Drama
Drama movie reviews
The Amazing Spider Man Review
“Poor Peter Parker,” that’s what villain Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) says as he attempts to kill Peter, also known as Spider-Man! This is the story about Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), a troubled teenager who was abandoned by his parents, and raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). When Peter finds his father’s mysterious briefcase, he discovers the secrets of his father’s bizarre past and he begins to understand his parents’ disappearance. Information in the briefcase leads him to the lab of Dr. Connor’s, his father’s former partner, which leads him to one life-changing bite…a spider bite. The transformation begins as Peter Parker turns into Spider-Man! The Amazing Spider-Man is a suspenseful action/adventure movie, one that pre-teens and up will enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 9, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Not only is this an action packed movie, but there are some wonderful life lessons for teenagers woven through the film. When Peter plays a heartwarming voicemail from his uncle, Uncle Ben states, “With great power comes a great responsibility.” Ben insists that his nephew is a hero; he also says that we all have certain gifts, and to use them wisely.
When Peter forgets to pick up his Aunt from work, Uncle Ben demands an apology, and insists that Peter show respect to his Aunt May. Uncle Ben also gives Peter many well-deserved lectures when he acts up. This could spark some great parent/child conversations!
It was nice to see Peter’s transformation from a troubled teenager, to a caring helpful person; wanting to do the right thing. There was a great scene when Spider-Man rescued a little boy trapped in a car.
Peter promises his girlfriend’s father that he’ll stay away from her, however later he implies that he won’t keep that promise.
Young kids may get scared as the villain is a creepy monster; half-human, half-reptile.
Two likeable character’s die, which may be disturbing to kids.
The beginning is a little slow as the film explains the origin of Spider-Man; my 14 year-old got a little bored.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Peter and his girlfriend kiss several times; sometime passionately.
- Peter sneaks into his girlfriend’s bedroom.
- Spider-Man accidentally rips off a girl’s shirt, she’s shown only wearing a bra.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Dr. Connor’s transforms into a lizard, a very painful process, which was disturbing to see.
- There are several fights amongst teenagers; especially with the school bully.
- There are several gunshots and fights amongst the evil Lizard, Spider-Man and thugs on the street.
- We see character’s bleeding from gun shots, we also see open wounds as a result of brutal fights.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” “d–n,” and “h–,” are said, though not a lot.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It: Yes
Overall this is a fun action packed film with some great lessons. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and some disturbing content as two character’s die. Depending on the child this film is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.
Abuction Review
Abduction is a a story centered around the life of Nathan (Taylor Lautner), a teenage boy who is determined to figure out the truth about this life after finding his baby picture listed on a missing persons website. Through a lot of suspense and action, Nathan and his neighborhood friend Karen, eventually realize that there’s a lot more to this than they had ever anticipated.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: September 23, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content:Moderate
Violent Content:Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, plus Moneyball!
Talking Points:
Nathan might not be the best role model for teenage boys, but he is a nice guy, who cares about his family, and will do anything to protect his friend Karen.
This film may attract tween girls; the big fans of Taylor Lautner and Twilight fans. However in this movie Lautner gets drunk and beats people up, he’s definitely not Twilight’s Jacob, who the girls really want to see.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Nathan and Karen have some passionate kisses, and there’s some touching going on as well.
- Teenage girls wear low-cut outfits, and skimpy bikinis.
- There’s a joke about virginity.
Violent Content: Excessive
- When the killers invade Nathan’s home, they shoot his parents, right in front of Nathan…this may be very disturbing for kids.
- There are viscous fights, gunshots and explosions.
- Karen is hit, tied up and threatened by the bad guys.
- We see flashbacks of Nathan’s birth mother being killed, with Nathan watching as a young child…once again, this is disturbing for kids to see.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word is used once, other swear words are used throughout the film, such as; “a–,” “b–ch,” and “d–n.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- When we initially meet Nathan, he’s on his way to a party to get drunk; Nathan ends up passing out on his friend’s lawn.
Overall I was not a big fan of this film. I didn’t like the violence and disturbing content, and I definitely do not recommend this for the tween girls that are really only there to see their favorite werewolf (Twilight’s Jacob)! Mature teens that are not sensitive to violence, may like the suspense and action of this film.
Alice In Wonderland Review
“Alice in Wonderland” is based on the 1865 children’s classic. This is a story about a 19 year old Alice, and her adventures as she follows a white rabbit down a hole into her imaginative “Wonderland.” She encounters many unusual characters, the Mad Hatter, disappearing cats, and the evil Red Queen, she also faces many of her own wild and weird adventures while in the Underland.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: June 1, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It was a very creative, quirky, dark movie, like most of Tim Burton’s films. In this wild wonderland, certain drinks make you shrink, while certain foods make you grow. Kids will enjoy some of the creativity from this film.
Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter do a terrific job. The 3D aspect was well done, not over the top, but added depth and excitement to the movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
- Since this is a dark film, with scary creatures, and some evil characters, younger kids may get frightened.
- One large scary creature scratches his claws on Alice’s arm, this leaves red wounds on her arm that we see throughout the movie.
- There’s also another scary creature that Alice has to battle. This creature will scare any youngster, as he tries to bite and crush Alice in the movie.
- The Red Queen is very evil. She gives out numerous death sentences, and we see many heads floating in her moat.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Overall this is dark film that will frighten younger kids. Depending on the child, I would recommend this movie for kids ages 8 and up. I interviewed an 8 year old girl after the movie, she liked it, thought some parts were scary, but not too bad.
A Christmas Carol Review
“ A Christmas Carol” is based on Charles Dickens classic novel. This movie is an animated version of the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits with the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It’s a wonderful classic story that everyone should see. This animated 3D movie will attract younger viewers. There are many good lessons to learn from this Christmas story.
While scrooge is on his journey with the Christmas spirits, he is reminded of all the wonderful people who were once in his life, and who he shunned. He learns to appreciate life, and realizes his evil ways.
A good lesson for kids, not to idolize wealth and material things.
While most people hate and fear Scrooge, his underpaid employee and his nephew are loyal and forgiving, and always ready to welcome Scrooge into their lives.
Jim Carrey is amazing. He plays several parts; Scrooge, Christmases past, present and future.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear skimpy outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- While this is a wonderful Christmas story, there is a certain intensity, like the book, that may frighten children. One example would be when a spirit comes to visit Scrooge, he comes crashing into Scrooges bedroom carrying ghostly weights and chains. When he leaves, Scrooge looks out his window and sees dozens of spirits being tortured.
- When Scrooge it trying to escape the Specter of Death, and his hearse, Scrooge falls into a very deep open grave, this may also be disturbing to young viewers.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine
Overall this is a story about redemption that is a reminder for kids to help others, and to be a kind loving person. Because of the frightening scenes, I would recommend this for kids ages 8 and up. I give it 4 buckets.
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Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) changed the game of baseball forever! It started in 1945 when he wanted to end segregation on the baseball field. He was determined to recruit MLB’s first black player, and he did. In 1947 Rickey found his man; a man from the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs, a man who was an amazing athlete…a man named Jackie Robinson. Continue reading