Reviews by Genre

Movie Reviews by Genre

Chappie- Teen Movie Review

The concept of being pulled over by a robotic police officer seems very strange, however that’s how it was in Johannesburg, South Africa. Set in 2016, the city of Johannesburg’s police force mainly consisted of robots. The storyline is centered around a particular police robot named Chappie, who’s been programmed to become the first robot who has the ability to think and feel for himself. However when a group of thug’s kidnap Chappie, they teach this innocent robot to become like them…shooting, looting and selling drugs. That’s when the battle begins, and that’s when poor Chappie gets involved in illegal activities…ones he was never built to do. Chappie is a dramatic Sci-Fi movie with a lot of disturbing violence and profane language throughout the film.

Rating: 1/2 bucket out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 16, 2015
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will it Appeal to Most Teens? No

Talking Points:

Deon, Chappie’s maker, encourages him to read, paint and better himself. He tells Chappie he can do whatever he wants to do in life. Deon also makes Chappie promise not to get involved with the thug’s criminal activities. Good parent/child conversations.
The movie was very disturbing, we saw the gang’s abusive way of living filled with drugs and crime. Chappie seemed like a child, not a robot; he was kidnapped and forced into their evil ways, which was hard to watch.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see a brief porno clip on someone’s TV… full frontal female nudity.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

The villains encourage Chappie to do evil and disturbing things to innocent people. Chappie manhandles people, leaving them on the streets covered in blood.
We see several characters shot and killed.
There are violent battles between men and robots. A man is shown crushed and torn in half by a metal claw.
Chappie is beaten and set on fire.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said numerous times throughout the film. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “h—,” and “b–ch.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive

Characters are shown smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol throughout the film.
We see one of the thugs counting their drug stash.

Will it Appeal to Most Teens? Yes

I interviewed some teenage girls who loved Chappie (the robot) but didn’t like the film. One girl said, “I loved Chappie, he was so cute, but I didn’t like seeing him tortured.”

Chappie-Teen Movie Review

Unfinished Business-Teen Movie Review

A simple handshake is all Dan Trunkman (Vince Vaughn) really wants and needs to close a business deal. It had been a year since Dan quit his sales job and started a company selling metal manufacturing byproducts. After working hard and trying to support his family, Dan finally got the sale he was waiting for. In order to complete the deal he and his two associates had to travel to Europe, go over the numbers, and have some papers signed. However it wasn’t that easy for the three business men, they came across a lot of obscure adventures and mayhem…while hoping for that final handshake.

Rating: 2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 16, 2015
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Though this is a very raunchy R rated comedy, there are some pleasant scenes involving family, and the importance of being there for one other. Dan’s ultimate goal was to make money for his struggling family.

Sexual Content: Excessive

We see a group of naked people (male and female) in a unisex sauna in Berlin.
Characters go to a gay festival, we see a guys privates and some suggestive posters.
There are several crude and sexual conversations regarding male/female body parts, masturbation, oral sex and more.
There are two explicit sexual scenes with nudity, movements and sounds.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

Two male characters slap each other several times.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said numerous times throughout the film. We also hear “a–,” “b–ch,” and “h–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive

Characters are shown drinking a lot, beer whiskey and tequila.

Will teens Like It? Yes

The film is very goofy and inappropriate, but teenagers may find it entertaining.

Overall this is a very inappropriate R rated comedy. Parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content and profane language throughout the film.

The Lazarus Effect-Teen Movie Review

The Lazarus Effect follows a group of medical students who are doing research… not to cure cancer or other life threatening diseases, but to bring back the dead. Initially they revive a deceased dog, however when they decide to resurrect a human, things don’t go so well. The woman comes back to life, but not the sweet person she once was. Now the students must figure out how to handle the consequences of a project they should never have begun.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 16, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Several of the medical students realize that trying to play God…isn’t the right thing to do.
The film is named after the Bible’s Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. This could spark an interesting parent/child conversation.

Sexual Content: Mild

Character’s are shown kissing.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

We see large needles injected into human heads and animal heads.
A character is crushed to death in a metal cabinet.
A woman kills someone by grabbing their head and squeezing it.
Someone dies by choking on an e-cigarette.
A woman is electrocuted, we see burns and welts on her ring finger.

Crude and Profane Language: Moderate

We hear the f-word. Also, “sh-t,” “a–,” “h–,” “d–n,” and “b–ch.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see character’s smoking regular and e-cigarettes.
Characters are shown drinking wine.

Will it Appeal to Most Kids? Yes

I interviewed some pre-teens after the film, they love horror films so of course they liked this movie. However they were hoping it would be scarier.

The Lazarus Effect-Teen Movie Review

The DUFF-Kids’ Movie Review

Designated Ugly Fat Friend, aka…DUFF! This is the story about a high school senior named Bianca (Mae Whitman). Things are going well for Bianca, she’s smart, has good friends, and has a crush on a boy at school. However her life drastically changes when she learns that she’s known as “The Duff,” to her prettier and popular friends. Bianca is the cute, but not super hot girl. She’s approachable and easy to talk to, so therefore boys go to her, when ultimately they want a date with her friends. Bianca takes charge of her life, she recruits Wesley (Robbie Amell), her charming jock neighbor whom she’s grown up with, to give her more style and charm. Now the excitement begins as Bianca becomes a role model to all, and reminds her peers that we’re all someone’s DUFF.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 9, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Great messages woven throughout the film. Bianca eventually realizes that being labeled as ” The DUFF” doesn’t matter. Labels are meaningless…know who you are and accept it. Great parent/child conversations.

Sexual Content: Moderate

Bianca pretends a store mannequin is the boy she has a crush on. She makes suggestive comments and sexual movements with the mannequin. This is shown throughout the film.
Several teenagers are shown kissing and some making out.
There are sexual references and discussions regarding porn, masturbation, male/female body parts.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

Bianca hits a guy in the face.
Bianca threatens students with death or mutilation, including ripping someone’s scrotum off.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h–,” and “d–k.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see high school students drinking from red plastic cups at a party.
It appears as though students are playing beer pong.
We see Biana’s mom drinking wine.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Teens and pre-teens loved the characters and story-line of the film.

Overall this is a great film about teenage issues, and accepting who you are. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and profane language.

Duff-Teen Movie Review

McFarland USA-Kids’ Movie Review

Inspired by the 1987 true story, McFarland USA follows the life of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner). Jim has a hard time keeping a teaching/coaching job, as his temper gets the best of him. Eventually Jim and his family head to McFarland, Ca, an impoverished agricultural community, where he accepts a job teaching Science and PE. Jim sees the potential of these hard-working Latino boys, and starts a cross country team. Jim not only coaches these boys to become better athletes, he instills some valuable lessons that change their lives forever.

Rating: 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 2, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will It Appeal to Most Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

There are wonderful messages and inspirational scenes. Initially the Whites are uneasy about their new environment, and the Latino community feels the same about their new arrival. However, both cultures learn to accept and appreciate each other. Great parent/child conversation.
Coach White stresses the importance of school and attending college.
Young kids may get bored, as it is slow in parts.

Sexual Content: Mild

There’s talk of a teenage girl who got pregnant out of wedlock.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

We see a guy wearing a bloodied t-shirt after getting into a fight. The fight is off-screen.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “d–n,” and “a-s.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Characters are shown drinking beer and tequila.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed a group of middle school age boys who really liked the film. They run cross country, and said they can relate to the strenuous work outs.

Overall this is a wonderful inspirational sports drama, one for the whole family.