Drama
Drama movie reviews
Hugo Review
Set in the Thirties, Hugo is centered around the life of a young orphan, Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield). Hugo lives in a Paris train station and looks after the clocks there for his uncle. His life dramatically changes when he meets Isabele (Chloe Grace Moretz), and her Godfather, Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley), a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station. Together Hugo and Isabel work through the mystery of her Godfather’s life, which Hugo initiated by attempting to repair a mechanical man he received from his deceased father. Hugo is based on Brian Selznick’s childrens novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret! It’s a well done, amazing film, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 28, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus a review of THE MUPPETS!
Talking Points:
Most third or fourth grade students have read the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The kids in the theater that I interviewed liked the fact that they read the book, and then saw the movie. They also said the movie was true to the book.
Isabele, Hugo’s friend, loves to read. The two characters discuss different books they’ve read; they also frequent their local library…a good thing for young viewers to see, and expose them to great literature that’s mentioned in the film.
Spoiler: The movie is not only suspenseful, but also very interesting. It was intriguing to learn how movies were first made. Isabele’s Godfather was one of the most important pioneers of early cinema. Being the movie buff that I am, I found this to be fascinating and many kids will too.
There are good lessons throughout the film as well. Isabele and Hugo talk about their purpose in life; they say, “If you lose your purpose in life it’s like you’re broken.” Hugo was comparing humans to machines, saying that even parts of a machine have a purpose.
For the most part Hugo and Isabele are good kids, though they do some sneaky things. The two characters break into a closed movie theater, and watch a movie. Isabele was worried they’d get into trouble; Hugo replies, “That’s how you know it’s an adventure.” Hmm…this could spark a conversation of what not to do!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Couples flirt innocently, it’s very sweet.
- Sexual references; a police officer’s wife is pregnant, he’s not sure who the father is. This is mentioned several times in the film.
Violent Content: Moderate
- The train inspector is a very mean, cruel man. He abuses orphans, grabbing them off the streets and putting them in cages. He also has a viscous dog who chases the kids as well.
- Hugo lives alone in the train station. It’s a little creepy sometimes; especially when he has bad dreams. This may scare some kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The guard talked forcefully to Hugo; but I don’t recall any swear words mentioned.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Hugo’s uncle is an alcoholic.
I absolutely loved this movie; having said that, it’s 2 hours and 7 minutes long; and it may be a little slow moving for kids. There are parts that may frighten young kids as well. I recommend this film for mature children ages 8 and up.
The Hunger Games Review
“May the odds be ever in your favor,” is the slogan used by the government officials of Panem, (a totalitarian ruled country); as the children are randomly selected to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which one boy and one girl (called tributes) from each of Panem’s 12 districts are picked to fight with one another, until there is only one survivor… the winner! The story highlights the tributes from the impoverished District 12; Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). With Katniss’ fierce determination and her skill of archery and hunting; and Peeta’s strength and support, the two from District 12 try their hardest to survive through the bitter end! The Hunger Games is based on the first book of Susanne Collins’ sci-fi trilogy. See the book come to life in this amazing, suspenseful movie; and may the odds be ever in your favor!
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
With the premise of kids killing kids, there are definitely some disturbing moments. However, the director does an amazing job of distorting the violent images, as the camera shakes in most disturbing scenes. Having said that parents need to be aware of the intensity of the film, as I think parental guidance should be strongly encouraged for kids 12 and younger.
Whether kids are reading the books in school or on their own, they will be astounded at how true to the book this film is. Even though the character development is poorly established, (though only with some characters), it won’t matter for those who have read the books. Important background information is shown through flashbacks throughout the film.
Katniss is a courageous, strong willed character. With the death of her father, she became the head of the house, taking care of her distraught mom, and her 12 year old sister, Prim. Initially Prim was selected from District 12, though it was Katniss who volunteered to take her sister’s spot. This was an emotional scene.
Even though the ultimate goal was to kill one another, there were some wonderful relationships, and acts of kindness in the film as well.
- Rue, a younger tribute, looked up to Katniss for help and support during the games.
- There were other tributes who helped others as well, knowing only one would survive.While Katniss was willing to sacrifice her life for her sister, Peeta was willing to do the same for Katniss.
- Gale, Katniss’ best friend from home, promised to take care of Katniss’ family while she was away. He did the best that he could do under horrific circumstances.
The actors were wonderful. To name a few; Jennifer Lawrence, shined in her role as Katniss, and is a strong role model for young girls. Elizabeth Banks played Effie, District 12’s escort, she tried to turn the games into a fun, exciting event. Woody Harrelson plays the drunk Haymitch, DistrictTwelve’s mentor, and a past winner of the Hunger Games; he is perfect for the role.
The film is about 2 hours and 20 minutes, which went by so quickly!!! It was extremely captivating and suspenseful, and an emotional roller coaster.
As in many films there is the idea of good vs. evil, and it is once again portrayed in this film. The Capitol, where the rich and privileged live, look down on the 12 districts, which represent different levels of poverty and skill; with District 12 being the poorest of them all. The games originally began with the District’s revolt against the Capitol, which in turn began the traditional Hunger Games. The Capitol’s citizens are cruel and evil, only wanting to attain power and control, and to be entertained. This could spark some great parent/child conversations of a totalitarian government, a constant theme throughout the film.
The games were nationally televised. We saw family members watching their young ones die, while members of the Capitol were happily cheering, as though they were watching a football game. That part was sad and disturbing.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two character’s kiss.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There was a gang and bully mentality, as some of the older tributes were laughing about the killings, while enjoying the games!
- There were fights amongst the character’s, which was disturbing knowing they were hoping to kill one another.
- One kid was hit in the head with a brick, another disturbing scene.
- A girl got hit with a spear, and she pulled it out of her abdomen….that was gory.
- Hundred’s of wasps attacked and killed many characters.
- We saw character’s severely injured, with bloody, open wounds.
- We saw character’s being stabbed, burned to death, and shot with bow and arrows.
- Large beasts were shown killing characters.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–,” was said once, and “d–n,” was said a couple times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Haymitch, District 12’s mentor, was an alcoholic.
- Character’s were shown drinking wine at dinner.
Having read the book, and with the appealing character’s and intriguing storyline, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Depending on the kids sensitivity to violence, this film is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. I know some 10 and 11 year-olds who really want to see the film, but who are easily disturbed by violence; I recommend they wait. However, if they do see it in the theater, I strongly encourage them to be accompanied by their parents, they may need a little extra TLC!
Harry Potter The Prisoner of Askaban Review
In the Prisoner of Azkaban, the gang is back for their 3rd year at Hogwarts. Everyone’s talking about Sirius Black, a dangerous wizard who escaped from the wizard prison, Azkaban, and is now searching for Harry. Black is believed to be responsible for leading Voldemort to Harry’s parents 14 years ago and ultimately to their murder. With the help of Ron and Hermoine, Harry struggles to escape the Dementors, the prison’s guards, and very scary creatures, and also to find Sirius Black, and learn the truth of his parent’s death.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 23, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This movie is also rated PG, but is a little darker and scarier. Now Harry is a teenager trying to figure out his life. After watching this movie my 9 year old son was little scared, which he wasn’t after 1 and 2. Unlike 1 and 2, there is a new director in this movie. I would recommend this movie for kids ages 9 and up for this movie.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Review
Harry Potter has more adventures in his second year at Hogwarts. He is warned by a mysterious house elf not to return to Hogwarts because terrible things will happen to him. However he ignores the warnings, and returns to school with his friends Hermoine and Ron where he is the center of attention because of his 1st year heroics. He falls under suspicion, however, when messages written in blood warn that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and students start getting petrified (literally) in the hallways of Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine work together to discover the Chamber and rescue a student who gets drawn into it. Once again, Harry is confronted by the spirit of the evil wizard Voldemort who is trying to return to the physical world.
This movie is also rated PG for mild violence. As in the first movie the visual images may be disturb some kids. Good for kids ages 7 and up.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 11, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content:Mild
Harry Potter and the Socerer’s Stone Review
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first movie in the Harry Potter series. We meet Harry as a misfit orphan in his Aunt and Uncle’s home. Through an amusing series of events he learns that he is a wizard and has been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There we meet many of the characters who play important roles in subsequent movies, namely his two best friends Ron and Hermione, the game keeper, Hagrid, and the headmaster, Dumbledore. In this movie, Harry learns how his parents were killed and begins his ongoing conflict with their killer, Lord Voldemort. Voldemort was also killed when Harry’s parents died and in this movie his spirit is attempting to return to the physical world through the use of the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The movie is rated PG, mild violence, good for kids ages 7 and up. It is an exciting escape into a clever and well constructed fantasy world. Although I would recommend parents to use their discretion, especially with children who would react negatively to frightening visual images.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: May 28, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild