Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Toy Story 3 Review
August is usually an emotional time for high school graduates and their parents, as the young adults prepare to leave for college. In this final movie of the Toy Story series, we see Andy preparing to depart for college as well. So what do teenagers do with their favorite childhood toys? Some may put them in a box for storage, while others may donate them, and that’s what Andy did. His beloved toys, that were supposed to go in the attic for storage, ended up in the “donate” pile, that went to a local daycare; including Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen). Andy’s gang of toys initially loved their new home, but as they gradually learned more about the daycare, they ended up unhappy with their new environment, so they planned an escape to find their friend and owner Andy.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
My husband and I have a few years before we have to think of our kids leaving for college, but we have nieces and nephews, and many good friends who have gone through this separation. It’s an emotional time when our children leave for college, and this was equally hard for Andy’s mom and his toys. The audience see’s how Andy’s toys deal with their sense of abandonment. The toys stick together, and help each other, while going through this emotional time…a good lesson for kids.
There’s a sentimental scene that shows Andy and his mom, in Andy’s empty bedroom, saying their goodbye’s to each other. Parents will relate to their sadness.
Kids and adults will love this movie. There are some pop-cultural references that only adults will get.
The movie has some funny parts as well.
- Spanish Buzz Lightyear
- Fashionable Ken and Barbie
Sexual Content: Mild
- Cute flirting with Ken and Barbie.
Violent Content:
- There are some intense action scenes that may scare younger kids. At one point it seems like our favorite toys will all perish.
- As in most movies there are “the bad guys,” these characters may also scare younger kids.
- In the daycare there are some “bully toys” lead by a bear named Lots-o’, and creepy baby doll. My 14 year old daughter said that as a youngster, she would have been scared in some of the intense moments of this movie.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
It’s been eleven years since we last saw Woody, Buzz and the gang. Many of today’s teenagers grew up with the “Toy Story” characters. Like everything, all good things must come to an end, and Pixar did a great job of concluding one of our favorite classic movie series.
This was an entertaining and emotional movie for the whole family to see. I give this movie five out of five buckets.
Toy Story/Toy Story 2 Review
We had Toy Story in 1995, Toy Story 2 in 1999, and now in 2009 they’re back, but this time in 3D. The story is exactly the same. In the first movie we meet a boy named Andy, and his wonderful toys that come to life when no one’s around. Woody(Tom Hanks) the likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear(Tim Allen) the fearless space ranger, are Andy’s favorite toys, though they are competitors both vying to be number one in Andy’s eyes. After a fun intermission, which consists of short clips and trivia, then Toy Story 2 begins, which starts off with Andy going to camp, and leaving his toys behind. Woody discovers that he’s a collectible from a 1950 TV show when and obsessive toy collector kidnaps him. Woody also meets the other prized toys from the show, and once again the toys experience many adventures together.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 5, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any Age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
I read that “the re-release is smooth, crisper and more vibrant for the new generation of children.”
It’s great that the new generation of kids will have the chance to see these movies on the big screen before the upcoming release of Toy Story 3, which comes out summer 2010.
These movies are only out for 2 weeks.
We see the first complete trailer, in 3D of Toy Story 3.
Both movies have pleasant messages of helping one another, kindness and humility.
The main theme throughout both movies is about toys rescuing toys.
Toy Story 1 and 2 are good wholesome refreshing movies that everyone will enjoy, both kids and adults.
I interviewed kids after the movies, and they all loved it. Their ages ranged from about 4 to 10. When the first movie was finished, the kids were still quiet and attentive ready for Toy Story 2. The parents said that the 10 minute intermission was very beneficial. I give both movies five buckets.
Tower Heist Review
Who wouldn’t want to live in The Tower? A beautiful Central Park condominium in New York City, with a building manager that will pamper you to your hearts desire. Yes, Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) takes care of his residents, especially Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), an investor who lives in the penthouse and keeps a red Ferrari, once owned by Steve McQueen, in his living room. All seems well for the staff and residents at The Tower until the day Josh(building manager) founds out that their investor, and penthouse owner, has stolen their retirement funds. So now Josh, along with some of his staff, and street thug, Slide (Eddie Murphy), plan the ultimate revenge to reclaim their money. Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy lead an all-star cast in this comedy adventure about a group of average Joes who plan a hilarious robbery.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: February 21, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Josh (Ben Stiller) is a good guy, who truly feels bad for his employee’s financial loss. Josh is devastated when the doorman tries to commit suicide, due to his financial struggles. Josh responsible for their loss and will do whatever it takes to help his staff.
There’s not a moral lesson or redeeming quality to this film, in fact it’s just the opposite; none of us want our kids planning a robbery. However, Tower Heist is so unrealistic that it’s funny and entertaining. It’s a suspenseful, fun movie.
The film has an all-star cast, to name a few: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, and Tea Leoni. They’re a unique group in this comedic film.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are many sexual comments and references; for example Slide (Eddie Murphy), leaves the room and says he’s going to have sex with his girlfriend. When looking at a photo of a chesty women, who’s identified as a lesbian, Slide mentions that he prefers women with big busts.
- We see an employee reading Playboy.
- Josh (Ben Stiller), steals panties from Victoria’s Secrets, and shoves them down the front of his pants.
- There’s a lot of talk about male and female sexual parts.
Violent Content: Mild
- In one scene Josh is very upset and smashes a car with a golf club.
- One character is shown hanging from the top of high-rise, over a crowded street.
- The doorman attempts suicide as he walks towards an oncoming train.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- We hear a lot of swear words throughout the film; words such as “d–n,” “a–” “h—,” and “b–ch.” There are jokes about “vaginas,” “balls,” and “farts,” that are said numerous times as well.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Two characters have a lot to drink at a local bar; they get very drunk!
Overall I found Tower Heist to be a funny and entertaining movie. Having said that, it’s a PG13 movie, with an excessive amount of profanity in addition to some sexual references and comments. Parents need to be aware of that before sending their kids. Depending on your child, I recommend this film for kids ages 13 and up.
Touchback Review
What if? People tend to question whether they’ve made the right choices in their lives; and that was a constant concern for Scott Murphy (Brian Presley). Living in a small, blue collar farm town in Ohio, Scott thought he had it all. In high school he was athletic, popular, and very good looking ; he even had a college football scholarship already lined up. However, his life dramatically changed in the football state finals during his senior year. Scott’s leg was crushed in the last seconds of the game. Twenty years later; he’s married with 2 kids, and still limping with a leg brace, and often wondered, what if he hadn’t run that last play? Touchback is a wonderful heartfelt story about hard work, and the true meaning of life.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 8, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with reviews of Bully and The Lucky One!
Talking Points:
I couldn’t help but think of It’s a Wonderful Life. Scott, like George Bailey, was going through a very rough time in his life. He was continuously faced with difficult challenges; he even got to the point where he attempted suicide. Scott eventually realized how truly blessed he was with his wonderful family and friends. A lesson which was laced throughout the film: it’s not the “things,” that make you happy, it’s people in your life. Great parent/child conversation.
Scott’s football coach, Coach Hand (Kurt Russell) was a wonderful influence on the team. He encouraged his players to work hard, on and off the field. He even told the players to “Go home, and tell your parents that you love them.” The constant lessons he brought to the team will spark great parent/child conversations as well.
Scott’s wife was very optimistic and loving. When we saw flashbacks of Scott in high school, we learn that his goal was to leave their small town. She was always content with her life, as a teen, and as an adult.
As I mentioned there were some wonderful messages woven throughout the film, however one frustrating thing about the film was the poor acting, (except for Kurt Russell).
The movie was partially filmed in Grand Rapids and Coopersville, Mi, which was fun to see, since I’m from Grand Rapids.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The scenes with Scott in high school show his cute blond girlfriend climbing on his lap, and kissing him…and wanting more. She stated that she wanted to reduce his pre-game stress, and have some fun!
- We see girls wearing low cut shirts and short shorts.
- In one scene characters are shown skinny dipping. We see them from a distance taking off their clothes and jumping in the water, they’re shown from their shoulders up.
Violent Content: Moderate
- We see some rough, hard-hitting football plays.
- We see Scott trying to commit suicide by plugging the tailpipe of his truck, while hoping to get carbon monoxide poisoning.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–,” is said about a dozen times, and “d–n,” and “a–,” are said a few times.
Overall this is a wonderful film with inspirational messages for kids to hear. The deep subject matter may be too much for younger kids, so I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up.
Total Recall Review
A place where dreams come true…no it’s not Disney World; it’s a place called Rekall. Rekall provides its customers with an implanted fake memory; whatever you want, whatever you’ve always dreamed of; it’s yours. Factory worker, Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), thinks this sounds great. However when the procedure goes awry, Doug becomes a man on the run when he realizes that he’s a threat to the government, and a wanted man. Doug becomes confused (so was I) between what’s real and what’s fantasy as he tries to save the world from an evil villain. Total Recall is a remake of the 1990 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Rating: 1 and 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: December 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? No
See a clip of my review here, along with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days!
Talking Points:
Doug is a good guy, and a likable character. He wanted to do the right thing, and even risked his life while doing so.
I read this film was originally rated R; it barely made the PG13 rating.
The story-line is confusing. I got tired of the battles and brutal fights.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- When Doug enters a red-light district a prostitute approaches him and opens her coat to reveal her three breasts…yes three! She says, “You’re going to wish you had three hands.”
- Doug and his wife are shown kissing, and caressing each other; while she’s only wearing a tank top and undies.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are violent fights with gunfire and brutal punches throughout the whole film.
- People are stabbed and sliced with knives.
- Doug slices his hand open to remove a phone that was embedded in his hand.
- There are massive explosions, with several casualties.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word is said once. “Sh-t” is said around 30 times. “B–ch,” “d–n,” “a–,” “h–l,” d-ck,” are also used a couple times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s are shown drinking beer at a bar.
Will Kids Like It? No
Overall this is an action packed, somewhat confusing, sci-fi film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and profane language. I recommend The Amazing Spider-man for a good action film to see at the theaters, with not as much violence or profane language.