Mystery
Mystery movie reviews
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.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World Review
Marissa (Jessica Alba), a retired spy, is now a full time homemaker. She’s married to Wilbur (Joel McHale) a spy hunting TV reporter, she has a baby and twin 10 year old step children, (Rebecca, played by Rowen Blanchard and Cecil played by Mason Cook); who want nothing to do with her. However, things dramatically change when the twins find out their stepmom is a former spy agent. Marissa (the stepmom) is called back to duty to save the planet from an evil villain (Time Keeper). He wants to take over the world, and ultimately freeze it. He feels that people waste their time, and they don’t realize how precious it is. Now it’s up to Marissa, her step-kids, along with the familiar Spy Kids from the previous films, Cameron (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), to save the world from this evil threat.
Rating: Three out of five buckets.
Release Date: August 19, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5 to 10
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
This is the fourth movie in the popular Spy Kids series. My kids were fans of the first three movies, however they are not the target audience for this film; I’m sad to say that they’ve outgrown the Spy Kids series.
I didn’t particularly love this movie, however I did like the constant theme throughout the film. The movie focuses on the importance of family, and to make the most of our time, to love and enjoy our families. Some great quotes from the movie about time: “It’s not about the time you have, it’s what you choose to do with it.” When referring to spending quality time with your kids, a character says, “Spend time with them now, because the only thing you’ll find time for later is regret.” Another message is that you can’t change the past, “Live life moving forward not back.” This could spark a conversation with your kids.
There’s some rude potty humor; with kids vomiting and dogs burping. The twins play many practical jokes on their stepmom such as; dropping a bag of blue cheese dressing on her head, and putting baby powder in her blow dryer. Initially the twins didn’t like their stepmom, I thought they were mean and disrespectful.
The movie was in 4D, which could be a fun added feature for kids. When buying the tickets, we received a card with 8 numbers on it.When a number appeared on the screen, you rub that number on the card and sniff it. I think the kids in the theater liked it, I thought it was a little annoying.
The acting was not the greatest!
Sexual Content: Mild
- A married couple kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s an evil villain, but he’s not that scary, if anything he’s a little goofy.
- Men chase the kids, and shoot them with laser beams….silly violence, not threatening or scary.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “butt-head,” “stupid,” and “puke” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall Spy Kids: All the Time in the World is an adventurous action packed movie. Parents need to know that there is some rude potty humor, and slapstick violence. As I previously mentioned, kids familiar with the first three films have most likely outgrown this one. With all the messages about embracing time, my 13 year old son said, “The time in the movie was too long.” Hmmm…maybe not for teens, but great for it’s target audience; kids ages 5 to 10.
Some quotes from the audience:
“It was totally appropriate,” said a mom of a 6 and 9 year old.
“I loved it,” said a 9 year old boy.
“I loved it that Cameron and Juni (characters from the previous films) were in it.” said a 7 year old girl.
Source Code Review
Captain Steven Colter (Jake Gyllenhaal) gets on a Chicago train, sits across from a cute girl (Michelle Monaghan), the girl gets a phone call from her ex-boyfriend, someone spills coffee on Colter’s shoe, the conductor checks Colter’s ticket, the train stops, the passengers get off the train, and then the train explodes. And, then the same thing happens again, and again, and again. He’s involved in a government experiment known as “Source Code.” This experiment allows him to enter into the body of a male passenger on this Chicago train; eight minutes before the explosion. His mission is to identify the bomber, and prevent another attack from happening. Colter returns on the train several times hoping to get enough clues to complete his mission. This suspenseful drama will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: April 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Very Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here!
Talking Points
The goal of Captain Colter, and everyone involved in the mission, is to save lives! A good thing for teenagers to witness.
It was exciting to see Colter with each return train visit; as he got more clues determining who the bomber was. I kept thinking of the board game Clue, a family favorite.
There are many likable characters in this film, I especially liked Carol Goodwin (Vera Famiga, from Up In The Air). She’s Colters main contact at the agency, and they develop a special friendship. Colter also got attached to some of the passengers on the train, especially the cute girl.
The movie got confusing at times, you really had to pay attention, though not as confusing as Inception.
Sexual Content: Very Mild
• There are a couple of kisses, but that’s about it.
Violent Content: Moderate
• We see the train explode several times throughout the movie.
• There are some graphic scenes. Colter gets in a bad fight, he’s beaten and bruised. He also jumps off a moving train, and once again gets pretty bloody.
• Colter is aggressive with some of the passengers while aiming his gun at them; you’re not sure if he’s actually going to kill them.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
• “F#@k” is said, but not much, maybe once or twice. Other words such as “s*&t” and “d%n” are used sporadically throughout the film.
Overall this was an intense and exciting movie. I was anxious at times, wondering who the terrorist was, and if Colter could accomplish his mission successfully. I thought the movie had an appropriate rating of PG13. I brought my 13 year-old son, who loved the action and suspense as well. I recommend this for kids (mainly boys), ages 12 and up.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Review
Set in 1891, as an unknown terrorist’s bombings threaten to push Europe to war we see Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr), in pursuit of Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), a mathematical wizard who was suspected to be the world’s first supervillain. Meanwhile, Watson, (Jude Law), Holmes’ friend and partner, was primarily focused on being a good husband to his new wife, Mary (Kelly Reilly), while keeping Holmes safe and alive; which was not an easy job! Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an adventurous action packed film that will keep you in suspense.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, plus a review of Alvin and The Chipmunks
Talking Points:
The banter between Holmes and Watson was fun and entertaining, even with the excessive violence. I noticed the audience laughed a lot throughout the film.
Watson was a very loving and dedicated husband, however, Holmes was not a fan of marriage. He labeled marriage as,”eternal purgatory.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mary, Watson’s new wife, had an unusual encounter with Holmes’ brother. She saw him walking around his house…naked. We could see his torso and backside, though Mary saw more! He continued to chat with her as if he was fully clothed, Mary was horrified, and wanted to leave.
- Women wear revealing outfits.
- Mild kissing.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There were several scenes with Holmes fighting thugs; kicking and hitting with character’s thrown against the wall.
- There were several explosions and gun fires, as we saw many characters die throughout the film.
- A bad guy stabbed a huge meat hook through Holmes’ shoulder, then raised him off the ground…it was disgusting!!!
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as, “b–tard,” and “d–n” were used a few times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drank frequently throughout the film. Watson got very drunk at his bachelor party.
- We saw character’s smoke cigarettes and cigars.
Sherlock Holmes fans will most likely enjoy this film. I was slightly entertained, but with all the unnecessary violence, the film didn’t appeal to me that much. Depending on whether you child is sensitive to violence, I would say this is appropriate for kids 13 and up.
The Lovely Bones Review
“The Lovely Bones” is based on the 2002 bestselling novel by Alice Sebold. This is the story of the murder of a 14 year-old girl named Susie Salmon. She lives happily in a suburban neighborhood in Pennsylvania with her parents and 2 younger siblings. She tells us her story by narrating everything that happens from “in-between” somewhere between earth and heaven. Susie watches her family and friends heal from their loss and search for her killer.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: April 20, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
As parents we always tell our kids, “Don’t talk to strangers.” Well, in this movie the murderer is a neighbor, someone who she knows and trusts. When the neighbor wants to show Susie something that he made for the neighborhood kids, Susie is curious, but a little apprehensive, though she follows him, and that’s the beginning of the end for Susie. This could bring up a good discussion with kids about safety and to follow their instincts.
Parents will relate to what Susie’s parents are going through. Her dad is determined to find the killer, and her mom is in denial, sealing off Susie’s bedroom. Their marriage is also strained from the stress of this horrific event in their lives.
The movie is entertaining at times. Susie’s grandma (Susan Sarandon), who enjoys her liquor, adds some humor to the movie as she demonstrates her terrible housekeeping skills when she comes to take care of the kids.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There’s no indication that Susie gets raped, as she does in the novel, and her murder occurs off screen, but knowing what happened is creepy.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The movie was scary, I was on edge in most of the scenes. However, I read that the movie was intentionally made less upsetting for teens.The movie will scare some teenage girls. As viewers, they will get to know Susie from the various flashbacks in the movie that show her interest in photography, her crush on a boy at school, and her day to day life with her parents and siblings. Teenage girls will see that Susie is a normal teenager and that they can relate to her in some aspects of their own lives. Like the author, Alice Sebold, said, “No one is immune from violence, it touches everyone.” The novel, in which the movie based on, arose from the author’s own experience with violence, her rape as and 18 year old girl.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Susie’s grandma is an alcoholic and drinks a lot throughout the movie.
I’m not a fan of scary movies, for myself or my kids, so the movie did not appeal to me. However, I liked the characters, and I appreciated the fact that we didn’t see the gory details of the actual murder. If your unsure about the movie, I would view it first before allowing your kids to see it. It’s rated PG13 for disturbing violent content and images.
My 13 year old daughter and her 2 friends saw the movie. They all liked it, but thought it was scary. My daughter did not sleep well the night after she saw the movie. I rate it three buckets with the recommendation, as I mentioned, that parents see it first.