Drama
Drama movie reviews
The Secretariat Review
This is the story about Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), a housewife in the seventies, living in Denver with her husband and four children (ages 10 to 17). When Penny agreed to take over her ailing father’s stable in Virginia, her life dramatically changed. She not only took care of her family in Denver, but she also managed her father’s stable, and fostered the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years. Her horse, Secretariat, is still known today to be the greatest racehorse of all time.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: January 25, 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:
I’ve heard people say that if you like animals, you’ll like this movie. I’m not a huge animal lover (though I love my dog), but I loved this movie. Even though we all know the ending, it’s still a thrilling sports movie, one I would compare to “The Blind Side.”
The characters are very likable; Starting with the owner and comical trainer (John Malkovich), the stable’s secretary ( who named Secretariat), the very loving and sweet groomer, the jockey, and of course, Secretariat.
There are many messages throughout the movie. It would have been easy for Penny to sell the farm once her father passed away. However, with Penny’s strong determination and faith, she not only saved the family farm, but her horse set records, that still thirty-seven years later have not been broken. Penny say’s her father’s legacy is “ Do everything you can to win, and live with it if you can’t.”
Penny sacrificed a lot to obtain her goal. She left her husband and children in Denver for weeks at a time. In one scene she tearfully listened to her daughter’s play over the phone, that was sad. Though Penny was a loving and supportive mother, I didn’t always agree with her leaving her family. However, in the end she taught her children a valuable lesson; “Believe in yourself.” Her children were very proud of their mom, and found her a to be their ideal role model. Her husband, who wasn’t always supportive, said, “You taught the children what a real woman is, you taught me something too.”
This movie is rated PG. This is a wholesome family movie for all ages. There are no sexual scenes or references, and very mild profanity. I recommend this for the whole family.
Rock of Ages Review
“Don’t Stop Believin,” a popular 80’s song by Journey, is one of the constant themes in this film. Sherrie (Julianne Hough), a small-town girl from Oklahoma, moves to L.A with hopes of becoming a famous singer. When she steps off the Greyhound bus to L.A.’s Sunset Strip, Sherrie is welcomed by a some abusive prostitutes and a thug who steals her suitcase. However, things quickly brighten up when she meets Drew (Diego Boneta), an employee at the infamous Bourbon Room; who also has high hopes of becoming a rock star. We not only see the young couple fall madly in love, we also see their struggles and successes, as they try to make it in Hollywood! Rock of Ages is based on a stage musical set in the 1980’s. With the excessive sexual content and drug and alcohol issues, I do not recommend this film for film for kids!
Rating: 1 1/2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: October 9, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
Although the movie is sleazy, full of inappropriate sexual scenes; the film tries to highlight the fact that being in a relationship with someone you love, will ultimately make you happier than sleeping around with anyone you meet; as Tom Cruise’s character did. However, the viewers are drenched with the sexual scenes and excessive alcohol use.
As previously mentioned, there are some nice messages to “follow your dreams,” and not give up on your goals and aspirations.
The film has a great cast, to name a few; Tom Cruise, who does an amazing job of playing Stecee Jaxx, a fictional rock star, also Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Julianne Hough.
Adults may be entertained by the 80’s tunes, and fun musical scenes. Though the storyline with the young lovers is very cheesy and corny; with poor acting.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Men are shown grabbing women’s privates at the bar.
- Sherrie temporarily works as a stripper. We see several scenes with the stripper’s erotically pole dancing.
- Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) is shown in two very exotic sexual encounters; in my opinion these were R-rated scenes.
- We see women wearing only their bra and panties; in several suggestive scenes.
- The famous rock star often greets women by grabbing their breasts, and commenting on how firm they are.
- There are several close up scenes with couples passionately kissing.
- There are several suggestive comments and references to oral sex.
Violent Content: Mild
- A character is thrown off the stage.
- One characters slaps another character.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word is said once. “Sh-t,” “h—,” “a–,” and “b–ch,” are said several times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- The famous rock star (played by Tom Cruise) is shown repeatedly drinking whiskey out of the bottle. He is often drunk and incoherent.
Will Kids Like It? No
The movie may try to instill a good message, and have a worthy theme, however the messages are skewed by the very inappropriate sexual content. Rock of Ages is NOT a film for kids! Take your youngsters to Madagascar 3, and your teens to The Avengers, they’ll get a lot more out of it
Remember Me Review
“This movie is about death, drinking, smoking and sex,” that’s what I told my husband after I saw it. Then I said, “oh, by the way our daughter is seeing this movie tonight.” Yes, I did let my 13 year old daughter and five of her friends see this adult movie, with their favorite vampire, Robert Pattinson, as the main character.
“Remember Me” is an intense drama, and a love story, about two families struggling with the death of a loved one. Though two completely different circumstances, the outcome is still the same; how to cope with their loss. Luckily for Tyler (Robert Pattinson), and Ally (Emille de Ravin), his girlfriend, they have each other to help with deal their struggles.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: June 22, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
This is not only a love story between Ally and Tyler, it’s also a story about the importance of family. Tyler (Robert Pattinson), is a loving, affectionate brother to his 6th grade sister. Both Tyler and Ally have relationship issues with their fathers, but ultimately they both love and respect them, and realize the importance of family.
Sexual Content:
- Ally and Tyler have many passionate sex scenes. There is no nudity, but it’s implied what they’re doing, in bed, under the covers.
- Tyler’s roommate brags about how many women he’s slept with.
- We see a brief clip from “American Pie.” The scene when the father walks in on his son in bed with a girl.
Violent/Disturbing Content:
- The opening scene shows Ally, as an 11 year old girl, waiting for the subway with her mom. Two hoodlums take her mom’s purse, they shoot her mom, while Ally is watching the whole thing, screaming .
- Tyler gets into a big brawl outside a bar, his face gets slammed against a windshield.
- Tyler and Ally’s dad get into a big fight, Tyler is nearly choked to death.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Swearing throughout the whole movie.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Characters drank and smoke throughout the movie.
Overall, this is a PG13 movie (could have been rated R), with an adult subject matter. This movie is not a question of, are you in the Edward or Jacob camp? ( Like in the Twilight movies). This is a movie which happens to have Robert Pattinson in it, but this time he’s not the loving, innocent vampire, that most preteens and teenage girls are dying to see. This time he’s a 21 year old college student with real life issues; he continually smokes, drinks, and get into numerous fights, throughout the movie. This is something parents should know. I would not recommend this for preteens, but could be appropriate for teenage girls (high school girls).
I give it 2 out of 5 buckets. I enjoyed the movie, so did the other moms in the theater. However, my only concern is that the young “Twilight” fans will want to see this movie as well, and it’s not appropriate for them.
Red Tails Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Red Tails centers around the struggles and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944, during World War ll. They are a group of courageous African-American fighter pilots, with hand-me down planes and uneventful missions. They’re viewed as inferior and inadequate pilots, only because of their race. However, things dramatically change when the U.S. military finally gives them a chance to fight for our country, and help win the war. Red Tails is based on an amazing true story, with a wonderful message about overcoming racism; it’s a great educational and entertaining movie for the family!!
Talking Points:
I absolutely loved this story! The movie will spark some great parent/child conversations about segregation. In the film we saw the two races come together to defeat the enemies, and not each other.
Not only was the film exciting and educational, the characters were great. I also enjoyed the different story lines about the pilot’s relationships they encountered during the war.
The movie seemed cleaned up. It was like it was a story told by a grandfather to his grandson. This was nice and clearly made it more appropriate for children. The special effects looked like a movie from the 1960’s; this was a little strange, but refreshing as well.
As I previously mentioned I loved the story, and I liked the characters, though the acting was not good at all, which surprised me. However, my 14 year old didn’t seem to notice the poor acting, as I’m sure most kids won’t.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Lightening, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, was known as a ladies man, though things change when he meets his true love as he’s flying over a town and notices a beautiful women.
- The couple kiss, and it’s implied that they’ve had a sexual encounter.
Violent Content: Moderate
- This is a war movie, though not as graphic as most war films. We see planes being destroyed by explosions.
- Many of the pilots are shown wounded with blood and severe injuries.
- We see several characters blown up and on fire.
- Character’s fight in a bar, initiated by racial comments.
Crude and Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “a–,” “s–t,” “b–ch” and “d–n,” are used several times throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- One of the main characters has a drinking problem. We see him drinking out of a flask several times throughout the film.
- Character’s are shown drinking and smoking at an officer’s club.
Depending on the child, this is a great film for kids ages 9 and up. However, parents need to be aware of the moderate profanity, and violent scenes, (though not as violent as most war movies). This is a wonderful film that once again demonstrates the fact that all men are truly created equal.
Red Dawn Review
On a bright sunny Saturday morning the U. S had been invaded by North Koreans, and the city of Spokane, Washington was the initial target. The innocent citizens found themselves prisoners, and their town under enemy occupation. It was Jed Eckert (a twenty-something Marine, recently home from Iraq), and his brother Matt (a high school football player), who gathered a group of young men (known as the Wolverines) to defend their country. They hid in the woods and vigorously trained. These men showed courage and strength while sacrificing their lives to fight the invaders for freedom. Red Dawn, a remake of the 1984 original film, is an action packed war movie, one that teenage boys will love!
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
There were messages about patriotism and teamwork woven through the film. Jed tells the group, “We inherited our freedom, now it’s up to all of us to fight for it.” My sons and nephews had chills during some of the intense patriotic scenes.
The two brothers, Jed and Matt, were very close. Though they had some issues with each other, they ultimately supported and loved one another.
One boy, who had been implanted with a tracking device, separated himself from the group to protect them from danger.
There were a lot of well known actors, whom teenagers will like. To name a few; Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck,from the show Drake and Josh, and Adrianne Palicki from the show, Friday Night Lights.
Parents need to be aware of the excessive, disturbing violent scenes. In the film two boys watched their father die and a boy saw his brother die; the violence never ended.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We saw a couple kissing. The boy began to run his hand up her leg, but she slaped it.
- References were made about “hot, sexy girls.”
Violent Content: Excessive
- Numerous people died from explosives, machine guns, pistols and tanks.
- The group of boys attacked the North Korean headquarters, during the raid there were several explosions.
- There were combat-related violent scenes throughout most of the film.
- We saw a character drinking a deer’s blood, which was disgusting.
- We saw one character stitching up another character’s open wound, the camera zoomed in on the wound.
Crude o Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word was said once. We heard “sh–,” “a–,”h–,” and “b–ch,” throughout the film. We also heard, “d-ck,” “pr–k,” and “b–tard,”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Jed was shown drinking beer. He tried to get his teenage brother to drink a one as well.
- We saw character’s drinking at a bar.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I brought 4 teenage boys who all loved the film.
As I previously mentioned, this is an action packed war movie, one that boys may like. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and profane language. Depending on the child, I recommend this for boys ages 14 and up.