Fantasy
Fantasy movie reviews
Star Trek Into Darkness
The new enterprise crew, led by Chris Pine as James T Kirk, faces a familiar nemesis, Kahn, in the latest edition of the Star Trek franchise. Kahn attacks a secret Star Fleet facility on earth and Kirk and the enterprise crew set out to bring him to justice. Along the way, they venture into Klingon space, face a challenge from one of their own, and throw out humorous one liners. Spock, Scottie, bones and Uhura join Kirk to avert a war and protect the Earth.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Release Date: September 10, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mid
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
I’m not a Trekkie, but I am a Chris Pine fan. I liked the great one-liners woven throughout the film.
Amongst all the violence there were some touching elements. Themes of loyalty to family and friends were portrayed.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see Kirk in bed with two female aliens.
- We saw a character in just her bra and panties, so did Kirk.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The evil villain Khan, blows up a building.
- We saw Khan crush a man’s skull with his hands.
- There are numerous explosions, fights and punches throughout the film; leaving character’s bloody and bruised.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- We heard the s-word, also “a–,” “—ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” and “h–.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mid
- We saw character’s drinking at a bar.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an action packed, adventurous film. Trekkie’s will most likely enjoy seeing their favorite characters. I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up. Parents need to be aware of the violent content throughout the film.
Where the Wild Things Are-Kids Movie Review
The movie is based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book. It’s a story about a rambunctious but lonely boy named Max. After a series of uncomfortable conflicts Max runs away, boards a small boat, and sails into the ocean to an island with a mysterious forest, and that’s where we meet 7 enormous, wild creatures.
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Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie will spark conversations with kids about family relationships.
I enjoyed the music.
While it’s a children’s book, the movie is not for children. The subject matter is way too emotionally involved for kids. Max is a very lonely, sensitive boy looking for attention. The Warner’s Bros. President said, “I would say it’s a movie for adults first and for a certain kind of child second. It doesn’t completely fit your expectation of a pure family film”.
It’s a very depressing movie, when Max is named king of his forest one of the creatures say’s “Will you keep out all the sadness?’ Even the creatures have relationship issues and psychosis, which is fine, but not for a children’s movie. These psychosis and relationship issues create conflict and a kind of evil danger that a small child should not face (either Max or the children viewing the movie).
Max is very disrespectful to his mother, in the movie he yelled, “woman, feed me,” then he bites her shoulder while throwing a temper tantrum.
At one point Max hides in one of the creatures stomachs, and then he comes out of the creatures mouth all slimy and wet.
The previews are misleading, they make the movie look like a light hearted kid’s movie, which it’s not.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Characters kiss.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
In science class the teacher says that the sun will die on day, but that the human race will already have been wiped out by natural disaster and/or disease, well before the sun dies. This may concern kids, and once again, why is this in a children’s movie?
Sendak, the author and one of the producers told the director “Make the story your own, make it personal, make it dangerous.”
Profane or Crude Language: Mild
- The d-word and h-word were used a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
The book, “Where the Wild Things Are,” was my husband’s favorite book as a kid, which then became my kids favorite book. The movie was very disappointing to all of us. Parents should take the PG rating seriously. I give it 1/2 bucket!
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 2- Teen Movie Review
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is no longer torn between Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Edward (Robert Pattinson). She is now happily married to Edward Cullen, she’s a vampire, and she’s the mother to their beautiful daughter Renesmee. Jacob is still around, though a close family friend, and not a threat to Edward. Initially things are going well for the vampires, however problems arise when the Volturi, a powerful group of vampires who enforce the laws, find out that Renesmee was conceived and carried while Bella was a mortal; she is half-human/ half-vampire. This is very rare, and a threat in the vampire world. To prevent an attack from the Volturi, the Cullens gather Vampire clans from around the world to witness their daughter’s innocence. So now the Cullens, their allies, and the wolf pack are prepared meet with the Volturi, hoping for a peaceful resolution. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, is the fifth and final movie in the Twilight series, a movie the Twi-hards will most likely enjoy.
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Rating: 3 and 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: March 2, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
I love the strong family dynamics in this film and the whole series. Bella and her father have an endearing relationship. The Cullen’s are a very close knit family as well.
The closing credits featured all the actors that have appeared in a Twilight movie. This was very well done, a nice way to wrap up the series.
I thought the first half of the movie was very corny, but it gradually got better.
This was not my favorite Twilight film, though I interviewed people after the movie, and they all liked it. From teenagers to adults, they thought it was their favorite of the series.
I read that this film had a hard time avoiding an R rating due to the violent content.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We saw Bella and Edward in bed making love, their first time as a vampire couple. This was a very sensual scene with romantic music in the background. We saw bare backs and legs.
- There are sexual comments about vampire couples breaking the furniture while in a sexual encounter.
- In one scene Jacob took off his clothes, though not his boxers. The audience liked that!!!
Violent Content: Excessive
- The battle between the Cullens and the Voluri was very graphic. We saw a lot of decapitations and dead bodies all over.
- We saw a vampire woman being forced to kneel before a fire; her head was twisted until it snapped off. She and her child were thrown into a fire to burn.
- We saw a child with blood dripping down his chin.
- A vampire attacked a human in an alley, throwing him to the ground and biting his neck.
- Bella attacked a mountain lion and bit his neck.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” and “h—,” were said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see Bella’s dad drinking a beer.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Twi-hards will most likely see this movie. Some may like it, some may not. Though the Twilight Saga has come to a conclusion, the vampires will live forever!!! Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence. Depending on the child, this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 Review
Most everyone was excited for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and now the wedding that all the twihards have been waiting for; Edward Cullen’s (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart). In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 1 we saw the beautiful couple say their vows, as their guests all celebrated joyfully,(except for Jacob Black), we saw an elegant setting in the garden of the Cullen mansion, but most importantly we saw a happy a couple that have had their share of problems over the years! As the newlyweds departed to a Brazilian Island for their honeymoon, like most newlyweds; life was great. The honeymoon started out with passionate evenings, swimming under a waterfall, and quietly playing chess. However, things changed when Edward, a vampire who doesn’t know his own strength, realized that his wife was covered in bruises from their romantic evenings. As Edward felt terribly guilty, he and Bella soon came to realize that the consequences from their sexual encounters changed their lives forever. In this fourth segment of the Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series, we once again see romance, passion and intrigue with the vampires and werewolf’s we’ve grown to know and love over the years.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: February 11, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I enjoyed the romantic element of the movie. From when Bella’s dad walked her down the aisle, which by way brought tears to my eyes, to the honeymoon in Brazil.
The love and commitment that Edward and Bella shared was very youthful and refreshing. When faced with difficult circumstances, Edward was committed to keeping his true love safe, no matter what he had to face.
Werewolf, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), was also committed to keeping Bella safe, even though it meant going against his own pack.
Bella showed courage and sacrifice when she refused to take Edward’s advice and “get rid” of their unborn child. Even though her pregnancy could have killed her, she was willing to sacrifice her life. When everyone was telling her to abort the child, Bella commented by saying, “it’s not his fault.”
I’ve read all the books and seen all the movies thus far. When I initially read Breaking Dawn I thought the storyline was a little strange and creepy, though I still liked it, after all I am a twihard! Having said that I thought the movie was strange and creepy as well, especially the birthing scene!
Like the first part of the book, the movie was a little slow, not very exciting or suspenseful, however, I know that the action will come in part 2.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We saw the couple passionately kissing several times.
- We saw them naked from the waist up, hugging under a water fall.
- Bella wore tight shorts and tee-shirts. She also wore some sexy lingerie outfits.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Bella’s pregnancy was painful to see. She was torn apart by her unborn child. She looked emaciated and pale throughout her pregnancy.
- Her C-section, performed by the Cullens, was a very bloody ordeal. Edward and Bella were covered in blood.
- Edward attacked and bit the throats of several men.
- The werewolves and vampires had some viscous fights, where bodies were thrown in all directions.
- After the wedding night we saw multiple bruises all over Bella’s body.
- Bella drank several cups of blood, to feed her baby. That was disgusting!!!
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The h-word and d-word is said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Wedding guests drank champagne and cocktails.
The teenage love affair between the Twilight characters has now moved into a more serious direction of marriage and kids; which brought a more serious tone to the movie.Though we know there aren’t any werewolves or vampires in our lives, and we know that almost nothing in the Twilight films could ever really happen; though we do know that teenagers may fall in love, and there are life challenges no matter if your a werewolf, vampire or a human! Depending on the child; with the gory birthing scene, and moderate sexual content, I recommend this film for kids ages 13 and up.
Twilight Review
Based on a popular book series. It’s about a 17 year old girl, named Bella who moves to an overcast town in Washington, to live with her dad. While at her new school, she meets a very mysterious, pale-faced, handsome boy, named Edward. As she gradually falls in love with him, she gradually discovers that he is a vampire. It’s a wonderful, dramatic love story, though their romance puts her in physical danger when Edward’s vampire enemies come to town, and want to kill Bella.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: March 29, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Edward hasn’t aged since 1918.
Bella and Edward’s relationship: You feel a powerful tension throughout the movie between his animal instincts as a vampire, and his human love for her. They could win an academy award, it’s so well done.
Edward is surprisingly close with his family, they make a point of saying that they protect each other.
Bella’s parents are divorced, she has a very loving relationship with each parent. She risks her life for her mom.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Edward and Bella kiss in the film.
- Edward watches her sleep at night. It’s kind of creepy. They snuggle fully clothed in her bed one night.
Violent Content: Moderate
- The kind of violence you’d expect from a vampire movie. An enemy vampire wants to kill Bella. There are some violent scenes: she’s slammed into a mirrored wall, blood all over.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The h-word is used once or twice.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Bella’s dad drinks beer on a number of occasions throughout the film.
I’ve talked to many teenage girls, that have loved the movie. Those that have read the book, and those that didn’t. Two girls liked the book a lot better. Overall, it’s a great romantic, suspenseful movie!