Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Step Up Revolution Review
Emily Anderson (Kathryn McCormick), a beautiful women in her twenties, has had a life long dream of becoming a professional dancer. When her wealthy father temporarily moves to Miami for business, Emily comes along to audition for the prestigious Winwood Dance Academy. Things don’t go as planned; Emily falls in love with Sean (Ryan Guzman), a local Miami boy who happens to lead a dance crew called “The MOB.” This crew was practicing their dance moves to win a You Tube contest, where they can win $100,000. Problems arise when Emily’s father threatens to develop The Mob’s historic neighborhood with luxury hotels and prestigious shops, which will displace thousands of people. Now Emily must decide if she should be a loyal and supportive daughter, or join Sean and The Mob as they protest to save their neighborhood. Step Up Revolution is the fourth installment of the Step Up movie series.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The dancing is amazing! I especially liked Emily’s classical dancing.
Emily and her father have their differences, though they communicate with each other, and have a healthy, loving relationship.
The Mob often ‘breaks the rules,” a motto they frequently use when trying to find various dance locations. ( Not a great example for kids).
The film is a little corny, and very predictable. There’s not much to the plot; it’s really about the dancing, and that’s what makes the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Set in Miami, we see characters in skimpy bikinis and formfitting outfits.
- Emily and Sean kiss several times.
- There are several sexual dance moves.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Sean and his friend get into a fist fight.
- There are violent dance scenes. In one scene the dancers are dressed as policemen and gang members; they mimic shooting each other, and have explosive sound effects.
- In one dance scene, the mob throws smoke grenades while wearing gas masks. “REVENGE” flashes on the screen. This is a creepy, intense scene that may scare kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “A–,” “h–,” “d–n,” and “b–ch” are said two or three times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Young adults are shown drinking beer, wine and mixed drinks throughout the film.
Overall this is an entertaining dance movie. It’s a “step up” from the previous films with the addition of the classical dances.Parents need to be aware of some of the inappropriate sexual and violent and dances. I feel this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
Step Up 3D Review
This is a story about a guy named Moose, an engineering major at NYU, who also happens to be an amazing dancer. When Luke, the leader of a group of street dancers called the Pirates, sees Moose dancing on the streets at NYU, he is amazed at how good this college student is, and ends up recruiting him to his dance group. Together with the Pirates, they team up against their rival dance group to try win the World Jam, a high stakes dance showdown.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 21, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
“Rhythmically, athletically and energetically, Step UP 3D does not disappoint.” I read this in USA Today, and I couldn’t agree more. The dancers were absolutely amazing! Having said that, there is not much to the plot, and the actors are very talented dancers, not actors, but their dancing makes up for everything.
There were many likable characters, especially Luke and Moose. Luke was a caring and encouraging leader, who treated his group of dancers like family, and cared for their well being. Moose, (Adam Sevani), was the one really good actor, who had a lot of great one liners, which added a comedic element to this dance movie.
Throughout all the hip hop and loud music there were some good lessons for kids. An example is when Moose said, “Life isn’t about a destination, but the friendships, lessons and experiences that happen along the way.”
I did not like the 3D effects. It took away from the dancing, and seemed a little blurry in parts. It was also a distraction, in many scenes we saw groups of dancers coming right up to the camera, doing their moves, and it seemed like they were inches away from our face. I think they could have done without the 3D technology, it was even a little annoying.
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, it was PG13, for moderate profanity.
Sexual Content: Mild
- They didn’t sexualize the dancing like many previous dance movies. They mostly danced in groups rather than as partners.
Profanity: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s a scene when the two rival dance groups get into a fight in the restroom. This may be disturbing to some kids.
I brought my 14 year old daughter and 16 year old niece. They both loved the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful dancing.
Overall this was a fun, entertaining movie. This is a movie for kids and adults who like to dance, and for those who enjoy watching dance. Viewers will be intrigued and mesmerized by the talented dancers in this film.
I give it three and half out of five buckets.
Star Trek Review
This is a prequel to the original Star Trek series from 1966. We see how the well loved crew of the Starship Enterprise comes together and is tested by adversity. Of course, here they’re younger and and in this day and age, more edgy. While on a special humanitarian mission from Starfleet Academy, the new recruits have to find a way to stop the evil Nero, a Romulan who wants to destroy all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of rivals, James Kirk (Chris Pine), a thrill seeking Iowa farm boy, and Spock, who was raised in the logic based Vulcan society that seeks to control all emotions. Though Kirk and Spock are very different, they lead the crew through danger and adventure.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 17, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I didn’t want to see the movie, I usually don’t like science fiction, however I loved it.
Even though there is fighting and violence, it’s a fun optimistic movie.
The special effects are terrific. At one point, they do a space jump which is something like a parachuting but from outside the atmosphere. It was really cool.
My husband, a lifelong trekie, tells me that there are many allusions and connections to the original 1966 series. Leonard Nemoy, has an important, though small role as an older Spock who is sent back in time. He provides a great connection with the new Star Trek cast and the original cast.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- If parents decide to bring younger kids, they may find one scene it a little uncomfortable when Kirk is in bed with a green skinned cadet in a bikini. They’re interrupted when her roommate walks in. But then he hides under the bed and sees the roommate(whom he likes) strip down to her bra and underwear.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Kirk gets into a bar fight, where he’s brutally beaten, covered with blood. He also gets in a few other fights.
- Kirk is nearly choked to death a few time.
- There a some intense spaceship battles.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used, and we hear other words such as “a‑‑,” “b‑‑tard” and “d‑‑n.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drink at a bar.
- We see Kirk drunk.
I thought the ending was, especially for Trekies, really neat. The movie ended with the lines and the music that started every show . . .”Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
I recommend that you boldly go to see Star Trek, I give it five buckets.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World Review
Marissa (Jessica Alba), a retired spy, is now a full time homemaker. She’s married to Wilbur (Joel McHale) a spy hunting TV reporter, she has a baby and twin 10 year old step children, (Rebecca, played by Rowen Blanchard and Cecil played by Mason Cook); who want nothing to do with her. However, things dramatically change when the twins find out their stepmom is a former spy agent. Marissa (the stepmom) is called back to duty to save the planet from an evil villain (Time Keeper). He wants to take over the world, and ultimately freeze it. He feels that people waste their time, and they don’t realize how precious it is. Now it’s up to Marissa, her step-kids, along with the familiar Spy Kids from the previous films, Cameron (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), to save the world from this evil threat.
Rating: Three out of five buckets.
Release Date: August 19, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5 to 10
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
This is the fourth movie in the popular Spy Kids series. My kids were fans of the first three movies, however they are not the target audience for this film; I’m sad to say that they’ve outgrown the Spy Kids series.
I didn’t particularly love this movie, however I did like the constant theme throughout the film. The movie focuses on the importance of family, and to make the most of our time, to love and enjoy our families. Some great quotes from the movie about time: “It’s not about the time you have, it’s what you choose to do with it.” When referring to spending quality time with your kids, a character says, “Spend time with them now, because the only thing you’ll find time for later is regret.” Another message is that you can’t change the past, “Live life moving forward not back.” This could spark a conversation with your kids.
There’s some rude potty humor; with kids vomiting and dogs burping. The twins play many practical jokes on their stepmom such as; dropping a bag of blue cheese dressing on her head, and putting baby powder in her blow dryer. Initially the twins didn’t like their stepmom, I thought they were mean and disrespectful.
The movie was in 4D, which could be a fun added feature for kids. When buying the tickets, we received a card with 8 numbers on it.When a number appeared on the screen, you rub that number on the card and sniff it. I think the kids in the theater liked it, I thought it was a little annoying.
The acting was not the greatest!
Sexual Content: Mild
- A married couple kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s an evil villain, but he’s not that scary, if anything he’s a little goofy.
- Men chase the kids, and shoot them with laser beams….silly violence, not threatening or scary.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “butt-head,” “stupid,” and “puke” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall Spy Kids: All the Time in the World is an adventurous action packed movie. Parents need to know that there is some rude potty humor, and slapstick violence. As I previously mentioned, kids familiar with the first three films have most likely outgrown this one. With all the messages about embracing time, my 13 year old son said, “The time in the movie was too long.” Hmmm…maybe not for teens, but great for it’s target audience; kids ages 5 to 10.
Some quotes from the audience:
“It was totally appropriate,” said a mom of a 6 and 9 year old.
“I loved it,” said a 9 year old boy.
“I loved it that Cameron and Juni (characters from the previous films) were in it.” said a 7 year old girl.
Sparkle Review
Three beautiful sisters, one named Sister, were raised as churchgoing girls who sang in the choir. One of the girls, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) had a gift for songwriting, and wanted to pursue her goal of becoming a singer/songwriter. The other two had beautiful voices as well and had their own dreams and goals. However their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston) wanted to keep her daughters on the straight and narrow; she did not want them to lead a life of fame. Eventually the three sisters secretly formed a singing group and became a Motown hit! Later, their fame and fortune brought on unforeseen difficulties and began to tear the family apart. Set in Detroit in the 1960’s, Sparkle is a musical drama about fame and the hardships that may come along with it.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 30, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
The movie highlights the values of faith, family and love. The three sisters were supportive of one another, and always tried to help each other through difficult times.
The movie notes that sometimes fame can destroy a person, as it did with one of the girls, Sister. However the film also suggests that if we use our gifts to benefit others, as Sparkle did, then it’s worth pursuing.
The girls had an unusual relationship with their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston). Emma had a difficult life and made some poor choices. She was adamant about her girls not following in their mother’s footsteps.
There are some disturbing abusive scenes, and disturbing images of drug use. This could spark some good parent/child conversations of making the right choices.
Adults will like the 1960’s music.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- The girls wear very revealing dresses while performing. Sister believes her sex appeal is the key to their success.
- While performing Sister has many seductive moves as she caressed her chest and thighs. The camera zoomed in on the girl’s hips and chests. Men in the audience are cheering.
- Sister and Satin (her abusive husband) kiss passionately and talk about making love. Sister straddles him on a chair and says she “horny.”
- We see couples kissing at night clubs.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are two fist fights.
- We see bruises on Sister’s face, it’s noted that Satin (her husband) had abused her.
- We see Satin chasing Sister around the house, then whipping her with a belt.
- The girls get into a fight with Satin. One of the girls hits Satin on the head with a fireplace rod.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The s-word is said twice. “BS,” “d–n,” “h—,” and “a–,” are also used several times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Several character’s are shown smoking throughout the film.
- We see several characters’ drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Sister uses cocaine which we see on a mirror. It’s clear that she becomes addicted to the drug.
Overall I would say this is not a movie for kids. With the mature subject matter and images of drugs and physical abuse I would not recommend this for kids. Adults may find the storyline interesting, and enjoy the wonderful Motown tunes from the 1960’s.