Movies Showtimes
Annabel Chotzen
Motivational speaker, with husband Will Hartzell and their son Devin Chotzen-Hartzell, age 7
As Told To Kerry Miller
Where and with whom did you see the movie? Devin: At Ward 16 with my parents.
Overall, what did you think?
Annabel: There wasn’t a lot of humor.Jodie Foster was trying to be funny, and I watched the audience and nobody was laughing. The scenery was beautiful: the little girl Nim,her friendship with the animals, just the beauty of nature. There was one point where I was really touched when Nim meets a little boy who was from the ship.She’s never seen a child before,she touches his face and,for me,that was the best part of the movie.
Will: It was trying to be realistic,but it was a fantasy.Also,some parts were a little too unbelievable.I thought it had lots of drama, and I thought overall it was an exciting movie,but I felt like there were some parts that could have been improved.
Devin: It was a very,very great movie.I think everything was great.Nim built these little catapult things - she was launching bearded lizards with a catapult. I mean, that was really, really funny.
Nim’s Island is described as a family film.What was “family-friendly” about it?
Will: A lot about the girl,the kids.The most meaningful part to me was the message about courage. It’s a strong message for kids that they can be empowered.Nim was dealing with isolation, loss of her mother, yet she thrived because she had courage. They were all dealing with facing courage. There were a lot of fun parts with the animals - the seal she played soccer with and her favorite lizard Fred, that was her companion.
Annabel: It reminded me of some of the situations in Hawaii, between the beauty of nature and the development of tourism. For me, I wouldn’t normally want a lizard on my shoulder,but by the end I thought of how loving the lizard was.For me,it was making friends with the animal kingdom.
Devin: The main story,I think,was when Nim’s dad went to search for a protozoa to name after Nim. Unfortunately, two hurricanes came.
Did the characters grow and change in any way?
Will: The biggest change was with Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster’s character) overcoming her fears. By the end of the movie she had stolen a rowboat and was in the middle of a storm and was by herself - she went from a woman who was too scared to go outside and check her mail.
What about the acting, did anyone stand out?
Will: The acting was very good.
Annabel: I think Jodie Foster is an excellent actress, but it seemed very serious more than funny to me.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this movie?
Devin: ★★★★★
Will: ★★★★.
Annabel: ★★★★.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
Will: I would say from 7 to 8 years old all the way up.
Annabel: I wouldn’t limit the age.
Devin: Definitely not seniors 65 and older because it has way too much adventure for them.
Favorite movie snack?
Devin: Popcorn.
What’s new?
Annabel: What I’m doing right now during these challenging economic times is working with companies to help employees develop communication skills. When employees feel that their contributions are valued, problems are quickly solved.I’m working with local companies to help them succeed.Also,I’m speaking at quite a few conventions here in Hawaii. I have a big convention coming up on the Big Island for the West Coast Society of Orthodontists. I’m doing the opening.
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