Comedy
Comedy movie reviews
The Back Up Plan Review
“The Back-up Plan” is a story about Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), a single woman who decides that after several years of dating, and never finding “Mr. Right,” that she’s ready to have a baby; so she opts for artificial insemination. Naturally, the day that she is artificially inseminated, is the day she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin). While after many romantic dates, she decides that it’s time to tell Stan about her pregnancy. Stan responds enthusiastically, though very nervous. Over the course of nine months, we not only see the couple’s romance and excitement, but also their struggles over the stress of Zoe’s pregnancy.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 24, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I liked Jennifer Lopez’s hair, and clothes.
Even though Stan is nervous, he does everything he can to support Zoe. From her cravings to her mood swings, he’s always there for her. I liked the fact the abortion was never mentioned.
The part that bothered me the most was how poorly parenthood is portrayed. When Zoe’s friend, a mother of four, was trying to dissuade Zoe from having a baby, she say’s that kids are awful, it’s the worst thing thats ever happened to her, and that she hates them. A father at the playground tells Stan the same thing. He says fatherhood is “awful, awful, awful, and then something beautiful happens, then it’s awful, awful, awful.”
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Many times we see a woman breast-feeding her 3 year old girl, this was inappropriate.
- There are many sexual scenes with Stan and Zoe, and there’s a lot of sexual conversations throughout the movie, mostly regarding pregnancy issues.
- We see one of Zoe’s friends give birth in a tub of water, this was a disturbing and inappropriate scene for young teens, my daughter thought it was gross.
Profane or crude language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the movie.
I kept thinking there would be some redeeming qualities at the end, Perhaps a nice message on how wonderful parenthood is, or how it’s best to get married first, then have children, but no such luck.
I know many teens that saw the movie, some thought it was okay, while others really liked it and thought it was a cute and fun movie. From a mom’s perspective, I didn’t care for it. If you have to see it, I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 14 and up, but I would have a conversation with your kids how it’s just a light hearted movie, with not much substance. I’m going to give the movie two buckets. The movie was centered around the couples love affair, and the trials of parenthood, but not the blessing that is truly is.
Arthur Christmas Review
So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night? That’s the question that many children have during the Christmas season; if you see Arthur Christmas you’ll find out…he is high-tech, that Santa!!! But behind all state of the art equipment that Santa has, this story center’s around Santa’s youngest son Arthur. He’s quirky and clumsy, but he has a heart of gold. One Christmas Eve night Arthur realizes something awful; a little girl does not get her gift, she was forgotten. Arthur is devastated, and will do anything he can so this sweet little girl won’t lose her faith in Santa. This is a fun heartwarming story, one that kids will enjoy, though parents may get a little bored.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 23, 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:
Arthur is a great character. He’s a simple unassuming guy, who loves the spirit of Christmas.
There are some nice messages in the film about forgiveness, and determination.
Steve, Santa’s older son has an important job, he runs Christmas. The only bad thing about Steve is that he’s not concerned that they forgot a little girl, he says that it’s not a big deal.
Grandsanta teases Santa, calling him a “postman with a spaceship.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two elves kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- Some characters are attacked by lions.
- Arthur and his friends get shot at by a shotgun.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- An elf said that “children are stupid.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Grandsanta mentions that he likes whiskey.
Arthur Christmas is a movie that you can take your kids to and not worry about them being scared, or covering their eyes during the inappropriate scenes. It’s about kindness; and the consequences you get from helping people out…it will bring a smile to your face, it did for Arthur!
Arthur Review
Do money and material things make a person happy? Arthur (Russell Brand) initially thinks they do. He is a very generous, kind-hearted man and an heir to a very successful family business. He spends his money foolishly; on magnetic beds, Batmobiles, lots of alcohol and prostitutes. Arthur’s mother (Geraldine James) eventually realizes that it’s time for Arthur to finally grow up, (after all, he is a grown man who still has his nanny taking care of him). So his mother decides to marry him off to a women named Susan (Jennifer Garner). She’s beautiful, smart, and can eventually run the family business. Knowing that Arthur isn’t in love with this women, his mother gives him an ultimatum: marry Susan or forfeit his inheritance. This is a hard decision for Arthur, especially when he falls in love with another women, one the family doesn’t particularly like.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: April 8, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points
Arthur is a remake of the 1981 comedy. Though I don’t remember much about the original movie, I do remember liking it.
Arthur’s relationship with his nanny (Helen Mirren) is very special. When he was a child, his mother was always working, and his dad died when he was three, so his nanny was the one person who truly cared about him. When she gets sick, Arthur matures, and eventually takes care of her, this was sweet and endearing to see his gradual change.
There’s a nice message that life isn’t all about material things. When Arthur falls in love with Naomi, (the woman the family doesn’t like), he realizes that all the money in the world won’t make him happy, but love will. Naomi also helps him mature and become more responsible. She explains that it’s good to earn things…something that Arthur doesn’t understand.
While the movie is funny and entertaining, it’s very predictable and a little boring in parts. I found myself looking at my watch a couple of times. Arthur is shown drinking excessive amounts alcohol throughout most of the movie and parents may feel uncomfortable with that.
Sexual Content: Mild
• Arthur is shown in bed with a prostitute wearing a skimpy outfit. It’s implied they’ve had a sexual encounter.
• There are many sexual references and jokes throughout the movie. Arthur talks about all the women he’s been with, and some he doesn’t even remember the next morning.
• Arthur has a huge party, and women’s underwear and bras are scattered throughout his apartment.
• Arthur is shown only wearing briefs in a couple of scenes.
Violent Content: Moderate
• When Arthur was playing with a nail gun, he accidentally shot his father-in-law to be. When he pulls out the nails, we see blood stains on his shirt.
• Arthur gets in a few car accidents when carelessly driving his Batmobile.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
• A young child says b*&#h, there are some other mild profanities used throughout the movie, but not very often.
Overall Arthur is an entertaining movie with a nice message. Though it’s fun to buy new “toys,” they will only bring you temporary happiness; something Arthur eventually comes to realize. I brought my 11 and 13-year-old sons, and one of their friends. My 11-year-old got a little bored, the 13 year-olds liked it and thought it was funny. I recommend this movie for kids ages 13 and up.
Overall this is an adventurous, action packed movie. As I previously mentioned, there is a lot of violence, but fine for a PG13 rated movie. Depending on whether your child can handle some of the violent scenes, I recommend this movie for kids ages 11 and up.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked Review
Alvin, Simon,Theodore and the Chipettes are once again up to their usual shenanigans, however this time they’re on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship. Things are going great until our little furry friends become “chipwrecked’ on a desert island. While Dave(their manager) frantically searches for them, he eventually realizes that the Alvin and the gang are singing and dancing, and making the best of a difficult situation. The Chipmunks embark on many adventures on the island, as they meet a castaway who adds a little spice to the Chipmunk’s journey. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a fun, musical comedy for young kids.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus Sherlock Holmes!
Talking Points:
There’s a wonderful message of the importance of family. Dave, who adopted the Chipmunks, takes his parental role very seriously. He risked his life to save the Chipmunks; something a parent would do for their children. Dave also claimed that he’s not their manager for the money, it’s because he loves them. Forgiveness is another message instilled throughout the film, this could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Great, entertaining music with songs such as; “Born This Way” and “Firework,” by Lady Gaga.
The previous two Alvin and the Chipmunk movies are rated PG, while this is rated G.
I enjoyed the movie, though I did hear an adult snoring a couple rows behind me.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The Chipettes get drawn into a dance-off with three human girls, there was a little sexual dancing.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slapstick violence; an example would be when Dave slipped on the ship’s deck, where Alvin had poured suntan oil. Dave continuously bumped and hit his head on something.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says, “I’m such a pain in the…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s drink mixed drinks on the ship.
Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a movie for young kids. There’s nothing inappropriate,it has a nice pro-family message, and most important, the kids will be entertained for 90 minutes! You may not find Gilligan or The Professor, but you will see some cute chipmunks on the island.
21 Jump Street Movie Review
The Hangover for teenagers…that’s what I would compare 21 Jump Street to, and that’s why I’m not recommending this film for kids. Schmidt (Jonah Hill), a nerdy brain, and Jenko (Channing Tatum), a dumb jock, go to the same high school, though they are not friends. However, seven years later they both end up joining the police force and the Jump Street unit. They’re both assigned to go undercover in a local high school to investigate a drug ring. So, once again the nerdy boy and the dumb jock are back in school, however, this time things are a lot different. 21 Jump Street, based on the TV drama from the 1980’s, is an entertaining movie, with crude and raunchy humor…not for kids.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 26, 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
This is a hilarious movie, with a lot great actors, and one actor, you’ll be surprised by! It was a fun movie after a busy day. The problem is, teenagers will want to see this movie…and I don’t recommend it for them. There’s excessive teenage drinking, drug use and raunchy sexual references; with no moral lessons. This is a movie for adults, who want a night out, with some good laughs and entertainment!
The cool and popular kids were using the synthetic drug the cops were looking for. One popular kid involved in the drug ring was very scared when he thought he was caught by the police. He really wanted to go to Berkley, and knew if he was caught, his dreams would be shattered. This could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- At a high school party, we briefly saw a threesome. They’re shown from a side angle, though naked.
- Repeatedly throughout the film there was talk of various male and female body parts.
- We saw a drunk high school girl trying to unzip a character’s pants, hoping to do more.
- A character’s penis was shot off. Bleeding and wounded, the character tried to pick it up with his mouth.
- A female teacher had a crush on Jenko (Channing Tatum), while flirting, she made suggestive comments to him.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Since the two main character’s were cops, there were many chase scenes, gun fights, and fist fights.
- One character got shot in the neck, we saw a lot of blood oozing from his body.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Every other word was a swear word. The f-word was used the most throughout the film, though “sh-t,” “a–” and “b–ch,” were used as well.
- Many obscene sexual words were also used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Teenagers were shown drinking and using drugs throughout the film.
- We saw several character’s hallucinate, and their side effects caused from the drugs.
With the excessive vulgar language, sexual references, and teenage drinking and drug use, I do not recommend this for kids! Adults may enjoy the humor and story of this film. Like I said, this is a movie for adults, who want a night out, with some good laughs and entertainment!