Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Thor Review
As parents, when we discipline our children, we typically give them a time out or take certain privileges away from them. That’s not how Thor’s dad disciplines him. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is a powerful, but yet arrogant young warrior living on a different world, Asgard. He disobeys and betrays his father (Anthony Hopkins), who is the King of Asgard, by fighting in an unnecessary battle. His father, who believes in preserving the peace with their enemy, is very upset, and banishes Thor down to Earth, so he can live with humans as a punishment. On Earth he has no special privileges, titles or prestige, he’s just a regular guy trying to survive on his own; even his magical hammer is taken away from him. Naturally, he is faced with many challenges and obstacles, though he learns a valuable lesson about humility, and how to be a true leader. This sci/fi, action film, based on Marvel comic books, is an intense, but entertaining movie.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 6, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Profanity: Mild
Violence: Excessive
Sensuality: Mild
Drugs/Alcohol: Mild
Talking Points
This movie has a great cast. To name a few; Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins and of course Chris Hemsworth as Thor.
Living in Asgard, Thor is heir to the throne, and he’s very spoiled and selfish. While on Earth, and having lost all his powers, he learns a great lesson about humility. When a small town in New Mexico is threatened by a monster, Thor risks his life to save and protect his human friends. Without spoiling the movie, he makes other sacrifices as well to help the people of Asgard. He is no longer selfish, and realizes the importance of helping others.
In one scene, Thor says, “My father tried to teach me something, but I was too stupid to listen.” He regrets not listening to his father, and he had to pay the consequence. This could spark some great discussions with your kids. After all, parents know what’s best for their children.
Thor’s younger brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), is very jealous of Thor. He wants to be the next King, so he lies and manipulates certain situations to keep Thor away from Asgard. His jealousy gets the best of him, another great conversation subject with your kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
• There is one passionate kiss.
Violent Content: Excessive
• There are a many intense battles and fighting. Some characters are skewered by swords, pounded by hammers, frozen and crushed to death.
• There are many loud explosions, and viscous storms.
• There is a large monster, and some creepy characters, which may scare some kids.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
• The d-word, a-word and h-word are used, but not a lot.
Next time you punish your child, you obviously can’t banish them to another planet, but you can send them to their room, hoping they’ll learn from their mistake, just like Thor did. If your child likes sci/fi movies, and can handle some of the intense action scenes, I recommend this film. I think it’s appropriate for boys ages 11 and up.
This Means War Review
One would think that CIA agents would be continuously stressed and on edge from their vigorous jobs; however for partners and best friends, FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy), things are a little different.Though they’ve had their intense moments while fighting enemy countries, they also have their own agenda; spying and using their high-tech equipment on Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), the woman they both love. These two CIA agents end up in an all out war against each other, hoping to win Lauren’s love and affection. This Means War is an action/adventure romantic comedy. Though not appropriate for kids, it is a great, entertaining movie!
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content:Excessive
Violent Content:Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Check out my review here, along with “The Secret World of Arrietty.”
Talking Points:
I really enjoyed this movie! Though silly and unrealistic, it was entertaining and fun movie… a great date movie for adults although it’s not appropriate for young teens.
I liked the character’s in the film, from Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) to her two men. Though very different guys, they were likable characters. You rooted for both of them.
The movie was NOT predictable, I really didn’t know who she’d pick, and I won’t give it away.
The movie has some action for the guys, and romance for the girls. Though my husband was disappointed, he thought there was too much romance and not enough action. He was also uncomfortable with the sexual content, since he was sitting next to our boys.
Lauren’s best friend Trish ( Chelsea Handler) was very crass and crude throughout the whole film. She made a lot of unnecessary sexual comments. However, she does speak highly of her husband, and tells Lauren that she goes to him for advice and support.
The movie is rated PG13. With the excessive sexual content, it was a borderline R rated movie!
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Lauren decides to sleep with both men; that’s the conclusion she comes up with when trying to make her decision of which man to pick.
- When having a sexual encounter with FDR (Chris Pine), we see Lauren stripped down to her underwear on the kitchen counter with FDR. This was an intense sexual scene.
- The guys go to a strip club, we see women dancing, with barely a bra and undies on.
- Trish, Lauren’s best friend, has many raunchy lines throughout the film. She gives Lauren a lot of sexual advice, speaking about different body parts and sexual positions. Something you don’t want your kids hearing.
- In one scene Trish was giving Lauren advice, while having sex with her husband.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Since FDR and Tuck are CIA agents, we see a lot of gun shots, bomb explosions, and fistfights.
- Many character’s die from gun shots.
- FDR and Tuck get in a big fight, they crash through a glass wall, we see them injured with bloody faces.
- Tuck shoots FDR with a tranquilizer dart.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “D–n,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “sh-t,” and “b–tard,” are used several times. The f-word is used once.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Trish drinks alcohol from a sippy cup, she calls it her, “special milk.”
- Character’s are shown drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages.
- Trish tells Lauren that she needs a joint.
Overall I really enjoyed this movie. It was fun and entertaining, but not for kids. Depending on your child’s maturity level I would say it’s okay for kids ages 14 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content throughout the film.
The Woman in Black Review
Horror movies always scare me so I decided to bring my mom. Daniel Radcliffe plays a young British lawyer named Arthur Kipps. His wife had passed away in childbirth, which was extremely difficult for Arthur. Before he could completely focus on his son, and get his life back in order, Arthur had a simple work project to finish; he had to take care of a deceased client’s legal papers. However, this client’s papers were crumpled up and hidden all over a creepy old mansion, on an island in the middle of nowhere. The locals warned Arthur of the strange happenings in this house, and advised him not to go there, but Arthur wanted to take of care business, and that’s what Arthur did, and that’s where he met the women in black. The Women in Black, is a mystery/suspense horror film, one that I don’t recommend for children.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of “Big Miracle”
Talking Points:
Many kids want to see this movie because of Daniel Radcliffe, after all he’s Harry Potter. However, this was a creepy, scary movie one that I don’t recommend for kids. There were many disturbing scenes, as we saw dead children, and very strange, spooky characters throughout the film.
The only positive comment I have to make; Daniel Radcliffe did an amazing job of acting. However, I wish he would have picked another film, especially after playing Harry Potter for so many years.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- A ghost appears and silently tells children to kill themselves.
- We see a girl set herself of fire.
- A young boy walks towards an oncoming train.
- We see a girl spitting up blood.
- Arthur placed a crucifix on a child’s corpse.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” is said once
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and brandy.
I’m not a big fan of horror films, and I really didn’t like this one for children. In addition to the scary, dark parts, I thought the film was long and boring. Depending on the kid; teenagers that like horror films may find this appealing, though, I doubt it.
The Vow Review
“For Better or for Worse.” Newlywed’s Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) had their challenges two months after their marriage. The couple survived a horrific car accident, however, Paige suffered head injuries, and experienced personality changes. She had no idea who her husband was, and no recollection of their relationship. Being a dedicated and faithful husband, Leo tried to help his wife, hoping to rebuild their relationship; after all he made a vow. The Vow is a heartfelt love story, inspired by true events.
Rating: 4 1/2
Release Date: May 8, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with Journey 2: The Mysterious Island!
Talking Points:
It was amazing to see Leo’s love and dedication to his wife. He did everything he could to spark her memory, though unsuccessful. She only recognized her family, and childhood friends.
Paige had an estranged relationship with her family. She hadn’t seen them in years; they had never even met Leo. It was nice that they reunited after the accident, though her parent’s weren’t supportive of her marriage with Leo.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Before the accident, Paige and Leo are in the car, and Paige says, “A girl’s guaranteed to get preggers if she does it in a car.” This may spark an interesting parent/child conversation!
- When the couple is dating, they had frequent overnights together. We see them in bed on top of each other.
- After the accident we see the couple strip down to their underwear, and jump into a lake. She also has on a bra.
- The couple kiss passionately.
- We hear a suggestive voicemail.
- In one scene we see Leo, naked, though only his back side.
- After the accident, Paige flirts and kisses her ex-fiance.
Violent Content: Mild
- The accident is shown in slow motion, as Paige goes through the windshield.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as, “s–t,” “h–l,” “d–n,” “a–,” and “d–k,” are used about 1 to 3 times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Character’s are shown drinking alcohol at various parties and social gatherings.
Overall The Vow was an amazing, heartfelt love story. I would recommend this for kids ages 12+. It’s also a great date night movie!!
The Three Stooges Review
Moe, Larry and Curly are back, and still up to their old shenanigans. However, this time the three Stooges are on a mission to save their childhood orphanage. The orphanage needs $830,000, or it will have to shut down and send the children to a foster home. The Stooges come across many adventures as they try to fulfill their mission, and save the orphanage. However, because there’s an immoral relationship involving a key character woven throughout the film as well as constant slapstick violence, I do not recommend this for kids.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with Lockout!
Talking Points:
I felt the Stooges goal of saving the orphanage was admirable. I also admired their friendship and dedication to each other. A nice lesson for kids.
There were a lot of silly, goofy scenes. In one scene the Stooges were in a room full of babies, and proceeded to spray each other with the babies urine. This was disgusting, though I’m sure kids will find it humorous.
Moe ended up on the reality show, Jersey Shore. Once again he had fun poking, boinking and torturing them as well.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Women wear revealing low cut outfits.
- There were immoral sexual relationships and suggestive references however, there were no inappropriate visual scenes.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Where do I begin….There was continuous hitting, poking, slapping and silly violence throughout the whole film.
- We saw a character putting hot irons on another character’s chest.
- A women, who was having an affair, convinced the Stooges to kill her husband. This created a lot more silly violence and mayhem.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “What the…?” was said.
- “Knuckleheads” and “nitwits,” were also said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s were shown drinking alcohol.
As the film concluded the directors appeared on screen explaining that the tools used in the film were made out of rubber. They told the kids in the audience to “please play safe at home.” With the violence and immoral themes, I don’t recommend this for kids. Instead of The Three Stooges, take your youngsters to see Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.