Comedy
Comedy movie reviews
Death at a Funeral Review
“Death at a Funeral” is a remake of a 2007 British comedy. This is the story about an American family who come together to mourn the loss of their beloved husband, father, brother and friend. The funeral is at the family home, but this is not a typical funeral. This funeral is completely chaotic, filled with dark secrets, blackmail, hallucinogenic drugs, competitive brothers and much more. Though with all the mayhem, this is a family filled with love, who deeply care for each other.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 10, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
There’s a star ensemble including Chris Rock, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Luke Wilson and Zoe Saldana, and many more well known actors.
The characters are very likable. Chris Rock plays Aaron, the older responsible son who’s in charge of the arrangements, and when everything gets out of control, you actually feel sorry for him. James Marsden was also great, he was accidentally given a hallucinogenic drug, and he’s hilarious.
Like I mentioned, there were some funny parts, but this is not the type of humor that I typically enjoy. However, some teens may like the potty, slapstick humor that ensue over the course of 90 minutes.
This is an R rated movie, which means that kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. This movie is rated R for language, drug content, and sexual humor.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are many sexual references and comments throughout the movie.
Violent or Disturbing Content: Mild
There’s a bathroom scene in which Uncle Russell has diarrhea. It was disgusting because fecal matter was smeared on a man’s clothes, face and hands.
.Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- There is a lot of crude and profane language throughout the movie, which parents may not want their teens to see. The f-word is used numerous times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- There’s also a scene in which actor James Marsden, who plays the boyfriend, ends up naked on the family’s roof, because of the hallucinogenic drug he was accidentally given.
- Jeff, a relative, and pharmacology student, mentions that he prepares illegal “prescriptions” and sells them to his friends.
I’m going to give it 2 1/2 buckets, because I thought the movie was okay. I liked the characters, but it was not as funny as I had hoped. Most of the humorous lines are in the trailer. If parents are okay with their kids seeing a movie with a lot of swearing, and mild sexual humor, it would be fine for kids ages 15 and up. Though, like I said before, kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dark Shadows Review
I bet Barnabas wished his ex’s lived in Texas.It’s the late 1700’s where we first meet Barnabas Collins, an extremely handsome and wealthy man. So when Barnabas breaks up with his girlfriend, Angelique, for another women, his life dramatically changes… for the worse. Angelique, who happens to be a witch, is so furious with Barnabas that she not only kills Barnabas’ parents and his new girlfriend, she even turns poor Barnabas into a vampire and puts him in a coffin; hoping he’ll suffer for eternity. Two hundred years later, Barnabas is set free, and returns to his ancestral home , where he’s desperately needed to protect the family from his evil ex-girlfriend. Based on a television series, Dark Shadows has it all; romance, comedy, sci-fi and horror, but not the right movie for kids.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 2, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Barnabas’ father tells him that “family is the only real wealth.” It’s quite apparent that Barnabas truly cares for his family. He tries to restore the family fortune and good name.
Barnabas is a vampire, and by nature he is thirsty for human blood, therefore he kills many people throughout the film. However Barnabas is a good guy, he truly cares for a young disturbed boy, who sees visions of his deceased mother. Barnabas comforts him and becomes an important influence in his life.
Though I liked the movie, and found it to be strange, but entertaining, I strongly feel this is not for kids. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and sexual contents in the film. Depending on the child, I would say that this is appropriate for kids ages 14 and up.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Barnabas and Angelique are shown having a sexual encounter. They roll around all over the place, clawing each other, and destroying everything around them.
- It’s implied that a couple is having oral sex, we see the women’s head moving towards the man’s waist.
- Angelique takes off her panties and puts them on Barnabas’ face.
- Two character’s engage in sex, while another character guards the door.
- Angelique and Barnabas discuss all the places they’ve made love.
- Angelique forces Barnabas to press his hand on her chest, while she reaches down to touch his privates.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Barnabas kills many innocent people.
- We see Barnabas hit one man’s head against a pipe, and he bites another man’s neck.
- We hear several victims scream.
- There’s a scene where statues come to life and attack people.
- We see a child taken into an insane asylum; she is treated with shock therapy and is shown screaming in pain. This was disturbing to me, and will most likely disturb kids.
- Barnabas grabs a man by his neck and lifts him up.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The “sh-t,” “a–,” ‘b–ch,” “b–tard,” “h–l,” and “d–n,” are all used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters smoke marijuana, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.
Overall this film has many inappropriate parts that parents need to be aware of before sending their kids. If your pre-teen wants to see this film, and you’re okay with it, I recommend going with them, but be ready to cover their eyes.
Cars 2- Kids Movie Review
In Cars 2 we once again see star race car Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson), and his pal, tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) as they head overseas to compete in first-ever World Grand Prix. However, it’s not as easy as they had planned; Mater gets caught in his own adventure, as he accidentally gets involved in an international conspiracy to sabotage the big race car event. While Lightening is busy with the race, Mater travels from Japan to Europe in an exciting chase, as the whole world is watching his surprising and hilarious adventure. In this sequel, there are some new and colorful cars, for the whole family to enjoy.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
There’s a message about the importance of friendships. One character says, “Whoever finds a friend, finds a treasure.” Lightening and Mater have a special relationship. Even though Lightening gets very frustrated with his ditzy friend, he learns to appreciate Mater’s good and likable qualities.
Though fun and entertaining, this film had more potty and slapstick humor than the first Cars movie. The kids in the theater seemed to enjoy, not sure about the parents.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mater has a romantic interest, there’s a little innocent flirting going on between he and his girl.
Violent Content:
- Some cars are equipped with rockets and other spy gear, which resulted in many explosions and heated chase scenes.
- Some bad guys use gas to subdue Mater.
- Mater has a time bomb tied to his engine, this may scare young kids, you’re not sure if Mater will make it.
Crude or Profane Language:
- Words such as “idiot” and “jerk” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content:
- Cars go to a pub, and are served cocktail drinks.
Cars 2 is an entertaining movie for the whole family. With the likable, colorful cars, and a lot of adventure, kids will be thoroughly entertained. Having said that, I feel that the original Cars movie was better, and had an innocence about it that I enjoyed. Cars 2 had more crash scenes and violence; if your kids are sensitive to that, you may want to wait, otherwise it’s a good one to see at the theater this summer!
Bedtime Stories Review
Bedtime Stories is a family comedy about a hotel handy man (Skeeter) whose life changes when the outrages bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to come true. His niece and nephew unknowingly have the power to make the stories become real.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 7, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
His clever and creative storytelling is portrayed as a fun and relaxing family activity, which may inspire viewers to do the same thing.
I read that when Adam Sandler was asked about the film he said, “I wanted to make sure I made one movie in my career that mothers hug me for.”
Though Skeeters storytelling may be self-absorbed, he is a devoted and loyal uncle who loves his niece and nephew. His love and dedication is shown throughout the movie, as the children are going through a hard time with their parents divorce.
His storytelling highlights greed. He tells stories to get what he wants, (A Ferrari, and a million dollars),
Sexual Content: Mild
- There are some sexual references. Skeeter comments on a girls reputation, saying that she is hot and that she likes to have a good time.
- In real life and his stories, Skeeter tries to kiss several women, and he says he’s a great kisser. Eventually, he actually does kiss a character.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are some violent scenes in a few of Skeeter’s bedtime stories. There are battle scenes, and laser beams are used in some of his stories.
- Skeeter steals a motorcycle as a way to rapidly get to a crime scene.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “stupid,” and “weird,”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink alcohol. Skeeter mentions drinking in his “bedtime stories.”
Overall, it’s a fun, heart warming, unassuming movie that the whole family will enjoy.
My kids ages 9, 11 and 12 loved it too.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua Review
It’s about a very pampered, well-to-do, Chihuahua named Chloe, who lives in Beverly Hills. While Chloe’s on vacation in Mexico (with her equally snobby dog-sitter), Chloe gets lost. The movie shows her adventures in Mexico, and how she’s trying to get back home to her luxurious life in Beverely Hills.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The film was funny: Chloe goes to the spa,dogs on tread mill, seaweed wrap
diamond collar and designer clothes and boots.
Dog owners can relate to the silly things in the movie.
Funny Line:
Papi- Her neighbor dog, (who is in love with Chloe), searches for her in Mexico. The Mexican police say they don’t need Papi’s help. Papi says, “We’re Mexi-can not can’t.”
Movie Entertains adults and engages kids right from the beginning of the movie.
My 12 year old daughter and friend thought it was really corny. (The dramatic dog scenes in the middle of the movie.)
Sexual Content: Mild
- Girls wear bikinis. One man is very suggestive to Rachel, wanting more than just a dance.
- Songs such as: “I”m too Sexy,”” Whomp,” and “Hot, Hot, Hot,” play as background music.
Violent Content: Mild
- May be a little scary for younger kids. A mean Mexican dogcatcher who wants to capture Chloe could scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- There is some mild name calling such as, “fool.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- In a restaurant scene, there are many champagne glasses that are shown.
- One of the dogs is named Whiskey.
Overall it’s a wholesome Disney Movie.The movie highlights loyalty and friendship. Chloe relies on her friends to try to help get her back to Beverly Hills.