Divergent-Teen Movie Review

“The Dauntless never give up,”and that’s why Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) chooses to be in the Dauntless faction. Set in futuristic Chicago, people are divided into factions based on human virtues. Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the kind), Candor (the honest), Dauntelss (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). The storyline centers around the life of 16-year old Beatrice Prior. Continue reading →

Mr. Peabody And Sherman- Kids Movie Review

“Every dog should have a boy,” that’s what Mr. Peabody (voice of Ty Burrell) says about his mischievous son Sherman (voice of Max Charles). Mr. Peabody is an extremely intelligent talking dog who has adopted a boy named Sherman. The two live in a New York City penthouse: Sherman goes to school like most 7 year old boys, and Mr. Peabody is a loving dedicated father who takes care of the house and brings home the bacon. Peabody and Sherman also like to have fun! Continue reading →

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug-Kids Movie Review

“The courage of a Hobbit never ceases to amaze me,” that’s what one of the thirteen dwarves said while traveling with the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), and the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen). Bilbo and company were traveling to the Kingdom of Erbor, hoping to reclaim their homeland from the villainous dragon, Smaug. On their journey they face many obstacles such as terrifying Orcs, giant spiders and imprisonment in an elf dungeon. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is the second installment of the The Hobbit series. This is an adventurous, action packed film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels.

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 8, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

Amongst all battles and casualties shown in film, we also see characters (especially Bilbo) helping one another as they try to rid the evil that surrounds them.

The film will most likely interest kids that have read the novels.

Sexual Content: Mild

Character’s flirt with one another.

Violent Content: Excessive

There are numerous battles throughout the film. Characters are shot and impaled with arrows, decapitated by swords and knives and attacked by scary creatures.
There’s a scene with giant spiders who have long fangs. We see them gnashing their fangs and attacking their prey.
A character is shot with an arrow. When trying to remove it, the arrow breaks, and part of it is left in his body, causing an infection. We see the opened bloody wound.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Characters are shown drinking beer and smoking pipes.

Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Overall The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is an action packed adventurous film. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up. As previously mentioned parents need to be aware of the excessive violence.

Frozen-Kids Movie Reviews

Princess Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), soon to be Queen, and Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), are not only sisters, but best friends. Though things gradually change as Elsa developes secret powers. She has the ability to create snow and ice, with a simple touch or even a thought. When her powers get out of hand, their entire kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter, so Elsa goes into hiding to be alone. Now Anna is on a mission to find her sister and save their kingdom before it is too late. Frozen is a wonderful animated film, one the whole family will enjoy.

Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: March 18, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

What is love? That’s the premise of the film. One character says that love is putting another’s needs before your own. We see sacrificial love demonstrated throughout the film; with Anna sacrificing her life for her sister, the snowman sacrifices his life to help Anna, and the ice salesman, Kristoff, sacrifices his life for Anna.

There are great messages woven throughout the film, a character said that “People make bad choices if they’re mad, or scared, or stressed.” “True love brings out the best.”

In addition to the wonderful messages, the film is fun and entertaining with great music.

The theater was filled with young kids, teenagers and adults. I interviewed people after the movie, they all loved it!!

Sexual Content: Mild

Character’s are shown kissing.

Violent Content: Moderate

Characters get hit, thrown around, and even fall off a cliff.
We saw sword and icicle fights. One character was almost impaled by an icicle.
Characters were attacked by wolves.
There’s a large snow monster that may frighten young kids. However he’s only in a few scenes, not the whole film.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Characters are shown drinking champagne at a ball.

Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Overall Frozen is an entertaining, heartwarming film. Depending on the child, I recommend this movie for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of some of the moderate violent scenes in the film.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire-Teen Movie Review

The 74th Annual Hunger Games were finished and the winners, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), were ready to go home to District 12 and be with their family and friends. However there wasn’t much time at home due to the “Victory Tour” they had to attend. Visiting each district and pretending to be madly in love was next on their agenda. Continue reading →