Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Ride Along-Teen Movie Review
“Show me you deserve my sister.” That’s what police officer James Payton (Ice Cube) says to his sister’s boyfriend, Ben (Kevin Hart). Ben is a security guard, but dreams of being cop. He plays enough Call of Duty-type video games, so he feels ready for the real thing. Ben is also in love with James’ sister, Angela ( Tika Sumpter), and asks for James’ blessing before proposing. However, it’s not that easy, in order to prove himself worthy of marrying his sister, James insists that Ben ride along for a twenty four hour patrol. So now Ben and James hit the streets of Atlanta while Ben desperately tries to impress his brother- in- law to be. Ride Along is a comedic film, with a lot of action and adventure.
Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 15, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
There aren’t any life lessons or encouraging messages in the film, however it is funny and entertaining.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We see Ben and his girlfriend kissing in bed together.
- Ben’s girlfriend texts him to hurry home because she’s “horny.”
- Guys were making sexual noises, imitating a couple making love.
- There’s a scene in a strip club, we see woman in bikinis and revealing outfits.
- Ben’s gaming nickname is “Black Hammer.” There are sexual comments regarding that name.
Violent Content: Excessive
- During the ride along, in the rough areas of Atlanta, we see characters punched, kicked, beaten, shot and often killed.
- A character gets shot in the leg, we see him suffer, then shot to death.
- We see bloody injuries.
- Ben is a gamer, we see virtual characters beaten, shot and torn apart.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word is said once. We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” “p—y,” “h—,” throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- We see a drunk character holding a bottle of vodka.
- A high school student was about to skip school and go drinking with friends. Ben talks him out of it and explains how it could ruin his life.
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall Ride Along is an action packed, comedic film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence, language and sexual references in the movie.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit-Kids Movie Review
He’s handsome, he’s intelligent…he’s the young Jack Ryan (Chris Pine). Jack Ryan is an economic student studying in London to get his PhD. However his life dramatically changes one day as he’s watching the events from 9/11 on TV. He alters his course of action from studying economics to joining the marines. The film follows Jack’s life from his time in Afghanistan, where he suffered a terrible injury, to his days as an analyst in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the CIA. Continue reading
The Legend Of Hercules-Kids Movie Reviews
Hercules (Kellan Lutz)… the son of Zeus, half-god, half-man. This is the story of the very handsome and strong mythical hero named Hercules. When we initially meet Hercules, he is happy and madly in love with Hebe (Gaia Weiss); a beautiful young woman and daughter of a powerful Greek king. However, Hercules’ life changes when his stepfather, the King, announces the marriage between Hercules’ deceitful half-brother, Iphicles (Liam Garrigan) and his true love Hebe. Now Hercules is exiled and sold into slavery because of his forbidden relationship with Hebe. Through vicious battles and gladiator arena death matches, Hercules hopes to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land.
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 10, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
The film may appeal to the Twilight Saga fans, as vampire Emmett Cullen stars as Hercules. Also, pre-teen boys may like the action and adventure throughout the film. Having said that, parents may want to stay home. It’s a low budget film and very corny in parts.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We see Hercules and his true love Hebe kissing under a waterfall.
- Hercules and Hebe are in a sexual encounter. We see them wrapped in sheets and her chest is briefly exposed.
- There’s also a sexual encounter involving Alcmene (Hercules’ mother) and Zeus. We see Alcmene lying in bed covered with blankets while Zeus takes the form of a strong breeze. It’s clear as to what they are doing.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are several battles and gladiator-arena matches. Characters are stabbed and killed by swords and arrows.
- We see dead bodies hanging from ropes, and bloody corpses covering the ground.
- A woman stabs herself in the chest and the blade goes through the man behind her as well.
- There is a scene where a lion attacks Hercules, though Hercules kills the lion.
- Woman are hit, stabbed and thrown around.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall The Legend Of Hercules is a film that pre-teen boys may find entertaining. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content throughout the film.
Saving Mr. Banks
She loathes Disney products and the idea that wishes can make dreams come true, a well known Disney philosophy. She despises anything associated with Disney, even Mickey Mouse. This is the story about British writer P. L. Travers, the author of the beloved “Mary Poppins” books. It’s a story of how Walt Disney pursues Travers so he can turn the wonderful Mary Poppins creation into a magically Disney film. After twenty years he eventually succeeds, though it wasn’t easy. He discovers the truth about Travers’ horrid past, and learns how the magical English nanny came to be. Based on a true story. Saving Mr. Banks is a wonderful film, though it may not appeal to kids.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 18, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
Will It Appeal to Kids? No
Talking Points:Saving Mr. Banks
Most people assume that this is a fun loving movie, after all Walt Disney is one of the main characters. However, Saving Mr. Banks is not necessarily for kids, though an amazing movie. The mature storyline of Travers’ life, and the trials and tribulations she faces during her childhood might not be something that would appeal to kids.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
- Travers’ mom tries to commit suicide. We see her walking out into deep water…it’s a creepy scene and may frighten young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- We hear, “d-mn,” “h—,” and “g–d-mn.”
Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
- Travers’ father is an alcoholic. We see flashbacks throughout the film of him drinking from bottles and flasks. In one scene he has a speaking engagement, and falls off the stage. He hurts his back, and becomes bedridden from then on. We see him lying in bed while coughing up blood.
- When Travers’ father was convalescing, he has his daughter get him his booze, calling it his “medicine.”
Will It Appeal to Kids? No
Overall this is a wonderful movie, one that adults will especially enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the excessive drug and alcohol content throughout the film.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty-Kids Movie Review
His profile on eHarmony was blank and his childhood travel journal was empty. This is a story about Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a quiet guy who works hard as a negative asset manger for LIFE magazine; he develops photos by great photographers. However, Walter is not content, he wants more in his life, he wants some excitement… and his constant adventurous daydreaming doesn’t cut it. When the magazine goes from print to online publication only, Walter’s co-workers start getting fired, and the amazing photo for the final edition’s cover is missing. As Walter searches the world to find the photographer, and the special negative, he also learns a lot about himself and what’s truly important in life.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 15, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kid/Teens? Yes
Talking Points:
There is a wonderful message in the film is to enjoy the little things in life- to love, and appreciate your blessings. This will spark some great parent/child conversations.
The film is very appropriate, however young kids may get bored, and may not appreciate the office politics and humor.
There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn and Shirley MacLaine.
Sexual Content: Mild
- It’s mentioned that some sailors were “horny” as we see them running to a strip club.
- While traveling in Greenland, Walter mistakes the word eruption for erection.
Violent Content: Mild
- Walter tends to daydream a lot, though fictitious, some scenes were a little violent. He imagines himself saving a pet in a burning building, gets into a brawl with his boss in an elevator, falls out of a glass window from a high rise, jumps into the ocean from helicopter, skateboards towards an erupting volcano and gets into a bar fight.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- We hear, “sh-t,” “h–l,” and “a–.”
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- We see characters drinking beer, one character is shown drunk.
Will It Appeal to Kids/Teens? Yes, it will appeal to pre-teens and teens.
Overall The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty is a wonderful heartfelt story. This is an appropriate film for kids ages 10 and up; adults will enjoy it too.