Saw a great movie at the Theatre Today

**shortstack** · 07-04-2008, 10:10 PM

I took my daughter to the movies today and we saw Kit Kitridge an American Girl and it turned out to be a really great movie. It was a story about the Great Depression as told through the eyes of a child. It was very interesting to see some of the things on there because very similar things are happening today in America (house foreclosures, needing to stretch food, growing food in their yard etc...).

Thought I would throw that out there in case any of you guys might like to see it too

Andrea

**brennasmom** · 07-04-2008, 10:18 PM

I am happy to hear it was good. My daughter and I are going on Wed for her birthday. Looking forward to it!

**janelane** · 07-04-2008, 10:33 PM

The books are better

I'm an adult AG collector (die hard 80s fan). I love the lessons of Kit's books. Truly she most embodies frugality and helping others in times of financial crisis most of the historical characters.

However, I found it woefully ironic that this movie that teaches this important "want not waste not" was released *in theaters*. It makes me feel all icky inside that Mattel is asking everyone to pay even MORE to learn this particular lesson (the other movies were on tv.)

I mean ultimately it's a giant advertisement, anyhow, buy this doll. So I'm not really gonna cry about the hypocricy of the subject really. I'm a HUGE fan, I've blown tons of money on them, and I'll no doubt see the movie. It just makes me feel weird deep my brain.

**momishem** · 07-04-2008, 10:39 PM

I, too, took my daughter and her friend on Tuesday evening. I thought it was a really good movie. I agree that it was a testament to the times we are really living in. My daughter was thrilled and we talked all the way home about how it was similar to today's times. She is 10 and even though it was entertaining to her, she learned a lesson, too.

She brought her Nikki doll and there were several teen girls at the theatre with their dolls. Emily thought that was really cool!

**shortstack** · 07-04-2008, 10:40 PM

janelane what are your top 2 favorite American Girl movies? I'm going to go to the library tomorrow to request 2 or so. My daughter has the Samantha Doll. Does she have any good movies? We are about to read her meet Samantha Book together.

Andrea

**janelane** · 07-04-2008, 10:58 PM

Well, there's only been three. I can't remember the specific titles, but they were for Samantha (Victorian girl) Felicity (American Independence) and Molly (WWII). I don't know really how much of a summary to give, a lot happens in all of them.

I liked Samantha's move the best, but it was because I have a huge emotional connection to the doll. I'm a weirdo :p The little blonde girl in Bridge to Terabithia (sp?) plays Samantha. This one made me crrrrryyy.

Felicity's is the best acted I think. Shailenne Woodly (I have no idea if that's how you spell it) plays Felicity. She's fierce. She's starring in some teeny bopper show this fall. John Shneider (sp?) of Dukes of Hazzard fame plays her dad in that. This one made me tear up as well.

Molly Ringwald played Molly's mom in this movie, which I thought was cute. Awful acting in this one, but okay.

Of course all of them sliced and diced the books. But I still love them.

Tons of lessons about helping out friends, and strangers, in hard times. Great lessons on how to treat each other, even people you may not like. Lessons about standing up for what you believe in and thinking outside the box. The historical books and characters are a great, powerful line for girls just celebrating being little girls (even if it does try to sell them things.) And it makes history interesting and relatable.

Lord help me if I don't have some little girls one day!

**Nishu** · 07-04-2008, 11:10 PM

This is an American Girl product? I love those dolls. We don't own any because I could never bring myself to pay that much for the dolls and all their little accessories, but at 26 I could still look through the catalog and pick out all the little goodies I'd like.

I'll have to look into the books. I wonder if my soon-to-be 2nd grader could read them.

**janelane** · 07-04-2008, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

This is an American Girl product? I love those dolls. We don't own any because I could never bring myself to pay that much for the dolls and all their little accessories, but at 26 I could still look through the catalog and pick out all the little goodies I'd like.

I'll have to look into the books. I wonder if my soon-to-be 2nd grader could read them.

2nd grade, she's about 7? I think they're supposed to be for the around 8 and up crowd, she'd probably be fine, although I will say on my doll boards some moms have mentioned parts of the books being a little too emotionally intense or scary for some kids, especially Addy's (escaped slave -- the first book focusses on her escape and it is pretty nail biting for a kid's book.) I will say they were very moving. Right now a play based on her is touring.

I mean, they are schlocky and history gets somewhat whitewashed, but there are a lot of personal situations like people dying or nearly dying, a lot of being separated from parents, Kirsten's house burns down. It can stir up some fears. But it's also a good lesson that live isn't all rainbows and butterflies no matter what your situation, everyone has problems, that kind thing.

It would totally depend on your daughter's threshhold.

There are several historicals covering various points in time, all with a core book series of six and extended reading from there, mysteries and extra stories.

My family couldn't afford these dolls when I was little. Once when I scrimped and saved my birthday money and whatever else I could scrounge, I was told at the ripe old age of 9 that I was too old for dolls and was not allowed to waste my money on such a thing. Psh. So I promissed myself when I grew up I could have all the dollies I could want and afford. It's the one thing I allow myself. Totally and absolutely goes against this whole frugality and savings thing, but I love my dollies. And hopefully they will be handed down someday (and if not I can sell them when I'm old to pay for whoever will change my diapers lol)

But anyhow, yes, Kit, great lessons, my favorite historical. You don't often see kid's movies about the depression aside from Annie, and it's certainly relatable with the current economic outlook for a lot of families.

**latierra84** · 07-04-2008, 11:53 PM

good to know! I think I'll take my 9 year old sister to watch it tomorrow. Ticket prices are cut to $4 before 4pm on the weekends and are normally $4 Monday through Friday. Not too bad if I can just fend her away from the snack bar LOL

**FrugalWitch** · 07-04-2008, 11:55 PM

We don't have kids but Momma, myself and DH (surprise surprise) love, love, love the AG movies. I can't wait until the new Kit movie is on Netflix.

The Molly movie made DH cry. He would kill me for telling that. His Dad was wrongly reported as MIA during Vietnam, so DH could relate to Molly missing and fearing for her father.

I wish I had the entire doll collection. I'm considering buying the mini-dolls for the display cabinet.

**shortstack** · 07-05-2008, 12:00 AM

I always bring our snacks with us in my purse

I just can't bring myself to pay $2 for a bag of M&Ms for Grace so I just bring her some with us. I also bring us bottled water to drink and sometimes even pop popcorn to bring as well. We only spend $10 total to go to the movies for a girls day out.

Andrea

Originally Posted by latierra84

good to know! I think I'll take my 9 year old sister to watch it tomorrow. Ticket prices are cut to $4 before 4pm on the weekends and are normally $4 Monday through Friday. Not too bad if I can just fend her away from the snack bar LOL

**janelane** · 07-05-2008, 12:07 AM

I thought I'd add, too, that they came out with a bunch of new accessories for Kit with the movie. One of the new things is a canning set. I know a lot of people on here are into canning. There's a big pot for "boiling", and a couple jars with veggies.

Kit is also big time into gardening and raising chickens, other interests I've seen pop up here a lot.

And she's Green! Reuse, reuse, reuse!

She also was responsible for laundry (another accessory) and chores and really really stresses the need to help out around the house.

Kit really exemplifies what I'd imagine a lot of us frugalians here would like to pass on to our children.

heehee, I'm really excited someone mentioned it. Can you tell?

**shortstack** · 07-05-2008, 12:13 AM

In the movie she was upset at first at the thought of having chickens because her friends were making fun of having chickens and that it represented being "poor". I got offended for her because my dh and I have discussed getting chickens ourselves to raise. A little later in the movie she begins to enjoy selling the eggs.
One of the things that stuck out to me was Kits uncle who says to Kits mother "I hate to see you like this, eating leftovers" like that was the end of the world

If any of you have HBO on demand you can play the making of this movie for free.

Andrea

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-05-2008, 03:24 AM

I know nobody in our family would want to see this but me, so I am asking my MIL if she'd like to go. Eh, maybe I will wait until it comes out On Demand.