Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Rio Review
Linda (voice of Leslie Mann) and Blu (voice of Jessie Eisenberg), brush their teeth together, they gargle together, they eat breakfast together, and they go to the bookstore (which Linda runs) together; and they do this almost everyday. No, this is not a married couple, this is a grown women and her exotic pet bird, Blu. Linda found Blu when she was young girl living in Minnesota; now as a grown women, she still owns Blu, and it’s her best friend. One day things dramatically change for Linda and Blu when Tulio, a man from Rio de Janeiro, enters into their lives. He informs Blu that he’s the last male of his species, but told him not to worry, because there is a female of his kind, named Jewel (voice of Anne Hathaway) living in Rio. So in order to continue this rare species, Linda, Blu and their new acquaintance, Tulio, head to South America, where they meet many interesting people and have many unusual, tropical adventures.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: August 2, 2011
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
One thing I didn’t mention in the synopsis is that Blu cannot fly. This was never a problem for a pet bird living in Minnesota. However, it is a problem for a bird living in the jungles of Brazil. Without giving too much of the movie away, I just want to mention that it was inspiring to see how Blu handled his handicap, and overcame his fears; something parents could chat with their kids about.
Blu meets many interesting friends, three of whom are the voices of George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, and The Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am. As you can imagine these characters add a lot of humor, music and entertainment to the film.
The animation is absolutely amazing; with the vibrant colors of the birds, and the beautiful scenery of Brazil, kids will be enthralled by the sites!
Though the theater was packed with little kids and their parents, it was very quiet. Kids laughed at the humorous parts of the movie; other than that they were attentive to the suspenseful film.
Sexual/Inappropriate Content: Mild
- Blu’s friends try to set the mood for the mating couple, this may also spark some great parent/child conversations.
- There is some adult humor, however it will most likely go over the kids’ heads.
- Women wear skimpy costumes during a carnival show.
Violent Content: Moderate
- As in many movies, there’s a theme of good vs. evil. There are some “mean birds” and villainous characters in the movie that may scare kids.
- One character is a big bully. He terrorizes other animals, he threatens to eat a group of scared birds, and he also threatens a monkey clan.
- After Blu meets his mate, they are kidnapped by villains. When they eventually escape, they are handcuffed together, this may frighten young kids.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “butt,” “idiot,” and “shut up” are used in the movie.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters were drinking wine at dinner.
Overall Rio (Rated G) is an entertaining movie for the whole family. Rio demonstrates the importance of friendship, courage and forgiveness. The outstanding animation and fun characters will entertain the whole family.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review
James Franco plays Will, an ambitious scientist, who takes care of his beloved father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Will’s goal is to find a cure for this awful disease, no matter what it takes! After several years of studies and trials on a chimpanzee, and seeing much improvement, Will is ready to get approval to start human trials. However, it’s not that easy. Will gradually develops a special bond with a chimpanzee named Caesar, and he eventually realizes that this could be a dangerous relationship, knowing that a man vs. ape war is on the rise. This sci/fi action packed drama is a prequel to Charlton Heston’s 1968 movie Planet of the Apes.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: August 5, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I really liked the characters in this film. Will (James Franco) was such a kind- hearted person who was truly passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some other great characters: Will’s beautiful, supportive girlfriend, Caroline (Freida Pinto) and Will’s father (John Lithgow).
I loved the relationship that Caesar (the chimpanzee) had with Will, and Will’s father. When Will’s father was being threatened by a neighbor, Caesar was there to protect and comfort him.
In another scene, the chimp asked (in sign language) Will if he was a pet, Will responded, “No, I’m your father.” It was a touching scene.
This film was portrayed in trailers as a scary, war movie. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of battle scenes, but there was also an emotional element to the film which I don’t think people will see from the trailer.
The special effects were amazing. Caesar looked like a real chimpanzee, which added a lot to the storyline; making it more realistic.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two characters kiss.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are several fights when Caesar (the chimp) was protecting Will and his father.
- When Caesar was in a shelter with other chimps, the attendant was brutal and cruel to the apes. He hit Caesar with an electric rod, and slammed him against a wall in his cage, while spraying him with a high pressure water hose.
- When the apes convene and escape from their cages, complete mayhem begins. The apes smash through windows, turn cars and buses over, and hit humans while hissing and snarling in a frightening way.
- The humans were also cruel while trying to kill the apes.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The d-word, h-word and a-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Alzheimer Drugs are injected in the apes and humans.
- Characters drink beer.
Overall, this is an action packed movie with an emotional element to it. This is not my type of movie, but I can understand why some people would like it. I interviewed boys ages 11 to 15 after the movie; they loved it. Their grandpa thought it was appropriate for kids, and he thoroughly enjoyed it too. Kids that are sensitive to scary movies may be frightened with some of the violent battle scenes with the humans and apes.
Remember Me Review
“This movie is about death, drinking, smoking and sex,” that’s what I told my husband after I saw it. Then I said, “oh, by the way our daughter is seeing this movie tonight.” Yes, I did let my 13 year old daughter and five of her friends see this adult movie, with their favorite vampire, Robert Pattinson, as the main character.
“Remember Me” is an intense drama, and a love story, about two families struggling with the death of a loved one. Though two completely different circumstances, the outcome is still the same; how to cope with their loss. Luckily for Tyler (Robert Pattinson), and Ally (Emille de Ravin), his girlfriend, they have each other to help with deal their struggles.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: June 22, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
This is not only a love story between Ally and Tyler, it’s also a story about the importance of family. Tyler (Robert Pattinson), is a loving, affectionate brother to his 6th grade sister. Both Tyler and Ally have relationship issues with their fathers, but ultimately they both love and respect them, and realize the importance of family.
Sexual Content:
- Ally and Tyler have many passionate sex scenes. There is no nudity, but it’s implied what they’re doing, in bed, under the covers.
- Tyler’s roommate brags about how many women he’s slept with.
- We see a brief clip from “American Pie.” The scene when the father walks in on his son in bed with a girl.
Violent/Disturbing Content:
- The opening scene shows Ally, as an 11 year old girl, waiting for the subway with her mom. Two hoodlums take her mom’s purse, they shoot her mom, while Ally is watching the whole thing, screaming .
- Tyler gets into a big brawl outside a bar, his face gets slammed against a windshield.
- Tyler and Ally’s dad get into a big fight, Tyler is nearly choked to death.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Swearing throughout the whole movie.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Characters drank and smoke throughout the movie.
Overall, this is a PG13 movie (could have been rated R), with an adult subject matter. This movie is not a question of, are you in the Edward or Jacob camp? ( Like in the Twilight movies). This is a movie which happens to have Robert Pattinson in it, but this time he’s not the loving, innocent vampire, that most preteens and teenage girls are dying to see. This time he’s a 21 year old college student with real life issues; he continually smokes, drinks, and get into numerous fights, throughout the movie. This is something parents should know. I would not recommend this for preteens, but could be appropriate for teenage girls (high school girls).
I give it 2 out of 5 buckets. I enjoyed the movie, so did the other moms in the theater. However, my only concern is that the young “Twilight” fans will want to see this movie as well, and it’s not appropriate for them.
Red Tails Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Red Tails centers around the struggles and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944, during World War ll. They are a group of courageous African-American fighter pilots, with hand-me down planes and uneventful missions. They’re viewed as inferior and inadequate pilots, only because of their race. However, things dramatically change when the U.S. military finally gives them a chance to fight for our country, and help win the war. Red Tails is based on an amazing true story, with a wonderful message about overcoming racism; it’s a great educational and entertaining movie for the family!!
Talking Points:
I absolutely loved this story! The movie will spark some great parent/child conversations about segregation. In the film we saw the two races come together to defeat the enemies, and not each other.
Not only was the film exciting and educational, the characters were great. I also enjoyed the different story lines about the pilot’s relationships they encountered during the war.
The movie seemed cleaned up. It was like it was a story told by a grandfather to his grandson. This was nice and clearly made it more appropriate for children. The special effects looked like a movie from the 1960’s; this was a little strange, but refreshing as well.
As I previously mentioned I loved the story, and I liked the characters, though the acting was not good at all, which surprised me. However, my 14 year old didn’t seem to notice the poor acting, as I’m sure most kids won’t.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Lightening, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, was known as a ladies man, though things change when he meets his true love as he’s flying over a town and notices a beautiful women.
- The couple kiss, and it’s implied that they’ve had a sexual encounter.
Violent Content: Moderate
- This is a war movie, though not as graphic as most war films. We see planes being destroyed by explosions.
- Many of the pilots are shown wounded with blood and severe injuries.
- We see several characters blown up and on fire.
- Character’s fight in a bar, initiated by racial comments.
Crude and Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “a–,” “s–t,” “b–ch” and “d–n,” are used several times throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- One of the main characters has a drinking problem. We see him drinking out of a flask several times throughout the film.
- Character’s are shown drinking and smoking at an officer’s club.
Depending on the child, this is a great film for kids ages 9 and up. However, parents need to be aware of the moderate profanity, and violent scenes, (though not as violent as most war movies). This is a wonderful film that once again demonstrates the fact that all men are truly created equal.
Red Riding Hood Review
There’s a girl in a red cloak, though she’s a teenager, and there’s a grandmother and a werewolf. Sound familiar? This is the retelling of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. In this film the werewolf has a whole village distraught as he kills, bites and stabs many innocent victims. However, the person he really wants is a beautiful, young women named Valerie (Amanda Seyfriend). Valerie wears her red cloak proudly, as she tries to figure out, who the werewolf really is. Could it be her love interest, and bad boy Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), could it be Henry (Max Irons), who she’s stuck with in an arranged engagement, or could it be a friend or family member whom she’s always trusted? Valerie tries to figure it all out, while trying to stay alive.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: March 11, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
See a clip of my review here!
Talking Points
In this teen version of Little Red Riding Hood, there is a little love saga with Valerie and the boy she wants, and with the boy she’s been arranged to be with. Teens will like the romantic element of the movie.
The movie was not predictable, which I really liked. I had no idea who the werewolf was, until it was revealed at the end of the movie. I won’t give it away.
The thing that bothered me the most were the bad, inadequate actors. It reminded me of actors in a children’s play. However, there were some big names who were great: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman and Julie Christie (the grandmother).
The film had some similarities to Twilight in that the director was the same, and Valerie’s dad (Billy Burke), is the same actor who played Bella’s dad (from Twilight).
Sexual Content: Mild
Some things parents may feel uncomfortable with:
• There are many passionate kisses with Valerie and Peter, the boy with whom she’s in love. In one scene Peter starts to take off her shirt, though we don’t see anything.
• Valerie dreams of having a sexual encounter with Peter. They appear to be naked, though we only see them from their shoulders up.
• Peter dances seductively with another girl, while Valerie dances seductively with another girl…yes a girl!
Violent Content: Mild
Parents may feel uncomfortable with some of the violent scenes in the film, to name a few:
• Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), a werewolf expert whom the villagers contact for help, is a cruel man. He lusts after the village girls, and he tortures a mentally impaired boy. He accuses Valerie of being a witch, and uses her as bait for the werewolf.
• We see the werewolf kill many victims, even biting someone’s hand off.
Crude and Profane Language: None
Overall I felt this was a strange movie; one that I thought that was just okay, not terrible, but not great. There was some romance, drama and mystery, but with all that, I felt the film lacked something…not sure what. Having said that, I interviewed teenage girls (ages 15 to 19) after the movie, who all really liked the film. They thought it was “startling, captivating and mysterious.” It had that Twilight feel about it, I guess I was too busy looking for Edward and Jacob. Appropriate for pre-teens and teens.