Musicals
Musicals
Step Up 3D Review
This is a story about a guy named Moose, an engineering major at NYU, who also happens to be an amazing dancer. When Luke, the leader of a group of street dancers called the Pirates, sees Moose dancing on the streets at NYU, he is amazed at how good this college student is, and ends up recruiting him to his dance group. Together with the Pirates, they team up against their rival dance group to try win the World Jam, a high stakes dance showdown.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 21, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
“Rhythmically, athletically and energetically, Step UP 3D does not disappoint.” I read this in USA Today, and I couldn’t agree more. The dancers were absolutely amazing! Having said that, there is not much to the plot, and the actors are very talented dancers, not actors, but their dancing makes up for everything.
There were many likable characters, especially Luke and Moose. Luke was a caring and encouraging leader, who treated his group of dancers like family, and cared for their well being. Moose, (Adam Sevani), was the one really good actor, who had a lot of great one liners, which added a comedic element to this dance movie.
Throughout all the hip hop and loud music there were some good lessons for kids. An example is when Moose said, “Life isn’t about a destination, but the friendships, lessons and experiences that happen along the way.”
I did not like the 3D effects. It took away from the dancing, and seemed a little blurry in parts. It was also a distraction, in many scenes we saw groups of dancers coming right up to the camera, doing their moves, and it seemed like they were inches away from our face. I think they could have done without the 3D technology, it was even a little annoying.
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, it was PG13, for moderate profanity.
Sexual Content: Mild
- They didn’t sexualize the dancing like many previous dance movies. They mostly danced in groups rather than as partners.
Profanity: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s a scene when the two rival dance groups get into a fight in the restroom. This may be disturbing to some kids.
I brought my 14 year old daughter and 16 year old niece. They both loved the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful dancing.
Overall this was a fun, entertaining movie. This is a movie for kids and adults who like to dance, and for those who enjoy watching dance. Viewers will be intrigued and mesmerized by the talented dancers in this film.
I give it three and half out of five buckets.
Sparkle Review
Three beautiful sisters, one named Sister, were raised as churchgoing girls who sang in the choir. One of the girls, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) had a gift for songwriting, and wanted to pursue her goal of becoming a singer/songwriter. The other two had beautiful voices as well and had their own dreams and goals. However their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston) wanted to keep her daughters on the straight and narrow; she did not want them to lead a life of fame. Eventually the three sisters secretly formed a singing group and became a Motown hit! Later, their fame and fortune brought on unforeseen difficulties and began to tear the family apart. Set in Detroit in the 1960’s, Sparkle is a musical drama about fame and the hardships that may come along with it.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 30, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
The movie highlights the values of faith, family and love. The three sisters were supportive of one another, and always tried to help each other through difficult times.
The movie notes that sometimes fame can destroy a person, as it did with one of the girls, Sister. However the film also suggests that if we use our gifts to benefit others, as Sparkle did, then it’s worth pursuing.
The girls had an unusual relationship with their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston). Emma had a difficult life and made some poor choices. She was adamant about her girls not following in their mother’s footsteps.
There are some disturbing abusive scenes, and disturbing images of drug use. This could spark some good parent/child conversations of making the right choices.
Adults will like the 1960’s music.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- The girls wear very revealing dresses while performing. Sister believes her sex appeal is the key to their success.
- While performing Sister has many seductive moves as she caressed her chest and thighs. The camera zoomed in on the girl’s hips and chests. Men in the audience are cheering.
- Sister and Satin (her abusive husband) kiss passionately and talk about making love. Sister straddles him on a chair and says she “horny.”
- We see couples kissing at night clubs.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are two fist fights.
- We see bruises on Sister’s face, it’s noted that Satin (her husband) had abused her.
- We see Satin chasing Sister around the house, then whipping her with a belt.
- The girls get into a fight with Satin. One of the girls hits Satin on the head with a fireplace rod.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The s-word is said twice. “BS,” “d–n,” “h—,” and “a–,” are also used several times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Several character’s are shown smoking throughout the film.
- We see several characters’ drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Sister uses cocaine which we see on a mirror. It’s clear that she becomes addicted to the drug.
Overall I would say this is not a movie for kids. With the mature subject matter and images of drugs and physical abuse I would not recommend this for kids. Adults may find the storyline interesting, and enjoy the wonderful Motown tunes from the 1960’s.
Nine Review
“Nine” is based on a 1982 Tony award winning musical. The film is set in Rome in the 1960’s. This is a story about the life of world famous film director Guido Contini. The world awaits his next movie, which is his ninth, and is ready for production, and due to start shooting in days, However, there is a big problem, he doesn’t know what to write about, and has no ideas at all. He turns to the women in his life who have been an inspiration to him; his wife, mistress, leading actress, costume designer, and even his deceased mom. He gradually realizes that his stress and concerns are due to his unhappy and miserable life.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: September 9, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
The actors are terrific, with a well-known cast such as Daniel Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman and more. They all had wonderful Italian accents, and were very good dancers and singers.
The movie should have been rated R, not PG13. I could go on forever listing the reasons why, but I’ll just mention a few.
One scene had a nice message. Contini’s previous movies were all very sexual. When Contini is distressed and confused, he visits a local Catholic cardinal, the cardinal tells him that he’s writing about the wrong things, he say’s, “ You should encourage Italian women to be wives not whores.”
Sexual Content: Excessive
- In most of the musical numbers the women are wearing skimpy lingerie, showing a lot of cleavage.
- There were many sexual, provocative scenes with Contini and his mistress. In one scene Contini tells his mistress to leave the hotel room, and come back pretending she’s with a stranger. When she returns it’s implied they have sex.
- Another musical number shows Contini as a nine year old boy, with some of his friends. They give a prostitute money, and she starts seductively dancing in a skimpy outfit, while they’re watching.
Violent Content: Moderate
- The movie is also disturbing. His mistress attempts suicide. Another scene shows Contini, as a child, being whipped by a priest for his sinful actions.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Characters were drinking throughout the film.
I interviewed some teenagers after the movie. A 14 year old girl said, “What was that rated?” She and her friend thought it was boring and very inappropriate.
My 13 year old daughter didn’t like it at all!!!!! I was very uncomfortable in many of the scenes. My 20 year old niece liked the music, but thought the movie was okay.
Overall, it was a boring, inappropriate movie, with many seductive, uncomfortable scenes for a PG13 rating. I’ll give it one bucket, for the acting and a couple of good musical numbers.
Katy Perry: Part of Me Review
Katy Perry’s goal is to make people smile, and that’s what she does in this wonderful musical documentary. In this film we get to know Katy Perry; we see many behind the scenes moments of her California Dreams Tour. We also get to know her family and friends, as we watch Katy Perry become an iconic pop star.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: September 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Initially I was not excited about seeing this movie, but now I’m a fan! It was interesting to learn about Katy Perry. Though a little weird, she’s a very nice, loyal person. Her family, friends and fans, are what’s truly important to her, and after seeing many interviews with her parents, siblings, grandma and best friends; it’s quite apparent. One of her employee’s said, “Working for Katy Perry is like working with a friend”.
Katy is an intelligent hard-working women, and never gave up on her dream. Things didn’t come easily for her, after several years of working and trying to become a success, she went through many difficult times. However when her song, I Kissed a Girl, came out, it was a big hit, which made her a famous pop-star.
Growing up, Katy’s parents were traveling ministers, so initial she only sang gospel music. Katy writes her own lyrics from life experiences.
The most poignant part of the movie was Perry’s relationship with Russell Brand. We sense her sincere affection for her husband and see her broken heart when it doesn’t last.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Katy wore some revealing outfits while performing, but most of them were fine.
- The lyrics in some of her songs are inappropriate.
- We see Katy and her husband kissing.
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” and “a–,” are said once. The word “fart,” was shown on the screen.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Katy Perry is a wonderful entertainer, and seems to be a good person. This was a fun, entertaining movie, one that I’m sure her fans will enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the inappropriate lyrics in some of her songs. I feel this is an appropriate film for kids ages 8 and up.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year Review
High School Musical 3: Senior Year continues the ongoing love story between basketball player Troy Bolten and the smart, beautiful, Gabriella Montez. As they join their friends to plan the spring musical, they’re also lining up prom dates and making college plans. The movie revolves around their hopes and fears as they approach their final days of high school.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: February 17, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
Sexual Content: Mild
- While 2 younger teammates are showering after practice, Troy and Chad take their clothes and run around the school. The teammates chase them with a towel wrapped around themselves. The movie made this seem like an acceptable thing to do. It was an unnecessary scene.
- Female characters wear short dresses.
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Moron” that’s the worst word used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for the whole family.