Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Review
Inspired by the 1978 children’s book. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is about a nerdy young scientist(Flint), who dreams of changing the world with his inventions. When his home town of Swallow Falls is hit by hard economic times, Flint builds a machine that converts water into food. He becomes the town hero when treats such as burgers, ice cream, pancakes and many other delights fall from the sky like rain. But when the machine looses control and threatens to bury the whole world, Flint realizes he’s in over his head, and must stop the chaos.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: January 5, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
Considering that the book is too short for a full length movie, this movie does not have much resemblance to the original story, though it’s a wonderful animated version with lovable characters.
Flint grows up in a very loving family. His mom encourages him to follow his dreams, while his dad has the same feelings, he has a harder time expressing them.
Flint’s dad points out that people shouldn’t get everything they want. That food and treats falling from the sky will cause greed and laziness and won’t be good for people.
There’s a subtle message against junk food and over eating. Some kids get sick from too much candy, and the mayor gains a lot of weight, while becoming obsessed with food.
The movie goes overboard the last 15 minutes when the machine goes haywire and Flint tries to stop it. It’s a very drawn out dramatic conclusion, which may even scare some kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Flint explains to his adorable love interest, (the intern weather girl), that it’s important to be yourself, don’t worry about what people think of you.
- Innocent flirting.
Violent Content: Mild
- Slapstick, silly violence. Nothing that should scare or disturb kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The evil mayor call their town a “hell-hole.” Other words they say; “nerd,” and “freak.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall it’s heartwarming movie with likable characters which stresses that a loving family is more important than anything. I give it 4 buckets.
Another wonderful classic children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are” which comes out on October 16.
Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third film in the CS Lewis series. It’s about Edmund and Lucy, the two younger siblings in the Pevensie family. In England, during WWll, the children are staying with their obnoxious cousin Eustace. While looking at an ocean painting on the wall in their cousin’s bedroom, the children are swept away to Narnia; in the ocean beside the Dawn Treader, which is commanded by Caspian who is now King. The three children, accompanied by King Caspian, have many adventures as they sail to find the source of an evil green mist.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 8 , 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
It’s interesting because as King Caspian and the three kids are trying to find the source of this evil mist, a magician tells them “to defeat the darkness out there, you must defeat the darkness inside yourself.” So now they each have their own personnel things to conquer.
- Lucy is jealous of her beautiful sister, and wants to look like her.
- Edmund, has to accept Caspian as their King.
- Eustace, has many issues, particularly that he’s an obnoxious pest and a coward.
The kids in the audience may be able to relate to some of their own insecurities, and how to cope with them.
The transformation of the cousin was one of my favorite parts. In Narnia, unable to resist a certain temptation, he turns into a dragon. Ironically, this mean boy turns into a nice, brace, noble dragon. By the grace of Aslan (In Narnia Aslan is a lion, who is the Savior), Eustace turns back into a boy. In this transformation scene Eustace states that he couldn’t do it by himself no matter how hard he tried, he needed the help of the Savior. This could be a good parent child discussion after the movie.
I read, “There are deep spiritual underpinnings in the movie. And it marks Dawn Treader as a voyage of faith and belief.” As the mouse says, “We have nothing, if not belief.”
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s a scary serpent that attacks the Dawn Treader as it sails toward a dark island, this may scare younger kids.
- In the beginning they’re at an island, some of the children were captured by evil guys.
Profanity: None
Sexual Content: None
I interviewed kids ages 5 to 14 after the movie. They all enjoyed it. The five year olds liked the dragon, while the older kids seemed to like the adventurous parts of the movie. Parents liked the spiritual meaning behind the movie.
Overall this is a wonderful, entertaining movie, with valuable life lessons we can all learn from. Like I said earlier, this is a the type of movie that could spark some great parent-child discussions.
Chasing Mavericks Review
Jay Moriarity is a 15 year old California boy living the life of a surfer. When he discovered that one of the biggest waves on Earth was only miles from his Santa Cruz home, he was determined to take on the powerful wave, and surf! However he couldn’t do it alone. Frosty (Gerard Butler) a local surfing legend, coached and trained Jay for 12 weeks. Together they embarked upon a wonderful friendship as we saw Jay try to fulfill his dream of surfing the biggest, most powerful wave in the world…one too big for most surfers. Chasing Mavericks is an inspirational, heartwarming true story.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: February 26, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Frosty was a motivating trainer, friend and even a father figure for Jay. He pushed Jay and gave him the confidence he needed to fulfill his dream. Jay was also a good friend and companion for Frosty; as Frosty had many challenges as well.
Jay had a difficult life, his father left home when he was a young boy. Jay took care of his mother; he did the laundry, woke her up for work and even loaned her money when necessary.
{Spoiler} Parents need to be aware that two of the main characters die, which may be disturbing to some kids.
There are some wonderful lessons in this film, though it has a mature subject matter which centers around the various relationships. This would be a great movie to see with your kids; it will spark some great parent/child conversations regarding the challenges that life may bring, and how to handle them.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see Jay and his girlfriend passionately kiss.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- {Spoiler} Two of the main characters die, this may disturb younger kids. We see one of them lying on the kitchen floor….dead.
- A man attacks Jay’s mom, Jay steps in and hits the guy…eventually the police break up the fight.
- Jay and his friend get into a fight with two bullies at a pizza place.
- The surfing scenes are scary as we saw many surfers in the rough waters, not knowing if they’re going to survive.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Name calling: “wuss,” and “little trash” are said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Jay’s mom drinks alcohol.
- We see Jay’s friend exchange money for something…it’s implied that the friend starts taking drugs.
Will Kids Like It?: Yes
Overall Chasing Maverick’s is a wonderful heartwarming film. However, parents need to be aware of the mature subject matter that may disturb kids.
Charlie St. Cloud Review
“Charlie St. Cloud” is a PG13 drama starring Zac Efron, as Charlie. For the tween and teenage girls wanting to see Zac Efron, this is not even close to the Troy Bolton from High School Musical. This is the story about Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron). He’s a recent high school graduate, and an experienced sailor, who just received a scholarship to Stanford. One summer night, Charlie and his eleven year old brother, Sam, get into a deadly car accident that kills Sam. Charlie’s life is now changed forever, he gives up sailing, defers college, and he starts working and living at a cemetery. He begins to see clear visions of his brother, and he fulfills his promise that he had once made to Sam; to meet every night at sunset to practice baseball. Five years later Charlie is still interacting with his deceased brother, and trying to cope with his loss, but when he’s reacquainted with Tess, a former high-school classmate, she helps him move on with his life.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: August 4, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This is a heartfelt story about coping with the loss of a loved one, getting a second chance in life, and it’s also an endearing love story.
The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. People who like to sail may like the movie, as there are many scenes of Charlie and Tess sailing.
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, PG13
I read that, “This movie was built to appeal to tween and teen girls.” I think that most high school musical fans will want to see this movie, but as I mentioned earlier this is a drama, not a lighthearted movie, one you’d expect Zac Efron to be in. Since the movie is about death, the subject matter is for mature young adults.
There are some confusing parts in the storyline.
Profanity:
Mild. Though Sam, the eleven year old, swears a few times.
Sexual Content: Mild
Charlie and Tess have a romantic encounter in the cemetery. We don’t see much, mainly passionate kisses, but it’s implied that they’ve slept together.
Violent Content: Moderate
The car accident was intense and very sad. On the way home my kids were on edge, thinking of the accident, realizing that could happen to anyone.
Conclusion:
Overall I thought this was an intriguing movie, that held your attention. My twelve year old son did not like it, but my fourteen year old daughter really liked it, but thought some parts were creepy. I interviewed two ten year old girls that said, “Anything with Zac Efron is good, we loved it!” I don’t think they cared about the intense story, only Zac, as did most of the tween girls.
Cars 2- Kids Movie Review
In Cars 2 we once again see star race car Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson), and his pal, tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) as they head overseas to compete in first-ever World Grand Prix. However, it’s not as easy as they had planned; Mater gets caught in his own adventure, as he accidentally gets involved in an international conspiracy to sabotage the big race car event. While Lightening is busy with the race, Mater travels from Japan to Europe in an exciting chase, as the whole world is watching his surprising and hilarious adventure. In this sequel, there are some new and colorful cars, for the whole family to enjoy.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
There’s a message about the importance of friendships. One character says, “Whoever finds a friend, finds a treasure.” Lightening and Mater have a special relationship. Even though Lightening gets very frustrated with his ditzy friend, he learns to appreciate Mater’s good and likable qualities.
Though fun and entertaining, this film had more potty and slapstick humor than the first Cars movie. The kids in the theater seemed to enjoy, not sure about the parents.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mater has a romantic interest, there’s a little innocent flirting going on between he and his girl.
Violent Content:
- Some cars are equipped with rockets and other spy gear, which resulted in many explosions and heated chase scenes.
- Some bad guys use gas to subdue Mater.
- Mater has a time bomb tied to his engine, this may scare young kids, you’re not sure if Mater will make it.
Crude or Profane Language:
- Words such as “idiot” and “jerk” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content:
- Cars go to a pub, and are served cocktail drinks.
Cars 2 is an entertaining movie for the whole family. With the likable, colorful cars, and a lot of adventure, kids will be thoroughly entertained. Having said that, I feel that the original Cars movie was better, and had an innocence about it that I enjoyed. Cars 2 had more crash scenes and violence; if your kids are sensitive to that, you may want to wait, otherwise it’s a good one to see at the theater this summer!