Musicals
Musicals
Footloose Review
It’s been twenty-seven years since we’ve seen Kevin Bacon cut loose, and now in this wonderful remake, we see Kenny Wormald, a rising young star, cut loose with his own style. This is a story about Ren McCormack (Kenny Wormald), who moves from Boston to a small southern town. It’s quite a cultural shock for Ren as he quickly learns that dancing and rock music have been prohibited from the town. It all started a few years prior when a tragic car accident killed five local teenagers after a night of drinking and dancing. Local council member and Reverand Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid), who’s son was driving the car, spearheaded the new laws, which dramatically changed the town. After much frustration, Ren, with some help from his girlfriend Ariel (Julianne Hough), decided to challenge this ban with hopes to revitalize the subdued, lonely town. This is a wonderful remake of the 1984 Footloose classic. It still has the spirit and tone of the original film, with an additional modern day twist!
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 14, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
Ariel (Julianne Hough) is the Reverend’s daughter; it was her brother that was driving the car in the town’s horrific accident. Ariel and Reverend Moore handled the crisis in different ways: Ariel rebels and becomes a wild child, while the Reverend genuinely wants to protect his daughter and the town’s youth. They both mean well, but their relationship is overshadowed by this crisis, which causes conflict and misunderstanding. One reviewer wrote, “Rules without relationships are a recipe for rebellion.” This could spark some good parent/child discussions.
I loved the original film, and I loved the remake as well. However, parents need to know that there are many inappropriate scenes. The film touches on several teenage issues such as; drinking, drugs and sex.
The characters are wonderful; from Ren to Ariel and their friends. Willard (Miles Teller), Ren’s friend was fantastic, in my mind he stole the show. He added some humorous elements to the film, which the audience will love. Of course with Julianne Hough (from Dancing with the Stars), the dancing was amazing. I read that Julianne said, ” A lot of the stuff that I personally did was not choreographed. I just kind of like freestyled my way through it.” The dancing was fun and entertaining, though sometimes a little naughty.
The music is great. There are several songs from the original soundtrack, and there are other popular Footloose songs, they have been slightly changed; with a country modern flare.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Ariel wears tight jeans, short shorts and low cut shirts.
- Ariel engages in many sexual and inappropriate dance moves.
- Ariel dates an older boy, who is a race car driver. After he had won a race, Ariel gets in his car, takes off her shirt, and waves her shirt as he does a victory lap around the track.
- Ariel’s older boyfriend tells her that she’s just an innocent little girl, she then suggestively unbuttons her shirt, and it’s implied that they have sex.
- While in a church, Ariel tells her father that she’s not a virgin.
- When Ariel and her boyfriend break up, he calls her a “hussy,” and “slut.”
- There are many sexual references and suggestive comments throughout the film.
Violent Content: Moderate
- We see the car accident that killed the five teenagers.
- Chuck (Ariel’s boyfriend) challenges Ren to a game of chicken, which involves bus racing on a treacherous course. This was a very dangerous scene, with buses exploding, and a near death experience for the teens.
- Ariel’s break-up with her boyfriend turns violent. Ariel goes after his truck with a crowbar, and he violently hits her.
- Ren and Chuck, with the help of some friends, get into a major brawl with fist fights and beatings.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used a lot. Other words such as “a–,” “h–l,” “b—ch,” and “d–n,” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see high school student’s drinking beer from a keg.
- At an Atlanta dance club, we see several people drinking alcohol.
- Ariel’s boyfriend smokes marijuana.
This is an entertaining, fun movie; a well done remake. However, parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content and issues of teen drinking and drugs. You definitely don’t want your teenagers emulating Ariel, though sweet, she is a rebellious teenager. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for mature teens, parents will be entertained as well.
Fame Review
“Fame” is a remake of the 1980 film. This movie is very similar to the original story in that it follows a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over their 4 years at the NY City High School of Performing Arts, a very competitive school, with students from all walks of life. In addition to viewing all their wonderful artistic skills, the audience sees the students dealing with normal teenage issues such as schoolwork, friendships and romance.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: January 12, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
The movie emphasizes that hard work and dedication lead to success. A lot is expected of the students, they have their music and dancing classes in the morning, and traditional school in the afternoon. I read that one of the actors said:
“There is the realism of what artists go through and the work ethic involved, what it’s like to be rejected, and not giving up afterwards.”
The students are very supportive of one another, while the instructors are very supportive and encouraging as well. The teen audience may pick up on some of the instructor’s valuable lessons to their students. When one of the students refuses to play Bach the way its written for the piano, the professor says, “traditional techniques do not stifle talent, they free it.”
The students are mostly unknown actors, though most of the instructors are played by familiar TV stars, such as Megan Mullaly, Kelsey Grammar.
Debbie Allen, was in the original film as a dance teacher, and she returns as a school principal in this film.
I loved the music, which I think most kids will like, however it was disappointing that the title track “Fame” is not in this movie until the end credits.
Sexual Content: Mild
- A girl flirts with a graduate student to try to get a part in a TV show. He tries to make out with her, and pushes her on the couch.
Violent Content: Mild
- When a student realizes he won’t make it as a dancer, he tries to commit suicide by stepping in front on an oncoming train.
- There are a couple of disturbing parts when some of the students get into trouble because they’re obsessed with fame.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Many characters swear throughout the film. The a-word, d-word, b-word and h-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Students attend parties where there is alcohol.
- One student gets drunk and throws up.
Young viewers in the audience that are passionate about anything, whether it be in the arts, sports or academics, will relate to the dedication and work ethic that the students portray in the film.
Overall it’s an entertaining, fun movie!
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked Review
Alvin, Simon,Theodore and the Chipettes are once again up to their usual shenanigans, however this time they’re on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship. Things are going great until our little furry friends become “chipwrecked’ on a desert island. While Dave(their manager) frantically searches for them, he eventually realizes that the Alvin and the gang are singing and dancing, and making the best of a difficult situation. The Chipmunks embark on many adventures on the island, as they meet a castaway who adds a little spice to the Chipmunk’s journey. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a fun, musical comedy for young kids.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus Sherlock Holmes!
Talking Points:
There’s a wonderful message of the importance of family. Dave, who adopted the Chipmunks, takes his parental role very seriously. He risked his life to save the Chipmunks; something a parent would do for their children. Dave also claimed that he’s not their manager for the money, it’s because he loves them. Forgiveness is another message instilled throughout the film, this could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Great, entertaining music with songs such as; “Born This Way” and “Firework,” by Lady Gaga.
The previous two Alvin and the Chipmunk movies are rated PG, while this is rated G.
I enjoyed the movie, though I did hear an adult snoring a couple rows behind me.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The Chipettes get drawn into a dance-off with three human girls, there was a little sexual dancing.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slapstick violence; an example would be when Dave slipped on the ship’s deck, where Alvin had poured suntan oil. Dave continuously bumped and hit his head on something.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says, “I’m such a pain in the…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s drink mixed drinks on the ship.
Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a movie for young kids. There’s nothing inappropriate,it has a nice pro-family message, and most important, the kids will be entertained for 90 minutes! You may not find Gilligan or The Professor, but you will see some cute chipmunks on the island.