Drama
Drama movie reviews
Hanna Review
This is a story centered around a teenage girl named Hanna. Hanna is not your average teenage girl, though she looks like it. Her father, an ex-CIA agent, trained her to be a killer. She prepared her whole life for one mission, and when the time finally came to fulfill her goal, she had to travel across Europe where she learned many interesting things about her existence, and had many questions about who she really is. This is an action, thriller that had a lot of violence, with a disturbing subject matter that would not appeal to kids.
Rating: One out of five buckets.
Release Date: September 6, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
When Hanna traveled across country with a British family, the mother of the family, tells her that trips to the countryside, “bring us closer to God.” This was a peaceful and calm scene.
There was a special bond between Hanna and her father, he taught her everything he could before she was on her own! Father’s will like that part.
I did not like this film at all, with all the violence and dark scenes, it was depressing!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two teenagers kiss.
- It’s implied that one girl is a lesbian.
- There’s discussion about the female sexual anatomy.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Many of characters are killers, characters use knives, guns and other weapons to kill people.
- She has many fistfights, we see blood all over Hanna’s face.
- Hanna and her father also have some brutal confrontations, which I didn’t like at all.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One f-word is used, and the s-word is used several times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
Overall I would not recommend this film for kids or adults. I interviewed some adults after the film, all of whom thought is was boring and disturbing; not worth seeing at all.
GI Joe Rise of the Cobra Review
The movie is based on the long time action figure and the 1980’s cartoon, about a special operation unit known as GI JOE. The GI JOE team uses the newest futuristic spy and military equipment to fight the highly advanced crime organization known as Cobra. The GI JOE team must prevent the evil Cobra organization from destroying the world.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: November 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I brought four boys ages 9 to 14. They all thought it was an entertaining movie, they liked it.
Adults may think it’s corny and over the top with some of the futuristic scenes.
There’s an odd inconsistency in that it’s unrealistic in the same way that little boys who play with GI Joe action figures are unrealistic but it’s not geared for little boys -It’s a PG 13 movie with a lot of graphic violence.
When the bad guys blow a hole through the polar ice cap, hoping the ice will destroy the GI Joe submarines below, the ice sinks.(That bothered my husband).
I read some fun facts on-line about the movie:
- G.I. JOE is an acronym for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.
- The term G.I.JOE was a generic term given to the general infantry soldiers of the U.S. Army during WW II.
- Dennis Quaid took the role of General Hawk because his son is a G.I. JOE fan.
- The film-makers enjoyed working with Quaid so much that the screenwriter created 10 to 15 more scenes for him.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear low cut outfits, revealing cleavage.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Younger kids (7 and under) may get scared by the violence and disturbing scenes.
- In a flashback, we see two of the characters as children beating each other up to a pulp, using martial arts.
- In other scenes the characters are shot, sliced, stabbed, poked in the face with needles.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Swearing throughout the film; the a-word, d-word, s-word and b-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- One character takes a pain medication.
Overall it’s an action packed, mindless, entertaining movie with well-known characters. Boys that like action packed movies may enjoy it. For boys ages 8 and up, with parental guidance. My kids said to give it 3 1/2 buckets, my husband said to give it 2 buckets, so I decided to give it 3 buckets.
Footloose Review
It’s been twenty-seven years since we’ve seen Kevin Bacon cut loose, and now in this wonderful remake, we see Kenny Wormald, a rising young star, cut loose with his own style. This is a story about Ren McCormack (Kenny Wormald), who moves from Boston to a small southern town. It’s quite a cultural shock for Ren as he quickly learns that dancing and rock music have been prohibited from the town. It all started a few years prior when a tragic car accident killed five local teenagers after a night of drinking and dancing. Local council member and Reverand Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid), who’s son was driving the car, spearheaded the new laws, which dramatically changed the town. After much frustration, Ren, with some help from his girlfriend Ariel (Julianne Hough), decided to challenge this ban with hopes to revitalize the subdued, lonely town. This is a wonderful remake of the 1984 Footloose classic. It still has the spirit and tone of the original film, with an additional modern day twist!
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 14, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
Ariel (Julianne Hough) is the Reverend’s daughter; it was her brother that was driving the car in the town’s horrific accident. Ariel and Reverend Moore handled the crisis in different ways: Ariel rebels and becomes a wild child, while the Reverend genuinely wants to protect his daughter and the town’s youth. They both mean well, but their relationship is overshadowed by this crisis, which causes conflict and misunderstanding. One reviewer wrote, “Rules without relationships are a recipe for rebellion.” This could spark some good parent/child discussions.
I loved the original film, and I loved the remake as well. However, parents need to know that there are many inappropriate scenes. The film touches on several teenage issues such as; drinking, drugs and sex.
The characters are wonderful; from Ren to Ariel and their friends. Willard (Miles Teller), Ren’s friend was fantastic, in my mind he stole the show. He added some humorous elements to the film, which the audience will love. Of course with Julianne Hough (from Dancing with the Stars), the dancing was amazing. I read that Julianne said, ” A lot of the stuff that I personally did was not choreographed. I just kind of like freestyled my way through it.” The dancing was fun and entertaining, though sometimes a little naughty.
The music is great. There are several songs from the original soundtrack, and there are other popular Footloose songs, they have been slightly changed; with a country modern flare.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Ariel wears tight jeans, short shorts and low cut shirts.
- Ariel engages in many sexual and inappropriate dance moves.
- Ariel dates an older boy, who is a race car driver. After he had won a race, Ariel gets in his car, takes off her shirt, and waves her shirt as he does a victory lap around the track.
- Ariel’s older boyfriend tells her that she’s just an innocent little girl, she then suggestively unbuttons her shirt, and it’s implied that they have sex.
- While in a church, Ariel tells her father that she’s not a virgin.
- When Ariel and her boyfriend break up, he calls her a “hussy,” and “slut.”
- There are many sexual references and suggestive comments throughout the film.
Violent Content: Moderate
- We see the car accident that killed the five teenagers.
- Chuck (Ariel’s boyfriend) challenges Ren to a game of chicken, which involves bus racing on a treacherous course. This was a very dangerous scene, with buses exploding, and a near death experience for the teens.
- Ariel’s break-up with her boyfriend turns violent. Ariel goes after his truck with a crowbar, and he violently hits her.
- Ren and Chuck, with the help of some friends, get into a major brawl with fist fights and beatings.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used a lot. Other words such as “a–,” “h–l,” “b—ch,” and “d–n,” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see high school student’s drinking beer from a keg.
- At an Atlanta dance club, we see several people drinking alcohol.
- Ariel’s boyfriend smokes marijuana.
This is an entertaining, fun movie; a well done remake. However, parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content and issues of teen drinking and drugs. You definitely don’t want your teenagers emulating Ariel, though sweet, she is a rebellious teenager. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for mature teens, parents will be entertained as well.
Fame Review
“Fame” is a remake of the 1980 film. This movie is very similar to the original story in that it follows a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over their 4 years at the NY City High School of Performing Arts, a very competitive school, with students from all walks of life. In addition to viewing all their wonderful artistic skills, the audience sees the students dealing with normal teenage issues such as schoolwork, friendships and romance.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: January 12, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
The movie emphasizes that hard work and dedication lead to success. A lot is expected of the students, they have their music and dancing classes in the morning, and traditional school in the afternoon. I read that one of the actors said:
“There is the realism of what artists go through and the work ethic involved, what it’s like to be rejected, and not giving up afterwards.”
The students are very supportive of one another, while the instructors are very supportive and encouraging as well. The teen audience may pick up on some of the instructor’s valuable lessons to their students. When one of the students refuses to play Bach the way its written for the piano, the professor says, “traditional techniques do not stifle talent, they free it.”
The students are mostly unknown actors, though most of the instructors are played by familiar TV stars, such as Megan Mullaly, Kelsey Grammar.
Debbie Allen, was in the original film as a dance teacher, and she returns as a school principal in this film.
I loved the music, which I think most kids will like, however it was disappointing that the title track “Fame” is not in this movie until the end credits.
Sexual Content: Mild
- A girl flirts with a graduate student to try to get a part in a TV show. He tries to make out with her, and pushes her on the couch.
Violent Content: Mild
- When a student realizes he won’t make it as a dancer, he tries to commit suicide by stepping in front on an oncoming train.
- There are a couple of disturbing parts when some of the students get into trouble because they’re obsessed with fame.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Many characters swear throughout the film. The a-word, d-word, b-word and h-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Students attend parties where there is alcohol.
- One student gets drunk and throws up.
Young viewers in the audience that are passionate about anything, whether it be in the arts, sports or academics, will relate to the dedication and work ethic that the students portray in the film.
Overall it’s an entertaining, fun movie!
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Review
Life was good for Oskar, an eight year old boy living in New York City. Oskar was thought to have Asperger’s Syndrome, but that was okay, because he had his dad, a dad who was his best friend and soul mate. Oskar’s father typically kept his son very busy; he had him on an extravagant scavenger hunt, where he was to find proof of New York City’s sixth borough. His father’s goal was not for Oskar to find this mythical borough, his goal was to encourage his son to explore and interact with people he didn’t know very well; hoping that Oskar would overcome his fears. Then September 11, 2001 came, and Oskar’s father died in the World Trade Center. A year later Oskar,who was still feeling lost and disconnected, came upon a mysterious key left by his father. Once again his search begins, as Oskar tries to track down the lock that matches his father’s mysterious key. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is a very sad, dramatic story about a boy coping with the loss of his father who died on 9/11.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content:None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
As Oskar was searching for the lock, he met many helpful and sympathetic people. It was interesting to see the relationships that he developed on his quest. I especially liked his relationship with an elderly mute man, (known as the “Renter”) who often accompanied him on his journey.
The search to find the lock for his father’s key may seem strange, but with Oskar’s quirky behavior, it made him feel closer to his dad. He had some issues with his mother, wishing she would have died and not his dad, but deep inside he truly loved his mother and needed her.
Thomas Horn, the actor who played Oskar was amazing!!! His parents were played by Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, who had small parts, but were great as well.
The movie seemed a little long and boring in parts. My friend and I weren’t captivated until the last 45 minutes or so.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- We saw many heartbreaking clips from 9/11.
- We saw Oskar’s torso covered with self-inflicted bruises, where he pinched himself too hard.
- Oskar would occasionally lose his temper, he would throw things, tear up his maps and papers, and scream. This may be disturbing to kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The s-word and a-word were used a couple times.
- Oskar and his doorman would insult each other, which sometimes sounding like profane words.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s were shown drinking wine and whiskey.
A film about an autistic boy losing his father on 9/11 would of course be extremely heartbreaking and sad. Depending on the your child, I think the subject matter may be too intense for kids; even some pre-teen and teenagers. I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 16 and up.