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    Movie Reviews

    Drama

    Drama movie reviews

    Invictus Review

    “Invictus” is based on a true story of how newly elected South African President, Nelson Mandela, united his country through means of rugby. He knew his nation was racially and economically divided. With the help of the national team’s rugby captain, played by Matt Damon, Mandela inspires South Africa’s rugby team to make history as they make it to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.

    Rating: Four out of five buckets
    Release Date: May 18, 2010
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 12+
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content: Moderate
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive

    See a clip of my review!

    Talking Points:

    Forgiveness is the crucial theme of the movie. Mandela says, “Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” After spending 27 years for opposing apartheid, rather than seeking revenge, Mandela learned that in order for his country to survive, they must forgive and unite.

    Invictus is Latin for “unconquerable,” it is a Victorian poem that inspired and strengthened Mandela while he was in prison. He references the poem frequently by saying, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” He also stresses to the rugby captain that a leader leads by example, which Mandela did an outstanding job of.

    Some fun and amusing scenes throughout the movie involved Mandela’s black and white bodyguards. Initially Mandela’s longtime black bodyguards were upset when he added more bodyguards, who were white. It was wonderful to see them work together and gradually bond throughout the movie.

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • It’s implied two characters sleep together.

    Violent Content: Moderate

    Rugby is an aggressive, violent sport, played without pads. I did not enjoy the rugby scenes all that much, though it got very exciting.

    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

    • One f-word, and a few other swear words throughout the movie.

    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive

    • Players drink beer throughout the movie.

    “Invictus” is an outstanding well-done movie. It was very interesting and educational. My 10 year old son liked it, though he got confused at times. My 12 and 13 year olds liked it a lot and thought it was very interesting. My 13 year old daughter thought Nelson Mandela was a very sweet, compassionate old man. She said, “His smile was contagious.” I felt the same way. We also saw about ten 16 year old boys in the theatre. They liked it as well. One boy said, “It was awesome.”

    I loved the movie, though I’m giving it four buckets because the subject matter may not interest kids. It’s a 5 bucket movie, but a 4 bucket family movie.

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    I Don’t Know How She Does It Review

    I Don’t Know How She Does It is a film centered around the life Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker). Kate is a very successful finance executive, happily married to Richard, (Greg Kinnear) and she has two wonderful children, (ages two and five). Sounds like she has it all together, right? Well, not really. In the film we see many of Kate’s successes and failures, however she eventually comes to realize that she can’t do it all, and that somethings got to give. This film, based on a novel, is a wonderful story with some good moral lessons about the importance of family; and knowing what’s truly important in life.

    Rating: Four out of five buckets.
    Release Date: January 3, 2011
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 13+
    Sexual Content: Moderate
    Violent Content: Mild
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild

    See a clip of my review here!

    Talking Points:

    I really enjoyed this film and the messages portrayed throughout the story. Kate was an intelligent successful woman, though things at home were being neglected; after all she is only human. Though she loved her job, she loved her family more. In one scene Kate told her husband, “Me without that job isn’t me. But me without you and the kids…is nothing!”

    Kids may not be able to relate to this film, however mom’s will. When Kate missed her son’s first haircut, you could feel her pain. Whether it’s a first haircut, first step, or first words, we want to be apart of it!

    This movie won’t be up for an Oscar, or win any awards, though it does have an all-star cast, to name a few; Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Kelsey Grammer.

    Sexual Content: Moderate

    • We see Kate jump out of bed, only wearing a slip.
    • There are many sexual references regarding affairs, oral sex and orgasms.
    • Kate’s assistant gets pregnant and she’s not married. Kate tells here assistant, “parenting is most rewarding enriching experience one could ever have.”

    Violent Content: Mild

    • Kate’s son falls down the stairs, ends up going to the hospital.

    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

    • The s-word is used several times, also the h-word, a -word and d-word are used.

    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild

    • Characters drink wine and beer, one character orders a martini at dinner.

    The subject matter may not interest many kids, though I think teenage girls, especially those who like Sarah Jessica Parker, will enjoy the film. As a mom of three, I absolutely loved it, I laughed and cried, it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon at the movies! I recommend this film for teenage girls, and moms!!!

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    Gone Review

    If you want your tweens and teenagers to sleep well at night, you might not want them seeing this disturbing film. Jill (Amanda Seyfried) survived a horrific abduction from a serial killer. She was kidnapped from her home and taken into a deep hole in the woods. To the killer, she was just another girl he was looking to murder, though it was different with Jill; she escaped. However, no one believed Jill’s story, not the local police or investigators; they thought she was crazy. So the night Molly (Jill’s sister), disappeared, Jill was determined not only to find her sister, but to seek revenge against the man who nearly killed her; before it was too late. Gone is a very scary, suspenseful film, one I don’t recommend for kids under 13, or kids who are sensitive to scary movies.

    Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets.
    Release Date: February 24, 2012
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group:13+
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content:Excessive
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild

     

    See a clip of my review here!

    See the trailer here!

    Talking Points:

    This is about a young woman who took charge of a situation. It was disappointing to see the police officers dismiss her fears and concerns. However, instead of giving up, Jill took charge and was determined to find her sister and the killer….though very dangerous.

    There was an element of suspense and excitement to the the film. At one point I wasn’t sure if Jill was truly crazy and making things up, or if she really was abducted. Amanda Seyfried, (who played Jill), did a great job of acting.

    Jill told several lies as she was trying to solve a mystery; while on the run from the cops. It was frustrating hearing all her different lies and fabricated stories throughout the film.

    I’m not a fan of scary movies, especially when a serial killer abducts teenage girls!I felt the film was disturbing, and I thought the kids in the theater would feel the same way. However, when I interviewed three 12 year old girls after the movie, they said that the movie was great! I asked them if they would be able to sleep that night, one girl replied…”I’ll sleep like a baby.” I’m not so sure about that!

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • In one scene Jill was taking a shower, we saw her silhouette form through the shower curtain.
    • A police officer told his female partner that he “did” his wife’s sister.
    • Jill barged in on a male college student’s dorm room and found a naked guy in the student’s bed.

    Violent Content: Excessive

    • We saw flashbacks throughout the film of Jill’s abduction. She was shown with duck tape around her mouth. We saw his other victims taped up as well.
    • When Jill was trapped in the hole she found bones and pieces of hair from other women, that was creepy.
    • Jill stabbed her attacker with a human bone.
    • Jill had a gun, and was very comfortable using it.

    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

    • The f-word was said once. We also heard, “a–,” “h—,” and “b–ch,” each several times.

    Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

    • We saw Jill taking prescribed pills throughout the film.

    Overall Gone is a mysterious, suspenseful drama about a teenage girl who gets kidnapped.Parents need to be aware of the intense abduction scenes, and the impact it may have on their kids. As I previously mentioned, I don’t like scary movies, especially when kids are involved. However, depending on the kid, and their sensitivity to scary films, I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 13+.

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    Dolphin Tale Review

    Sawyer Nelson was a shy, lonely boy who didn’t have many friends. However his life dramatically changed one day when he was asked to help a dolphin who was washed up on shore. The dolphin got caught in a crab trap, and severely damaged her tail; she was rescued and taken to local marine hospital, where they named her Winter. With a poor prognosis, and no tail, it took a group of dedicated doctors, biologists, and of course the dolphin’s loyal companion, Sawyer, to inspire a miracle that saved Winter’s life. The real dolphin, plays herself in this heartwarming true story about perseverance and hope; a movie for the whole family.

    Rating: Four out of five buckets
    Release Date: September 23, 2011
    MPAA Rating: PG
    Best Age Group: 8 +
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content: Mild
    Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild

     

    See the trailer here!

    Talking Points:

    Sawyer’s father abandoned the family when he was little, however his older cousin becomes a father-figure for him, and becomes a wonderful role model.

    When Klye (Sawyer cousin) gets injured and can no longer swim, the doctor stresses that just because he can’t swim doesn’t mean he can’t find something new to excel at. He said, “Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’re broken.” This is a constant theme throughout the film, whether it’s a physical injury, struggling financially, or emotional issues, it’s possible to pull together and overcome difficult situations. A great parent/child conversation.

    It’s so sweet to see the relationship between Winter and Sawyer. Not only is Winter’s life saved, but so is Sawyers as he comes out of his shell.

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • Girls are shown in bikinis at a pool party.

    Violent Content:Mild

    • When we see Winter washed up on shore she’s tangled in a heavy rope.
    • We see an x-ray of a large tortoise with a hook under it’s shell.

    Crude or Profane Language: Mild

    • Slang words such as “darn,” “shoot,” and “crappy” are used.

    Drug and Alcohol Content: None

    Overall ‘Dolphin Tale’ is an amazing true story, one that the whole family can enjoy. I interviewed kids of all ages, even teenagers, who all loved the film.

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    Country Strong Review

    This is the story about Kelly Cantor (Gwyneth Paltrow), a country star who struggles with alcohol and drug abuse. After a year of rehab, Kelly attempts her long awaited comeback tour, lead by her husband and manger James (Tim McCraw). She’s also accompanied on the tour by two young rising country singers and songwriters; the handsome Beau (Garrett Hedlund) and beauty queen Chiles (Leighton Meester). Now Kelly not only has to handle her struggles with drugs and alcohol, she has to gain the courage to sing again, deal with young, emerging country singers, and cope with personnel issues as well.


    Rating: Three out of five buckets
    Release Date: April 12, 2011
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: Adults
    Sexual Content: Excessive
    Violent Content: Excessive
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive

    See a clip of my review here!

    Talking Points:

    Teenagers may be intrigued by the movie because of familiar actors such as Gwyneth Paltrow, who was recently on “Glee”, Leighton Meester from “Gossip Girls,” and Garrett Hedlund from “Tron.” However, with intense subject matter and disturbing scenes, I don’t recommend this movie for kids.

    I loved the movie, music and the main characters. In one scene Beau (who I especially liked) says he wants to sing in a bar for hardworking people, who enjoy music and beer.

    This is an emotional movie about love and relationships. A year before Kelly was in rehab, she was five months pregnant, and so drunk during a concert in Dallas, that she fell, resulting in a miscarriage. This is a focal point in the movie, one in which Kelly and her husband struggle with, you feel their pain and loss throughout the movie.

    Kelly gives the young country singers, Beau and Chiles, advice about love. She says, “Don’t be afraid of love, it’s the only thing that matters in life.” Throughout the movie Kelly continually says, “Love and fame can’t live in the same place-choose love.”

    Kelly visits a terminally ill boy’s classroom, for a Make-A-Wish request. This was one of my favorites scenes. During this scene we see Kelly’s stunning musical talent as she sings and dances with the boy, it’s a very sweet and emotional scene.

    Sexual Content: Excessive

    There are many sexual scenes and references in the movie:

    • Though Kelly is married she sleeps Beau, she also attempts to sleep with a promoter, so he won’t cancel her tour.
    • Beau sleeps with Kelly and Chiles.
    • Chiles is seen in her bra and panties, as she and Beau have a “swimsuit competition.”

    Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

    • There are many disturbing scenes as we see Kelly sloppy drunk. In one scene Beau grabs a bottle of alcohol out her hand, and smashes it against the wall.
    • Kelly receives a bloody doll with a cruel note, before a concert.
    • There are some punches and fights with the main characters.

    Profanity: Moderate, fine for a PG13 movie.

    I really liked this movie. I loved the music, actors and the storyline. However, I feel the subject matter is too intense and disturbing for kids and teenagers. I don’t recommend this movie for kids, it’s a movie that adults may enjoy.

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