I’m proud to report I was able to catch Grey Skies last weekend (I’m less proud to report that I still have cable, but that’s a fight that can wait).
wow! sounds like a lot of you BOTreaders went out to support The Muppets! i think that’s pretty cool, Joe.
and, hey! i’m happy you saw Grey Skies. hope you liked it! 🙂
I love Alamo Drafthouse theater where I live in Texas. Kids under 6 are not allowed and under 18 has to be with an adult. If you bother people with your annoying need to talk or use your cellphone, they will throw your ass out. Before the movie starts they don’t show ads or recycled for the millionth time trivia, but weird shorts or stuff related to what you are about to watch. They also show old movies all the time like Ghostbusters during which they gave out free green “Slimer” jello shots, Robocop, Aliens, kung fu movies. I have a stack of props on my desk from attending Quote-a-longs for Princess Bride, Army of Darkness, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Once More with Feeling sing-a-long with James Marsters. They have themed food and drinks like Butterbeer for Harry Potter. You can order some food and a beer, sit back and relax!
That sounds….pretty damn cool.
seriously cool.
the Alamo Drafthouse has become such a legendary theater and i hope to visit it one day, Anonymouse. we have a theater in Hollywood called the Arclight, where, although the ticket price is a bit higher, you can reserve seats, they make sure the sound and picture is just right, they don’t allow talking or texting in the theater, won’t allow people to walk in late, have “alcohol friendly” theaters, etc. still, i’m sure it’s not nearly as cool as the Alamo Drafthouse. we need one in L.A.!!! (L.A. Drafthouse???)
thanks for sharing!
List of what to do before I die:
1. Visit Alamo Drafthouse theater in Texas at least once
2. Meet Jefbot IRL
1) Finish at least 1 Assassin’s Creed campaign.
2) Get my (preferably fixed) 3DS back from Nintendo.
3) Get the damn Shades of Firsting.
And lesser so, but I still wanna try,
4) Take on jefbot on a game (and maybe even win)
Hope the holidays treated you well and you got some much needed rest, sir. I absolutely LOVED the last installment of the Bat.
the holidays did indeed treat me well, man, and i did get a little rest, though not as much as i would’ve liked. (but when is that ever the case?)
and thanks for the big love for the latest Christmas Bat storyline – i’m happy you dug it!
and time for me to go off on a completely different tangent than today’s strip! two tangents actually, although one mentioned before.
1. Error 404: strip not found
2. I happened across a Donkey Kong machine in Disney World, and was playing it, although I noticed a few things that made me slightly sad. Which will be summed up with these numbers.
124500- Pinky’s bro’s worst score
72600-JB’s score that really counts (as, of course, he could have gone further in his second run-through)
60600- hi-score on the machine I was playing on (4 lives)
52800- Wil’s worst score
28200-my hi-score
10000ish-my best score in one life
5000-Pinky’s best score
Clearly, I have much more to learn.
Now back on topic… being a broke college student, I usually opt for watching movies on my friends’ netflix, which generally is fun all around, since we don’t have to worry about bothering people when we do happen to be noisy, although, I have not yet seen any of the new movies, nor have I seen Tangled (I have come close to watching it, but something always comes up, which upsets me greatly)
always happy to go on other tangents, Ryurei, so thanks for the deep analysis and ponderings about the “Donkey Kong” strips and how you could relate. what you need to do is get a DK cabinet for your home, “King of Kong” style. then, you can start challenging Wil/bot/Pinky in cel’s arcade. 😉
Netflix is great, but since i rarely have time to use it, it’s hard to justify the monthly subscription cost, sadly. it’s nice to have around on the rare occasions i do use it, though.
arrgh! I’m late! oh well not too late for the last full show heh
true that, Jiro! and as they say: better late than never. 🙂
This is exactly the reason why I go see most movies during the day in the middle of the week. Because everyone else is in school or working and I only have to share the theater with 5 other people who had the same idea.
i really need to get on this early-in-the-day bandwagon, GardeBlaze! but since i have a day job during the week, it’s a bit difficult. afternoon showings during the weekends aren’t nearly as vacant in the theaters.
I guess P/PG is the american way for adolescence-rating?
If so: nope, not interested in any of those movies…
But I can’t wait until “Iron Sky” and “Prometheus” comes out, tough
yeah, G is for “all audiences” and PG may contain material not suitable for children, Malkav. still lots of good stuff to see within those ratings, though.
and, yes: totally stoked about Prometheus. man, that trailer looked good.
This comic made me literally laugh out loud. Thanks, darlin’; I needed a good laugh today.
I think I’ll go see Hugo and Beauty and the Beast 3D. Belle was always my favorite Disney “princess” growing up, because she was socially awkward with her nose stuck in a book. Like me. And my nephew is 5, so maybe I’ll take him with me. And Hugo looks awesomeness.
always happy to provide a laugh, T! hope you didn’t need one too badly…?
i’d definitely recommend seeing Hugo in 3D – the claustrophobic clockwork stuff and the old, early movies recreated in 3D make it totally worth it. and yes, i’ll report back on how awesome (or not awesome) 3D B&B is. i love that movie, too.
Hey, I just noticed that you changed Cornfather’s lucky palm leaf to make it more obvious that it’s not drugs…which was probably a good idea in the long run, after some of the comments you had…
The Tintin movie is awesome! I have actually read two of the adventures the movie was based upon (it is a mashup of three adventures ICYDK) and it is actually very impressive how they made the characters look cartoony as well as real! My favorite character is Captain Haddock, since he is so fun when he is drunk, which is well, always!
What is your favorite character, jefbot? And to other commentors, if you would like to tell us, just reply to this comment!
Me and my sister almost went to see the new Alvin and the chipmunks movie, but we changed our minds because there were only about 5-year-olds in the cinema. Instead, we watched “Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows” with our dad. I didnt see the first movie, but it didnt really matter because I bet they are equally awesome!
I’m a bit worried about seeing the TinTin film personally, having read every single book from “Soviets” to “Alph-Art”, so…
I mean, it seems as if you recommend it, so do you think I should see it?
I recommend it to both people who have and havent read the Tintin books, since it is actually really fun just to watch. It is also fun when you remember how it looked like in the little squares and when you see it on the big screen you are all “Wow this is totally awesome!”
I remember seeing the 2 o’clock showing of Up, never seeing so many kids in my life! Won’t make that mistake again.
This is why I like living in a smaller town, or catching shows at odd times or a couple weeks after release. Less crowds, less kids, less problems.
Ugh, i feel ur pain i went to go see a new studio ghibli film
‘ the secret tale of arietty ‘ and there was so many lil bleeps there. Wats sad is that they dont even appreciate the genius of hayao miyazaki -smh-
Arriety is the bomb. Its as good and upbeat as everything else Ghibliesque(this is of course with the exception of Grave of the Fireflies…cause that made me super sad).