DVD Favorites

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good…Kids movie review

We all have bad days, some worse than others. It’s the day before Alexander’s 12th birthday and it’s not a good day; he slips on a skateboard, gets gum in his hair, a funny picture is taken of him which travels all around the school, and he finds out no one is going to his birthday party because the most popular boy in school is having a big bash. When Alexander comes home, his parents and siblings have all had amazing days, and his baby brother can do no wrong. So at 12:01 AM, Alexander’s 12th birthday, he wishes a bad day upon his family. Now the comedic tragedies begin as we see a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for the Cooper family…but not Alexander! Based on a popular children’s book, Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a terrific film for the whole family!

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 10, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

Talking Points:

There’s a wonderful message about the importance of family and loved ones. Alexander comes to realize that no matter how bad your day can be, or no matter how bad life can get, if you’re surrounded by family and loved ones, it’s not that bad.
Steve Carell (the dad) and Jennifer Garner (the mom) are very funny and entertaining. The kids in the film are also likable, fun characters, ones that kids in the audience can relate to.
There is some potty humor for example, the baby urinates on the kitchen floor and oven, kids in the theater thought that was funny. Also, the daughter vomits on her dad.

Sexual Content: Moderate

The mom walks in on her teenage son as he’s naked in the bathroom. We don’t see anything, however later she comments saying, “It’s not the first time I’ve seen your penis.”
There’s a discussion of Anthony and his girlfriend making out.
The parents hire three “Australian cowboys,” for Alexander’s birthday party, not realizing their strippers.

Violent Content: Moderate

Alexander accidentally starts a fire in his Chemistry class.
The dad’s shirt cuffs set fire while eating at a Japanese restaurant.
The dad gets kicked to the ground by a kangaroo.
While the teenage son is taking his driver’s test he gets into a car crash, no one is hurt.
The mom crashes while riding a bike.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“Idiot,” “sucks,” and “crap,” are said.

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Emily, the eight grade daughter, overdoses on cold medicine and acts very silly.
The dad drinks beer and then slams down another drink while the group he’s with chants his name.

Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

This is a great film for kids of all ages…elementary kids, middle school age kids and teens may find it appealing as well.

Overall this is a great family movie, one I highly recommend!

Dolphin Tale 2-Children’s Movie Review

Winter (the dolphin) is back and her story of hope and inspiration is continued. In Dolphin Tale 2 we see Winter, with her state-of-the art prosthetic tail, living in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Loved and cared for by her human best friend, Sawyer (Nathan Gamble), and the staff at the aquarium, Winter goes through another trying time. When her tankmate dies of old age, Winter is left without a dolphin companion. Showing signs of depression, and the unwillingness to perform, the government threatens to take Winter to an aquarium in Texas, to be with her own kind. This would not only devastate Winter’s human friends, but it would also financially ruin the Clearwater Aquarium. Now Sawyer and the aquarium staff, try to find another female dolphin so Winter can be happy, and be the aquarium’s star attraction once again. Based on a true story, Dolphin Tale 2 is a wonderful movie for the whole family.

Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 9, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

Talking Points:

We see a wounded war veteran with a prosthetic leg. He was a fictional character, however at the end of the film we see real people with disabilities visiting Winter, watching him perform with his prosthetic tail. It was very heartwarming to see the young children and adults who were inspired by this dolphin. This will spark some great parent/child conversations.

There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Nathan Gamble.

Though a very appropriate film, young kids (5 and under) may get bored as it is slow in parts.

Sexual Content: None

Violent Content: Mild

After Winter’s tankmate dies, Winter is very depressed and lashes out at Sawyer with her beak.
When Winter gets a new tankmate they had to be separated quickly, to prevent them from hurting one another.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: None

Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes

I interviewed a 7 year-old girl who said she loved the film. Her comment was, “My favorite part was when Winter and the Dolphin Hope bonded.”

Overall this is a very refreshing heartfelt movie, appropriate for the whole family.

When The Game Stands Tall-Kids Movie Review

It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. That’s what legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel) truly believed. Bob Ladouceur coached the De La Salle High School football team, from Concordia, California, to win 151 consecutive games, breaking all records for any American sport. Inspired by a true story, When The Game Stands Tall is an inspirational sports drama about a coach who taught his players valuable life lessons about character, conviction, faith and humility.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 9, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a sports movie, but it’s not all about sports. Coach Ladouceur’s goal is to shape his players to be young men of character, with conviction and faith. He wants to be a positive impact on and off the field. Great parent/child conversations.

Coach Lad doesn’t expect his players to play perfect, but to give a perfect effort.

Sexual Content: Mild

A high school boy and his girlfriend kiss.

Violent Content: Moderate

Two teammates get into a brawl.
A character is shot and murdered. We hear four gun shots, then we see his body on the ground.
A player’s father grabs and shakes his son, he even punches him in the stomach.
The players visit a VA hospital, we see soldiers without limbs.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

In one scene we see a high school party, where students are drinking alcoholic beverages.

Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

Overall this is a wonderful sports drama. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids 10 and up.

The Hundred Foot Journey-Kids Movie Review

Rivals McDonalds and Burger King can be one hundred feet apart without a problem, Qdoba and Chipolte can also be one hundred feet apart without a problem, however Le Saule Pleureur and Maison Mumbai have their problems being only one hundred feet apart. This is the story about an Indian family, led by the Papa (Om Puri), who are displaced from their native India and end up in a quaint village in the south of France, and their quest to open up an Indian restaurant. Papa is excited to share his Indian cuisine with the French, however when Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), the owner of an elegant French restaurant from across the street stops by, things get complicated. Now the war begins as the two cultures try to make it work being only one hundred feet apart. The Hundred Foot Journey is an entertaining movie with a little comedy, romance and drama…a film for the whole family.

Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 2, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

Talking Points:

Even though the Indian family and Madame Mallory and friends don’t always get along, they’re ultimately loving people and make kind gestures to make peace with one other.

The Hundred Foot Journey is an great film, however due to the mature storyline, kids under 10 may find it slow and boring.

Sexual Content: Mild

A couple passionately kiss, then proceed into the bedroom. We don’t see anything, however when they come out of their room they are disheveled.

Violent Content:Mild

We see rioters invading Papa’s restaurant in Mumbai, pushing tables and setting the place on fire. A loved one dies in the fire.
In France Papa’s restaurant is also set on fire by invaders, however there is not much damage as Papa puts out the fire.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“H–,” and “sh-t,” are said.

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Characters are shown drinking wine.

Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

I interviewed five kids between the ages 14 and 17 who all loved the movie. They claimed to be “foodies” so I can see why they especially enjoyed a film about restaurants.

Overall this is a very sweet and entertaining film. As I previously mentioned, with the mature storyline, kids under 10 may find it slow and boring. Great for teens and adults!

Guardians of the Galaxy- Kids Movie Review

A talking raccoon, a tree-like creature, Drax the Destroyer, an assassin named Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and a smooth talking, handsome guy from Earth named Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), are the Guardians of the Galaxy. They are a group of misfits who all want to make some money by selling a strange metallic orb. However when they discover that the orb is a dangerous weapon, they eventually come to realize that they must keep it away from the evil Ronan. Ronan is a powerful villain who threatens to destroy the universe. Now it’s up to this odd group of characters to save the world and be the Guardians of their Galaxy.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5
Release Date: December 9, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

Talking Points:

The film has a great mix of action/adventure and comedy. Though there are a lot of violent scenes, the characters are funny and entertaining. A great soundtrack as well, with a sentimental element to it.

Sexual Content: Mild

Peter flirts with Gamora and tries to kiss her, though she wants no part of that. She even tells him not to use his “pelvis magic” on her.

Violent Content: Excessive

Humans and aliens are punched, kicked, shot, stabbed, choked and blown up. Sometimes they’re serious, sometimes they’re silly.
Buildings are smashed and destroyed by explosions.
We see little critters eaten by larger animals.
When character’s hold a certain weapon, we see their insides burn up and their skin flakes off.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said once, we also hear “a–,” “sh-t,” “p–ck,” “d–k,” “b–ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” and “h–.”

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Character’s are shown drinking alcoholic beverages.

Will it Appeal to kids/teens? Yes

I interviewed two 14 year old girls and a 9 year old boy who loved the film. They thought it was funny and said it was, “The best Marvel film yet.”

Overall this is a fun action packed entertaining film. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.