DVD New Releases

Home-Kids’ Movie Review

“Home is not a home without family.” That’s what Tip (Rihanna) says. Tip is a young girl who’s the only human left on Earth. When an alien race, called the Boov, conquer Earth and relocate all of the human population, Tip manages to hide from the aliens. Feeling sad and alone, she desperately wants to find her mother. The day she meets a fugitive Boov, called Oh (Jim Parsons), things begin to change. Initially they don’t trust one another, though after much time together they develop a special bond and eventually become good friends. The misfit couple come across several adventures as Oh is on the run from the Boov’s enemies, and Tip is on the run to find her mother, and to be home once again. Home is a wonderful animated film for the whole family.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: July 28, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is story about the importance of family and caring of others.
The movie highlights some dangers of social media as Oh accidentally sends an evite to the whole universe; inviting them to a house warming party.
There is a lot of potty humor. Oh brushes his teeth with a toilet brush. There are several jokes discussing the difference between going number one, number two or number three. Two Boov’s discuss their “pee break.”
Oh lies a lot… the Boov turn green when they lie.

Sexual Content: Mild

When a Boov stumbles in a trap, he’s hit with dirty laundry and some makeup. We see him covered in pink with a bra on his head.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

The villains use gigantic earthmovers to try and destroy the Earth’s surface. Slapstick violence ensues with the destruction of cars and buildings.
A character repeatedly bonks others on the head with his staff, which he calls the “shusher.”

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

Name calling…”lying fart face.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed a family with a 4 year old son and 6 year old daughter. The two kids loved the film, they thought the characters were fun and didn’t get scared by the bad guys.

Overall this is a wonderful animated film with fun loving characters.

Insurgent-Teen Movie Review

Insurgent is the second installment in the very popular Divergent series. As in the first film, Insurgent is set in futuristic Chicago, where people are divided into factions based on human virtues. Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the kind), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). Insurgent continues following the lives of teenagers Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) and her boyfriend Four (Theo James). In this film the young couple are on the run from Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), the leader of the Erudite faction. Tris and Theo are on a mission to stop the powerful alliance from tearing their society apart, while hoping to figure out the secret to a better future. Based on the best-selling book series, Insurgent is an action packed, suspenseful film.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 5, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will it Appeal to Most Pre-tees/teens? Yes

Talking Point:

There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Octavia Spencer and Miles Teller.
Tris is a strong character who wants to protect and save everyone. She’s willing to risk her life for the innocent victims whose lives are in jeopardy.

Sexual Content: Mild

It’s implied that Tris and Four have a sexual encounter. We see them kissing, while sitting on a bed. They remove their shirts, we only see their bare backs.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

The violence is very disturbing especially when subjects are involved in virtual reality simulations. They’re forced into a a room with glass walls. The subjects are attached to cords, which are hanging from the ceiling. They’re injected with strong drugs and we see their memories, fears and special relationships. In one simulation we see someone trapped in a burning building, while flying through the air.
In the real world, there is a war. We see characters shot and killed, fist fights and stabbings. Many characters are injected with mind-control devices, which causes them to commit suicide.
Tris and Four are injected with truth serum. We see the needles going into their necks. If the subjects are not telling the truth, the serum causes great pain, which we saw with Tris.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “d–n,” “h–,” and “sh-t.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see character’s drinking wine.
Throughout the film we see character’s injected with powerful drugs. These drugs are very dangerous, causing great pain and even death.

Will it Appeal to Most Kids? Yes

Pre-teens/teens that have read the books will most likely enjoy the movie.

As I previously mentioned, Insurgent is a very action packed suspenseful movie. Parents need to be aware of the excessive and disturbing violence throughout the film.

Cinderella-Kids Movie Review

“Be kind and have courage,” were Ella’s (Cinderella, played by Lily James) mother’s dying last words. Ella honors her mother’s request and is a very kind and courageous loving young lady. After her mother’s death, Ella and her father remain very close and enjoy their lives together, however Ella’s life dramatically changes when her father decides to re-marry. Sadly he becomes very ill, and unexpectedly dies shortly after the wedding. Ella is left with an evil stepmother and two evil stepsisters. Continue reading →

The DUFF-Kids’ Movie Review

Designated Ugly Fat Friend, aka…DUFF! This is the story about a high school senior named Bianca (Mae Whitman). Things are going well for Bianca, she’s smart, has good friends, and has a crush on a boy at school. However her life drastically changes when she learns that she’s known as “The Duff,” to her prettier and popular friends. Bianca is the cute, but not super hot girl. She’s approachable and easy to talk to, so therefore boys go to her, when ultimately they want a date with her friends. Bianca takes charge of her life, she recruits Wesley (Robbie Amell), her charming jock neighbor whom she’s grown up with, to give her more style and charm. Now the excitement begins as Bianca becomes a role model to all, and reminds her peers that we’re all someone’s DUFF.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 9, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Great messages woven throughout the film. Bianca eventually realizes that being labeled as ” The DUFF” doesn’t matter. Labels are meaningless…know who you are and accept it. Great parent/child conversations.

Sexual Content: Moderate

Bianca pretends a store mannequin is the boy she has a crush on. She makes suggestive comments and sexual movements with the mannequin. This is shown throughout the film.
Several teenagers are shown kissing and some making out.
There are sexual references and discussions regarding porn, masturbation, male/female body parts.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

Bianca hits a guy in the face.
Bianca threatens students with death or mutilation, including ripping someone’s scrotum off.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h–,” and “d–k.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see high school students drinking from red plastic cups at a party.
It appears as though students are playing beer pong.
We see Biana’s mom drinking wine.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Teens and pre-teens loved the characters and story-line of the film.

Overall this is a great film about teenage issues, and accepting who you are. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and profane language.

Duff-Teen Movie Review

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb-Kids Movie Review

It’s the best night ever!!! Our beloved statues at the American Museum of Natural History are back, though they don’t have much energy. The magic power of The Tablet of Ahkmenrah, the stone which brings the museum figures to life, is slowly dying out. So Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), the museum security guard, along with his teenage son and some museum characters head to The British Museum of Natural History to save the magic… before they all die. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the third and final movie in the Night at the Museum trilogy. It’s not only the best night ever, it’s the best family movie of 2014!!!

Rating: 4 and 1/2 bucket out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 10, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a film that will make you laugh and cry. There are some emotional topics such as kids growing up and heading off to college, and of course saying goodbye to Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams)… which brought tears to many.

This is a film that will appeal to the whole family…kids and teens will enjoy the storyline and the wonderful characters.

There are some great new additions such as Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot and Rebel Wilson as a British security guard.

Sexual Content: Mild

Two characters fall in love and kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

An elegant dinner party, held at the museum, is destroyed by museum characters who come to life. Mayhem ensues as character’s are smashing display cases and running all over the place.
A character smashes his head through a glass window.
There’s a battle amongst Sir Lancelot, a dinosaur, and a metallic snake.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“D–n,” and “h–l,” are said.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

A teenage boy has a party and we see high school students drinking out of red Solo cups.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film, one for the whole family!!!