Jackie

Finding Dory-Kids’ Movie Review

What would Dory do? That’s what Dory’s friends say when they’re in a difficult situation because they admire Dory’s perseverance and courage to never give up. Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss. However there is one thing that Dory remembers…how she became separated from her parents as a child. Now the adventure begins as Dory, Nemo and Marline embark on a journey to find Dory’s beloved parents. Finding Dory is the sequel to the 2003 film Finding Nemo.

Rating: 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 15, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a story about hope, friendship and love.
There’s some action and adventure though a very simple and heartfelt film.
The importance of family is highlighted throughout the film. In flashbacks we see the interaction of Dory with her parents. Her parents’ love and guidance is wonderfully portrayed.
Dory has short term memory loss. When she gets lost from her parents she never gives up hope and recalls their encouraging words to never give up. In difficult situations Dory’s friends say, What would Dory do?” because they admire how she handles adversity.

Sexual Content: Mild

Dory begins to discuss how babies are born though gets interrupted.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

We see a truck swerve in traffic and then crashes.
A large squid attacks Marlin, Nemo and Dory then a large crate crashes on its head.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed kids between the ages of 5 and 10. They loved the film, and were attentive and entertained throughout the movie.

Overall, Finding Dory is a wonderful animated film for the whole family.

Now You See Me 2-Teen Movie Review

Abracadabra… the Four Horseman are back! In this film the infamous illusionists magically find themselves in China. However, the group gets into some trouble as a sneaky tech wizard named Walter (Daniel Radcliffe) forces the magicians to steal a powerful chip that can control all of the worlds computers. Desperately wanting to get home, the group needs to perform their biggest magical act yet. Can they do it? Now You See Me 2 is a fun and entertaining action packed film.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 6, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss.
Woman wear revealing tops.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

A character is punched-bloodied and bruised. He’s locked in a safe then they dump him into the ocean where he almost drowns.
The Horseman are beaten and thrown out of a airplane.
There are several characters shown on motorcycles. They fall off their bikes and tumble on the road.
One of the magician’s performances is creepy. It appears as though the magician saws off her hand with a meat slicer.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear the f-word once. We also hear “sh-t,” “h—,” “d–n” and “a–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Characters are shown drinking a glass of champagne.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Overall, Now You See Me 2 is a wonderful action packed film. Parents need to me aware of the moderate violence and language. Depending the child I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up.

Me Before You-Teen Movie Revew

Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) has a good life. He is an extremely athletic and handsome wealthy banker with a beautiful girlfriend. Though his life drastically changes the day he gets in an accident and he is paralyzed. Dealing with his difficult circumstances he becomes depressed, cynical and desperately wants to end his life. However, there is hope for Will when his parents hire Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) as his caregiver and companion. Louisa is a 26 year-old charming, bubbly woman who tries to show Will that life is worth living no matter what the situation. As Louisa and Will’s relationship deepens, Will continually wonders… is this life worth living? Based on JoJo Moyes’ 2012 novel, Me Before You is a heartfelt, romantic drama.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 30, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

Louisa and her sister talk about an outfit being too “booby.”
Louisa and Will passionately kiss.
There are sexual jokes referring to a paralyzed person having sex.
Prior to Will’s accident we see him in bed with his girlfriend. He’s shirtless, and we see her bare shoulders.
There are sexual references to French gay porn, lap dances and oral sex.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There is the mature and disturbing subject matter of euthanasia.
We see scars on one of Will’s wrists, it’s noted that he tried to commit suicide.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “h—,” “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “d–n.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking beer and wine.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed a few pre-teen girls that had read the book and loved the movie.

Overall, this is a heartfelt drama. Parents need to be aware of the acceptance of euthanasia that the film portrays. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows- Kids’ movie review

The beloved six-foot tall talking turtles are back…Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo, all of whom are named after famous Renaissance figures. These lovable teenage turtles live in the sewers below New York City, and were properly raised by a man-sized rat named Splinter. In this film the turtles face a new challenge as they must stop a mad scientist who plans to take over the world. The turtles along with their human allies prepare to battle the villains and save the world. Based on the 1987-1996 animated TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 20, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

April (Megan Fox) wears revealing outfits- short skirts and low cut tops

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

We see numerous fights throughout the film. Characters kick, punch, and throw one another.
We see vehicles blow up with people inside.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” and “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking shots and beer at a bar.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed kids ages 8 to 10 who all liked the film. They were not scared and they liked the action.

Overall this is an entertaining action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the violence and some profane language throughout the movie. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 11 and up.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising-Teen Movie Review

Life is good for Mac Radner (Seth Rogen) and his pregnant wife Kelly (Rose Byrne). They’re happily married with a beautiful 3 year-old daughter, they found a new home with a big back yard, and they are ready to move up in the world. However, things get complicated for the happy family when a sorority moves in next door. The loud parties and wild girls threaten the sale of their home. Eventually the couple turns to ex-neighbor Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) for help. Now the trio devices a plan to get the sorority girls off the block…though it’s not that easy as the sorority girls fight back!

Rating: 1 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 20, 2016
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Excessive

There are disgusting sexual references and crude jokes made throughout the film.
A 3 year-old girl has a pink dildo as a toy.
Characters are shown in a sexual encounter-we see movements and hear sexual noises.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

We see a drunk girl who smashes through a car windshield and falls to the ground.
Police hit a guy with a stun gun.
A character falls from a second floor window and crashes down on a table.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

We hear the f-word, “sh-t,” “a–,” and “b–ch,” numerous times throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive

Characters are shown getting high and drunk at sorority parties.
The sorority sells weed at a college tailgate to raise money for rent.
We see a lot of characters passed out after a night of partying.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is a raunchy R rated comedy, not appropriate for kids!