Comedy
Comedy movie reviews
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul-Kids’ Movie Review
Summertime is finally here and twelve year-old Greg Heffley (now played by Jason Drucker) is ready to just relax and chill out. However, his mother has a different plan. She forces the family to take a four-day road trip to Granny Meemaw’s 90th birthday party…a tech free car ride too. Initially Greg is upset until he realizes his favorite YouTube gamer will be making a live appearance at a video game convention in Indianapolis, which is close to Granny’s house. Now Greg has to figure out how he can sneak off to the convention…a challenging feat which he’s determined to accomplish. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is the fourth movie in the series based on Jeff Kinney’s popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books; starring an all new cast.
Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 8, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Despite all the potty humor, and kids defying their parents, the boys ultimately realize the importance of family.
- Greg and his brother Rodrick lie, steal, and break into a hotel room.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Roderick finds a large bra and examines it.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- There’s a car chase scene that ends in a accident.
- Greg is cornered in a bathtub by a large scary man who’s been chasing him.
- Greg and Rodrick lie to their parents and take an Uber to a gaming convention – an hour away.
- Greg ends up in a runaway boat down a grassy hill which ends up in a swimming pool.
- The family stays in a roach infested hotel room.
- There are some gross scenes involving vomit, bowel movements and sounds, and other bodily functions.
- Greg pees in a bottle in front of his family on the drive.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H-ll,” and name calling such as: “stupid,” “weirdo,” and “loser.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an entertaining film, however parents need to be aware of potty humor throughout the film.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-Kids’ Movie Reviews
The group of misfit Guardians are back. Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) with his “Awesome Mix Tape Vol 2”, Gamora, the green warrior, Drax, the blue muscleman, Groot, the little tree-like creature, and Rocket, the cute raccoon. In this film the Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race to protect their expensive batteries from invaders. However, things get complicated when it’s discovered that Rocket has stolen the precious items, and so the aliens want to seek revenge. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an action packed science fiction film for tweens and up.
Rating: 3. 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 22, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- As in the first film the characters are fun and entertaining. The soundtrack is great as well.
- In addition to all the violence there are messages stressing importance of helping others, family and friends.
Sexual Content: Mild
- It’s noted that Peter has been with several woman throughout the galaxy.
- There is sexual chemistry between Peter and Gamora. A woman states that Peter has sexual feelings for Gamora.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- There are fist fights and laser fights. Characters are hit, pounded to the ground, and skewered with arrows.
- There are massive explosions and numerous characters die.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Groot is shown drinking alcoholic beverages..
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “d–n,” “h–,” and “d–k.”
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I interviewed four teenage boys who loved the film. Their favorite character was Groot.
Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for tweens and up. Parents need to be aware of the science fiction action and violence throughout the film.
A Dog’s Purpose-Kids’ movie review
“Why am I here? What’s the purpose?” That’s what a curious dog named Bailey (voice of Josh Gad) often wonders. Bailey is reincarnated several times over the course of five decades. The dog keeps its memories and adorable personality, however his name changes and he becomes different breeds and genders. We see Bailey grow up with a young boy named Ethan, his best friend and companion. When Ethan goes off to college Bailey passes away. He’s reincarnated and has new owners, but no one he loves as much as Ethan. The dog discovers the meaning of life through its many lives and the humans whose lives he touches. A Dog’s Purpose is a wonderful and charming film for the whole family.
Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: May 2, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The film highlights the importance of love and companionship; for humans and animals.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see a couple kiss passionately throughout the film.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
- A high school bully drops fireworks through his rival’s front door mail slot, starting a horrific fire.
- A middle aged man, who’s an alcoholic, forcefully pushes his wife to ground.
- There’s an intense scene with a police officer and his trained dog. They are pursuing a man who has kidnapped a girl. The girl is pushed over a bridge into the water. The dog rescues the girl but he gets shot and dies. We see his bloody wounds.
- We see a man mistreat his girlfriend’s dog. Chaining him outside in the cold weather and never letting him enter their home.
- We see deaths of various versions of Bailey. They are brief, but heartbreaking.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- One of the main characters is an alcoholic. We see him drinking beer and sipping from a flask. He becomes depressed and aggressive.
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Overall, parents need to be aware of the heartbreaking and the violent/upsetting scenes. Having said that this is a wonderful and warmhearted film. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.
Sing-Kids’ Movie Review
“Dream big dreams.” That’s Buster Moon’s (voice of Matthew McConaughey) motto. Buster is a koala bear who loves the theater. When he was a 6 years-old his goal was to own his favorite theater…and years later that dream came true. However, due to financial problems things get difficult for the koala bear, though he doesn’t give up. To boost business he decides to produce a singing competition. Now the drama and singing begins as we see Buster Moon try to fulfill his lifelong dream.
Rating: 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 21, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Sing is a fun and entertaining film for the whole family. The film highlights the importance of working together and following your dreams.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Three female rabbits wiggle their butts while singing, “Oh my gosh, look at her butt.”
- There is flirting between the animals.
- We see some revealing outfits and risqué dances from the animals.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
- Some angry gangster bears try to kill a cheating mouse.
- A building collapses and puts several characters in harms way.
- There are several car chases, causing accidents.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- We hear name calling: “old fart,” “stupid,” “fool,” and “bozos.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see animals drinking alcoholic beverages at a night club.
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Overall this is a cute and entertaining film for the whole family.
Monster Trucks-Kids Movie Review
Life can sometimes be dull in a small town, especially for high school senior Tripp (Lucas Till). Tripp is sick of high school and the obnoxious kids in school. He’s tired of Sheriff Rick, the know-it-all cop who happens to be dating his mom. Luckily, Tripp has a hobby and passion for trucks which keeps him occupied and out of trouble. He builds a Monster Truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. The only problem is he still needs an engine, so he can’t get very far in his truck. Tripp’s life dramatically changes the day an oil company accidentally releases three sea creatures, and one of them ends up under the hood of Tripp’s truck. Tripp discovers this creature who not only acts as the engine to his truck, but eventually becomes a loving friend. Monster Truck is an entertaining film for families with elementary school age kids.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 11, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Sexual Content: Mild
- Flirting between two characters.
Violent Content: Moderate
- A character poisons an entire ecosystem which kills hundreds of people.
- We see numerous car chases and vehicles being demolished.
- There’s some gun violence which includes kids being shot at.
- Tripp’s truck drives over a lot of vehicles crushing them all.
Crude and Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- A character drinks a glass of alcohol.
Overall this is a fun and suspenseful film, great for elementary school kids. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.