Of Brothers and Stripes

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Synopsis: Who are the people who live at the "farm",
why do they always wear striped pajamas, and why do they have to stay behind the tall barbed wire fence? These are all the questions that Bruno, an 8 yr. old German boy, has when his father - an SS officer - gets a promotion and the whole family moves to the "countryside". What Bruno finds out is that the "farm" is really a Jewish concentration camp, and that his father is the commandant. Bruno also makes friends with Pavel (a house servant) and Shmuel (a boy his own age), both prisoners in the camp. But when Bruno sneaks into the camp (dressing as a prisoner) under the fence, to go help Shmuel find his father, who had gone on a "march" a few days before and had not returned, there are devastating consequences for Bruno and heartbreak for his family.
Stars:Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend (Mr. Wickham from Pride and Prejudice (2005)), Vera Farmiga, Jack Scanlon

My rating: 5 Star

Would I watch it again? Most definitely!!

Would I recommend this movie: Yes.

My notes: This is NOT for children to watch!! I will state that now; this requires maturity to watch it. I would say this is a PG-13 level movie. Parents may want to view this first; it is an excellent story, but it is very moving. We watched it with ClearPlay on; I don't believe there are any 'inappropriate' parts - although there is nudity for about five seconds (of backsides) near the end of the movie; there is maybe one bad word in the entire movie that the ClearPlay edidted out; there is a little violence (it's a WWII movie, so obviously...). It is a great story, nonetheless. This movie could even be used as part of a High School homeschool education. And if you love history, you would like this.


O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Synopsis: Set in Depression-era Mississippi, three escaped convicts set out to get a cache of hidden money before water floods the location in only a few days; however Everett, Delmar, and Pete are being relentlessly pursued by a warden. On top of all of this they come across sirens, a cyclops, bankrobber George 'Babyface' Nelson (very annoyed by that nickname), a campaigning Governor, his opponent, a KKK lynch mob, and a blind prophet. Will they make it in time to get the money hidden on Everett's property?
Stars: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson

My rating: 4 star

Would I watch it again? Yes! :)

Would I recommend it? Yes.

My notes: This movie is a perfect balance between funny and serious. It does have some language, but that's just about the only negative thing in it that I remember at the moment. I would say it is a light PG-13. A little heavier than the Princess Bride because of the KKK and chain gang, etc. It is definitely one of my favorites! :)

~Stephanie