Rockin' with Roseanne: Calling All Kids!
You'd be better off making your own sock puppets.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that some of the messages might be confusing. Certain attitude problems seem to be celebrated, sometimes without any moral conclusion and other times with a cursory admonishment that is often too short to be meaningful. An incessantly annoying blame game that threatens tattle telling offers neither consequence nor rebuke. A visit to the doctors' office is betrayed as an awful experience until the lollipop at the end of the visit (there is a huge needle in this music video). A kid brags about not doing what she is told until her mother pressures her, and she then does it with a pout.
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Beware of the scary stuff!
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What's the Story?
Starring comedian Roseanne Barr, this collection of music videos begins with "No Monsters Allowed," in which Barr plays a kid who bravely faces down three monsters. The second video involves two sock puppets that get in a blame game match -- "Did not, did too" -- and one threatens to tattle to their parents. Next up is a cell animation video titled "Calling All Kids," featuring a politician character at a sort of political convention of kids. It's a decently rousing gospel song and the end of the video boasts a fantastically wonky version of earth floating out in space, but, as one of the lines in the song says, "Sometimes things just don't feel right/no matter what you do." The next animated video is the best of the batch: "Peanut Butter and Jellyfish." It's a weird and thoroughly fun song about Fred the Sea Monster who wants to eat, you guessed it, peanut butter and jellyfish at the Clam Café.
Is It Any Good?
While the videos offer a wide range of music, sets, costumes, and animation styles, it's not enough to compensate for the inanity of it all, nor does it compensate for Roseanne's voice. Anyone who heard Roseanne Barr's horrible shrieking of the national anthem at the opening of the San Diego Padres game in 1990 would shudder at the thought of sitting through ROCKIN' WITH ROSEANNE, a 40-minute collection of music videos featuring her crass voice. But she doesn't sound that bad this time around. She still sounds awful, but she manages to hit her notes and rarely lets loose a shriek. The question becomes whether one can tolerate her nasally tone.
There are 12 music videos in all. A good portion of the songs were written by John Argent and Mike Himmelstein. They cover a variety of styles and Roseanne appears to be enjoying herself while performing them. But overall, perhaps the last line of the movie credits sums it up: "Credits compiled by two unfortunate souls."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the music video themes. Do you ever get scared at night? What helps you fall asleep? What are your favorite snack foods? Which foods are yummy and good for you and which foods are yummy and not so good for you? How do you feel about going to the doctor's office?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 7, 2006
- On DVD or streaming: February 7, 2006
- Cast: Roseanne Barr
- Director: Jeff Machala
- Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 40 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: September 19, 2019
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