DVD New Releases

Me Before You-Teen Movie Revew

Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) has a good life. He is an extremely athletic and handsome wealthy banker with a beautiful girlfriend. Though his life drastically changes the day he gets in an accident and he is paralyzed. Dealing with his difficult circumstances he becomes depressed, cynical and desperately wants to end his life. However, there is hope for Will when his parents hire Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) as his caregiver and companion. Louisa is a 26 year-old charming, bubbly woman who tries to show Will that life is worth living no matter what the situation. As Louisa and Will’s relationship deepens, Will continually wonders… is this life worth living? Based on JoJo Moyes’ 2012 novel, Me Before You is a heartfelt, romantic drama.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 30, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

Louisa and her sister talk about an outfit being too “booby.”
Louisa and Will passionately kiss.
There are sexual jokes referring to a paralyzed person having sex.
Prior to Will’s accident we see him in bed with his girlfriend. He’s shirtless, and we see her bare shoulders.
There are sexual references to French gay porn, lap dances and oral sex.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There is the mature and disturbing subject matter of euthanasia.
We see scars on one of Will’s wrists, it’s noted that he tried to commit suicide.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “h—,” “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “d–n.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking beer and wine.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed a few pre-teen girls that had read the book and loved the movie.

Overall, this is a heartfelt drama. Parents need to be aware of the acceptance of euthanasia that the film portrays. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.

Money Monster-Teen Movie Review

Lee Gates (George Clooney) is known as the Money Monster. He hosts a very cheesy national cable show with dancing girls and colorful graphics while he recommends stocks to his viewers. He has a lot of followers who hang on his every word. However, one follower Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell), is not so happy as he lost all his money from one of the Money Monster’s stock tips. For revenge, Kyle invades the live broadcast, puts an explosive vest on the beloved host, and holds him at gun point. So now the TV show host and his trusty producer (Julia Roberts) must work together to save not only themselves, but the reputation of their popular show…Money Monster.

Rating: 2 and 1/2 popcorn buckets out of 5
Release Date: September 6, 2016
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film has an all-star cast with George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see a couple in a sexual encounter. They are partially clothed.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

We see characters beaten and shot to death.
The storyline shows the villain invading the stage of a live cable show. He demands the host to put on an explosive vest and holds him hostage.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

We hear the f-word numerous times throughout the movie. We also hear “sh-t,” “p—y,” “a–,” “b–tard,” “b–ch,” “h–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We briefly see a character using cocaine.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Mature teens will most likely enjoy the suspense and thrilling aspect of the film.

Overall Money Monster is a suspenseful and somewhat entertaining drama. Parents need to be aware of the excessive profane language throughout the film.

Captain America: Civil War

The Avengers were born to protect and make the world a safer place. However things get complicated for the beloved superheroes. The United Nations wants to make an agreement which will establish a group to oversee and control the superheroes. This causes problems for the heroes; Captain America (Chris Evans) believes they should remain free without government control, and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) strongly disagrees, he’s okay with government involvement. Now the superheroes are divided and in an all out civil war. They’re not only fighting the bad guys, but they’re fighting each other.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 13, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are several intense and brutal fights throughout the film. Characters are beaten up, kicked, punched, thrown around, and shot to death.
A man is tortured and drowns as he’s hung upside down- above a sink full of water.
A man is found dead in a bathtub.
Superheroes fight with one another and fight bad guys.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” and “h–l,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is an action packed film. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.

Mother’s Day-Teen Movie Review

Mother’s Day follows the lives of four characters and their families. Sandy (Jennifer Aniston), a single mom whose ex-husband is marrying a younger woman, Jesse (Kate Hudson), a mom who doesn’t tell her parents that she’s married and has a son, Bradley (Jason Sudeikis), a widower with two daughters, and Miranda (Julia Roberts), a career woman who discovers a secret from her past. Each character has their own set of problems, however when Mother’s Day approaches they all recognize the importance and special role a mother plays in their child’s life.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 3, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film is a little corny in parts and very predictable, however it has a wonderful message about the importance of all mothers!

Sexual Content: Moderate

A young unmarried couple, in their twenties, live together and have a daughter.
Women wear low cut tops. We see women in sports bras and yoga pants.
It’s mentioned that a lesbian couple are married. They make a float for a Mother’s Day parade depicting a giant womb. There are several sexual references regarding the float.
During a school play a child accidentally puts a lion costume on backwards with the tail sticking up in front. The audience was laughing at the tail.
There are sexual jokes and references regarding tampons, bras, and big boobs.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

We see a character fall over a second floor balcony, injuring his ankle.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said twice. We also hear “h—,” “a-hole” and “d–n.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Characters are shown drinking beer and wine throughout the film.

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

The film will most likely appeal to teenage girls.

Overall this is an entertaining, though very predictable, film. Parents need to be aware of the moderate profane language and sexual references. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.

Ratchet & Clank-Kids’ movie review

Ratchet is a Lombax who has big dreams. He claims he wants to do something big in his life, something that matters. So he and Clank, a pint-sized extremely intelligent robot, join the Galactic Rangers. The Rangers are a group of do-gooders who have lot to do! When the group discovers that an evil alien has a dangerous weapon and wants to destroy the planet, Ratchet & Clank team up with the Rangers to do the right thing and save the world! Ratchet & Clank is a wonderful animated film which is based on the 2002 video games, Ratchet & Clank.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 23, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film has a wonderful message; to follow your dreams and to do the right thing. It’s portrayed in a cute cartoony way which will appeal to kids. It also highlights the importance of friendship.

Sexual Content: None

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Robots and Ratchet fight one another.
We see a very powerful weapon blowing up planets.
Robots are destroyed by ray blasts and flames.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “idiot,” and “butt.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed two kids; a 10 year old girl who said, “I loved it,” and her 8 year old brother who also loved the film. He was really excited to see the movie!

Overall this is a very entertaining fun film for kids. Depending on the child I recommend this for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violence.