Lemonade Mouth Movie Review

 originally posted here

 

Lemonade Mouth (G)

common sense media says

Melodic Disney movie has great messages for families.

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parents & educators say

• 73% say there are positive messages
• 64% say there are positive role models

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this family-friendly movie may inspire young viewers to identify their talents, stand up for what they believe in, and let their voices be heard. The teen characters wrestle with relatable woes like low self-esteem, social uncertainty, and frustrations at home, but throughout the story, they find strength in friendship and learn to speak up for themselves, both at school and within their families. The story celebrates a variety of family structures and includes some touching moments between parents and teens. The squeaky-clean content isn't worrisome, although some young kids may need reassurance when discussions turn to the death of a character's parent or other scenarios that may ring true with them. But all in all, this is an inspiring tale of friendship and passion that will give your family plenty to talk about when it's over.

Educational value: The movie is meant to entertain rather than to educate, but it's filled with positive messages for kids and families about self-esteem, standing up for what's right, and being honest with those you love. 
 

Positive messages: The movie's many positive themes include honesty, empowerment, overcoming adversity, self-expression, standing up for your values, and celebrating families. Each character struggles with unhappiness at home, but as they discover their strength through friendship, they're able to improve their relationships with their families. The content touches on serious issues, like accepting a parent's new romantic interest, balancing personal and parental expectations, and feeling like an outsider. Stereotyping (jocks, "in crowd," geeks) exists to set the stage for the characters' rebellion against how the establishment shuns them. 
 

Positive role models: All of the characters have personal flaws, but they discover their strengths through strong bonds of friendship, which allows them to face tough issues at home that they've been avoiding. All of the families are made stronger by their members' willingness to be honest about their feelings. One character dumps his conniving, egotistical friends to join the band once he's touched by their message of hope. 
 

Violence & scariness: A few self-induced mishaps lead to some injuries (a broken hand, a black eye). There's also one brief exchange of shoving between teens, but nothing comes of it. 
 

Sexy stuff: A couple of blossoming teen romances lead to flirting, sidelong glances, and some cuddling, but nothing more. 
 

Language: A character calls a classmate a "jerk." 
 

Consumerism: The movie's original songs are available on a soundtrack
 

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

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Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines.

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More on Lemonade Mouth

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

• Families can talk about rebellion. In what ways do the characters express themselves against adults? Are their actions harmful to anyone? How can rebellion be a good thing? Where's the line between a "good" rebellion and a "bad" one?
  
• Kids: Friendship plays a big role in how the characters evolve. Which friendships are your most treasured? What qualities do you seek in a friend? How far does your loyalty to your friends go? What would you not do for them?
  
• What are your special talents? How do you hone them? Do you feel that they're appreciated by society? What talents or skills get more recognition? Why is that? How, if at all, does money influence society's value of different talents?
  

What's the story?

A chance meeting in detention sparks friendship among five high school students, and soon their shared love of music yields Lemonade Mouth, an upstart band whose songs inspire the downtrodden among their peers. Stella (Hayley Kiyoko), Wen (Adam Hicks), Mo (Naomi Scott), Olivia (Bridgit Mendler), and Charlie (Blake Michael) go from seeming nobodies to heroes when they vow to make their voices heard in a school that venerates its athletes at the expense of every other group, including the school's music program. In no time, the unlikely friends garner a loyal following and challenge the school's popular rock band, Mudslide Crush, for top honors, and their own bonds of friendship give them the strength to speak up about tough issues at home as well. But when adversity strikes and it seems their very relationships are in jeopardy, it will take every bit of confidence they have to pull it together for themselves and their fans.

Is it any good?

Based on a book of the same name, LEMONADE MOUTH is a celebration of the human spirit. The teens' refusal to back down to an establishment that discourages students' talents and interests should be inspirational to viewers of any age. The friends identify a problem that has far-reaching consequences, and they set out to fix it in a way that showcases the moving, unifying nature of music and encourages others to take pride in the gifts they have as well.
Families who tune in to this movie are also treated to a laundry list of positive messages they can discuss at its end. Friendship, empowerment, self-esteem, self-confidence, and the courage to stand up for what you believe in are just a few of the gems to be found here, and each is illustrated in a manner that will ring true with your kids. Besides the social themes, there are plenty that relate to family life, and the movie's message about honest communication between parents and kids is impossible to miss. The movie's only sticking point may be its unavoidable ties to its soundtrack, but rest assured that those same happy messages transfer to the songs' lyrics as well.

Movie themes & details

Themes

friendship, high school, music and sing-along

Movie Details

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Director: Patricia Riggen
Cast: Adam Hicks, Bridgit Mendler, Hayley Kiyoko
Genre: Musical
Run time: 107 minutes
DVD release: May 24, 2011
MPAA Rating: G

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This review was written by Emily Ashby

Tisha Campbell-Martin Talks with Mo’Nique About Disney’s “Lemonade Mouth”

originally posted here

February 2, 2011 By Daily Venus Diva 2 Comments

Many remember Tisha Campbell-Martin for her role on the very successful television comedy ‘Martin’, as the matriarch on ‘My Wife & Kids’ and her over the top character on ‘Everybody Hates Chris’. Her resume’ does not stop there, she has had a very impressive career as an actress, producer and singer.

Tisha was recently on the Mo’Nique show promoting “Lemonade Mouth,” an upcoming Disney Channel original TV movie about a bunch of misfit teens who meet in detention and form a band.

Campbell-Martin plays Miss Rezznick, the music teacher who inspires the kids. At the Television Critics Association winter press tour, Campbell-Martin told reporters that with “Lemonade Mouth” her career “went to an all-new high” – at least in the eyes of her children, ten-year-old Xen and two-year-old Ezekiel

Lemonade Mouth press release from Disney Channel

[01/18/11 - 12:51 PM] "Lemonade Mouth," A Disney Channel Original Movie, Set to Premiere Friday, April 15 on Disney Channel The original movie was previously slated for Friday, March 25.

[via press release from Disney Channel]

"LEMONADE MOUTH," A DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE, SET TO PREMIERE FRIDAY, APRIL 15 ON DISNEY CHANNEL -- Soundtrack Debuts Tuesday, April 12 - Themes of "believing in yourself," "following your dreams," "celebrating family" and "staying true to yourself" are explored in the triumphant, music-driven "Lemonade Mouth," a Disney Channel Original Movie based on the book of the same name, set to premiere FRIDAY, APRIL 15 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The movie joins the powerhouse franchise that has delivered cable TV's No. 1 original movie telecast in Total Viewers for the past four years and TV's No. 1original movie among Tweens 9-14 for the past nine years. Geared towards kids, tweens and families, "Lemonade Mouth" tells the story of how a powerhouse band came to be after five uncelebrated students with a passion for music find each other and ultimately become the voice of their generation. Directed by award-winning film director Patricia Riggen ("La Misma Luna") and executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), the movie showcases a remarkably talented cast led by popular stars of Disney Channel hits: Bridgit Mendler ("Good Luck Charlie") as lead vocalist Olivia White, Adam Hicks (Disney XD's "Zeke and Luther") as keyboardist Wen Giford, Hayley Kiyoko ("Wizards of Waverly Place") as electric guitarist Stella Yamada, Naomi Scott (Disney Channel UK's "Life Bites") as bass guitarist Mohini and newcomer Blake Michael (who landed the role via an open casting call), as percussionist Charlie Delgado. Also starring are: Nick Roux ("The Suite Life on Deck") as Scott Pickett, Chris Brochu ("Soul Surfer") as Ray Beach, Tisha Campbell-Martin ("My Wife and Kids") as music teacher Miss Reznick and Christopher McDonald ("Boardwalk Empire") as Principal Brenigan. The movie's soundtrack, featuring original songs spanning hip-hop, rock and pop/rock, will be available from Walt Disney Records TUESDAY, APRIL 12 on iTunes and in stores nationwide. Eighteen year-old Adam Hicks has songwriting credits on three of the music tracks, marking the first time a cast member has written a song performed in a Disney Channel Original Movie. "Lemonade Mouth" introduces an unlikely ensemble of five students -- Olivia, Wen, Stella, Mohini and Charlie - who, after meeting in detention, gradually realize their shared musical connection and belief that it's time for the students of Mesa High to stand up and be heard on things big and small (ranging from the school Principal's exclusive support of the athletic programs to the removal of the popular organic lemonade from the cafeteria). Ultimately, as they open up to each other and form friendships, they start a band -- Lemonade Mouth --that soon resonates with students sidelined by the high school elite. However, not everyone in the school is ready to cheer them on, especially since the popular rock group Mudslide Crush is determined to maintain their headline status and win the coveted Rising Star music competition at Mesa High. Based on the book Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes, the script was written by April Blair, and is directed by award-winning Patricia Riggen ("La Misma Luna" aka "Under the Same Moon"), executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), co-produced by Gaylyn Fraiche ("Just Wright," "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2") and choreographed by Chris Scott ("So You Think You Can Dance"). "Lemonade Mouth" was filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is a production of GWAVE Productions, LLC. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

6 Things You Never Knew About ‘Lemonade Mouth’ Star Hayley Kiyoko!

originally posted here

 

BY Kirstin Benson8.30 PM EST 04.22.2011

HollywoodLife.com caught up with one of the most talented up-and-coming stars in Hollywood — Hayley Kiyoko — about filming ‘Lemonade Mouth,’ college and her secret talents!

If you’ve seen Disney Channel’s awesome new original movie, Lemonade Mouth, you’ve witnessed Hayley Kiyoko‘s talent first hand. The 20-year-old performer sings, plays instruments, dances and shows off some major acting chops in her role as the rebellious and creative Stella. HollywoodLife.com caught up with Hayley about her background in show biz (she’s been performing since she was a toddler), her favorite not-so-guilty TV pleasure, her musical idols and much more. Read on to learn six things you never knew about Hayley!

1. Before Hayley acted, she was a competitive dancer: ”I love dancing, but I don’t just want to be a back up dancer for the rest of my life. Acting has been a new passion that kind of just developed through the last few years.”

2. She would make a great action starlet: “I’ve done karate my whole life. I’d love to hold a rifle and walk in slow mo and kick people’s butts. I’m a black belt.”

3. She loves chill music: “Fiona Apple, Adele are my number one artists.”

4. She loves fashion: “I’ve always wanted to have my own fashion line and kind of like become a brand. I’m an official triple threat — it’s definitely not forced.”

5. Hayley is a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan: “I proudly watch Grey’s Anatomy, like every single week. Phone are turned off. If you speak, you are not my friend!”

6 She wants to go to college: “I was accepted to NYU right after I graduated, but then I deferred for a year. College is definitely at the top of my list.”

Kirstin Benson

Will Lemonade Mouth Turn Into A Touring Band?

originally posted here

Pollstar
02:01 PM, Thursday 4/28/11

A number of promoters and talent bookers have recently tried to book a band that doesn’t quite exist. Lemonade Mouth isn’t a scam or a fraud but rather the group at the center of Disney’s latest made-for-TV movie of the same name.

In the Disney Channel Original Movie, which is based on a book of the same name, five high school students form a band called Lemonade Mouth after meeting in detention. After losing a potential record deal at a “battle of the bands,” the film ends on a happy note with Lemonade Mouth playing New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Although Lemonade Mouth may not be ready for MSG, The Wall Street Journal reports that several concert promoters are interested in putting the fictional band on stage.

Ann Savage, executive secretary for the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Mass., outside Boston, wanted to book the group in October. Although a Disney executive told Savage the group wasn’t available, she thinks a tour could eventually happen.

“Anything’s possible,” Savage said. “Look at the Monkees.”

Lemonade Mouth certainly has the fanbase for a tour.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the first two airings of “Lemonade Mouth,” April 15 and 18, racked in a total of 13.5 million viewers. Last week the film’s soundtrack hit No.4 on the iTunes Store’s album-sales chart and this week the soundtrack is at No.4 on the Nielsen SoundScan chart.

Lemonade Mouth actually has performed live once. During a recent appearance on “Good Morning America” the actors sang and danced while a back-up band performed. This same formula was used for the 10 songs on the Lemonade Mouth soundtrack with the five cast members singing and studio musicians performing.

A live tour isn’t the craziest idea. It worked out quite well for fellow Disney made-for-TV movie, 2006’s High School Musical. After bringing in 16.2 million viewers in its first two telecasts and boasting the best-selling album in the U.S for 2006, “High School Musical The Concert” toured the U.S., Canada and Latin America during a 40-city concert trek 2006-2007. A few additional shows were performed in the U.S., Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland.

“It’s flattering that everybody’s saying they want to see Lemonade Mouth on tour,” Cathleen Taff, general manager of Disney Music Group, told The Wall Street Journal. “But they’re not really a band. Could they be a band? Yeah, they could. But they all have their individual acting careers right now.”

The film is set for release on DVD May 24. You can catch “Lemonade Mouth” airing on the Disney Channel three more times before that.

Click here for The Wall Street Journal story (subscription may be required).

--Sarah Marie Pittma

Original Family Channel (Disney Channel Canada) Press Release about Lemonade Mouth

originally posted here

Family Channel Adds Zest to April with LEMONADE MOUTH
Posted on Monday, March 28, 2011 - 05:50 PM

Family Channel takes a rock ‘n’ roll journey from detention to Madison Square

Garden with the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth premiering on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Adding to the long weekend lineup, Family delivers a Night of Premieres featuring new episodes, new seasons and sneak peeks surrounding the movie premiere.

Starring Bridgit Mendler (Good Luck Charlie), Adam Hicks (Zeke and Luther), Hayley Kiyoko (Wizards of Waverly Place), Naomi Scott (Life Bites) and newcomer Blake Michael, Lemonade Mouth introduces an unlikely ensemble of five students (Olivia, Wen, Stella, Mohini and Charlie) who, after meeting in detention, realise they share a musical connection. The teens also share a strong belief that it’s time for the students of Mesa High to stand up and have their voices heard regarding issues big and small – from the school principal’s exclusive support of the athletic programs to the removal of the popular organic lemonade from the cafeteria.

As the group become friends they start a band, Lemonade Mouth, and find that their music resonates with those students that feel sidelined by the high school elite. However, not everyone in the school is ready to cheer them on, especially since the popular rock group Mudslide Crush is determined to maintain their headline status and win the coveted Rising Star music competition at Mesa High. Lemonade Mouth is directed by the award-winning Patricia Riggen (La Misma Luna aka Under the Same Moon), executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase (The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and Disney Channel’s The Cheetah Girls movies) and co-produced by Gaylyn Fraiche (Just Wright, Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2).

Leading to the premiere of Lemonade Mouth, new episodes air on Family Channel from 5:30 p.m. ET/PT, beginning with a new episode of What’s Up, Warthogs! In “Trashbusters,” Victoria starts a recycling program at West Hill. When empty bottles go missing, Charlie becomes convinced a ghost is haunting the A/V studio.

Next up is a special alternate ending episode of Wingin’ It at 6 p.m. ET/PT. When Porter accidentally beams Jane into a science fiction film, it’s up to Carl to enter the world of the movie to convince her to come back to reality. Following the episode, viewers can log on to family.ca to comment on how they think the episode should have ended. On Monday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT, the same episode will air again with a completely different ending to show how the series could have changed for the characters.

At 6:30 p.m. ET/PT, in a new episode of Shake It Up titled “Hot Mess It Up,” CeCe and Rocky host a video webcast offering advice to teens, but wind up giving bad dating advice to a fellow student who they mistake for Gunther. Now CeCe and Rocky need to devise a plan to mend the boy’s heart.

Adding to the long weekend excitement – and giving viewers their second dose of Brigit Mendler – the highly anticipated series Good Luck Charlie returns for its second season at 7 p.m. ET/PT. In the season premiere, Charlie is turning two and, after an unsuccessful bid to get her tickets to the sold out Gurgles concert, Teddy, PJ and Gabe get caught sneaking Charlie into the venue. Meanwhile, Bob somehow winds up with a stolen miniature horse for Charlie’s birthday party, landing both he and Amy behind bars.

A new episode of Wizards of Waverly Place at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, sees Zeke take up magic as a hobby and Alex casts a spell on him to help him master his tricks.

Following Lemonade Mouth at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, Family is offering a sneak peek of its newest Canadian original series, DEBRA! In this new show, eccentric Debra Delong is on a mission to improve the world, whether it’s ready for her or not! The series is set to premiere on Family Channel in June 2011.

Lemonade Mouth’s Bridgit Mendler Spills Her Beauty Secrets

originally posted here

by Priscilla Rodriguez on May 23rd, 2011 · in Beauty News · Splash News · Teen.com

With tomorrow’s release of Lemonade Mouth on DVD, we thought it’d be fun to share some beauty tips from our fave cast member, Bridgit Mendler. We already know she has amazing skin, but what does she do to keep it so flawless? Well, lucky for us (and you!), Bridgit shared some of her best beauty secrets and we’ve got them right here!

Click on to read all about Bridgit’s beauty routine and more!

Beauty Tip #1, Drink Lots of Water: “When it comes to beauty, I think it’s really important to keep your skin clear by drinking lots of water and by eating a healthy balanced diet. I make sure I drink a couple of full size glasses every day. I think that’s really important to keep your pores clean!”

Beauty Tip #2, Wash Your Face Often: “Depending on who you are and your skin type, you need to either wash your face once a day or twice a day. Personally, I wash my face twice a day – but that’s because I wear a lot of makeup at work.”

Beauty Tip #3, Moisturise: “It’s important to stay moisturised, so I use a good moisturiser on my skin. I also make sure I wear sunscreen whenever I head out into the sun. Your skin is always going to be very happy with you if you wear sunscreen!”

Beauty Tip #4, Go Easy on the Makeup: “Go easy on the makeup. I wear makeup all the time at work, so I try to steer clear whenever I’m not working. If you want to wear makeup, then that’s cool – but don’t go overboard and make sure you wash it off before you go to bed. Don’t sleep in it!”

What do you think of Bridgit’s beauty tips? Have you used any of them before? Tell us in the comments!

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Naomi Scott: the teen star with a mission

orignially posted here

London Evening Standard
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent
Updated 15:47pm on 25 Aug 2011

It is being billed as this year's High School Musical and looks set to make a London teenager a star. 



Pressure: Naomi Scott plays a girl trying to meet her parents' expectations as well as her own ambitions

Naomi Scott was the only Briton chosen for Lemonade Mouth, a Disney movie about five teenagers whose school band becomes the voice of their generation.

In two airings on American television, it has already reached more than 13.5 million viewers and ranks as the top original movie on US cable television this year, following Disney's previous blockbuster TV films High School Musical and Camp Rock.

But Naomi, 18, has already moved on - to working with Steven Spielberg.

Next week she flies back to Australia where she has spent most of this year shooting Terra Nova, a science fiction dinosaur drama being produced by Spielberg.

She said she was incredibly excited to be working with Spielberg, who was "heavily involved". She said: "Within a few weeks of coming back from filming Lemonade Mouth I got these scripts and Terra Nova was the one that stuck out. I was, like, 'Oh my gosh'."

British viewers will get their first chance to see Lemonade Mouth on the Disney Channel next month.
Naomi is on a fleeting trip home - her parents, Chris and Usha, run a Pentecostal church in Woodford, Essex - to help promote the film.

"I'm really excited to be showing the other guys [in the cast] around London. We're going to different landmarks like the Gherkin, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. They will eat that all up," she said.
The teenager, who was born in Hounslow, started her career singing with her parents' Bridge Church youth band and in productions at the Davenant Foundation School in Loughton.

She was spotted by pop singer Kelle Bryan, from girl band Eternal, who signed her as a client and she soon made an appearance in Life Bites, a Disney Channel UK series.But she did not expect to get picked for the new movie.

"It was such a big project. When I did get it, my mum and I were jumping around. I didn't play it cool at all."
She plays Mohini Banjaree, the bass guitarist in the Lemonade Mouth band, who grapples with her parents' high expectations to be the perfect Indian teenager.

There seems little chance of her being anything but in real life.

Following the example of her British father and Indian mother, from Uganda, she regularly takes part in mission and outreach work in the community and has travelled several times to Slovakia to teach English in secondary schools.

"I'm really close to my family and we talk through things. My parents are so amazing, they're brilliant. We try to take one step at a time and be wise about the decisions we make and keep our values and the things that are important," she said.

Lemonade Mouth's Hayley Kiyoko Talks Joining a Band, Touring with Justin Bieber

April 11th, 2011 12:14 PM by Gabrielle Compolongo

Orignially posted here

Disney Channel's Original Movie Lemonade Mouth is set to air for the first time this Friday, April 15 on Disney Channel.
The film follows a group of teens who meet in detention and end up forming a band in order to deal with the struggles of high school.
Hayley Kiyoko plays Stella Yamada, the group rebel, who wants to make friends as she's the new girl at school.  She is also an aspiring musician herself and has been on tour with Justin Bieber.
Check out our interview with the actress below!  Lemonade Mouth premieres this Friday, April 15 on Disney Channel.

Tell me about Lemonade Mouth.

Lemonade Mouth is about five teenagers who come from different walks of life and they band together to make a difference in the school. While doing so, they develop this wonderful friendship and they go along this awesome musical journey.

Tell me about your character.

I play Stella Yamada, and she is the rebel in the group. She’s very spontaneous, which definitely gets the group into trouble. [laughs] A lot of repercussions. She’s the new girl at school and she just wants to be heard because her family doesn’t really pay attention to her. She kind of uses the band as a machine to make a difference.

Can you relate to Stella?

Absolutely. Actually, when I was a junior in high school I started a band and I didn’t know any of the guys. We basically just starting playing and playing and we became best friends, it’s kind of like the story line, but we’re still best friends to this day. We became the band to go to in Agoura Hills. I was the front woman. I definitely am a leading in that same sense and I like to make things happen. She’s definitely a more intense version than I am.

What were you like in high school?

I was known as the girl who was friends with every group at the school. I never really had my own group; I was just friends with everyone. I was on the student council, I was on the dance team, I did musical theater, and I was in every single group. During lunch I would float around to each table. [laughs] Once I started my band, I started to find my best friends and my own group.

These students meet in detention. Have you ever gotten detention?

I was never in detention. I would never do anything to make myself be in detention. I was the kind of girl who got really upset if I was yelled at in class.

If you had gotten detention, what would it have been for?

Probably for something very ridiculous, like going to the bathroom too many times or having too many absences. I would never disobey unless it was something really important that I had to fight for like in the movie.

Did you read the novel before landing the role?

It was a quick process. I auditioned for the role and when I found out I got it I was on tour at the time with Justin Bieber and my mom sent me the book in the mail. I had two weeks to read it before we started shooting. The book is absolutely hilarious and witty. I recommend it to anyone.

Did you have Justin read it?

[laughs] No, he doesn’t have time for that.

What else do you have in the works?

I’m working on my solo music. I write alternative music. I’m just going with the flow, and I’m up for a few projects.