Jackie
Jurassic World-Kids’ Movie Review
Family friendly vacation spots are great getaways with kids, especially at the Jurassic World theme park in Costa Rica. The destination resort has plenty of options to entertain kids and adults; it has genetically engineered dinosaurs, petting zoos, great shopping and first-class accommodations! However, when the vicious and extremely intelligent Indominus rex escapes and sets off a chain reaction to other dinosaurs, mayhem ensues. The once amazing theme park has turned into complete chaos. Now it’s up to Owen (Chris Pratt), a former military man and animal expert, to save the tourists from the dinosaur attack… which was not on their vacation itinerary. Jurassic World is the latest installment of the Jurassic Park series.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 20, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The film has several likable characters, which enhances the storyline of a dinosaur assault.
- There are several graphic and disturbing scenes as the dinosaurs attack humans and each other. See details in the violent content below.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see a couple kiss and flirt with one another.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- The gigantic and vicious Indominus rex kills numerous humans and dinosaurs. It grabs people off the ground either eating them, throwing them or stomping them to death. It chomps and gnaws at other dinosaurs as well.
- We see a swarm of raptors attacking soldiers and other characters.
- There are numerous explosions and gun fire as we see soldiers shooting the dinosaurs with their rifles and machine guns.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “sh-t,” “d–n,” “h–l,” “a–,” and “b–ch” throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see a guy drinking margaritas.
Will Teens Like It? Yes
- I interviewed kids ages 10 to 15. They all loved the thrilling aspect of the film. The girls liked the excitement and the cute male actors; while the boys loved the action and suspense.
Overall this is a wonderful action packed drama. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence which may frighten kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up.
Spy-Teen Movie Review
Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) spent her entire adult life working as a CIA analyst. She sits at her desk with her hidden earpiece and high-tech equipment while assisting a handsome CIA agent, Bradley Fine (Jude Law). It’s Susan’s job to keep Bradley safe and help him avoid dangerous situations. However, things dramatically change when Bradley is assassinated by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), a Bulgarian arms dealer. Now it’s Susan’s chance to go on an undercover assignment and help capture the evil, though beautiful, assassin.
Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 29, 2015
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Spy is an exciting and action packed movie. There is an all-star cast with a suspenseful storyline. Having said that this is a typical Melissa McCarthy movie (slightly milder); excessive profane language with raunchy humor.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We see pictures of a penis.
- Two men are shown in the street engaging in oral sex.
- A guy grabs woman’s breasts and butt.
- There are several inappropriate comments regarding sexual positions, porn and male/female body parts.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- There are several violent fights throughout the film. We see character’s stabbed by a knife, hit by heavy pots and pans, choked, and shot to death.
- Characters are shown fighting while traveling in a private plane. They are thrown all around the plane during the turbulent flight.
- A bomb explodes.
- Someone puts poison in a woman’s drink.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word is said numerous times throughout the film. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “d–n,” ,”h–.” Crude words pertaining to sexual body parts are said as well.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see characters drinking wine and champagne at social gatherings.
Will Teens Like It? Yes
- It’s an action packed film with a comedic element to it. I interviewed four teenage girls who are fans of Melissa McCarthy; beginning with her days of playing Sookie St. James from the TV seriers Gilmore Girls. They thought the movie was funny and very entertaining.
San Andreas-Kids’ Movie Review
Ray’s (Dwayne Johnson) world is falling apart…emotionally and literally. Though he has a wonderful career as a search and rescue pilot he is a very sad and lonely man. One of Ray’s daughters passes away from a tragic accident. His wife, Emma (Carla Gugino), divorces him and moves in with her new boyfriend; who happens to be an extremely wealthy man. However there is one bright spot in Ray’s life; his beautiful college-age daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario). Ray loves his daughter more than anything and tries to be the best father he can be. When another tragic event occurs Ray is determined to save his only child. The San Andreas fault triggers major earthquake and Blake is trapped in San Francisco. Ray travels on his helicopter from Los Angeles to San Francisco and endures the extreme weather conditions with hopes to rescue Blake, and the other civilians who are caught in this horrific tragedy.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 13, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The film is filled with disturbing violence, however there is a powerful message about the importance of family.
- During the catastrophe we see civilians helping one another and working together to save lives.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two character’s are shown kissing.
- There’s mention of getting to “second base.”
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- Thousands (if not more) characters die. Buildings collapse, bridges crumble, boats capsize (followed by a tsunami) and character’s drown.
- We see a character trapped in her car while in a remote parking garage.
- There are graphic and close up scenes of people suffering. We see a guy’s foot skewered by a metal pole. A chunk of glass is stuck in a man’s thigh; which we see taken out. Character’s are thrown to the ground, shown falling off cliffs, trapped under falling buildings etc . . .
- A character is punched and knocked to the ground.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear the f-word once. Also “sh-t,” “h—,” “a–, and “d–n.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall this is an action packed suspenseful drama. Parents need to be aware of the intense violence throughout the film.
Tomorrowland-Kids’ Movie Review
Casey Newton (Britt Robertson), a very bright and optimistic teenage girl is determined to make the future a better place. One day she comes across a mysterious pin; when she touches the pin she gets a glimpse of a bright and wonderful future. Curious and confused; Casey is anxious to learn about the pin and why she was destined to find it. So she decides to recruit Frank Walker (George Clooney), an inventor who can hopefully help this optimistic teenage girl’s dream come true.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 13, 2015
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 Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The subjects of perseverance, hope and love are woven throughout the film. Casey is a determined high school girl who believes in working towards her dreams and to not be afraid. Great parent/child conversations.
- The film is 122 minutes, which seemed very long. Some parts were confusing as well.
Sexual Content: Mild
- When Frank Walker was a boy he had a crush on Athena (the girl/robot who recruited him into Tomorrowland). As Frank aged and Athena didn’t (since she’s a robot) he still had feelings for her. This was odd since she looked like a 12-year old girl and he was a middle aged man.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- There are numerous fights and battles with the evil robots and human characters. One robot is smashed by a baseball bat, we also see their hands and heads chopped off.
- Characters fly around wearing jet packs. As they fly all over, we see them hitting each other and smashing into buildings. There are some bloody injuries from their rough flight.
- One character is hit by a truck.
- Character’s use metal sticks to make others unconscious.
- We see several buildings and robots explode.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “d–n,” “h–,” and “son of a…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Casey’s father worries that she’s doing drugs; with her strange behavior. Though she denies doing drugs she does admit to trying beer.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I interviewed three 14 year old girls who loved the film. They got confused in some parts, but overall enjoyed the interesting storyline.
- I interviewed younger kids (ages 6 to 9) as well who loved it too. They liked the characters and all the action.
Overall this is a entertaining Disney movie. Having said that, this is a PG rated film and parents need to be aware of the excessive violence.
Pitch Perfect 2
The Barden Bellas, the beloved collegiate a cappella group, are back in this sequel to Pitch Perfect. In this second film the Bellas enter in an international competition in Copenhagen. Initially the girls have a tough time finding “their tune,” and working together; however after a team building retreat they reunite and hope to be the first Americans to win the a cappella championship.
Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 22, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points
- The music and choreographed a cappella ensembles are well done and entertaining.
- As the girls struggle to rebuild their group they realize how important it is to work as a team.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We see Fat Amy and a male character kiss and roll around on top of each other. It’s implied that they’ve had sexual encounters.
- There are sexual jokes and songs regarding male/female body parts, erections and various sexual partners.
- A new Bella says her mother and father have a five-octave range they sing out while having sex.
- One of the Bellas is a gay girl and comments how she touched one of the other girls’ “goodies” while they were camping out and all sleeping together.
Violent/Disturbing Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “a–,” “d–n,” “b–ch,” and “h—,” several times throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see characters drinking beer and hard liquor at parties and singing competitions.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I interviewed several pre-teen girls who loved the movie.
Overall this is a fun and entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the sexual references throughout the movie.