Family
Family movie reviews
Prom Review
Are you going to prom? Who are you going to prom with? These are popular questions during the spring season, and the answer varies from student to student. However, they all have one goal in common….they all want to go to prom. In this movie we see several interconnecting stories at a high school in Waverly, MI. The stories range from; the characters organizing the prom, the students deciding where to go to college, the high school friendships and the romance dilemmas, to the prom King and Queen. With each story there’s a little drama and a little fun, however, the stories all revolved around one big event…..PROM!
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: April 29, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild, “h%$l” is said a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points
Prom is a movie you can send your tween to, and feel perfectly comfortable. It is an innocent Disney movie, with tween girls as the target audience. In the movie we see teens of all types; they have some insecurities and fears about leaving their safe life in high school, and approaching independence. In one scene a senior boy was giving a sophomore boy advice about handling certain issues in high school.
One thing I really liked about this movie is that it is set in Michigan, there’s talk of some students attending The University of Michigan, my alma mater….Go Blue!
The characters are very likable. Nova (Aimee Teegarden), is the class president who’s also organizing the prom; she’s a very hard-working, driven girl. Though she falls for Jesse (Thomas McDonell), the “bad boy,” she’s a good girl, and wants to have the perfect prom.
I thought the movie was a little corny and cheesy, and the acting was just okay. However, the kids in the theater seemed to have really liked it, and most importantly, it’s an appropriate movie, which parents will like.
Sexual Content: Mild
• This was a refreshing movie. There were some kissing. While some movies focus on drinking and sex during proms, this movie is more of a fairy tale, focused on romance and friendships.
Violent Content: Mild
• There was a fist fight in one scene.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
• They say h*#l once or twice.
Some comments from girls after the movie:
“I thought is was so cute and funny,” said a 13-year-old girl.
“It was a wonderful fairy tale,” said a 17-year-old girl.
“I liked it, though it was a little corny,” said a 13-year-old girl.
Like I said before, this movie is a little corny, though it’s a cute movie for tween and teenage girls. It highlights what’s important about a prom. It doesn’t matter if you go alone, with your friends or with your true love. Prom is an important part of high school, something you’ll always remember. After all, the boy who I went to prom with, set me up with my husband ten years later, you never know what can happen.
Playing for Keeps Review
In the day George Dryer (Gerard Butler) was a soccer superstar. He was a Scottish player, who played for the Queen, played for his country and even played with David Beckham. George had it all until the dreadful time of his life came; it was time to retire. He could no longer play games for a living, he had to grow up. Things were initially hard for George, he struggled to pay his rent, he struggled to find a job, and he struggled to become a responsible adult. However after moving to Virginia, to spend more time with his 10 year old son, Lewis, things dramatically changed. George became Lewis’ soccer coach; the kids were in awe of his skill and the mom’s were in awe of his looks. Now George had to figure out how to be a responsible dad, and not re-live the glory days of his past.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 5, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
{Spoiler Alert} George was a good guy. Ultimately he cared for his son and ex-wife. He eventually came to realize that his family was the best thing that ever happened to him, not his fame. He learned to take responsibility, and treasured the time with his son and the people he loved.
There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quad, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
George let his son sit on his lap and drive (steer) a borrowed Ferrari.
Even though I liked this movie, and so did the mom’s in the theater, I feel that kids may get a little bored with the subject matter.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- The soccer moms like George, and they definitely show it. One women goes to George’s apartment, puts her arms around him, and pushes him against the window and passionately kisses him.
- Another mom wrapped her leg around George’s waist, gave him a big kiss. That’s all we saw, but it was implied that they did more than smooch.
- A married woman/soccer mom went to George’ home, took off her clothes (down to her bra and panties). George did the right thing and didn’t pursue her.
- One mom said that she fantasizes about George while he is coaching
Violent Content: Mild
- Two men got into a fight. They started out by pushing one another, which turned into a wrestling match.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “Sh–” is said a lot, “a–,” “b–ch,” “h—,” and “d–n,” are said several times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks.
Will Kids Like It? No
- The film has a lot of fun soccer scenes which I’m sure most kids will enjoy, however the film is centered around adult issues which kids may find boring.
Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and profane language. Depending on the child I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. As I previously mentioned, kids may not like this film, but moms will!!
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review
This is the fourth installment of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. In this movie we see Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), once again in desperate need of finding a ship. This time Jack’s quest is to find the Fountain of Youth, however he’s not alone. Rumor has it someone is impersonating him, and gathering a crew to also find the Fountain of Youth. This impersonator happens to be his ex-girlfriend Angelica (Penelope Cruz). She and her evil father, Blackbeard (Ian McShane) along with Jack’s long time rival, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), and even the king of Spain, are all racing to find the magical waters that claim eternal life. They eventually come to realize it’s not as easy as they hoped it would be; they need to find two magical chalices and a single tear from a mermaid before they can complete their mission of finding this mysterious fountain. This is a great adventurous movie for the whole family.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: October 18, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points
There are some new and interesting characters. I thought Penelope Cruz was great as Angelica, but I especially liked Sam Claflin’s character; he played a missionary named Philip. He was a soft-hearted man who tried to find the good in everyone, even the evil Blackbeard.
Through all the action and violence, there’s a religious element to the film. As they’re looking for the Fountain of Youth, one character says, “Only God can grant eternal life.” I think that’s great for kids to hear.
People that liked the first three movies in this series, will like this one as well. I’ve heard many comments that this fourth movie is a little different, and better than the second and third films.
Sexual Content: Mild
• We only see a kiss, however there is sexual tension between Jack and Angelica.
• The mermaids are naked from the waist up, though we don’t see anything because their hair covers them.
Violent Content: Excessive
• There are sword fights, gun shots, and stabbings throughout the movie.
• Mermaids with fangs, attack a group of men on a boat, and drag them into the sea.
• There are scary walking dead zombies.
• Blackbeard has a voodoo doll of Jack Sparrow. He uses it periodically to torture Jack.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
• The h-word, d-word and b-tard word are used, however not a lot.
Overall this is an adventurous, action packed movie. As I previously mentioned, there is a lot of violence, but fine for a PG13 rated movie. Depending on whether your child can handle some of the violent scenes, I recommend this movie for kids ages 11 and up.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightening Thief Review
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightening Thief is based on Rick Riordan’s novel. This is the story about Percy, a trouble-prone high school boy who struggles with learning disabilities. Percy discovers that he’s a descendent of a Greek god, and that his absent father is actually Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. He also learns that his Uncle Zeus’ lightening bolt has been stolen, and that he’s the prime suspect, and his mother’s taken hostage. So now the adventure begins, as Percy and his friends travel cross country to save his mom, and ultimately to catch the real thief.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: June 29, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This movie is another action/fantasy movie, and has been compared to Harry Potter. However, director Chris Columbus, who also directed Harry Potter 1 and 2, said, “Harry Potter deals with wizards and witchcraft, and it’s set at Hogwarts in England. Percy Jackson is a New York kid dealing with gods and monsters of Greek mythology, but in modern-day America. They are two completely different worlds.”
I also read that the director said he wanted a movie that’s “appreciated on two levels: a wild ride for kids 7 to 16, and for older kids and their parents, a movie that would make them feel 12 years old again.”
I loved Percy’s relationship with his mom. Throughout the whole movie he tries to protect her.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Innocent flirting.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are many violent, action scenes which may scare some kids:
- There are a lot of sword fights, with many bloody cuts. There are also monster attacks.
- The scene with Medusa is creepy. Percy slashes Medusa’s head off, then his friend picks it up, and carries it around.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
I interviewed many kids that liked it. Two 13 year old boys said, they liked the book better, but still enjoyed the movie. A nine year old girl said she liked it, but got a little scared.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. It was a fun, action/fantasy movie that the whole family will love. I recommend it for kids ages 8 and up, that enjoy action/fantasy movies. I give it 4 buckets.
New Year’s Eve Review
New Year’s Eve follows the intertwining story lines of several characters over the course of one day…New Year’s Eve. Throughout the movie viewers are introduced to a number a different characters, all played by famous actors, and their various New Year’s Day circumstances. The film highlights the positive aspects of the new year; with hope, love and forgiveness as its central theme. Whether you’re on a date or out with friends, this is a fun, light hearted movie, with wonderful messages to start the new year out right!
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 1, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I loved the different story lines and relationships in the film. From the terminally ill elderly man, who wanted to see the ball drop with his daughter, to the teenage girl who hoped to get a New Year’s kiss at Times Square; all the stories were filled with hope and anticipation for upcoming year.
New Year’s Eve is very similar to last year’s holiday-themed film, Valentine’s Day, with Garry Marshall directing both films. However, this movie is a lot cleaner, and much more appropriate.
There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Hilary Swank, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, and Jon Bon Jovi.
Sexual Content: Mild
There are some some mild sexual references:
- Immediately following a wedding, the newlyweds say their casual sex days are over.
- Two women flirt with a guy at a party. One says she wants to be the women from behind him, while the other says she wants to be the women in front.
- A character comments on her “years of make-up sex,” with her boyfriend.
Women wear tight dresses with cleavage.
Many characters kiss, of course on New Year’s Eve.
Violent Content: Mild
- One character is nearly hit by a car, while another character drives off the road and damages his car.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
The a-word, h-word and b-word are each used several times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Characters are shown drinking at parties and bars.
I brought three girlfriends to this film; it was a great way to spend the afternoon. As I previously mentioned the movie has some wonderful themes of hope, love and forgiveness which were portrayed throughout the film. New Year’s Eve is a PG13 movie that parents can feel comfortable sending their pre-teens and teenagers to this holiday season.