Blogs > Tuned in to Pop Culture

They’re not standing around the watercooler, but Cheryl Sadler, Mark Meszoros, Mark Podolski and Nicole Franz are talking about what they’ve been watching, listening to and playing during their free time.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Boy-Band Blueprint

The Boy Band Blueprint
by HeatherJones.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

'Lego' film will be huge hit ... with kids

OK, first things first.

Can we all admit playing with Legos is fun, no matter your age?

Sitting through the first-ever Lego film for the big screen as an adult? I wouldn't advise it on your own, but your kid(s) will love it.

As a sidenote, Lego was founded in 1949 and has reportedly produced 560 billion pieces since then, so I'm surprised it's taken more than 60 years for a film to reach the big screen.

The first - simply titled "The Lego Movie" - is kid-friendly and fun, but unlike Pixar's "Toy Story" and "Cars" films, there's not a lot here for the thousands of adults that will surely pack theaters with kids in tow for this weekend's release.

The plot is simple: an ordinary Lego mini-figure named Emmet is pegged to defeat the evil Lord Business and save the universe. Emmet has friends such as Batman helping him along the way. The film's end has a nice twist that will tug at your heart.

Still, with animation that pales in comparison to Pixar films (it seems impossible to make a Lego mini-figure's movements look smooth), a story only a child could love, adult one-liners that for the most part miss, don't expect "Wall-E" or "Finding Nemo." I prefered "Planes," released last year and widely dissed by critics, more than "The Lego Movie," but that's not the point.

My 5-year-old son loved "The Lego Movie", and that's what should matter. These types of films are obviously geared toward children. Whether or not adults enjoy themselves too is a bonus, at least in my book.

"The Lego Movie" opens nationwide Feb. 7.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo