Reviews by Genre

Movie Reviews by Genre

Wonder Woman-Kids’ Movie Review

Diana (Gal Gadot) is not your average young girl. Her mother, the Amazon Queen, created Diana from a hunk of clay. They live on an island populated entirely by women and, since there are no kids on the island, Diana has no playmates. She studies hard, speaks over 150 languages, and on her spare time Diana sneaks off with her aunt who gives her some hard core warrior training. Diana grows into a smart, strong and beautiful woman. Her life dramatically changes the day she rescues Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), an American pilot who crashes his plane in the water. Diana is shocked as she’s never seen a man before. Steve tells her about the horrors of World War I that’s going on outside of her sheltered paradise. Diana is convinced that she can stop the war, and she ultimately discovers her true powers as Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman is based on DC Comics character of the same name.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 19, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

There is a sexual attraction between Steve and Diana (Wonder Woman). We see them briefly kiss, and it’s implied that they’ve slept together.
In one scene we see Chris Pine naked, though he covers his privates with his hands.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There’s a lot of violence throughout the film. There are bad guys and numerous battles. There are sword fights (someone is impaled by a sword), characters punch and kick each other.
The movie takes place during WWI, so there’s a lot of combat fighting. We see injured soldiers with missing limbs. Numerous characters die from the war, explosions and bullets.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “h—” a few times in the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is an entertaining, action pact film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul-Kids’ Movie Review

Summertime is finally here and twelve year-old Greg Heffley (now played by Jason Drucker) is ready to just relax and chill out. However, his mother has a different plan. She forces the family to take a four-day road trip to Granny Meemaw’s 90th birthday party…a tech free car ride too. Initially Greg is upset until he realizes his favorite YouTube gamer will be making a live appearance at a video game convention in Indianapolis, which is close to Granny’s house. Now Greg has to figure out how he can sneak off to the convention…a challenging feat which he’s determined to accomplish. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is the fourth movie in the series based on Jeff Kinney’s popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books; starring an all new cast.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 8, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Despite all the potty humor, and kids defying their parents, the boys ultimately realize the importance of family.
Greg and his brother Rodrick lie, steal, and break into a hotel room.

Sexual Content: Mild

Roderick finds a large bra and examines it.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There’s a car chase scene that ends in a accident.
Greg is cornered in a bathtub by a large scary man who’s been chasing him.
Greg and Rodrick lie to their parents and take an Uber to a gaming convention – an hour away.
Greg ends up in a runaway boat down a grassy hill which ends up in a swimming pool.
The family stays in a roach infested hotel room.
There are some gross scenes involving vomit, bowel movements and sounds, and other bodily functions.
Greg pees in a bottle in front of his family on the drive.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“H-ll,” and name calling such as: “stupid,” “weirdo,” and “loser.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is an entertaining film, however parents need to be aware of potty humor throughout the film.

Everything, Everything-Kids’ Movie Review

Maddy Whittier is an adorable teenage girl, though she’s not your average teen. She doesn’t attend the high school football games, she doesn’t play a sport or musical instrument, and she’s never even been to a high school dance. That’s because Maddy is housebound. She has a severe auto-immune disorder. Maddy lives in a beautiful home with her mother and has a nurse taking care of her in the day. However, Maddy’s life completely changes the day Olly Bright moves next door. Olly’s bedroom window is across from Maddy’s and the two manage to communicate through their windows. As Maddy gradually falls for the boy next door, she desperately wants to meet the boy next door…even if it means risking her life. Everything, Everything is based on a young adult novel.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 15, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

The teenage couple passionately kiss throughout the film.
The couple escapes to Hawaii. It’s implied that they’ve had a sexual relationship.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

We see Olly and his father in a fist fight. They have a violent relationship.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “sh-t,” and “h–l.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

In one scene we see Olly’s father drunk.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, this is a romantic drama which will appeal to pre-teen girls. Parents need to be aware of the sexual content. Appropriate for kids 12 and up.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-Kids’ Movie Reviews

The group of misfit Guardians are back. Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) with his “Awesome Mix Tape Vol 2”, Gamora, the green warrior, Drax, the blue muscleman, Groot, the little tree-like creature, and Rocket, the cute raccoon. In this film the Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race to protect their expensive batteries from invaders. However, things get complicated when it’s discovered that Rocket has stolen the precious items, and so the aliens want to seek revenge. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an action packed science fiction film for tweens and up.

Rating: 3. 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 22, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

As in the first film the characters are fun and entertaining. The soundtrack is great as well.
In addition to all the violence there are messages stressing importance of helping others, family and friends.

Sexual Content: Mild

It’s noted that Peter has been with several woman throughout the galaxy.
There is sexual chemistry between Peter and Gamora. A woman states that Peter has sexual feelings for Gamora.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are fist fights and laser fights. Characters are hit, pounded to the ground, and skewered with arrows.
There are massive explosions and numerous characters die.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

Groot is shown drinking alcoholic beverages..

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “d–n,” “h–,” and “d–k.”

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed four teenage boys who loved the film. Their favorite character was Groot.

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for tweens and up. Parents need to be aware of the science fiction action and violence throughout the film.

The Circle-Kids’ Movie Review

“Sharing is caring.” That is the motto of the successful tech company called The Circle. The Circle has some strange rules. They have social mangers who not only keep track of its employees at work, but also outside of work. They want their employees to be “community-minded.” Things get really creepy when the new employee Mae Holland (Emma Watson) agrees to be apart of the companies latest tech experiment. She commits to have a transparent life which involves constantly wearing a camera; everything she does and says is streamed live. This cult-like company has an impact on Mae and eventually changes her life forever. The Circle is a science fiction film, based on the 2013 best selling novel, The Circle.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 1, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film will spark some great parent/child conversations. Though the movie is fiction, it’s not far from the truth. With social media today many people feel as though their life is transparent.

Sexual Content: Mild

We briefly see a married couple making love. There is no nudity.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Mae nearly drowns while kayaking.
A man accidentally drives a vehicle off a bridge. We later hear that the man died.
We hear about a woman who killed her three children by locking them in a closet, letting them starve to death.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said once. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” and “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a thought provoking, somewhat creepy, film that teens will find interesting.