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    Movie Reviews

    Jackie

    About Time-Teen Movie Review

    Turning 21 means you’re legal to drink, which is an exciting time for some people. However, on Tim Lake’s (Domhnall Gleeson, who played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter) 21st birthday, drinking is not the only excitement in his life. Tim’s father tells him that the men in their family have the ability to travel back in time. Continue reading

    Thor: The Dark World: Kids Movie Review

    Thor is back to save to the world! Things are going well for the prince of Asgard and guardian of the Nine Realms. He continuously helps his people in various situations and truly cares for their well-being. However it gets complicated when he visits his girlfriend, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) on Earth. When Jane’s not feeling well, Thor discovers that she’s been infected by an Aether, a life-threatening substance. Thor discovers that the evil elf, Malekith, (Chrisopher Eccleston)  is involved, and wants to destroy the universe with the Aether. Now Thor and his colleagues risk their lives not only to save Thor’s true love, but also to safe the world!!

    ThorRating: 4 out of 5 buckets
    Release Date: February 25, 2013
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 10+
    Sexual Content: Mild
    Violent Content: Excessive
    Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
    Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

     

    Talking Points:

    Thor and other character’s are willing to sacrifice their lives in their attempt to destroy Malekith, the evil villain.

    There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins.

    Sexual Content: Mild

    • We see two different couples kissing.

    Violent Content: Excessive

    • There were a lot of battles with swords, guns and other weapons used.
    • Spaceships crash and destroy buildings, resulting in several casualties.
    • There were scary monsters and other evil creatures that caused mayhem throughout the film; swallowing humans, throwing cars, and stabbing people.

    Crude or Profane Language: Mild

    • We hear “sh-t,” “h–l,” and “d–n,” however, only a few times throughout the film.

    Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

    • Characters are shown drinking adult beverages.
    • A scientist was known to take several prescription drugs.

    Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

    Overall Thor is an action packed sci/fi film, one that kids (especially those that like super-hero movies), will enjoy. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 10 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content woven through film.

    Ender’s Game-Kids Movie Review

    Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) is a brilliant young boy who lives at home with his sadistic brother Peter, his sister Valentine, whom he is very close to, and his loving parents. Though very shy and weak, Ender is a gifted boy. Not only is he extremely intelligent, but he’s a master at war games. On Earth, there had been a horrific alien vs. human war seventy years earlier, so the military were preparing for the next attack. They were looking to enroll, smart, young boys, and they found Ender. He was pulled out of school on Earth, and sent to Battle School in space. He quickly succeeded in his new school and got promoted to Command School, where he lead his follow soldiers into battle. Ender’s Game is an action packed sci/fi film based on a young adult novel.

    Ender's GameRating: 4  1/2 buckets out of 5
    Release Date: February 11 2014
    MPAA Rating: PG13
    Best Age Group: 10+
    Sexual Content: None
    Violent Content: Moderate
    Crude or Profane Language: Mild
    Drugs and Alcohol: None
    Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

     

    Talking Points:

    As I previously mentioned, Ender’s Game is based on a young adult novel. Seventh grade Challenge English classes are currently reading the book for school. It will be interesting for them to compare and contrast the book from the film.

    Ender is a great character. He wants to succeed and be a good leader, though very conscience and worried about always doing the right thing.

    Sexual Content: None

    Violent Content: Moderate

    • There were several fights amongst the boys. Some bullies punched and hit Ender,  however he defended himself and fought back by hitting and repeatedly kicking the boy that initiated the fight.
    • While Ender was taking a shower, another boy started a fight with him; once again Ender defended himself by spraying extremely hot water on the attacker, and pushed him against a concrete wall.
    • There were battles between soldiers and droids. We saw explosions and fire throughout the film.

    Crude or Profane Language: Mild

    • A character said “a–.”

    Drugs and Alcohol: None

    Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

    • The film will appeal to pre-teens, especially since it’s based on a young adult book.

    Overall Ender’s Game is an exciting action packed sci-fi film, one that kids will enjoy. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 10 and up. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.

     

    Jacka** Presents: Bad Grandpa- Teen Movie Review

    Traveling across America with an 86 year-old man may sound boring to some, however for Billy (Jackson Nicoll), it was anything but boring. This is the story about Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and his 8 year-old grandson, Billy. The two journey across country to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Billy reunites with his estranged father. They encounter many unusual situations from male strip clubs to biker bars; situations in which most 8 year-olds would not be involved. Bad Grandpa is an R rated comedy, which is not appropriate for kids, though older teens may find it entertaining.

    Bad GrandpaRating: 2 out of 5 buckets
    Release Date: January 28, 2014
    MPAA Rating: R
    Best Age Group: 17+
    Sexual Content: Excessive
    Violent Content: Mild
    Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
    Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
    Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

     

     

    Talking Points:

    Grandpa and Billy bond on their drive together, which was sweet and endearing.

    There was a hidden camera on their road trip. That made the film a little more interesting and entertaining, especially seeing peoples reactions to Grandpa’s goofy ways.

    The humor in the film was disgusting and gross. For example; Grandpa and Billy were having a farting contest in a restaurant, and grandpa defecated on the wall. There was crude humor throughout the film.

    Sexual Content: Excessive

    •  Grandpa flirted and made sexual comments to women.  Billy made some remarks as well.
    • Billy dressed up as a girl to enter in a kids’ beauty pageant. When he was on stage, he stripped down to his bra and undies and proceeded to do a pole dance routine. That was very strange!
    • Grandpa went to a male strip club, we saw  male strippers and female customers miming sexual movements.
    • Grandpa decided to participate at the strip club. He took off his pants, though he was wearing his underwear, we saw his privates hanging out.

    Violent Content: Mild

    •  Grandpa drives recklessly; he continually hits signs and public property with his car.

    Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

    • The f-word is said numerous times. We also hear; “a–,” “b–ch,” “sh-t,” and “h–l.”

    Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive

    • We see characters drinking beer and hard liquor. Billy even drinks beer, initially spits it out, but then ends up liking it.
    • Characters are shown smoking cigarettes.

    Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

    • There were a lot of seventeen year-olds in the theater, laughing throughout the film.

    Overall Bad Grandpa is an inappropriate R rated film, one I don’t recommend for kids or pre-teens. As I previously mentioned, older teens may find it entertaining.  Parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual comments and vulgar behavior woven through the film.

     

    Escape Plan-Teenage Movie Review

    Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) escapes from prisons for a living. He’s paid by the Feds to find flaws in a prison’s security, and proceeds to find his way to escape. It’s not that hard for Ray…he reviews the layout of the prison, observes the guard’s habits and routine and seeks help from a trusted inmate. He’s got it all figured out!  Continue reading