Chloe & Theo – Movie Review

Posted on September 1, 2015September 2, 2015 by FCA Editor

Dakota Johnson turns in a memorable performance in Chloe & Theo. This is a cautionary tale of humanity, excess, and understanding.

Theo (Theo Ikummaq) is an Inuit Eskimo living in the Arctic. His existence is quiet and simple. When his elders request he go “south” to tell the people they are ruining the land, Theo is sent to New York City. There he meets Chloe (Johnson), a homeless girl with heart. She takes pity on this man she thinks is a bum. When Theo tells her why he is there, Chloe decides to help him. Along with her fellow homeless friends, Chloe aids Theo in his quest to tell her “elders” that there is trouble in the world and they need to do something about it before it is too late.

Theo sees overpopulation, pollution, skyscrapers that hide the sun, garbage, and all kinds of things that have turned the beautiful planet into a ticking time bomb. The group comes up with a plan for Theo to tell his story to the United Nations, where all the leaders of the world can hear it. When that plan doesn’t come to fruition, they meet a woman who has the means to get his message out. Monica (Mira Sorvino) understands Theo’s message of caution and excess.
The movie is heartening and Theo will strike a sensitive chord within viewers. His sweet manner and friendliness combined with his message that people are ruining the planet is inspiring. And Johnson is wonderful as the young woman who feels empathy for this stranger and changes her life for him.

Chloe & Theo shines a spotlight on the world, the human condition, the good, and the bad. The innocence of Theo combined with the abundance of New York City is humorous at times. But the inherent goodness within Theo is the one thing viewers will remember most. This is a man who does not have one evil cell in his body. He is sheer goodness.

Chloe & Theo is a beautiful movie. It opens in select theaters, VOD, and iTunes September 4, 2015.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Disney Products for the Last Half of 2015

Posted on August 25, 2015September 29, 2015 by FCA Editor

Disney Consumer Products is rolling out some wonderful new items during the remainder of 2015, just in time for fall fun and holiday gift giving. Below is a sneak peek at a few of the items.

Halloween is always a fun time for kids who want to transform into their favorite characters, even if it just a witch or a ghost. And with the great films of the past several years, there are plenty of animated characters that have stolen the affections of children everywhere.

Needless to say, Anna and Elsa are very popular and many girls will want to show off their inner Frozen princess this Halloween. The new Anna and Elsa costumes are stunning. A new Elsa gown has a detachable cape. Both the cape and the gown light up for a touch of Frozen magic. Of course there are other princess gowns as well. And since Disney has incorporated the Star Wars franchise, there are some pretty cool costumes for young Princess Leahs and Darth Vaders who want to take on “the force” this Halloween.

Perhaps the coolest of the new costumes this year is Baymax. This is an inflatable costume that instantly transforms your child – or yourself – into the loveable robot from Big Hero Six.

Miles from Tomorrowland is also a cute costume option for young fans of this popular Disney Channel animated sci-fi preschool series.

With all these creative costumes, Halloween has never been this much fun before.

For a touch of Disney in everyday life, there is a new a six-pack of socks featuring the different characters from Inside Out. Each pair portrays a different emotion from the film. There are only six in this pack so you’re on your own for the seventh day. But what a fun way to express a little emotion and a lot of cuteness! They go great with the Inside Out talking dolls. Plus, for devotees of the film, a new Inside Out Game of LIFE is fun for the entire family.

A new 14-piece Anna and Elsa Deluxe Gift Set includes the two animator dolls and a whole lot of extras. They each have their own small replica doll plus a stuffed Olaf and Troll come in the set. But that’s not all. Each doll has a change of clothes, a hanger and a mannequin on which to display their dresses. Plus, the piece de resistance is…they sing. They sing the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” This set is a must have for any Frozen fan.

Speaking of Frozen, Elsa’s Magical Ice Palace makes a great gift for the holidays. There are several moving parts and plenty of things to play with as parts are flipped to reveal different aspects of the palace. A telescoping feature magically raises the palace up to three feet tall. The Elsa doll is not included in the set, but once she is added to her palace setting, there are hours of fun in store for any little girl who adores playing with Elsa and her palace.

The Magic Mike Elsa is bound to be on holiday wish lists this year. The doll comes with a microphone. She sings “Let it Go” along with the music, and when the mic is moved away it becomes a karaoke machine with the music still playing so your child – or you – can continue singing. Sing a duet or back and forth with Elsa. If you stop singing and place the mic near Elsa, she picks up the song where you leave off. That’s the magic.

And for those who love all the Disney princesses, a new Deluxe Mini Animator Doll Set is being released. Packaged in a beautiful box for display, the box contains 15 mini animator dolls.

If you have been living on another planet, you might not be aware that the new Disney Channel movie Descendants has been shaking up the tween and teen world. If your child cannot stop talking about the movie or the characters, you’re in luck. The new Descendants Signature Doll Assortment is hitting the shelves now. Each doll is dressed in their iconic fashions and ready for some fun at your house.

Tsum Tsums is the latest craze when it comes to stuffed animals. They are stackable with their flat bottoms. There is a wide assortment of Tsum Tsum characters in various sizes representing Disney characters. In November the “Tsum Tsum Olaf Bag with Frozen Fever” will be released. A large Olaf Tsum Tsum holds a smaller Elsa, Anna, Sven, and Snowgie (the small snowman from the Disney short film Frozen Fever. If you want a compact set that can travel with you and keep your child entertained when you go to appointments, this fits the bill. And, by the way, there are some vinyl Tsum Tsums now too.

Let’s talk sports and games. Marvel and Spiderman fans can now play soccer and tennis with their characters. And for Disney Infinity players, Disney Infinity 3.0 is coming out this fall along with new Star Wars playing pieces.

We know that little girls love having tea parties. The new Disney Princess tea sets contain cups and plates that fit perfectly inside the big plastic teapot for easy storing.

Disney Junior also has some pretty fun items for fans of Miles from Tomorrowland, Doc McStuffins, and Sofia the First viewers. Doc is now a veterinarian and has her own vet hospital where she can attend to all animals. Miles has some fun items that expand players’ imaginations as well, as does Sofia.

And back to Frozen – you didn’t think we were finished with Anna and Elsa yet, did you? A music box features the two princesses along with Olaf. As the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” plays, the sisters build the loveable snowman. This has to be one of my favorite items at the preview. Well, this and the mini dolls, and the tennis racket, and the ice palace, and… You get the idea. Everything they presented was amazing.

A radio controlled Lightning McQueen and Miles from Tomorrowland are sure to delight kids. Who doesn’t like controlling their favorite character? And while we’re on the subject of Lightning McQueen, a garage app keeps track of all the cars in a collection and interacts with the user. Vroom vroom.
Also for the little techies in your home, the Mickey Rocket Builder is not only a physical rocket with Mickey Mouse, but along with the app it synchs together to play in the digital world as well. Recommended for ages 3-6, it is also going to be enjoyed by older kids, and ahem, adults. And for Marvel Avengers fans, a Playmation gadget is attached to a wrist and players are guided an adventure. This is truly a “smart toy.” FYI, Frozen and Star Wars Playmation sets will roll out in 2016.

No matter how long your gift list is this year, you are sure to find something in the Disney world to help. Remember, the Disney World now includes Star Wars and Marvel. There are too many great items from which to choose. But from what I saw, they are all worth considering. And we haven’t even touched on the adorable Disney Baby collection.

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Highlights from the D23 EXPO 2015

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 by FCA Editor

Forget Comicon if you’re a Disney fan (which includes Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel). The place for you is the D23 Expo, billed as “the ultimate Disney fan event.” The three-day event is now over for this year, however there will be another one in 2017.

So, what did you miss if you weren’t in Anaheim at the D23 Expo 2015? Plenty. All things Disney were on display and for sale, plus there were special events, presentations, interactive activities, and so much to see and do, and of course, buy.

The Expo began with the presentation of the newest Disney Legends Awards. This year the awards were given to George Bodenheimer of ESPN, Julie Reihm Casaletto (the first Disneyland Ambassador), animators Andreas Deja and Eyvind Earle, composer Danny Elfman, consumer products executive Carson Van Osten, actress Susan Lucci, actor Johnny Depp, and filmmaker George Lucas. “Not many people realize, Goofy was the inspiration behind Jar Jar Binks,” Lucas said, referring the character in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He added, “I love Goofy and I love Jar Jar Binks.” This might come as a shock to Star Wars fans.

The appearance of Johnny Depp was actually a surprise for attendees. As Disney Chairman Bob Iger said, “There’s nothing that D23 fans like more than a good surprise.” With that he brought the house down with clips of Captain Jack Sparrow before Johnny Depp took the stage.

The awards ceremony also had a tribute to Robin Williams who passed away in 2014. Williams was the voice of the beloved Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, which will be released on Blu-ray this October.

Another highlight of the Expo was a standing room only event hosted by John Lasseter in which Ellen DeGeneres shared some new images and info about her upcoming Finding Dory film, which is scheduled to hit theaters next June. In another SRO presentation fans were given a sneak peek at the concept art for the new Star Wars Lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World where guests will be able to experience the Millennium Falcon first hand and other themed attractions in what Iger said, is “the largest, single-themed land expansion ever.” Yes, it’s even bigger than Cars Land.

And there was confirmation of the new Toy Story Land at the Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida.

Other sneak peeks unveiled at the D23 Expo included art, actors, and storylines for Disney’s Zootopia, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Marvel’s Doctor Strange, the new Pete’s Dragon and The Jungle Book, Gigantic, Moana, and Disney-Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur which will hit theaters this November.

On the showroom floor plenty of Disney stars were on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos. Disney art, books, products and collectibles were everywhere.

Shanghai Disneyland was represented with its own exhibit along with an exhibit dedicated to the history of Disneyland. Do you remember the PeopleMover? If you visited Disneyland from 1967-1995, you undoubtedly rode this slow-moving transportation vehicle that toured Tomorrowland and a portion of the park. Other exhibits brought back memories for older fans and introduced Disneyland items of the past to a new generation.

That is only the tip of the D23 EXPO 2015 iceberg. If that whets your appetite the next D23 EXPO is only two years away.

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After Words Movie Review

Posted on August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 by FCA Editor

Marcia Gay Harden carries the movie After Words, the story of Jane, a lonely, depressed, middle-aged librarian from Los Angeles who travels to Costa Rica for a week to experience something new before she dies. After realizing she won’t have anything interesting to relive at the moment when your whole life supposedly passed before your eyes when you die, Jane wants something to remember at that time.

Describing herself as a “pathetic librarian” Jane decides to take off for this exotic country before she takes her own life. She meets Juan (Oscar Jaenada), a local guide and gigolo, who romances American women for money. After all, he need a lot of money to send his daughter Anna (Jenna Ortega) to a fancy private school where she can get the best education and eventually go to college.

When she first gets to Costa Rica, Jane is the typical lonely American woman looking for something. While Juan feels he can satisfy her, he soon realized she is not interested in anything romantic. She is there to see the beauty of the country and the local flora and fauna.
While Juan shows Jane the wonders of his country, she conveys to him the great wonders of the world of books. He is impressed with her intelligence and manages to stir something inside this woman, while at the same time she is doing something to him. He is not interested in simply taking her money. He is interested in Jane, the intelligent and confused woman.
Jane came to Costa Rica to “do a little living” before she dies, but she does more than simply a “little” living. And Juan also discovers much more than simply the wonders of his country.
The beauty of Costa Rica is unveiled on the screen like a magical travel video, as the adventure and yes, eventual romance, between the two characters slowly unfolds.

“After Words takes audiences on a unique and life-affirming journey to beautiful Costa Rica,” said Andreas Olavarria, President of Level 33 Entertainment. “The film features another in a long line of terrific performances by Marcia Gay Harden as well as several wonderful turns by a talented supporting cast led by Oscar Jaenada.”

Harden is brilliant as Jane, a woman who starts out completely despondent and ends up having the best week of her entire life. This is a charming film that will leave audiences feeling hopeful.

After Words is currently unrated however it is not suitable for young kids.

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Big Game on DVD

Posted on August 19, 2015 by FCA Editor

Crossing over from childhood to adulthood can be a daunting time in anyone’s life, but for Oskari (Onni Tommila) it is something he will never forget. Why? Because he saves the life of the President of the United States. Big Game is the story of this brave teenager who gets involved in a terrorist plot to capture the president.

Oskari is sent into the woods to kill his first animal and take his place among the other “hunters” in his tribe. His father is a well-respected member of the tribe, however Oskari is not his father. He is a bit clumsy and not great at shooting his bow and arrow. Nevertheless he takes up the challenge with a bit of trepidation and a lot of heart.

Air Force One is on its way to Finland where the president (Samuel L. Jackson) is scheduled to attend a conference. When the plane is shot out of the air by terrorists, the president ejects in the escape pod. Oskari witnesses this incident and comes across the pod and the president in the woods. He helps the president get out of the pod and together they make their way through the countryside while trying to evade those who are on their trail.

The terrorists have a plan. They want to kidnap the president as their big trophy, so to speak. But while they track the president, it is young Oskari who manages to outwit them.

The film will have special appeal to young teens. It is filled with plenty of adventure, along with the story of one young boy who reaches deep within himself to find his inner strength. Realizing that his father does not have confidence in him to reach his goal, Oskari manages to do something no one in his tribe has ever done. He saves the President of the United States.

For those who thing it ends there, think again. There is an interesting plot twist at the end of the movie.

Felicity Huffman, Jim Broadbent, Ray Stevenson, and Victor Garber co-star in this intense story of terrorism and courage. The movie is available on DVD and on Blu-ray.

Big Game is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some language.

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Dinotrux on Netflix

Posted on August 19, 2015 by FCA Editor

“Dinotrux” is the first original program for the DreamWorks Animation/Netflix collaboration. This animated series is based on a book and clearly shows the imagination of the creators knows no bounds.

So, just what are Dinotrux? They are combinations of dinosaurs and trucks and viewers won’t have a difficult time figuring out which trucks and dinosaurs combine to form the characters. Besides the Dinotrux characters, there are reptools – combinations of reptiles and tools – that help the trucks stay in shape. After all, everyone needs a little upkeep from time to time.

Everyone eats ore and mining for it can be a bit difficult at times. But these little – and not so little – fellows manage pretty well.

Each episode in this series is stand-alone so there are no serialized storylines. Viewers don’t have to see the series in any order to understand what is going on. While the series targets boys ages 4-8, girls will also find the fun with the various characters.

The animators had a difficult task in creating the characters. Unlike the vehicles in the “Cars” films, these characters don’t have “squishable” faces. They obey the laws of physics – as much as a dinosaur/truck character can – so their expressions were a little difficult to create. But the creators did a magnificent job in this department. The characters are relatable and easy to understand.

The series takes place in the “Mechazoic” period. As Ron Burch said to members of the media, each episode is “packed with action, comedy, and heart.” They are “meaningful stories” that reflect the “wild world” in which the characters live.

“It’s a brand new world,” adds David Kidd. That allows the creators a wide berth when it comes to using their imaginations. And this show is definitely filled with imagination. He acknowledged the task was to “mirror our world without people.” Once viewers see the first episode they will understand this new “fun action comedy with heart.”

“The bottom line is it is a lot of fun,” Burch exclaimed. And each viewer will undoubtedly have his or her favorite character.

There is Ty, a T-Trux and his cute little sidekick Revvit, a reptool. The first villain they encounter is D-Structs. Ty is unlike any Dinotrux Revvit has ever seen. He is friendly and wants to build a nice world in which everyone lives in peace. Revvit enlists his friends to help Ty and Ty garners support from other Dinotrux.

There’s no doubt this series is filled with fun and definitely imagination. With Velocitractors, Scraptors, Craneosaurs, Scrapadatyls, and others there’s no limit to the fun when a truck or tool combines with a living creature. And yes, there are products related to this series. Mattel is partnering with DreamWorks Animation to bring these adorable characters to your home.

Currently the creators have designed 50 characters but more will be rolling out as the series continues. The main characters are Ty, Revvit, Skya, Dozer, Ton-Ton, Garby, Ace, Waldo, Click-Clack, D-Structs, and Skrap-it. With creativity combined with life lessons, this is a show parents will enjoy viewing along with their kids.

“Dinotrux” rolls into Netflix August 14. Click here to download coloring pages of the characters.

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Simpatico CD GIVEAWAY

Posted on August 19, 2015September 10, 2015 by FCA Editor

Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Lisa Loeb, Colin Hay, Glen Phillips, Chris Ballew, Jeremy Toback and an assortment of other musical friends are featured on a new album Simpatico, by Renee & Friends, a project by Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Renee Stahl and producer Rich Jacques. These songs are not just for kids; they build off of hushed harmonies and reassuring lyrics about friendship and familial love.

From the first track, “Gather Round” (featuring Lisa Loeb) the warmth of these songs and voices envelops the listener with love and reassurance. The guest roster is heartfelt and astounding, built on genuine personal relationships with the lead artists: Renee’s friend Colin Hay has a spoken word moment with “Are We There Yet?”

Another friend, Maya Rudolph provides a sensitive and jaunty cover of Prince’s hit “Starfish and Coffee.” Molly Shannon, who performed with Stahl in school productions when they were growing up in Cleveland, lends her honest vocals to “Happiness,” from the “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” musical. Chris Ballew sings with Stahl on the symphonic anthem “I Am Not Afraid.” Stahl is a longtime fan and colleague of Glen Phillips and they co-wrote the powerful and wistful ode from a parent to child, “You Were Meant To Be.”

We have some CDs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of “Simpatico” email us at [email protected] with “Simpatico Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is September 4, 2015.

Grandma – Movie Review

Posted on August 19, 2015August 19, 2015 by FCA Editor

Lily Tomlin stars in Grandma, a film about familial relationships and secrets. The film takes place in a single day as the relationships play out with some heartfelt scenes.

Tomlin is Elle, who that morning broke up with her girlfriend. Elle’s partner passed away and she is still mourning that loss. Sage (Julia Garner) shows up at her grandmother’s house with a request. Sage needs some money for an abortion. Elle is completely broke so the two go off to collect the needed funds.

As Sage and Elle visit Elle’s friends and Sage’s former boyfriend, the two learn more about each other and the experience brings them closer. Both women are afraid to bring the issue to Elle’s daughter and Sage’s mother Judy (Marcia Gay Harden), a hard-nosed businesswoman with little compassion.

Sam Elliott plays Karl, one of Elle’s friends from the past to whom she turns for the money. Their backstory is interesting and something that plays an important part of the film.

Filmmaker Paul Weitz said about the movie, “The film is female driven.” He adds, “It’s unlikely that most people don’t at least know someone who has faced the question of whether or not to end an unintended pregnancy. The film doesn’t make light of the issue. It puts it in the context of the characters, who all have their own perspectives towards the issue.”

In the film, the final decision is Sage’s and hers alone. No one influences her. She confronts both sides of the issue and makes her personal choice. It is a drama with comedy interspersed, in the form of an amazing performance by Tomlin.

As Weitz said, “The film is largely about moving on from loss through wit and empathy and the ability to say ‘screw you.’”

The message I got from the movie is simple. It is that we all have difficult issues to deal with in our lives. We each know how we alone should deal with them. We have life, love, and loss. It is up to us to make our personal choices to live our lives in the way we need to do so. While abortion is the catalyst for the story, it is tackled in a sensitive way and shows that humanity is not in the “dark ages.” It’s a quirky film, which left me feeling content.

Grandma is rated R for language and some drug use. It opens August 21, 2015.

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The Beginners Bible DVD Series

Posted on August 12, 2015August 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

“The Beginners Bible” series are fun for kids. Volume 1 included the stories of Easter, the Nativity, and Moses. Volume 2, includes the stories of creation, Noah’s Ark, and David and Goliath. With fun animations and songs, the DVD is a great way to introduce kids to the stories of the Bible.

“The Story of Creation” teaches kids about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Yes, they were naked but discreetly covered up in this animated tale for children. With these discs you don’t have to worry about anything R or even PG rated.

“The Story of Noah’s Ark” is a fun little tale with Noah, his family, and a lot of animals. It’s cute and enjoyable even for adults. And, even though the story of building the ark is important, what happens once the rain stops is just as important to Noah and young viewers.

“The Story of David and Goliath” shows the tale of purpose and taking on a giant dilemma.

The stories are offered in both English and Spanish. The title song for the series, sung by Kathie Lee Gifford, is enjoyable in itself, but then add it to the cute animated stories that follow and you have several fun and easy to understand stories that kids probably have heard about but might not fully understand. These stories are presented in a simplistic way for them to understand and after viewing them they will be able to discuss them further with their parents. This is the perfect way to introduce young children to the stories of the Bible in a cute and enjoyable way that simplifies the stories while embracing the heart of the characters and their lives.

The third volume has “The Story of Jesus and His Miracles,” “The Story of the Good Samaritan,” and “The Story of the Prodigal Son.”

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Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism – Movie Review

Posted on August 12, 2015 by FCA Editor

Move over Annie, Molly is going to steal the hearts of audiences. Raffey Cassidy delightfully plays this feisty yet endearing little orphan. Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism is a fun little film for the entire family, but mainly for tweens who will delight in the antics of this adorable little girl who just wants to experience more in her life.

Molly and her friends live in a dark orphanage outside of London, run by Miss Adderstone (Leslie Manville), a woman who has no compassion for the children. One of her assistants, Miss Trinklebury (Emily Watson) tries to make life comfortable and enjoyable for the kids. Well, at least as much as she can. The kids are given early curfews and forced to eat fish soup three times a day. They are clothed in dirty old rags and they are not instilled with any self-worth.

Molly, who loves to spend time in the nearby library, comes upon a magical book titled “Hypnotism, An Ancient Art.” She devours the lessons within and learns to hypnotize anyone, including Miss Adderstone. Molly starts out using her new power to help people, and then realizes she can help herself.

She takes off for London in search of her best friend Rocky who was just adopted by a wealthy couple. It’s in the big city where she discovers wealth and fame. But it’s not real. It comes from her powers of persuasion. Unfortunately, her secret is discovered by some evil people who decide to kidnap the girl to use her powers to steal from a bank filled with jewels. Dominic Monaghan and Joan Collins play the criminal mother/son duo.

Molly, considered a “reject” by the bullies in the orphanage, is taken aback by all the wonders of the big city. She quickly becomes a young pop star, even though she has no talent. Her power of hypnotism is far-reaching and even global. But is this grand life worth the consequences?

The point of this story is played out in one of the songs. Believe in yourself.

There is no doubt this family film will delight audiences, and it may be followed up by another Molly Moon film. After all, there are several books in the “Molly Moon” series penned by Georgia Byng. The books are geared for ages 8-12, the target audience of this movie. If your kids enjoy the books, they will love the movie. If they haven’t read the books, this is a good introduction to the world of Molly Moon. Don’t forget to pick up some copies of the books in your local bookstore or online. Molly is filled with fun and imagination, and an interesting perspective on life.

Believe in yourself and in Molly Moon! Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism opens in select theaters and VOD beginning August 14, 2015. It’s rated PG for thematic elements and brief language.

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