Drama

Drama movie reviews

The BFG-Kids’ Movie Review

Sophie is a ten-year-old girl living in an orphanage in London. Her life dramatically changes the night she’s kidnapped by Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). Initially she’s terrified of the scary beast and is determined to escape, however as time goes on their friendship grows. The odd couple develops a bond as the giant shows Sophie a magical pond where he catches dreams and then releases them into the minds of the sleeping London residents. Meanwhile, the bad, cannibalistic giants snatch and eat the children of London, and when they smell Sophie’s presence in Giant’s Country, they want to eat her too. Now Sophie is on a mission to get rid of the bad giants forever! The BFG is based on Roald Dahl’s children’s classic novel…The BFG.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 29, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group:
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film starts out with a parent’s worst nightmare…a child getting kidnapped. However, as the movie progresses, we see that the giant is a warmhearted man who simply wants to protect and care for the young girl. Being said, kids that scare easily may be frightened by the bad giants as they kidnap and eat children.
The movie is long, and it is also slow in parts.

Sexual Content: Mild

The audience sees “Liz naked at my wedding,” written on a label of one of BFG’s dream jars.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

A giant kidnapping a little girl definitely has the tone of a scary movie. When BFG initially kidnaps Sophie, he reaches through a window and grabs her. Eventually they have a wonderful relationship and become the best of friends.
BFG gives Sophie a nightmare which involves a bad giant catching her and attempting to eat her.
The mean giants go through BFG’s home looking to eat Sophie.
BFG gets bullied by the big, mean giants.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see a group of drunk men stumbling home from the pub.
BFG loves a green champagne-like drink with bubbles that flow downward. It’s noted that the beverage has an effect on those who drink it – people pass gas and lift off their seat and in the air. Kids in the theater were laughing.

Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed a seven year old girl in the theater who loved the movie. She was aware of the premise of the film and didn’t think it was scary. Her parents liked it as well.

Overall, The BFG is an entertaining sci-fi, fantasy film. Depending on the child, I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 7 and up. The film may be scary for those who are sensitive.

The Shallows-Kids’ Movie Review

Texas girl Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) travels to a secluded beach in Mexico to get away as she mourns the loss of her mother who had recently died of cancer. While Nancy is happy and content enjoying the beautiful beach and surfing the big waves…danger ensures. A great white shark suddenly attacks Nancy and leaves her severely injured and stranded on a giant rock about 200 yards from shore. Frightened and alone, Nancy must figure out a way to survive as the deadly predator continually circles around her waiting for it’s prey.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 27, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Through all the action and adventure the film highlights Nancy’s will and determination to keep fighting and never give up.

Sexual Content: Mild

Nancy wears a skimpy bikini.
We see male surfers flirting with Nancy.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

A great white shark brutally attacks several people. We see it dragging Nancy by her leg as the shark continually tortures her.
A man is attacked and we see a huge amount of blood in the ocean.
We see a man’s body on the beach torn in half by the ferocious shark.
After Nancy is attacked she begins to stitch her torn flesh together with her earrings.
We see Nancy’s foot turn purple and she claims that gangrene is setting in her limb.
Nancy uses a flair gun which causes the shark to briefly be in flames.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear the f-word and “sh-t.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see a drunk man passed out on the beach.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed four teenage girls that all loved it. They enjoyed the action and suspense of the film, and they’re fans of actress Blake Lively.

Overall The Shallows is a great summer flick. Parents need to be aware of the disturbing and violent aspects of the film.

Independence Day: Resurgence-Teen Movie Review

It’s been twenty years and the aliens are back as Fourth of July is quickly approaching. Scientist and alien defense expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000 mile wide mother ship and discovers that once again, aliens are approaching Earth. With the extraterrestrial technology and massive defense system the scientists and fighter pilots are on a mission to save the planet from another alien attack. Independence Day: Resurgence is the sequel to the 1996 film Independence Day.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5
Release Date: October 18, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It?

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss and hug. The woman jumps on her fiance and wraps her legs around him.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Aliens destroy cities; building collapse and planes, ships and space stations are blown up.
Billions of innocent victims die.
The aliens are big large slimy creatures.
We see humans choked to death by alien tentacles.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

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

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters on a boat drinking heavily.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed two teenage boys who liked the action and suspense of the film. They like Independence Day as well.

Overall Independence Day: Resurgence is a dramatic action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content throughout the film.

Now You See Me 2-Teen Movie Review

Abracadabra… the Four Horseman are back! In this film the infamous illusionists magically find themselves in China. However, the group gets into some trouble as a sneaky tech wizard named Walter (Daniel Radcliffe) forces the magicians to steal a powerful chip that can control all of the worlds computers. Desperately wanting to get home, the group needs to perform their biggest magical act yet. Can they do it? Now You See Me 2 is a fun and entertaining action packed film.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 6, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss.
Woman wear revealing tops.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

A character is punched-bloodied and bruised. He’s locked in a safe then they dump him into the ocean where he almost drowns.
The Horseman are beaten and thrown out of a airplane.
There are several characters shown on motorcycles. They fall off their bikes and tumble on the road.
One of the magician’s performances is creepy. It appears as though the magician saws off her hand with a meat slicer.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear the f-word once. We also hear “sh-t,” “h—,” “d–n” and “a–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Characters are shown drinking a glass of champagne.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Overall, Now You See Me 2 is a wonderful action packed film. Parents need to me aware of the moderate violence and language. Depending the child I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up.

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.