DVD Favorites
Monster’s University-Kids Movie Review
Kids typically have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, or have a dream college they want to attend. Monster, Michael “Mike” Wazowski, dreams of being a scarer, a monster who is able to make kids scream. Mike eventually attends the Scare Program at Monster’s University, and that’s where he meets James “Sulley” P. Sullivan. The two monster’s have different strengths and weaknesses. Mike is an ambitious hard working monster, though not very scary, and Sulley is a natural scarer (he comes from a family of talented scarers), however he doesn’t have the best work ethic.Together the two monsters face various trials and tribulations, but they learn to work together and use their talents to succeed. Monster’s University is the prequel to the 2001 film Monster’s Inc. It’s a wonderful animated film, one for the whole family!
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 29, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
The film has wonderful messages of the importance of friendship . Mike and Sulley come to realize that they each have different strengths and weaknesses, they learn how to work together using their own gifts and talents.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- There is a lot of slapstick violence throughout the film. Mike drove a machine while reading a book, and ran over several students.
- Mike and Sulley get spanked with wooden paddles during their fraternity initiation.
- The premise of the film is monsters’ scaring children, which may ultimately scare young kids in the theater.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Characters say, “what the…?”
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking beverages at college parties out of red solo cups.
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall Monster’s University is a fun, entertaining film for kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 5 and up. Kids that scare easily may be frightened by some of the monsters.
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!!
Rating: 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.
Rating: 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.
Captain Phillips-Teen Movie Review
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). Continue reading
Gravity-Teen Movie Review
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!
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date:February 25, 2014
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
Talking Points:
Faced with dangerous and hostile circumstances, we see how the two survivors handle the horrific situation, and do what they need to do to help one another. Sacrifice and the will to never give up, are the main themes demonstrated throughout the film.
One of the characters risks their life in order for the other person to survive.
The film is intense and frightening in parts, which may scare young kids.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Matt and Ryan are forcefully thrown around in space.
- It was very uncomfortable and scary watching Matt and Ryan try to survive, knowing full well their life was on the line.
- We saw the deceased crew mates; one with a smashed face, two others floating in space.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word was said once, we als0 heard, “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n” and “h—.”
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Matt takes a sip of vodka.
Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes
Overall this is an amazing film! Though very appropriate, parents need to be aware of the intense storyline that may frighten some kids.