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Action Movie reviews
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!!!
Rating: 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!
Rating: 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.
Vampire Academy-Kids Movie Review
At St. Vladimir’s Academy you won’t find the beloved Twilight vampires, Edward Cullen or Bella Swan, however you will find Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch) and her best friend Princess Lissa Dragomir. Rose is a dhampir, the half human, half vampire clan who protect the good vampires from the bad vampires. Lissa is a Moroi, the good vampires that can peacefully co-exist amongst humans. Then there are the Strigois, the evil vampires who drink to kill. Though you won’t find the Twilight vampires in this series, you will still find drama, romance and conflict between the good vampires vs. evil vampires. Vampire Academy, based on the young adult novel, “Vampire Academy,” is an action packed teenage drama.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 20, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to Teens? Yes
Talking Points:
There are some “mean girl” teenage issues in the film, however at the end of the movie a teenage girl delivers a speech to her classmates. She states the importance of being kind to one another and to let go of the petty behavior that was portrayed throughout the film.
Kids that have read the book will most likely enjoy the film…adults may want to catch another movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Teen couples are shown kissing and making out.
- There are sexual references and discussions regarding losing ones virginity, wet dreams, a threesome and herpes.
- We see Rose, wearing only a bra and underwear, in bed making out with a guy she has a crush on. He’s seen only wearing boxers.
- Rose is labeled as a “blood whore.”
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are numerous battles with gun shots, stabbings, punches, kicks and body slams.
- We see the good vampires feed on humans. This is a little disturbing because the humans thought they were going to a blood drive. The vampires bite the humans’ wrists, sometimes leaving a little blood on their face.
- We see vampire attacks, resulting in multiple casualties.
- We hear someone’s leg breaking and another character’s neck being broken.
- A mangled dead fox is shown hanging outside someones door.
- A girl’s cat is killed, then put in her backpack.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “B–ch,” “a–,” “d–n,” and “h–,’ are each said numerous times.
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Vampires are shown drinking blood from wine glasses.
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
- I interviewed four teenagers that had read the book. They all loved the movie and said it was similar to the book, though a little corny.
Overall this is an action packed film with romance and comedy permeated throughout the film. Depending on the child, this film is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.
THE LEGO® MOVIE-Kids Movie Review
“He was so good at fitting in, nobody noticed him.” THE LEGO® MOVIE follows the life of a Lego named Emmet Brickowski (voice of Chris Pratt). Emmet is an average guy, who works at an average construction company, building average skyscrapers. He’s also a fun-loving, upbeat guy. He even has a favorite song called, “Everything Is Awesome,” which sums up his attitude on life. Things drastically change for Emmet the day he meets his beautiful co-worker, Wyldstyle (voice of Elizabeth Banks). Wyldstyle mistakes Emmet for “the most important person in the universe” (a.k.a. the Special), and recruits him on an adventurous journey to stop an evil Lego from gluing the universe together. Now Emmet takes his average life to a whole new level…which isn’t so average. THE LEGO® MOVIE is a wonderful and very clever animated film for the whole family.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 17, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
“Embrace what is special about you,” and “to be special you need to believe,” are quotes and themes used in the film. Once Emmet discovers that people think he’s “Special,” he believes in himself and has more confidence.
This is a great PG movie, however it has some intense scenes between the the good Legos and villain Legos. I interviewed a five year old boy who loved the movie, but was scared in parts.
The film is an hour and forty-one minutes, which may be a little long for young kids. Having said that, pre-teens and teens that once played with Legos will love the film, and adults will enjoy it too.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are fist fights, gunfights, explosions and car crashes throughout the whole movie. The action is similar to a live action film, however this action is animated by a bunch of plastic blocks….LEGOS®.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall THE LEGO® MOVIE is an entertaining film for all. Parents will enjoy the adult humor and kids will enjoy the adventurous Legos. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 7 and up.