Horror
Horror movie reviews
World War Z-Teen Movie Review
Gnashing their teeth, devouring humans and swarming in hordes with hopes to destroy the world. That’s who Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) had to contend with…Zombies. World War Z centers around the life of former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane. He was once in war zones and dealt with several crisis’, and now it was time to focus on his wife and kids. However, when confronted by a world wide pandemic of zombies, he was the man who could save humanity, he had the experience and the skill, he was the man for the job!
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: September 17, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The film was very well done! It seemed so real with great actors and amazing special effects.
Gerry (Brad Pitt) was a loving father and husband. He risked his life to help others, with hopes to save the world from the awful pandemic.
There were a lot of explosions, and character’s shot and mutilated. This film may be disturbing for some kids; see more details in the violent content.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- As the zombies attack, we see hordes of people running and screaming trying to find safety.
- We see the zombies bite and attack innocent people, though we don’t see a lot of close up shots.
- We see humans firing guns point blank at zombies and trying to fight off the creatures.
- People are attacked and bitten by zombies. Once bitten, a victim is transformed within 12 seconds to a zombie. The transformation was disturbing to see.
- We see Gerry fighting off the zombies and crushing their skulls.
- When a soldier’s hand was bitten by a zombie, we see Gerry chop of her appendage, before the venom could spread.
- We see a plane crash and the victims falling to the ground. After the crash we see Gerry agonizing with pain, as a piece of metal is stuck in his side.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as; “sh-t,” “h—,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “b–tard were said several times each throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking beer.
- Gerry injects himself with a drug.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- Kids that like horror films, will most likely be captivated by this movie.
World War Z is a zombie, action packed thriller movie. Depending on the kid, and whether they like this type of movie, I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.
The Woman in Black Review
Horror movies always scare me so I decided to bring my mom. Daniel Radcliffe plays a young British lawyer named Arthur Kipps. His wife had passed away in childbirth, which was extremely difficult for Arthur. Before he could completely focus on his son, and get his life back in order, Arthur had a simple work project to finish; he had to take care of a deceased client’s legal papers. However, this client’s papers were crumpled up and hidden all over a creepy old mansion, on an island in the middle of nowhere. The locals warned Arthur of the strange happenings in this house, and advised him not to go there, but Arthur wanted to take of care business, and that’s what Arthur did, and that’s where he met the women in black. The Women in Black, is a mystery/suspense horror film, one that I don’t recommend for children.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of “Big Miracle”
Talking Points:
Many kids want to see this movie because of Daniel Radcliffe, after all he’s Harry Potter. However, this was a creepy, scary movie one that I don’t recommend for kids. There were many disturbing scenes, as we saw dead children, and very strange, spooky characters throughout the film.
The only positive comment I have to make; Daniel Radcliffe did an amazing job of acting. However, I wish he would have picked another film, especially after playing Harry Potter for so many years.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- A ghost appears and silently tells children to kill themselves.
- We see a girl set herself of fire.
- A young boy walks towards an oncoming train.
- We see a girl spitting up blood.
- Arthur placed a crucifix on a child’s corpse.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” is said once
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and brandy.
I’m not a big fan of horror films, and I really didn’t like this one for children. In addition to the scary, dark parts, I thought the film was long and boring. Depending on the kid; teenagers that like horror films may find this appealing, though, I doubt it.
The Possession Review
Are your kids scared of ghosts? If not, they will be after this movie. Emily is an adorable 10 year old girl who purchased an antique wooden box at a yard sale. She became obsessed with this box, while acting very erratic and strange. Initially her parents, Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Stephanie (Kyra Sedgwick), thought Emily was oddly reacting to their divorce; though after much research, Clyde discovered that the box was built to contain a dibbuk. Dibbuk’s are evil spirit’s that inhabit and destroys it’s human host, according to Jewish legend. Clyde was determined to save his daughter and destroy the dibbuk. Based on a true story, The Possession is a horrific drama, that will scare kids and adults!!!
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: January 13, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
Emily’s dad is a loving father, however his career obligations get in the way of his family life. When the dibbuk box is at their home and chaos begins, he reevaluates his priorities as he must sacrifice his life to protect his daughter and family. (Spoiler) In the end he realizes the importance of being a devoted husband and father. Even though she was possessed with this box, which initially destroyed the family, love eventually won!!!
Emily’s parents had been divorced for about a year before the dibbuk entered their lives. Emily and her sister treated their father disrespectfully. This could spark a parent/child conversation.
This film has many disturbing, creepy parts. Not only will kids be scared, but adults will be too!!! I had to close my eyes in several several scenes.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- Under the dibbuk’s power, a women suffers from a horrific seizure. This is disturbing as we see her eyeballs roll back, she thrashes about her living room, arching her back until it cracks, and her face crashes through a coffee table.
- We see the dibbuk nearly strangle a man.
- We see the creature’s fingers in Emily’s throat, and later we see him claw his way out of someones mouth.
- When possessed by the dibbuk, a man pulls out all his teeth, we see his mouth covered in blood.
- Emily screams in fear when something strikes her face, she thinks it’s her father so she ends up stabbing her father’s hand with a fork. This is an awful, disturbing scene!!!!
- Emily’s mom walks across a floor covered in broken glass.
- We see a semi collide into a car…this is a surprising and upsetting scene.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” “d–n,” and “h—,” are said once or twice.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking wine.
Will Kids Like It? No
Overall The Possession is a scary, disturbing movie. Since it’s based on a true story, that makes it even more upsetting. Parents do not need to worry about the sexual content, or profane language, however parents need to be aware of the excessive, disturbing violence throughout the movie. If your child likes scary movies, I would say this film is appropriate for mature teenagers, though not for me!!!
House at the End of the Street Review
Change can be very hard especially when it comes to moving. With a new job, new friends, and new neighbors, you never know what to expect. When Sarah (Elisabeth Shue) and her teenage daughter, Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence) move to their dream house in the woods, they’re excited about the change they’re about to embark upon. However, things get a little creepy when they learn that the house down the street was the scene of a double murder. Ryan Jacobson, is the young man who lives in the house; a house he inherited, and the house where his sister killed their parents. Elissa and Ryan gradually become friends, and Elissa learns the horrific truth about Ryan, his sister, and his deceased parents. House at the End of the Street is a horrific thriller staring The Hunger Games’ Jennifer Lawrence.
Rating: 1 and 1/2 buckets out of 5.
Release Date: January 8, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
Fans of The Hunger Games may want to see this movie because of Jennifer Lawrence (who played Katniss in The Hunger Games). However parents need to be aware that this is a very creepy, scary and disturbing movie. It’s not an unrealistic horror film with ghosts and goblins. This is a movie where we see a young man kidnapping and hurting young women.
Elissa continuously lies to her mother. She tells her mom she’s home, when she’s not. She even forwards their home phone calls to her cell phone, that way her mom will think she’s home.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- At a high school party a boy pressures Elissa into having sex. He tries to get on top of her, but she pushes him away.
- Ellisa and Ryan make-out.
- We see a young couple in a car contemplating whether they should have sex in the car.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The film starts out with Carrie Anne (the neighbor’s sister) killing her parents.
- (Spoiler alert) We’re to believe that Ryan’s sister died in the woods. However, we learn that Ryan kept her in a locked room in his basement. He thought that would be better than having her institutionalized, as she had brain damage as a young child. He keeps her perpetually sedated. When he feeds her, she violently hits and bites him, it is very disturbing.
- When Ryan’s sister escapes, she runs through the woods with a butcher knife.
- Ryan gets into a brawl with some teenage boys, he breaks a boys ankle.
- Boys trash Ryan’s car and try to set his house on fire.
- We see characters being stabbed and murdered.
Crude of Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “a–hole,” “b–ch,” “d-ck,” and “d–n,” a number of times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see character’s drinking wine. Sarah (Eiissa’s mom) drinks a whole bottle.
- We see a high school party where it’s implied that kids are drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Ryan injects sedatives into his sister to calm her down.
Will Kids Like It? No
Overall House at the End of the Street is a creepy film, one that I feel is not appropriate for kids. Mature teenagers, that like scary films, may enjoy this movie, but I doubt it and I don’t recommend it. Parents need to be aware of the disturbing violence and teenage social issues.
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.