Family
Family movie reviews
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Review
Most teenagers feel that they can do things on their own, without their parents help or wisdom. That’s how Sean Anderson,(Josh Hutcherson) felt. He claimed that he could take care of himself; and he especially didn’t want any advice from his step-father (Dwayne Johnson). However, things changed the day Sean received a coded signal from a mysterious island. Since his step-father was once in the Navy, Sean realized that he might need his help after all. So Sean and his step-father decoded the secret message, and discovered that the note was from Sean’s long-lost Grandpa (Michael Caine). So now Sean, his step-father, a helicopter pilot, and the pilot’s beautiful daughter (Vanessa Hudgens) ventured out to find the mysterious island; and that’s when the excitement begins. A sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, is an action/adventure, sci-fi movie, with some great messages for kids!
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 5, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group:8+
Sexual Content:Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of The Vow!
Talking Points:
Initially Sean wanted nothing to do with his step-father, however they gradually developed a special relationship,which was nice to see. Hank (the step-father), gave some great parenting tips on making wise choices, and he even gave some advice about girls.
When researching the island, Sean and his step-father got clues from classic novels. Great for kids to see!
Kailani,(Vanessa Hudgens) the helicopter owner’s teenage daughter was very close with her father. She frequently expressed her love for him, and appreciated his protection and care. Great parent/child conversation.
I felt the movie was a little corny and unrealistic, though kids may feel differently.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Kailani wore a low-cut tank top and short shorts.
- Sean and Kailani briefly kissed.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are many chase scenes with giant lizards, huge birds and an electric eel. This may scare young kids.
- We also saw an enormous spider, which was scary looking, however not threatening.
- When the island started to sink, volcanoes erupted, the land shook, and things got very chaotic.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Characters say, “heck” and “crap.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a film for the whole family. Younger kids may get a little scared in parts, though most likely they’ll be be entertained, especially with some parental comfort. Depending on your child, I recommend this film for kids ages 8 and up.
Imagine That Review
Evan, played by Eddie Murphy, is a financial executive who barely has time for his 7 year old daughter,Olivia, because he’s a workaholic, and focuses more on his computer, blackberry and business phone calls. When he’s faced with a challenge at work, he finds solutions to his problem in his daughters imaginary world. Olivia’s pretend friends come up with advice on which stocks her dad should buy and sell, and they’re always right. Evan eventually learns to loosen up at home, and has fun with his daughter, and her imaginary friends. He and his daughter end up developing a wonderful relationship.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: October 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I love the father-daughter relationship. Initially, Evan is a self-absorbed business man. He’s even upset with his estranged wife when he has to watch his daughter (Olivia) for a week. Eventually he realizes that Olivia matters more than his career, and at the end of the movie he’s even willing to sacrifice his career for a healthy relationship with his daughter.
There’s real warmth in the father-daughter scenes. Evan sings and dances with his daughter, and it’s really cute when he teaches her how to sing “All You Need Is Love.”
When Olivia develops a strong emotional bond with her father, she’s ready to throw out her security blanket(Goo-Gaa), and say goodbye to her imaginary friends.
Younger kids may get confused with Evan’s career problems and his relationship with his office competitor. It’s also very predicable, but the story is so charming and cute it doesn’t matter how predicable it is.
Sexual Content: Mild
- One character wears a form-fitting outfit.
Violent Content: Mild
- Slap stick silly violence. Children throw balls at Evan.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- H-word and “idiot” are used. Adults say, “crap” and “big ol butt.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink beer.
I interviewed kids ages 6 to 12 that all really liked it a lot. They liked Olivia.
Overall it’s a feel good, family friendly movie, with a sweet message about the importance of family. The movie stresses that work and a career are important, but spending quality time with your kids and spouse, are what matters most. I give it 4 buckets.
I Don’t Know How She Does It Review
I Don’t Know How She Does It is a film centered around the life Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker). Kate is a very successful finance executive, happily married to Richard, (Greg Kinnear) and she has two wonderful children, (ages two and five). Sounds like she has it all together, right? Well, not really. In the film we see many of Kate’s successes and failures, however she eventually comes to realize that she can’t do it all, and that somethings got to give. This film, based on a novel, is a wonderful story with some good moral lessons about the importance of family; and knowing what’s truly important in life.
Rating: Four out of five buckets.
Release Date: January 3, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I really enjoyed this film and the messages portrayed throughout the story. Kate was an intelligent successful woman, though things at home were being neglected; after all she is only human. Though she loved her job, she loved her family more. In one scene Kate told her husband, “Me without that job isn’t me. But me without you and the kids…is nothing!”
Kids may not be able to relate to this film, however mom’s will. When Kate missed her son’s first haircut, you could feel her pain. Whether it’s a first haircut, first step, or first words, we want to be apart of it!
This movie won’t be up for an Oscar, or win any awards, though it does have an all-star cast, to name a few; Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Kelsey Grammer.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We see Kate jump out of bed, only wearing a slip.
- There are many sexual references regarding affairs, oral sex and orgasms.
- Kate’s assistant gets pregnant and she’s not married. Kate tells here assistant, “parenting is most rewarding enriching experience one could ever have.”
Violent Content: Mild
- Kate’s son falls down the stairs, ends up going to the hospital.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used several times, also the h-word, a -word and d-word are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and beer, one character orders a martini at dinner.
The subject matter may not interest many kids, though I think teenage girls, especially those who like Sarah Jessica Parker, will enjoy the film. As a mom of three, I absolutely loved it, I laughed and cried, it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon at the movies! I recommend this film for teenage girls, and moms!!!
How to Train Your Dragon Review
This is a heartwarming, animated story about a Viking teenage boy named Hiccup. He is a softhearted, sweet boy, who doesn’t fit in with his tribes tradition of killing dragons. When Hiccup encounters a dragon, instead of killing the dragon, which he was supposed to do, he develops a loving relationship with him. While bonding with the dragon, he names him Toothless, and does everything he can to try and stop his father, and their tribe, of slaying this dragon and all the other dragons.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 15, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
The relationship between Hiccup (the boy) and Toothless (the dragon), is similar to a boy and his dog. While Hiccup is feeling insecure, lonely and rejected, because he’s not like all the other Vikings. Toothless is always there for him; being a very loyal companion and friend. Toothless even risks his life for Hiccup. I couldn’t wait to get home and cuddle with my dog.
The movie could bring up some good parent-child discussions. Hiccup’s dad, the leader of the tribe, is a very big, strong, tough, leader; he wishes his son was more like him and the other Vikings. Though he loves his son very much, he has a hard time relating to him. Hiccup has a hard time communicating with his dad as well. Initially, Hiccup doesn’t tell his dad about Toothless, he even considers running away. In the end they both realize their mistakes, and learn to appreciate and accept each other for who they are.
He has a charming relationship with Astrid( America Ferrera), his “girl buddy,” who later becomes his girlfriend. Initially, she’s the only one that knows about Hiccup’s relationship with Toothless.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Innocent flirting.
Violent Content: Moderate
- A main concern for many parents with younger children, (4 and under), are the intense battle scenes. At the end of the movie there is a massive battle involving a very large, scary dragon. This may scare younger kids, as it did in the theater.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
When I interviewed people in the audience, some comments were:
A dad said, “The trailer was deceiving, it seemed more comedic, but this was intense, especially for my 4 year old.”
A mom said, “ I liked the message of communicating and not fighting.”
Overall this is a wonderful animated movie. It’s suspenseful, but yet sweet and endearing as well. I recommend this for kids ages 5 and up. I give 5 out of 5 buckets.
Hotel Transylvania Review
It’s hard for a father to let his little girl go out into the world and start her own life. Dracula (voice of Adam Sandler) had an especially hard time with that; you’d think by the time his daughter turned 118 years old he’d let her go, but that wasn’t the case. It all started after his wife past away and Dracula realized that he was the sole parent of his beautiful baby girl, Mavis (voice of Selena Gomez). He was going to protect her no matter what it took; though he became a little bit too protective. Dracula believed that all humans were evil, so he turned his castle into a high end resort for monsters, hidden away from all humans, which kept his daughter safe and secluded. However, things dramatically changed when a young man discovered the posh resort, and fell madly in love with Dracula’s daughter. Dracula desperately tried to keep the young man away from his little girl, which wasn’t an easy task. Hotel Transylvania is wonderful, hilarious, heartfelt film for the whole family.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 29, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
I loved this movie! It’s about parents loving their kids unconditionally and wanting them to have a content life with no difficulties or worries. Dracula eventually came to realize that children need to discover things for themselves and face their own trials that life brings. Dracula said to his daughter, “the worst thing is seeing you unhappy.”
Johnny, the boy who fell in love with Mavis (Dracula’s daughter), respected Dracula and his wishes. This was hard at times because he was so in love with Mavis and wanted to be with her.
The film is very funny and sweet,though also sad in parts. Dracula’s wife died when Mavis was a baby. She left Mavis a note which described the value of love, and that it only happens once in a lifetime.
There was some potty humor as one of the monster’s continuously passed gas; one even urinated on the furniture. Kids in the theater thought that was funny.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mavis and Johnny kiss.
- We see a pair of bees in bed on their honeymoon.
Violent Content: Mild
- Dracula tried to keep Johnny and Mavis apart, which caused some chaos throughout the film.
- When we hear the story of Mavis’ mom’s death, we see a burning building with men and women holding torches. As I previously mentioned, Dracula and the other monsters felt that humans were evil. They eventually came to realize that wasn’t true.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was an entertaining, humorous film, one that parents don’t need to worry about their kids seeing. You can sit back and enjoy the show…you may even shed a tear.