This sequel to the 2010 blockbuster, “Grown Ups 2” follows Lenny, Eric, Kurk and Marcus after they start their new lives by moving back to the town where they grew up. The film takes place over the course of one day, the last day of school. Lenny plans a kick-start-to-summer party and, as the crew prepares for the festivities, things go awry. As usual, the grown ups are up to their old tricks of messing around like when they were younger, but now the kids are growing up and getting into trouble of their own.

Clive Cussler is turning 40, but that is not his age, it’s the number of years writing novels.

Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman’s latest novel, Freud’s Mistress, is a compelling story surrounding Freud and his family that weaves fact and fiction.  This book is a re-creation of a very possible love affair between Sigmund Freud and his sister-in-law, Minna Bernays. Although many scholars dismissed it as ridiculous they have come to change their minds after the discovery of a glamorous Swiss hotel’s register where Freud signed in as “Dr.

From the makers of "Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda," "Turbo" is a high-velocity 3D comedy about an underdog snail who kicks into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed. But after making fast friends with a crew of streetwise, tricked-out es-car-goes, Turbo learns that no one succeeds on their own. So he puts his heart and shell on the line to help his pals achieve their dreams, before Turbo-charging his own impossible dream: winning the Indy 500. KIDS FIRST!

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams is a fascinating novel about relationships and prejudice that takes place during the 1930s in New York and New England.  The book alternates between the years 1931 and 1938 with a backdrop of historical events that took place during that period. 

This film, based on the iconic 1950s TV series gives the Native American warrior Tonto, played by Johnny Depp, top billing. “The Lone Ranger” tells the story of lawman John Reid and how he transforms into the Wild West legend known as the Lone Ranger. When justice is threatened by Butch Cavendish, John (Armie Hammer) teams up with Native American Warrior Tonto to save the day. The story is told by an elderly Tonto years after the Lone Ranger’s reign and begs the question, "Is the legend just a fable? Or, did this crusader of justice really roam the Wild West?" Our KIDS FIRST!

Today, I’ve chosen the 1983 drama, “Terms of Endearment,” which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and won five, including best picture.  Written, directed and produced by James L. Brooks, this tearjerker left an indelible impression on me when I was a kid, and now, as an adult and mom of two young boys, this film moves me in a way that only a parent can relate to.  In fact, the most poignant memories of this movie conjure up feelings that bring tears to my eyes as I write this review.

Vince Flynn was a prolific political thriller writer.  His main characters were no-nonsense CIA officials Mitch Rapp and Irene Kennedy. These characters have the same qualities the readers have grown to love: Mitch Rapp is unabashed, fearless, and cantankerous. Irene Kennedy is analytical, cunning, and supportive. Through these characters words and actions he is able to get his point across, that America better wake up and stop being soft on terrorists.

Planning a birthday party for a loved one? Stew Leonard’s in Newington, Connecticut makes the planning process extremely easy, and offers a wide variety of options both in the store and for catering off the premises. We recently held our daughter’s third birthday, and first ever kid-party in the store’s smaller party-room. Since she is only three, the vibrantly decorated room easily accommodated her small number of close friends and her beloved teenage sitter. Cooking parties and other events for children over five and adults are held in a larger room.

If you need a break from all the comic-based films this summer, check this movie out. It's a coming-of-age film about a teenager on summer break trying to find a place where he belongs. We see the awkwardness of adolescence in this film starring Steve Carell, AnnaSophia Robb and Toni Collette. Our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D (age 15) wasn't a huge fan of the film, preferring more heady stuff but says "it is entertaining for the time that you’re in the theater." So, if you're looking for something to take your tween or teen grandchild to, you might consider this.