Family
Family movie reviews
Hugo Review
Set in the Thirties, Hugo is centered around the life of a young orphan, Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield). Hugo lives in a Paris train station and looks after the clocks there for his uncle. His life dramatically changes when he meets Isabele (Chloe Grace Moretz), and her Godfather, Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley), a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station. Together Hugo and Isabel work through the mystery of her Godfather’s life, which Hugo initiated by attempting to repair a mechanical man he received from his deceased father. Hugo is based on Brian Selznick’s childrens novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret! It’s a well done, amazing film, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 28, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus a review of THE MUPPETS!
Talking Points:
Most third or fourth grade students have read the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The kids in the theater that I interviewed liked the fact that they read the book, and then saw the movie. They also said the movie was true to the book.
Isabele, Hugo’s friend, loves to read. The two characters discuss different books they’ve read; they also frequent their local library…a good thing for young viewers to see, and expose them to great literature that’s mentioned in the film.
Spoiler: The movie is not only suspenseful, but also very interesting. It was intriguing to learn how movies were first made. Isabele’s Godfather was one of the most important pioneers of early cinema. Being the movie buff that I am, I found this to be fascinating and many kids will too.
There are good lessons throughout the film as well. Isabele and Hugo talk about their purpose in life; they say, “If you lose your purpose in life it’s like you’re broken.” Hugo was comparing humans to machines, saying that even parts of a machine have a purpose.
For the most part Hugo and Isabele are good kids, though they do some sneaky things. The two characters break into a closed movie theater, and watch a movie. Isabele was worried they’d get into trouble; Hugo replies, “That’s how you know it’s an adventure.” Hmm…this could spark a conversation of what not to do!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Couples flirt innocently, it’s very sweet.
- Sexual references; a police officer’s wife is pregnant, he’s not sure who the father is. This is mentioned several times in the film.
Violent Content: Moderate
- The train inspector is a very mean, cruel man. He abuses orphans, grabbing them off the streets and putting them in cages. He also has a viscous dog who chases the kids as well.
- Hugo lives alone in the train station. It’s a little creepy sometimes; especially when he has bad dreams. This may scare some kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The guard talked forcefully to Hugo; but I don’t recall any swear words mentioned.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Hugo’s uncle is an alcoholic.
I absolutely loved this movie; having said that, it’s 2 hours and 7 minutes long; and it may be a little slow moving for kids. There are parts that may frighten young kids as well. I recommend this film for mature children ages 8 and up.
Here Comes the Boom Review
Back in “the day,” Scott Voss (Kevin James) was a great collegiate wrestler; he was in good shape and was known to have some impressive wrestling moves. Now Scott is a 42 year old high-school biology teacher, who was losing his enthusiasm to teach; teaching was becoming mundane and boring, not like it used to be. However things dramatically changed after a school faculty meeting; they announced that Wilkinson High will be eliminating all extracurricular activities, due to budget cuts. Scott was devastated because Marty, his best friend and the school’s music teacher, was going to lose his job. Scott had a new goal; he needed to raise $48.000 to save the music department and his friend’s job. So what does he do?…he gets in shape, gets back in the rink, and takes a series of beatings to help his friend and his students. Here Comes the Boom, is a fun entertaining film for the whole family.
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 4, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
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Talking Points:
This is an upbeat film, with some great lessons. Scott’s motives were completely selfless. Though unrealistic, it didn’t matter, the messages were made clear throughout the film.
I loved the school spirit and positive tone of the film. Scott becomes an inspiration to his students and colleagues; he has a heart of gold, and won’t give up to help his friend.
In one scene, Scott threw up all over an opponent, not a pleasant site.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Scott and the school nurse go on a date. They eventually kiss.
Violent Content: Moderate
- The fight scenes were very violent and graphic. Scott gets kicked, hit, choked and thrown by his opponents. At times it was a disturbing to see the continuous punches to Scott’s face.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” “h–,” are said a couple of times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking beer and wine.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was a great movie with some wonderful messages. However, parents need to be aware of the gruesome fighting scenes. I recommend this movie for kids ages 8 and up.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Review
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is the second movie of the series, based on the best-selling illustrated novels by Jeff Kinney. Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) is now in seventh grade, he’s no longer the wimpy sixth grader. However, his confidence is brought down very quickly by his older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick), who jumps at the chance to harass his little brother. Meanwhile, their parents (especially the mother) desperately want the two boys to be friends, and get along; they even go out-of-town for the weekend, leaving Greg and Rodrick alone so they can have a “bonding” weekend with each other. There are many comedic and entertaining parts to this movie, one for the whole family to enjoy.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: March 25, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
I am a huge fan of this series, they are not only fun movies, but the books are entertaining too, and may encourage young kids to read!
It is Rowley (Robert Capron), Greg’s overweight best friend, who serves as the obedient, moral boy in the movie. There’s a great contrast between the two boys. Rowley always tries to do the right thing, despite what people think of him, and things usually work out well for him. Greg makes his decisions based on what’s going to be popular, which almost never works out for him.
The two boys visit their grandpa in a retirement home. Even though they are bored, it’s cute to see the grandfather/grandson interaction, and shows the importance of family.
Some parents may feel uncomfortable with this movie. The two boys do some inappropriate things; they lie and manipulate their parents, they have a party when they were instructed not to, and Rodrick pulls some mean pranks on his younger brother. However, this could spark some great parent/child conversations; of what NOT to do.
Here are Rodrick’s Rules: They may be funny to your children, however, they’re rules that you won’t want your children to follow!
• Rule #1: “Don’t be good at something you don’t want to do.”
• Rule #2: “Always lower mom and dad’s expectations.”
• Rule #3: “Never do something when someone else can do it for you.”
Sexual Content: Mild
• Nothing for parents to be concerned about.
Violent Content: Moderate
• Rawley sits on a small ball filled with toothpicks. Though this hurt him, it was a funny scene.
• There are a few mild arguments amongst the two brothers, but nothing for parents to be too concerned about.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
• Words such as “jerk” “butt-brain” and “doofus” are used.
I interviewed parents and children after the movie, some comments were:
“I liked the fake vomit,” said a 9-year old boy.
“I liked the part with the chocolate on Greg’s pants,” said a 10-year old boy.
“It was a fun and entertaining movie,” said a mom.
As I previously mentioned I loved this movie. The film portrays the reality of every family; whether it’s trying fit in at the middle school or being a rebellious teenager trying to figure out life. We all have our issues, but as parents, we want nothing more than our children to be happy, have good morals, and treat each other with respect! That’s ultimately what Greg and Rodrick’s parents wanted from their children.
Bedtime Stories Review
Bedtime Stories is a family comedy about a hotel handy man (Skeeter) whose life changes when the outrages bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to come true. His niece and nephew unknowingly have the power to make the stories become real.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 7, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
His clever and creative storytelling is portrayed as a fun and relaxing family activity, which may inspire viewers to do the same thing.
I read that when Adam Sandler was asked about the film he said, “I wanted to make sure I made one movie in my career that mothers hug me for.”
Though Skeeters storytelling may be self-absorbed, he is a devoted and loyal uncle who loves his niece and nephew. His love and dedication is shown throughout the movie, as the children are going through a hard time with their parents divorce.
His storytelling highlights greed. He tells stories to get what he wants, (A Ferrari, and a million dollars),
Sexual Content: Mild
- There are some sexual references. Skeeter comments on a girls reputation, saying that she is hot and that she likes to have a good time.
- In real life and his stories, Skeeter tries to kiss several women, and he says he’s a great kisser. Eventually, he actually does kiss a character.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are some violent scenes in a few of Skeeter’s bedtime stories. There are battle scenes, and laser beams are used in some of his stories.
- Skeeter steals a motorcycle as a way to rapidly get to a crime scene.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “stupid,” and “weird,”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink alcohol. Skeeter mentions drinking in his “bedtime stories.”
Overall, it’s a fun, heart warming, unassuming movie that the whole family will enjoy.
My kids ages 9, 11 and 12 loved it too.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua Review
It’s about a very pampered, well-to-do, Chihuahua named Chloe, who lives in Beverly Hills. While Chloe’s on vacation in Mexico (with her equally snobby dog-sitter), Chloe gets lost. The movie shows her adventures in Mexico, and how she’s trying to get back home to her luxurious life in Beverely Hills.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The film was funny: Chloe goes to the spa,dogs on tread mill, seaweed wrap
diamond collar and designer clothes and boots.
Dog owners can relate to the silly things in the movie.
Funny Line:
Papi- Her neighbor dog, (who is in love with Chloe), searches for her in Mexico. The Mexican police say they don’t need Papi’s help. Papi says, “We’re Mexi-can not can’t.”
Movie Entertains adults and engages kids right from the beginning of the movie.
My 12 year old daughter and friend thought it was really corny. (The dramatic dog scenes in the middle of the movie.)
Sexual Content: Mild
- Girls wear bikinis. One man is very suggestive to Rachel, wanting more than just a dance.
- Songs such as: “I”m too Sexy,”” Whomp,” and “Hot, Hot, Hot,” play as background music.
Violent Content: Mild
- May be a little scary for younger kids. A mean Mexican dogcatcher who wants to capture Chloe could scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- There is some mild name calling such as, “fool.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- In a restaurant scene, there are many champagne glasses that are shown.
- One of the dogs is named Whiskey.
Overall it’s a wholesome Disney Movie.The movie highlights loyalty and friendship. Chloe relies on her friends to try to help get her back to Beverly Hills.