Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
Red Dawn Review
On a bright sunny Saturday morning the U. S had been invaded by North Koreans, and the city of Spokane, Washington was the initial target. The innocent citizens found themselves prisoners, and their town under enemy occupation. It was Jed Eckert (a twenty-something Marine, recently home from Iraq), and his brother Matt (a high school football player), who gathered a group of young men (known as the Wolverines) to defend their country. They hid in the woods and vigorously trained. These men showed courage and strength while sacrificing their lives to fight the invaders for freedom. Red Dawn, a remake of the 1984 original film, is an action packed war movie, one that teenage boys will love!
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
There were messages about patriotism and teamwork woven through the film. Jed tells the group, “We inherited our freedom, now it’s up to all of us to fight for it.” My sons and nephews had chills during some of the intense patriotic scenes.
The two brothers, Jed and Matt, were very close. Though they had some issues with each other, they ultimately supported and loved one another.
One boy, who had been implanted with a tracking device, separated himself from the group to protect them from danger.
There were a lot of well known actors, whom teenagers will like. To name a few; Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck,from the show Drake and Josh, and Adrianne Palicki from the show, Friday Night Lights.
Parents need to be aware of the excessive, disturbing violent scenes. In the film two boys watched their father die and a boy saw his brother die; the violence never ended.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We saw a couple kissing. The boy began to run his hand up her leg, but she slaped it.
- References were made about “hot, sexy girls.”
Violent Content: Excessive
- Numerous people died from explosives, machine guns, pistols and tanks.
- The group of boys attacked the North Korean headquarters, during the raid there were several explosions.
- There were combat-related violent scenes throughout most of the film.
- We saw a character drinking a deer’s blood, which was disgusting.
- We saw one character stitching up another character’s open wound, the camera zoomed in on the wound.
Crude o Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word was said once. We heard “sh–,” “a–,”h–,” and “b–ch,” throughout the film. We also heard, “d-ck,” “pr–k,” and “b–tard,”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Jed was shown drinking beer. He tried to get his teenage brother to drink a one as well.
- We saw character’s drinking at a bar.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I brought 4 teenage boys who all loved the film.
As I previously mentioned, this is an action packed war movie, one that boys may like. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and profane language. Depending on the child, I recommend this for boys ages 14 and up.
Real Steel Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: October 7, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Initially I thought that this was a strange movie, after all robot boxing…that’s weird. But then an endearing relationship forms between Charlie and his son Max, and the storyline became a little more interesting.
Parents may not love this movie, though the moms will like Hugh Jackman. This is a boy movie! They will love the robot boxing element to it, and they will be thoroughly entertained by Max, a fun energetic boy!
The robot boxing was well choreographed. I read that “Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was an essential part of the motion-capture mix.”
Charlie and Max repeatedly gamble throughout the film when placing bets on the robots. This could spark a good parent/ child conversation.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear low cut dresses and t-shirts.
Violent Content: Excessive
- This is a robot boxing movie, so there is some violence, though a little weird at times.
- In one scene Charlie and Max were being chased by some thugs, Charlie was severely beaten and Max was forcefully thrown to the ground. This may disturb some kids.
- During a thunderstorm, Max slipped down a steep, muddy hill, this scene could scare some kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Max, the 11 year old boy, swears in the film a few times. Words such as “s–t,” “d–n,” “b–ch,” were said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Many characters attending some of the boxing matches were drinking beer and liquor.
Real Steal is not a deep, thought provoking film, however it’s a fun, entertaining movie, one that boys ages 10+ will most likely enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the violent scenes and profanity throughout the film.
Rango Review
Who knew that a chameleon could have an identity crisis? Well, in this animated western comedy we meet a pet chameleon (voice of Johnny Depp), who feels like an outsider. Initially, he has lived his life in a terrarium, but always fantasized about becoming a hero. When he eventually gets out of the tank, he ends up in a gritty, western town called Dirt. In this town he becomes the hero he always wanted to be. He’s made the local sheriff, and decides that his name is Rango. However, Rango eventually realizes that it’s easier to dream about being a hero, than actually be one; as he tries to save this western town from their local outlaw, Rattlesnake Jake.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Not Recommended
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
Rango is directed by the same director as The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In most animated films the creatures are cute and lovable, not in Rango. The creatures are disgusting with brown, decayed teeth, and leathery skin, which many kids will be scared of, and frankly, it’s not at all pleasant to watch for anyone. There are some saloon scenes where these creatures are smoking cigars and drinking. It’s implied that one guy passed out from being drunk
There is a lot of potty humor, which I typically don’t mind, however in this movie the humor is targeted towards adults and not kids. Some of the jokes are about enlarged prostates, laxatives and mammograms, which I feel most kids won’t even understand.
If I have to find a redeeming quality I would say there is a nice message that everyone needs to believe in something.
Sexual Content: Mild
In the beginning of the movie Rango is staging a play in his terrarium, which he typically loved to do. In his plays there is a headless and shirtless Barbie torso. He points to her chest and says, “Are those real?”
Violent Content: Excessive
The movie is set in an old western town. It’s a creepy, scary setting especially for a PG animated film. There are many scary scenes, but I’ll just mention one scene.
• Rattlesnake Jake grabs a girl, whom Rango likes, the snake licks her and says in a creepy voice, “I want to watch you die.”
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
• There is swearing in this animated film. Words such as “h**l”, “d$%m”, and “a@#” are said.
Overall I didn’t like this movie. It was an animated film, which I associate with kids, that was not geared towards kids. Parents were uncomfortable in the theater, some even took their kids and walked out. Which I would have done if I wasn’t reviewing the film.
Race to Witch Mountain Review
Jack Bruno(Dwayne Johnson) is a Las Vegas cab driver whose life changes when 2 teen aliens(siblings) enter into his cab. Though they don’t look like aliens, Jack gradually realizes that they are when he sees they have supernatural powers. The sibling’s inform Jack that their spaceship had crashed on Earth, which is buried within Witch Mountain. They must return the spaceship home to save their own planet and ours. It’s up to Jack and his “scientist” love interest to help the teens retrieve their spaceship.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: August 4, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Funny, a lot of one-liners.
Great actors, the girl was in “Bridge to Tarabithia,” and “Because of Winn Dixie.”
I read that “this remake was written with Dwayne Johnson in mind, to turn “The Rock” into a more family friendly commodity.”
Jack is very loyal to the teens, initially he wants to walk away, but his conscience won’t let him.
Two actors from the original movie have cameos in this movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear tight fitting outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There is a lot of action and violence. Men with black SUV’s, black overcoats, and black sunglasses are after Jack and the kids throughout the movie. May scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Characters say, “up the yin-yang,” and “nutjob.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Two characters are given a drug through a breathing tube.
Overall, this film is a fun, action packed movie for the whole family.
Puss in Boots Review
How did Puss get those boots of his? In this wonderful, animated film, Puss in Boots, we learn a lot about that bad cat long before he ever meets Shrek. This is story about Puss (Antonio Banderas) and his courageous adventures with his long time friend, Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) and the street-savvy Kitty (Salma Hayek). This trio is on a mission to steal magic beans from Jack and Jill, grow a bean stalk, and get to the golden egg kingdom in the clouds, with hopes to steal the goose that lays the golden eggs. This is a hilarious and clever movie, one the whole family will enjoy.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: February 24, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
“Please do not let me down,” these are the words from Puss’s adopted mom after she finds out he was stealing beans. Despite Puss’s reputation, he is a good cat; it’s mentioned throughout the film that he wants to do the right thing and make his mom proud! This is a great message for kids!!!
In a flashback scene we learn that Puss was put in an orphanage as a tiny kitten. That’s where he meets Humpty Dumpty, who’s constantly being picked on and bullied by other kids. Puss sticks up for his bullied new friend; another great thing for kids to see.
In addition to the moral lessons that runs throughout the film, it is also a hilarious movie. From Puss’s dance moves, to his witty and silly humor; kids and adults will be thoroughly entertained.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Puss and Kitty have a “dance fight,” where they seductively dance together.
- Puss makes reference of his reputation as a lover.
Violent Content: Mild
- In this film Jack and Jill are evil, scary characters who threaten anyone who gets in their way. They hit Puss and his friends with swords and clubs. Jack and Jill may scare some younger kids.
- There are many sword fights; Puss loves to use his sword.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking alcohol in a pub.
Though Puss in Boots may have been your favorite character in Shrek, this is not another Shrek movie. This film has a new and entertaining twist, with some interesting new characters. I recommend this movie for the whole family, though parents need to be aware that the characters, Jack and Jill, may frighten young kids.