Drama
Drama movie reviews
The Express Review
Ernie had wonderful qualities: Not only an amazing athlete, he was a kind, honest, gentle man. He was modest, hardworking, and team-oriented. A very good role model!
He was humble, never affected by the media attention and fame.
His coach, Ben Schwartzwalder, focus was on winning, he was an old-school, tough football coach. Ben taught Ernie everything he knew about football, and Ernie taught him some valuable life lessons.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: January 20, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Based on a true story about the extraordinary life of college football hero, Ernie Davis. (Played for Syracuse). In 1961, he became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. This was a time of racial tensions, segregation set in the background of the growing civil rights movement.
Talking Points:
Quotes:
Ernie said, “I want to be the best running back, not the best black running back. He didn’t want to be labeled.
“Football is just a game, what matters most is what you play for.” Ernie said this at the beginning of the movie, and it was reiterated by the coach at the end.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Ernie unbuttons his girlfriends shirt. ( See her bra)
Violent Content: Moderate
- In the Cotton Bowl, just before halftime there was a bench clearing fight. Fans were throwing trash at Ernie. After tackling Ernie, the players from Texas started punching him, refs never called a penalty.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- “S–t,” “a–,” “h–” and “d–n,” are used a lot throughout the movie. The n-word is used as well.
- Some locker room talk.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Ernie’s teammates drink beer
The movie will generate some good parent-child discussions. It was not only a great football movie, but it was fun, entertaining, also very emotional and educational. The kids saw the injustice of segregation and we discussed that issue.
Eclipse Review
Twihards will not be disappointed in this third movie of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. In this movie Bella is once again surrounded by danger, as the vengeful vampire Victoria gathers an army of “newborn vampires” to seek revenge against the Edward Cullen. Throughout all the violence and suspense, Bella must decide between the handsome vampire, Edward Cullen, and her best friend and werewolf, Jacob Black.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: December 4, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Wether you’re in the Edward or Jacob camp, both characters are great. Jacob had a lot of one liners, and added some humor to the movie, while Edward was an old fashioned romantic, and just looked handsome.
This movie has something for everyone; humor, action and of course romance. There are more action-oriented scenes in this movie, than the previous ones. We are introduced to the “newborn vampires” which are more violent and difficult to control, this caused a lot of intense scenes.
I thought it was cute and entertaining when Bella’s dad tried to give her “the talk.” I also liked Edward’s “old school” approach to not having sex before marriage. This was refreshing to see.
The flashbacks were well done, as we saw how the Cullens became vampires, and we learned about the werewolves history.
Like I said before, I think that most Twihards will love this movie. People not familiar with, or those who haven’t seen “Twilight”, or “New Moon”, will not understand and may not like this movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- I thought that the movie was appropriately rated; PG13. Some things parents may want to know:
- There were passionate kisses throughout the movie.
- Bella wanted to have a romantic evening with Edward, but he wanted to wait until they got married.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were some intense and violent scenes amongst the vampires and werewolves.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
This was a fun, dramatic, entertaining movie, great for pre-teen girls and up. I’ve read all the Twilight books, I’m in the Edward camp, and I am a Twihard, so my five out of five bucket rating, may not surprise anyone. I give it five buckets.
Delgo Review
The movie is an animated fantasy adventure about a teenager, named Delgo, who is from a very friendly, prosperous and peaceful civilization. Then a more war-like civilization attempts to take over and wipe out the Lockni people. So Delgo and his friends try to protect their world.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: August 4, 2009
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:
The leader of his peaceful civilization tells Delgo that, “ people cannot change the past, but they can choose what they learn from it.”
“Where one learns vengeance, another learns mercy.”
Through Delgo’s relationship with Kyla(war-like people), the 2 groups of people learn to appreciate each other, and work together. It has a Romeo and Juliet aspect to it.
Plot is somewhat involved for young kids, and very BORING.
I read that,“Delgo’s” computer imaging took more than 6 years to complete. The visuals are colorful and detailed, but not fantastic.
The only redeeming quality of the movie is that if offers a pleasant message of peace and racial equality.
Conflict can be resolved when people forgive and work together.
Good triumphs over evil.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two characters hold hands and kiss once.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Delgo’s parents are murdered.
- The villain breaks in to someone’s house and uses a glowing green gas to poison the family.
- Many characters are kicked, punched and knocked down.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “idiot,” “fool,” “pansy” and “wuss” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine in one scene.
While the movie might spark a good family conversation, there are better movies that cover that subject. Overall it’s a boring ,dull movie with a lot of violence.
Dear John Review
“Dear John” is based on a Nicholas Sparks’ novel. This is a love story about John (Channing Tatum), a young soldier, and his long distance romance with Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a dedicated college girl. They met in the late 1990‘s on a South Carolina beach when John was on a two week leave, and Savannah was on spring break. After 2 wonderful weeks together, the smitten couple had to part ways, as Savannah went back to college, and John went back to combat. Knowing they’re going to be apart for twelve long months, they promise to write letters and keep in touch, with the plan to eventually get married. Then September 11, 2001 occurred, and that changed their plan. With John’s loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his country, he reenlists in the Army, hoping to continue his long distance romance with Savannah.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 25, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This movie portrayed the difficulties of a long distance love affair, especially one with a soldier at war. Over the course of seven years the couple stayed in touch through their letters, but rarely met in person.
Savannah is a loving, nurturing girl with wonderful qualities that teens may admire. She doesn’t drink or smoke. She has a special relationship with her life long friend’s autistic son, and dreams of someday working with children who have special needs. She also teaches John how to be patient, and care for his dad who struggles socially and emotionally.
John is also a wonderful character. He loved Savannah deeply and would do anything for her. Though, in the countries time of crisis, the call of duty came first, he couldn’t abandon his country or fellow soldiers.
Sexual Content: Mild
The PG13 rating is appropriate. John and Savannah have many passionate kisses, and the movie shows them undressing each other, as they eventually have sex. This is tastefully done, with the viewers only seeing them kissing passionately in bed.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are a few violent war scenes, and TV coverage of 9/11 is briefly shown.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Some swear words used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters drinking, though not much!
I would recommend this movie for teenage girls, it’s also a great date movie. Because of the subject matter, I don’t think tweens would enjoy it. My 13 year old daughter, and many of her friends saw it. They all loved it, but cried throughout the movie. When I asked the girls how many buckets I should give it, one girl replied, “seven”.
The Dark Knight Rises Review
A hero turned into a fugitive, that’s how we last saw Bruce Wayne/Batman eight years ago in The Dark Knight. At the end of the previous film Batman had taken the blame of the death of D.A. Harvey Denton and the crimes the D.A. had committed. Batman ultimately wanted the people of Gotham to be inspired by their D.A’s example of hope and heroism; a true selfless act. Now in The Dark Knight Rises Bruce Wayne/Batman comes out of his self-imposed exile and has another dangerous mission to accomplish. With the arrival of a ruthless masked terrorist named Bane (Tom Hardy), Bruce Wayne must put on his mask and cape and save Gotham City from the evil villain. The Dark Knight Rises is a very dark, violent, action packed movie, however it does have some wonderful lessons woven throughout the film.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 4, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content:Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Amongst the violence and gore, the film has a message of hope and humility. Bruce Wayne/Batman wanted to save the people of Gotham; he sacrificed his life in hoping to do so. He didn’t want any recognition or glory; he hid under his mask and cape, while saving lives. Batman never gave up, he did what he had to do, and did the right thing. Batman’s good, humble deeds could spark some great parent/child conversations.
The main theme of the film is good vs. evil. The villain is a cruel evil man, while Batman is a good helpful person.
Batman came from a wealthy family, though he was grounded and realized what was truly important in life… not the material things.
This was a very suspenseful film, I was at the edge of my seat, not knowing what was going to happen.
There are flashbacks and references to Harvey Dent from the previous movie. For people that have not seen Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, they might be a little confused.
There is an all-star cast to name a few; Tom Hardy, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway.
This is NOT a movie for young children. Kids tend to admire the Batman character, and some even like to dress up as Batman; however this is not a movie for young kids. Depending on the child, I would say it’s appropriate for teenagers and up, however they may not understand the underlying messages.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see two character’s passionately kiss; in the next scene they’re shown lying in bed. It’s implied they’ve had a sexual encounter.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are gun shots fired throughout the whole film.
- Several character’s are punched and brutally beaten.
- Bane, the evil terrorist, ruthlessly killed hundreds of people. It was very disturbing when he grabbed another character by the throat and choked him to death.
- We see Bruce Wayne/Batman suffer as he was brutally beaten by Bane, this was another disturbing scene.
- We see injured characters, bloody with open wounds.
- Bane is an awful, cruel character, he wears a mask which covers his mouth, and has a creepy voice.
- Bane destroys a football stadium with thousands of people in it.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says to another character, ” you dumb b–ch.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall this is a suspenseful, action packed movie. Parents need to be aware of the violent, dark and disturbing scenes. As I previously mentioned, depending on the child, I would say this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.