Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Brave Review
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: November 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Talking Points:
Great family lessons – Merida and her mother fought often but they really loved each other. Both Merida and the Queen learned to listen to each other.
The movie is fun, funny and action packed. Kids as young a seven seemed to enjoy it and were captivate by the movie.
The animation was stunning and 3D effects were well done.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the King’s Lords moon another character by lifting their kilts.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are numerous animated battles between men and also between men and bears. One battle is particularly tense and may frighten small children.
- There are scary beasts in the film, which may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- The King drinks from a flagon.
- Merida suggests that her dad have some of the King’s wine.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was a fun entertaining movie for the whole family. However parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare young kids. I recommend this film for kids ages 7 and up.
Bolt Review
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 22, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Story about a TV super star dog who discovers that his powers, which he possesses on his TV show, aren’t real, when he accidently winds up in New York. While traveling cross country to get back to his owner/co-star, he meets 2 companions along the way, a star struck hamster, and a cat. Their adventures getting back to Hollywood are very entertaining.
Talking Points:
There are some good quotes and positive points such as:
Bolt wants to protect his owner/co-star. Throughout the movie he say’s “ I have to find my person”. “I want to protect my person.”
The hamster says,” You never abandon a friend in time of need.”
Bolt discovers that he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.
Families will find it very fun and enjoyable, especially dog lovers.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Opening scenes are from his TV show. He and Penny are being chased by bad guys. There are exploding vehicles, and loud noises. This may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as, “stupid” and “gosh” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see a dog in a lab filled with chemicals.
Overall, Bolt is an uplifting, heartwarming movie with messages about honesty, loyalty, humility and other virtues. I cried!
My 3 kids loved it!
The Blind Side Review
The Blind Side is an inspirational, heartwarming true story based on the life of Michael Oher. Michael was a homeless African American boy from a broken home, who was picked up off the streets by Leigh Anne Tuohy(Sandra Bulock) and her family, and then taken to their home. The Tuohy’s helped Michael pursue his potential, he is now a lineman in the NFL, playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: March 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I think it’s good for young viewers to see how hard Michael worked to succeed. Michael came from the Nashville projects, he was admitted to Wingate Christian school for his athletic potential. Most of the students there were white, they came from educated and well-to-do families. Even though Michael was rescued from his awful environment in the projects, he then had new challenges to overcome. With his hard work, and the help of his tutor and adopted family, he succeeded to become an All-American offensive left tackle.
This is a movie about helping others, which is great for kids to view. Leigh Anne initially takes Michael in for a temporary place to stay, and he gradually becomes part of the family. When a friend of Leigh Anne’s tells her how wonderful it is that she’s changing this boy’s life, Leigh Anne replies, “He’s changing mine.” So often we find that when we help others, we tend to get more satisfaction then the people we’re helping.
The Touhy children are great kids, very welcoming to their house guest, eventually their adoptive brother. S.J. Touhy(the son) develops a strong friendship with Michael, Collins(the daughter) takes more time to warm up to him, but eventually does.
I read that Michael Oher has not yet seen the movie. His adoptive mother said, “When Michael is getting prepared to play a football game, the movie is not the foremost thing on his mind.”
The actors were terrific! Sandra Bullock was amazing, and the actor who played the little boy were great! Kids will like him, my son thought he was the coolest.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Implied that Leigh Anne and Sean have sex.
- Sexual conversations, but nothing too much.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There is some violence. When Michael went back to the projects to look for his biological mother, some of the guys were making crude comments about Leigh Anne and her daughter. Michael defends them, and gets into a fight with one of the guys in the projects. This is a disturbing scene, especially for younger kids. My 12 year old son said he didn’t like that scene, but they had to show it.
- Michael and S.J(the son) get into a car accident, this scene shows a lot of blood, which may also be disturbing to young viewers.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Swearing throughout the movie.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Michael’s mom has a drug addiction.
- Leigh Anne drinks wine in the film.
Overall this is a feel good sports drama that the whole family will enjoy. However, it is PG13 due to some violence and disturbing scenes. I would recommend this for kids ages 9 and up. Parents will love it too. I give it five buckets.
The Avengers Review
Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) Captain America (Chris Evans) The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) all on the big screen…it’s a site to see! In this wonderful action packed film, Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson),the director of S.H.I.E.L.D,(an international agency), gathers the amazing super-heroes together to form The Avengers. These men are desperately needed to save the Earth from Thor’s evil half brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who is out to destroy the world. The Avengers is an exciting, fun movie with a lot of action and adventure geared towards kids ages 12 and up.
Rating: 3 buckets out of 5
Release Date: May 4, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
As many coaches have emphasized throughout the years to their players…”it’s all about the team”, and that’s what The Avengers learn as well. Initially The Avengers argued amongst themselves as they tried to figure out how to approach Loki and his extraterrestrial army. They eventually realized they had to find a way to cooperate and unite. They used their own specific talents and gifts and worked together to obtain their goal. Great lesson for kids.
The storyline gets confusing, though with the fun characters and action, kids will be entertained.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women are dressed in low cut outfits.
- Two characters kiss.
Violent Content:Excessive
- Character’s get punched, kicked, thrown, stabbed and shot with ray guns, arrows and bullets.
- There are many fight scenes, battles and explosions.
- When we first meet Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) she’s being interrogated and tortured by a Russian general. A man slaps her across the face. She retaliates by knocking out most of the interrogators.
- Loki is a cruel and evil character. He gets satisfaction from killing and torturing people; we learn that he kills 80 people in two days. He may scare some kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “H–l,” and “d–n,” are said about five times, then “a–,” “b–ch,” and “b–tard,” are also said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking champagne and whiskey.
Though there is a lot of violence throughout the film, which parents need to be aware of; there is also a strong message of working together for a noble cause, which kids need to be aware of. Depending on your child, I recommend this film for kids ages 12 and up.
A Thousand Words Review
Jack McCall(Eddie Murphy) can get anything he wants by using his words. He’s a smooth-talking literary agent who can close any deal…..by talking! However, when he meets Dr. Sinja, a New Age guru, Jack’s life dramatically changes. A magical tree suddenly appears in his backyard, and strangely enough, Jack is spiritually connected to this tree. So when Jack speaks, the leaves fall from the tree; and when the leaves are gone and the tree dies, Jack will die too. Jack soon discovers that he only has a thousand words left to speak, in order to stay alive. “A Thousand Words,” is a comedy about a guy who finds the true meaning of life.
Rating: 2 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: June 26, 2102
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with John Carter!
Talking Points:
There were some great messages in this film. Jack learned to appreciate what’s important in life. He eventually came to realize that life is not about an important job title, or how much money one makes; life is about forgiveness, love and the importance of family. A character in the film said, “Life’s not worth living without family.” The New Age guru told Jack that he needed to find peace, and the truth about himself. This could spark some great parent/child conversations.
I’m an Eddie Murphy fan.I think his movies are typically funny and entertaining. However,while this film starts out funny, things change half way through the movie to a more serious tone. Even though I liked the messages, I wish they would have kept the comedic element, while instilling the life lessons throughout the film.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There were many sexual references and comments throughout the film.
- In one scene, Jack’s wife plans a romantic evening in a hotel room. She was wearing a seductive outfit, while trying to seduce her husband. She repeatedly said, ” Talk dirty to me”, “What do you want me to do to you?” She took off his clothes as well, though not his boxers.
Violent Content: Mild
- In one scene, Jack drank too much and smashed a bottle against a tree. He also got into a fight with his male assistant that night.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Character’s swore throughout the film. Words such as, “a–,” d–n,” and “sh-t,” were used a lot. Jack also said the the f-word a couple times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We saw Jack drinking Vodka out of the bottle; he was very drunk.
- Character’s were shown drinking cocktails.
Overall this is a movie that some people may be entertained by. It has some wonderful life lessons, and also some humorous parts. However, with the sexual content, and mature subject matter, this movie may not interest kids. Depending on the child, I would say this film is appropriate for kids ages 14 and up.