Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Battleship Review-Teen Movie Review
“You sank my battleship!” Even though they don’t say that in the movie, it’s a familiar phrase from Milton Bradley’s classic naval combat game…Battleship; and now it’s on the big screen! Lieutenant Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) also known as Tim Riggins from the TV series Friday Night Lights, is intelligent and handsome; but makes poor decisions. He’s 26, his car won’t start, and he sleeps on his brother’s couch, who’s a commander in the Navy. Alex’s life dramatically changes when his brother convinces him to join Navy and get his life in order; so that’s what Alex does. Things start out a little slow, an admiral even tells him, “You’ve got skills, but I’ve never seen anyone waste them like you!” However when the world is attacked by an army of aliens, Alex takes command with hopes to save the world. Battleship is a sci-fi, action/ adventure film, one that boys will love, though it’s very violent!
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content:Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Alex went from a guy who didn’t care about much, to someone who became passionate about helping people, and saving the world. He was a great character and role model for kids. Good eye candy for moms!
One of the soldiers lost his legs during the war, he felt insecure about his handicap, though he become a key part in helping his country.
Alex and his brother have a strong relationship, which ultimately helps Alex become a true hero. Another great thing for kids to see.
At the end of the film a group of 80 year-old men help Alex and company save the world from the alien invasion. This was a great, motivating scene!
Rihanna was not the best actress, I think she should stick to singing.
Sexual Content:Mild
- Alex’s girlfriend wears low-cut, revealing shirts.
- In one scene Alex’s girlfriend straddles him, while not wearing much, as we see them passionately kiss.
Violent Content:Excessive
- There are several ships that sink, we see hundreds of people die.
- The alien’s weapons could tear through metal, which would ultimately sink our ships.
- This was a very loud movie, with many massive explosions throughout the film.
- Aliens and humans engage in fistfights.
- We hear screams of several victims.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “S–t,” “b–ch,” “b-tard,” “d-mn,” and “a-s,” are said throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s are shown in a bar drinking shots and beer.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an action packed violent film that boys will love, however parents need to be aware of the continuous violence. Depending on the child, I feel the movie is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
The Back Up Plan Review
“The Back-up Plan” is a story about Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), a single woman who decides that after several years of dating, and never finding “Mr. Right,” that she’s ready to have a baby; so she opts for artificial insemination. Naturally, the day that she is artificially inseminated, is the day she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin). While after many romantic dates, she decides that it’s time to tell Stan about her pregnancy. Stan responds enthusiastically, though very nervous. Over the course of nine months, we not only see the couple’s romance and excitement, but also their struggles over the stress of Zoe’s pregnancy.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 24, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I liked Jennifer Lopez’s hair, and clothes.
Even though Stan is nervous, he does everything he can to support Zoe. From her cravings to her mood swings, he’s always there for her. I liked the fact the abortion was never mentioned.
The part that bothered me the most was how poorly parenthood is portrayed. When Zoe’s friend, a mother of four, was trying to dissuade Zoe from having a baby, she say’s that kids are awful, it’s the worst thing thats ever happened to her, and that she hates them. A father at the playground tells Stan the same thing. He says fatherhood is “awful, awful, awful, and then something beautiful happens, then it’s awful, awful, awful.”
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Many times we see a woman breast-feeding her 3 year old girl, this was inappropriate.
- There are many sexual scenes with Stan and Zoe, and there’s a lot of sexual conversations throughout the movie, mostly regarding pregnancy issues.
- We see one of Zoe’s friends give birth in a tub of water, this was a disturbing and inappropriate scene for young teens, my daughter thought it was gross.
Profane or crude language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the movie.
I kept thinking there would be some redeeming qualities at the end, Perhaps a nice message on how wonderful parenthood is, or how it’s best to get married first, then have children, but no such luck.
I know many teens that saw the movie, some thought it was okay, while others really liked it and thought it was a cute and fun movie. From a mom’s perspective, I didn’t care for it. If you have to see it, I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 14 and up, but I would have a conversation with your kids how it’s just a light hearted movie, with not much substance. I’m going to give the movie two buckets. The movie was centered around the couples love affair, and the trials of parenthood, but not the blessing that is truly is.
Arthur Christmas Review
So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night? That’s the question that many children have during the Christmas season; if you see Arthur Christmas you’ll find out…he is high-tech, that Santa!!! But behind all state of the art equipment that Santa has, this story center’s around Santa’s youngest son Arthur. He’s quirky and clumsy, but he has a heart of gold. One Christmas Eve night Arthur realizes something awful; a little girl does not get her gift, she was forgotten. Arthur is devastated, and will do anything he can so this sweet little girl won’t lose her faith in Santa. This is a fun heartwarming story, one that kids will enjoy, though parents may get a little bored.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 23, 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:
Arthur is a great character. He’s a simple unassuming guy, who loves the spirit of Christmas.
There are some nice messages in the film about forgiveness, and determination.
Steve, Santa’s older son has an important job, he runs Christmas. The only bad thing about Steve is that he’s not concerned that they forgot a little girl, he says that it’s not a big deal.
Grandsanta teases Santa, calling him a “postman with a spaceship.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two elves kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- Some characters are attacked by lions.
- Arthur and his friends get shot at by a shotgun.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- An elf said that “children are stupid.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Grandsanta mentions that he likes whiskey.
Arthur Christmas is a movie that you can take your kids to and not worry about them being scared, or covering their eyes during the inappropriate scenes. It’s about kindness; and the consequences you get from helping people out…it will bring a smile to your face, it did for Arthur!
Arthur Review
Do money and material things make a person happy? Arthur (Russell Brand) initially thinks they do. He is a very generous, kind-hearted man and an heir to a very successful family business. He spends his money foolishly; on magnetic beds, Batmobiles, lots of alcohol and prostitutes. Arthur’s mother (Geraldine James) eventually realizes that it’s time for Arthur to finally grow up, (after all, he is a grown man who still has his nanny taking care of him). So his mother decides to marry him off to a women named Susan (Jennifer Garner). She’s beautiful, smart, and can eventually run the family business. Knowing that Arthur isn’t in love with this women, his mother gives him an ultimatum: marry Susan or forfeit his inheritance. This is a hard decision for Arthur, especially when he falls in love with another women, one the family doesn’t particularly like.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: April 8, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points
Arthur is a remake of the 1981 comedy. Though I don’t remember much about the original movie, I do remember liking it.
Arthur’s relationship with his nanny (Helen Mirren) is very special. When he was a child, his mother was always working, and his dad died when he was three, so his nanny was the one person who truly cared about him. When she gets sick, Arthur matures, and eventually takes care of her, this was sweet and endearing to see his gradual change.
There’s a nice message that life isn’t all about material things. When Arthur falls in love with Naomi, (the woman the family doesn’t like), he realizes that all the money in the world won’t make him happy, but love will. Naomi also helps him mature and become more responsible. She explains that it’s good to earn things…something that Arthur doesn’t understand.
While the movie is funny and entertaining, it’s very predictable and a little boring in parts. I found myself looking at my watch a couple of times. Arthur is shown drinking excessive amounts alcohol throughout most of the movie and parents may feel uncomfortable with that.
Sexual Content: Mild
• Arthur is shown in bed with a prostitute wearing a skimpy outfit. It’s implied they’ve had a sexual encounter.
• There are many sexual references and jokes throughout the movie. Arthur talks about all the women he’s been with, and some he doesn’t even remember the next morning.
• Arthur has a huge party, and women’s underwear and bras are scattered throughout his apartment.
• Arthur is shown only wearing briefs in a couple of scenes.
Violent Content: Moderate
• When Arthur was playing with a nail gun, he accidentally shot his father-in-law to be. When he pulls out the nails, we see blood stains on his shirt.
• Arthur gets in a few car accidents when carelessly driving his Batmobile.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
• A young child says b*&#h, there are some other mild profanities used throughout the movie, but not very often.
Overall Arthur is an entertaining movie with a nice message. Though it’s fun to buy new “toys,” they will only bring you temporary happiness; something Arthur eventually comes to realize. I brought my 11 and 13-year-old sons, and one of their friends. My 11-year-old got a little bored, the 13 year-olds liked it and thought it was funny. I recommend this movie for kids ages 13 and up.
Overall this is an adventurous, action packed movie. As I previously mentioned, there is a lot of violence, but fine for a PG13 rated movie. Depending on whether your child can handle some of the violent scenes, I recommend this movie for kids ages 11 and up.
Amelia Review
“Amelia” is based on biographies The Sound of Wings, and East to the Dawn. It’s the story of Amelia Earhart, the first women to fly across the Atlantic, and one of America’s major celebrities of the 1930’s. As a child in Kansas she became obsessed with flying after seeing a plane flying close the ground. She was determined to make her dream come true, which was to fly. The movie shows a series of events in her life which leads to her final flight. In the summer of 1937 Amelia took on a flight around the world, which became one of the most talked about journeys in history.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: February 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Amelia had a lot of wonderful qualities that young girls will admire. Failure was not an option for Amelia. She was determined, hard working, and had a thrill for danger. While her first flight across the Atlantic made her famous, and an inspiration, Earhart was dissatisfied, because she was the passenger, not the pilot, so she took the dangerous journey solo.
Amelia was a role model for many young women in her life. Her courage, passion and perseverance proved to other woman that they should follow their dreams, no matter people say. She was even an inspiration to Eleanor Roosevelt.
The scenery, especially while flying, was absolutely gorgeous.
Amelia became the first person to make the flight across the Atlantic since Charles Lindburgh, so her nickname became “ Lady Lindy.”
Like anything, hard work leads to success. She had to work hard to keep up her expensive life style of flying. It was the commercial endorsements that her husband set up, which helped fund her flying, this was stressed throughout the movie.
While the movie did not get the best reviews, I enjoyed it, and so did many people in the theatre. One reviewer said, “Despite Earhart’s extraordinary life, the movie about her feels all too ordinary”.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Though very famous and well liked, she had some personal problems. She had feelings for another man, a fellow pilot, with whom she had an affair. This scene was uncomfortable and disappointing, because she was such a role model. In the end she realizes how important marriage is, and sticks with her loving and supportive husband.
Violent Content: Mild
- During some of the flights, there were some scary scenes.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The a-word, d-word are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters were drinking in many scenes.
The movie may bore younger kids, and there’s probably not enough action for boys, though it’s a great, educational movie for girls ages 11 and up. There’s the repeated message to follow your dreams, while remaining down to earth and humble. I give it 3 1/2 buckets.