Drama

Drama movie reviews

A Dog’s Journey-Kids’ Movie Review

Life is good for Bailey, an aging St. Bernard, who lives on a farm in Michigan with his beloved family. He especially loves C. J., a toddler who tends to drop her food on the floor during mealtime, which Bailey absolutely loves. Bailey gets sick and passes away, however he is reincarnated several times and follows his favorite little girl C. J. His unconditional love and support guides C.J. and brings the family much joy. A Dog’s Journey is the emotional sequel to the 2017 film A Dog’s Purpose.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: May 16 ,2019
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a married couple briefly kissing.
Teens make out in a car.
A dog narrates, “They look like they want to lick each other.”

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There are some extremely sad scenes, to name a few; a dog dies in his master’s arms, a dog dies in an accident, and some dogs die of old age.
An adult character dies.
An abusive dog purposely crashes into his ex-girlfriend’s car.
An alcoholic mom leaves her daughter alone a lot of nights. We see the young girl frightened during a storm.
A guy verbally abuses his girlfriend.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear name calling such as, “idiot,” “dumb,” and “stupid.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

One character drinks a lot and is often shown drunk.
One character is a drug dealer. We see him at a party exchanging cash for small packets.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is an entertaining though emotional film. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.

Breakthrough-Kids’ Movie Review

Boys will be boys. On January 19, 2015 John Smith (Marcel Ruiz), a 14 year-old-boy, and his two friends go outside to play on a frozen Missouri lake. They’re laughing and having a great time when suddenly John falls through the ice… for more than 15 minutes. When the rescuers arrive, they find John’s body lifeless and cold. John’s mom, Joyce (Chrissy Metz), is not ready to say goodbye to her beloved son. When she loudly prays over his body, a miracle happens; John has a heartbeat and a pulse. Breakthrough is a faith-based drama. It’s based on a true story, and produced by NBA star Stephen Curry.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 19, 2019
MPAA Rating:PG
Best Age Group:10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It?Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

Teens talk about “hot” girls.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

A boys life is in jeopardy as he was under the water for 15 minutes.
There are many emotional hospital scenes with character’s crying and arguing.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “hell,” “bullsh-t,” and name calling such as “stupid.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, this is a wonderful movie with inspiring faith-based messages.

After-Kids’ Movie Review

Going to college can be an intimidating experience, not only for the students, but for the parents as well. After is a story about a college freshman named Tessa Young (Josephine Langford). Tessa was raised by her single mom as her father left her as a young child. Tessa is a hard working, responsible young woman who’s ready for the college experience. However, her mother, Carol (Selma Blair), is very sad about taking her daughter to school. Though she does have Tessa’s high school boyfriend accompanying her which helps ease the pain. During the first week of school Tessa’s life dramatically changes when she meets Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), a handsome, British-accented college boy. A game of Truth or Dare at a college party is when Tessa’s prim and proper world falls apart. After is based on Anna Todd’s best-selling novel…After. Some critics say it’s the Fifty Shades of Gray for teens.

Rating: 2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 12, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Excessive+
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Excessive

We see two college students in many sexual scenes throughout the film. We see them kissing and intimately touching one another. Also, it’s implied they have oral sex as we see them unbuttoning each others pants.
The young couple have sex, with the girl losing her virginity. Frontal nudity is obscured, however we do see their shoulders and bare backs.
We see the couple in a bubble bath, once again their shoulders and backs visible.
Two female characters are shown in a sexual relationship. They undress each other in bed, nudity is hidden under the sheets.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

Two guys get into a fight, punching and hitting each other.
In an emotional rage, a guy smashes vases of flowers and other things in his home.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “damn,” and “h-ll.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see college students drinking beer and hard liquor. We see several drunk students as well.
Character smoke, and vape.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed two 17 year old girls who loved the film, though they liked the book better.
I also interviewed a mom who brought her 15 year old daughter. The mom said,”Do not take your teenager to this movie.”

Overall, this is a film portraying a young couple in a sexual relationship. Parents need to be especially aware of the sexual context in this PG13 rated film.

Shizam-Kids’ Movie Review

What’s the magic word…it’s Shazam!! Shazam is the story about a 14-year-old boy named Billy Batson (Asher Angel). Billy is a troubled foster child who runs away from various foster homes. However, his life dramaticaly changes the day he meets a dying wizard named Shazam. The wizard tells Billy he’s looking for someone “strong in spirit, pure in heart.” Suddenly the wizard gives Billy the ability to transform into a muscular adult superhero (Zachary Levi) by saying the magic word…Shazam. Shazam is a DC Comics superhero based comedy. Fun movie for the whole family!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 4, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

Characters go into a strip club. A kid asks Shazam if he saw any boobs.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

A lot of slapstick, superhero violence.
The villain is scary, he unleashes “The Seven Deadly Sins” monsters that come out of his eyes and they kill people.
Some characters disintegrate, they’re shot with guns, thrown against buildings, walls and concrete.
A character is thrown out of a window, another one’s head is bitten off.
There are a lot of chase scenes and battles.
We see fights with bullies and school kids.
Property is destroyed.
There’s a terrible car crash in the beginning of the movie, we see a guy lying in a puddle of blood.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “ass,” “s–t,” “hell,” “douchebags,” “butt,” “moron.” Middle finger is shown.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Shazam buys beer at a convenience store. He and Freddy take a sip of the beer and spit it out as they don’t like it.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and moderate language.Depending on the child I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up.

Five Feet Apart-Kids’ Movie Review

Human touch is our first form of communication, it relaxes and comforts people as well. Sadly, Stella (Haley Lu Richardson) can’t experience the human touch. Stella, is a rule-following 17-year-old girl who has cystic fibrosis (CF). Her life dramatically changes the day she goes back to the hospital for a “tune up.” She comes across Will (Cole Sprouse), a rule-breaking 17-year-old boy who also has cystic fibrosis. CF patients are supposed to stay at least six feet apart from each other to avoid cross-infection. Stella is waiting for a lung transplant, and Will has a dangerous bacteria. As the young couple falls madly in love, their biggest obstacle is staying at least six feet apart. Five Feet Apart is based on a young adult novel; Five Feet Apart.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 15, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

Stella and Will give each other sexual looks.
Stella touches her chest romantically in front of Will.
Will and Stella undress down to their underwear and jump in a hospital pool.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

A young CF character is shown dead on the floor.
The subject of death is woven throughout the film.
It looks as though a character has died, but then he’s saved via CPR.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “f–king,” “bitch,” “s–t, “bulls–t,’ and “a–hole.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a wonderful heartfelt love story. Depending on the child this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.