SUBSCRIBE:

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    captcha

    Movie Reviews

    Jackie

    Divergent-Teen Movie Review

    “The Dauntless never give up,”and that’s why Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) chooses to be in the Dauntless faction. Set in futuristic Chicago, people are divided into factions based on human virtues. Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the kind), Candor (the honest), Dauntelss (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). The storyline centers around the life of 16-year old Beatrice Prior. Continue reading

    Need For Speed-Kids Movie Review

    Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a former race car driver and blue-collar mechanic, owns a garage in upstate New York where he and his friends tune performance cars. Dealing with financial concerns, Tobey desperately wants to save his struggling garage, so he partners with his former rival Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). Dino is a very wealthy, but wicked, ex-NASCAR driver who makes Tobey a deal he can’t refuse. However, problems occur during a disastrous race when Dino frames Tobey for manslaughter. After Tobey serves two years in prison, he desperately wants to seek revenge, and race against his arch-nemesis… Dino Brewster. Based on the very popular video game series, Need For Speed is an action packed, suspenseful film where you’ll be at the edge of your seat!!!

    Need for SpeedRating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
    Release Date: August 5, 2014
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 12+
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content: Excessive
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

     

    Talking Points:

    There are no life lessons or inspirational aspects to the film. However, it’s an exciting action packed movie with fun and entertaining characters!

    The movie is very unrealistic and hopefully kids will take  it for what it is; a fictional movie! There’s even a disclaimer in the closing credits stating, “DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS!”

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • One of Tobey’s friends quits his office job.  So thrilled to be leaving, he strips down to his socks as he walks out of the building. We see his bare rear several times.
    • We see a couple kiss.

    Violent Content: Excessive

    • There are a lot of intense high-speed races throughout the film. We see many horrible crashes with several fatalities of innocent victims.
    • After driver was forced off the road, we see his car flipping into air as it explodes. This is a very graphic scene.
    • Thugs use a shotgun to force Tobey and Julia’s (Tobey’s love interest) car off the road.
    • The DeLeon race that Tobey and Dino participate in destroys several of the driver’s cars, along with numerous police cars.
    • We see Tobey punch Dino in the face.

    Crude or Profane Language: Mild

    • The f-word is said once. We also hear “h—,” “a–,” b–tards”  and “douche bag” several times throughout the film.

    Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

    • Characters are shown drinking alcoholic beverages.

    Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

    Overall this is a entertaining action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the intense car crashes and illegal car races we see in the film. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.

    Mr. Peabody And Sherman- Kids Movie Review

    “Every dog should have a boy,” that’s what Mr. Peabody (voice of Ty Burrell) says about his mischievous son Sherman (voice of Max Charles). Mr. Peabody is an extremely intelligent talking dog who has adopted a boy named Sherman. The two live in a New York City penthouse: Sherman goes to school like most 7 year old boys, and Mr. Peabody is a loving dedicated father who takes care of the house and brings home the bacon. Peabody and Sherman also like to have fun! Continue reading

    Non-Stop: Teen Movie Review

    Non-Stop has non-stop action, non-stop suspense and it’s a non-stop adventure for all. During a flight from New York City to London, U.S. Air Marshal Bill Marks (Liam Neeson) receives a series of text messages from a fellow passenger. These messages instruct him to transfer $150 million into a special account. If he does not fulfill the request, a passenger on the flight will be killed every twenty minutes. Now Bill has to find the culprit in order to save everyone on this horrific long flight to London. Non-Stop is an action packed film, one where you’ll be at the edge of your seat!

    Non-StopRating: 3  out of 5 buckets
    Release Date: June 10, 2014
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 11+
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content: Excessive
    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate
    Will it Appeal to Teens? Yes

     

    Talking Points:

    Kids that see this film will hopefully enjoy the action and suspense, knowing full well this is a fictional story, and not be fearful of flying.

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • A couple is shown kissing and hugging at the airport; later we see them on the airplane, kissing and laughing under a blanket.

    Violent Content: Excessive

    • Characters are shot and killed, poisoned and beaten. We see a character’s hand is slashed with a knife.
    • There is viscous fight in the plane’s bathroom, a man’s neck is snapped.
    • As the plane rapidly descends, passengers and crew are violently thrown around; later we see them bloodied and bruised.
    • During the crash landing  a young girl (around 9 years old) is shown dangling from an open hole in the plane, holding onto a fellow passenger’s hand for dear life. This may scare young viewers.

    Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

    • The f-word is used once. We also hear “h–l,” ‘d–n,” “a–hole,” and “d–k.”

    Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate

    • Bill, who has a drinking problem, is shown drinking and smoking throughout the film. He even tampers with smoke alarm by taping the sensor.
    • Passengers are also shown drinking hard liquor.
    • We see a passenger’s briefcase filled with cocaine.

    Will it Appeal to Teens? Yes

    Overall, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and some disturbing scenes on the flight. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 11 and up.

    Family Oscar Picks-Kids Movie Review

    Family Oscar Picks- 2014

    Oscar

    The Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, is an annual American awards ceremony honoring achievements in the film industry. It’s a time when there’s a lot of talk about the movies; and whether it be a drama, romance, action, animation or based on a true story, it’s always fun to see if your favorite nominated film will win the Oscar. There’s so much buzz that kids typically want to see the latest and greatest films, which can be a great family outing…if it’s the right film! The list below is a new category from Box Office Mom; “Best Family Picture.”  The selected movies are all nominated for an Oscar, not necessarily best picture, but they are nominated in one of the various Oscar categories.

     

    Check out Box Office Mom’s Family Oscar Picks:

    Best Family Picture (Per Box Office Mom) for Pre-teens and TeensSorted Alphabetically!

    1.  Captain Phillips (PG13)

    • Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: January 21, 2014
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 15+
    • Sexual Content: None
    • Violent Content: Excessive
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    • Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

    Synopsis:
    On April 8, 2009 the Maersk Alabama cargo ship, en route for Kenya, was hijacked by four Somali pirates. The pirates were armed with assault riffles, the Americans were unarmed (though they had water cannons to fight off the pirates). The pirates were lead by Captain Muse (Barkhad Abdi) and the Alabama ship was commanded by Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks). Both men were leaders, and both men wanted to control the ship. Captain Phillips, based on a true story, is an amazing film about a tough, fearless captain who showed courage and strength as he endured the horrific crisis in which he was held hostage by four dangerous Somali pirates.

    2.  Gravity (PG13)

    • Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date:  October 3, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 12+
    • Sexual Content: None
    • Violent Content: Moderate
    • Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
    • Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    • Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

    Synopsis:
    Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) is an experienced astronaut, a man who is about to command his final expedition. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a woman on her first space shuttle mission, a  brilliant medical engineer, though a little uneasy and scared in space. When disaster strikes, and most of the shuttle is destroyed, Matt and Ryan are the only two survivors. Now they must help one another, and take on a new mission…surviving in space alone!
    3.  Iron Man 3 (PG13)

    • Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: September 24, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 11+
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent Content: Excessive
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
    • Will Kids Like It? Yes

    Synopsis:
    Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is back as Iron Man, and stronger than ever. In this third film of the Iron Man series, a terrorist named the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) threatened to destroy America. Unfortunately Stark’s former security guard, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) was injured in an explosion, which was caused by the Mandarin. Stark was very upset, though determined to face the evil terrorist; the problem was the terrorist got to Stark first. He destroyed Stark’s Malibu mansion, and all his high-tech toys. Luckily Stark (Iron Man) lived, though his beloved metal suit was injured. Stark had to try and survive on his own, and save the world without his protective shell.

    4.  The Book Thief (PG13)

    • Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date:  November 27, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 16+
    • Sexual Content: None
    • Violent Content: Moderate
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol: None
    • Will It Appeal to Kids or Teens? Yes

    Synopsis:
    “If your eyes could speak what would they say?” That’s what Max, a Jewish refugee, says to Liesel as he is hiding from the Nazi’s in her adoptive parent’s basement  during the height of World War II. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by death; The Book Thief is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Liesel. Liesel finds comfort and peace by reading. She steals books and reads them to her loved ones as they all deal with the horrors of World War II.

    5.  The Great Gatsby (PG13)

    • Rating: 3  and 1/2 buckets out of 5
    • Release Date: May 10, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 13+
    • Sexual Content: Moderate
    • Violent Content: Mild
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
    • Will Kids Like It? Yes (teenagers)

    Synopsis:
    It’s been 24 hours since I saw this movie, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The characters, the setting and what the film symbolized; prohibition, the Jazz Age, one’s social status, and the American Dream. It was the summer of 1922; a recent Yale graduate named Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moved to New York for business, and rented a house in West Egg on Long Island; which was populated with people of “new money.” Next door to Nick lived a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gatsby lived in a gothic mansion, where he had extravagant parties every Saturday night. Across the bay, in East Egg, lived Nick’s cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her wealthy, blue-blooded husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton).  As the summer progressed Nick attended Gatsby’s opulent parties and became involved in the lives of the materialistic and corrupted; the wealthy Long Islanders, along with Daisy, Tom and Gatsby! Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby is a wonderful, educational film for teenagers.

    6.  The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG13)

    • Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: December 13, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 11+
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent Content: Excessive
    • Crude or Profane Language: None
    • Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    • Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

    Synopsis:
    “The courage of a Hobbit never ceases to amaze me,” that’s what one of the thirteen dwarves said while traveling with the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), and the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen). Bilbo and company were traveling to the Kingdom of Erbor, hoping to reclaim their homeland from the villainous dragon, Smaug. On their journey they face many obstacles such as terrifying Orcs, giant spiders and imprisonment in an elf dungeon. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is the second  installment of the The Hobbit series. This is an adventurous, action packed film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels.

    7.  Saving Mr. Banks (PG13)

    • Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: December 25, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 14+
    • Sexual Content: None
    • Violent Content: Mild
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
    • Will It Appeal to Kids?  Yes

    Synopsis:
    She loathes Disney products and the idea that wishes can make dreams come true, a well known Disney philosophy. She despises anything associated with Disney, even Mickey Mouse. This is the story about British writer P. L. Travers, the author of the beloved “Mary Poppins” books. It’s a story of how Walt Disney pursues Travers so he can turn the wonderful Mary Poppins creation into a magically Disney film. After twenty years he eventually succeeds, though it wasn’t easy. He discovers the truth about Travers’ horrid past, and learns how the magical English nanny came to be. Based on a true story. Saving Mr. Banks is a wonderful film, though it may not appeal to kids, however mature teens may like it.

    8.  Star Trek Into Darkness (PG13)

    • Rating: 4 out of 5
    • Release Date: September 10, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 12+
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent Content: Excessive
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mid
    • Will Kids Like It? Yes

    Synopsis:
    The new enterprise crew, led by Chris Pine as James T Kirk, faces a familiar nemesis, Kahn, in the latest edition of the Star Trek franchise.   Kahn attacks a secret Star Fleet facility on earth and Kirk and the enterprise crew set out to bring him to justice.  Along the way, they venture into Klingon space, face a challenge from one of their own, and throw out humorous one liners.  Spock, Scottie, bones and Uhura join Kirk to avert a war and protect the Earth.

    Best Family Picture (Per Box Office Mom) for kids ages 5 and up

    Despicable Me 2

    • Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: December 10, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG
    • Best Age Group: 5+
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent Content: Moderate
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
    • Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes

    Synopsis:
    Gru (voice of Steve Carell), his three adopted daughters, and the beloved minions are back in this sequel to the popular 2010 movie Despicable Me. Now we see Gru as a loving father, not the evildoer who wanted to steal the moon. However, problems occur when Gru is asked to track down an evil felon. Initially he’s not sure he wants to fight crime, though when partnered with the beautiful agent Lucy Wilde (voice of Kristen Wiig) he changes his mind; after all his girls have been wanted him to date more. Despicable Me 2 is a wonderful animated film for the whole family.

    2. Frozen

    • Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
    • Release Date: November 27, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG
    • Best Age Group: 5 +
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent Content: Moderate
    • Crude or Profane Language: None
    • Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    • Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

    Synopsis:
    Princess Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), soon to be Queen, and Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), are not only sisters, but best friends. Though things gradually change as Elsa developes secret powers. She has the ability to create snow and ice, with a simple touch or even a thought. When her powers get out of hand, their entire kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter, so Elsa goes into hiding to be alone.  Now Anna is on a mission to find her sister and save their kingdom before it is too late.  Frozen is a wonderful animated film, one the whole family will enjoy.

    3.  The Croods

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
    • Release Date: October 1, 2013
    • MPAA Rating: PG13
    • Best Age Group: 5+
    • Sexual Content: Mild
    • Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
    • Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    • Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
    • Will Kids Like It? Yes

    Synopsis:
    The Croods are a prehistoric family who were forced to leave their cave after a natural disaster destroyed the whole area.  Grug (Nicolas Cage), the father and leader of the household, took his role very seriously, he was determined to protect the family as they searched for a new home. However, things got complicated when they met a resourceful nomad named Guy (Ryan Reynolds). Guy was a cute teenage boy who fell for Grug’s teen daughter, Eep (Emma Stone).  Grug began to feel threatened; he wanted to be the man in charge, but he eventually realized that with Guy’s brains,  his strength, and a loving family… they could survive. The Croods is a wonderful animated, adventure film for the whole family.