See Bedtime Stories trailer here.
THE team at Think Parents sent us a Blu-ray player and some DVDs to review. Once we had them working, the scene reminded me of the Christmas episode of the Royle Family, as everyone clamoured to try out the newly arrived kit.
Just as Jim and Sheila had a whale of a time flicking the lever on their new sofa as it whizzed into upright and reclining positions, we grabbed the remote and ooohed and aaahed at the quality of the picture.
"It's like they're here in the room with you," said Melissa.
"It's really bright," said Neil.
"Amazing," I said.
"Never seen a picture like it."
"Dad, are your nipples fluorescent?" asked Emily.
Couldn't quite fathom what sparked this enquiry so we did what all good parents do, and ignored her.
"It's just they look like they could light up," added Emily and we ignored her some more.
We were still talking about the quality of the picture the next day and just like The Royles, sat my parents down to also experience this compelling feat of modern technology.
"It's HD," I said.
"What's HD?" My mum asked.
"It means it's a better picture," said Emily, sensible all of a sudden.
We watched a bit of High School Musical Three and some Disney ads and then it was time for my parents to go, so it was back to the washing up and EastEnders for me.
Neil and Emily and Melissa watched Bedtime Stories.
This is their first attempt at a review.
It's fairer that they share their opinion as I would have been likely to chunter all the way through as I'm not a massive fan of Adam Sandler's man-child schtick.
Billed as uplifting and charming, it also has Guy Pearce in it, (loved him in Neighbours and LA Confidential, hated him in anything else since, not that we get out much.)
Neil said it was a pretty average film, without the added dimension that's so welcome in say, Toy Story or Shrek where adults will find plenty of jokes for them too. The pace was too slow to kick-start any real magic and it all seemed a bit lack-lustre. So that was Dad's verdict, I'm afraid.
But we're doing it for the kids, right? (Sandler reportedly did it for his) And as it's part animation, part live-action, at least it's a little different, telling the story of a hotel handyman who weaves imaginative action-packed tales for his niece and nephew.
Emily, (10) said it was good fun, she gave it four out of five. Her favourite part was when it rained gumballs. And she adored a kooky boggle-eyed hamster. She also said something about a farting horse. "It's a good job that it's not smellivision as well as HD", I smiled. Someone had to.
Melissa, (also 10) said it was a film that made her happy (you can't say fairer than that.) Asked who it would be a good film for, she said Gordon Brown, because he needed cheering up.
"Do you think he's seen it, Mum?" she asked.
"Put it this way," I said.
"I think that's about as likely as him having nipples you can see in the dark."
Buy Bedtime Stories Blu-ray here.
DVDs and Blu-ray, not just Disney
No Bafta? My arse! See my report on a previous Royle Family special here.
The Royle Family sent me into labour – yes it really did.
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