Romance
Romance movie reviews
Easy A Review
This is the story about Olive (Emma Stone), an intelligent, cute, high school senior. She’s not popular, and many of her peers don’t even know who she is. That all changes the day she tells her gossipy best friend a fib. Olive didn’t want to go camping with her friend, so she told her that she had a date with a college boy, and that she also had sexual encounter with that boy. What started out to be a small lie, got out of control. The story spread through the school, and pretty soon Olive was not only noticed, but she was now know as the “school slut.”
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 21, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
This is a great lesson for kids…not to lie. This movie demonstrates how rumors fly, especially with today’s technology; facebook, twitter, texts, and cell phones.
Olive has a great relationship with her parents. Though her parents were very open about sex, even Olive’s mom made some suggestive comments about her own sex life. However, Olive was close to them and they wanted her to do the right thing.
The movie is humorous and entertaining, mainly because of actress Emma Stone (Olive), who is a natural comedian.
Sexual Content: Excessive
There are many sexual comments and references throughout the whole movie. To name a few:
- Olive agrees to pretend to have sex with a boy in her class that’s gay. This boy is constantly being picked on by the school bullies, so he wants to boost his reputation. Olive staged a sex act with this boy at a party. This involved the couple going to a bedroom, Olive removed her underwear and stuffed them in the keyhole, followed by a lot of sexual noises, while kids at the party were listening. This was a very uncomfortable scene, especially with kids.
- We see Brandon, Olive’s gay friend, in bed with another guy.
- There were also many verbal references to sex including discussions about virginity, orgasms, masturbation, group sex…they covered it all. We also heard about sexual diseases, in detail.
I read that “This film aspires to the same sort of feel-good vibe that John Hughes films (Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day off) usually generate.”
Profanity: Moderate to excessive
- Maybe a little too much for a PG13 rating.
Overall, I liked the movie, and so did my husband. Though with the suggestive comments and sexual content, I feel that this movie is inappropriate for kids, and pre-teens. I would recommend it for girls ages 16 and up. I may bring my fourteen year old daughter, but I want to go with her and have a discussion after the movie. I compare this movie to Juno, a good movie and storyline; one that could spark a great parent-child conversation.
The Dilemma Review
This is the story about best friends and business partners Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Kevin James). Life is going well for Ronny and Nick, they are working on a major project that will ensure success in their auto design business, they’re both in solid relationships; Ronny has a serious girlfriend and getting ready to propose, while Nick is happily married (so we think). Ronny’s(Vaughn) life changes when he inadvertently discovers that Nick’s wife (Winona Ryder) is having an affair with a tattooed guy named Zip(Channing Tatum). Now the dilemma begins, does Ronny tell his best friend that his wife is having an affair, and if so, how and when does he do it; or does he remain silent?
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 3, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
Vince Vaughn, (Wedding Crashers, Couples Retreat), that sums up the movie; he was absolutely hilarious, I was crying I was laughing so hard. In addition to Vince Vaughn, the movie has an all-star cast, with Kevin James (Grown Ups, Paul Blart: Mall Cop) Channing Tatum(Dear John, G.I. Joe; The Rise of the Cobra), Winona Ryder, (Black Swan, Stay Cool) Jennifer Connelly (What’s Wrong With Virginia, Creation) and Queen Latifah (Valentines Day). It’s directed by Ron Howard(Angel&Demons, Frost/Nixon).
The movie was very unpredictable, unlike most comedies. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Vince Vaughn was going to handle his dilemma.
I thought the PG13 rating was appropriate. Pre-teen and teenage boys will like the sports metaphors used throughout the film. Since Ronny and Nick are in the auto business, there’s also a lot of “car talk,” which boys may find entertaining.
Sexual Content: Moderate
Since the movie is about an affair, there are some scenes that parents may not want their kids to see. For example:
- We see passionate kissing and some nudity (backs and butts) with Winona Ryder and her lover. It’s implied that they’ve slept together.
Profanity: Mild
Fine for the PG13 rating.
Violent Content: Mild
During Ronny’s plight to catch Nick’s wife and lover in action, there are many violent confrontations between Ronny and Zip (the boyfriend). In one scene Zip pounds Ronny’s car with a bat. There are many punches and fights between the two men as well.
Conclusion:
This is a movie that I wanted to see before bringing my kids. Knowing that the movie was about an affair, I wasn’t sure I’d let my kids see it. Like I mentioned, there are some sexual scenes and references where parents may feel uncomfortable. My friend said she covered her 12 year old daughters eyes a couple of times, but overall she thought it was appropriate. I felt the same way, and I will take my three kids ( Ages: 14,13 and 11) to this movie.
Overall it was a fun, entertaining movie about the importance of friendship, and honesty.
Dear John Review
“Dear John” is based on a Nicholas Sparks’ novel. This is a love story about John (Channing Tatum), a young soldier, and his long distance romance with Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a dedicated college girl. They met in the late 1990‘s on a South Carolina beach when John was on a two week leave, and Savannah was on spring break. After 2 wonderful weeks together, the smitten couple had to part ways, as Savannah went back to college, and John went back to combat. Knowing they’re going to be apart for twelve long months, they promise to write letters and keep in touch, with the plan to eventually get married. Then September 11, 2001 occurred, and that changed their plan. With John’s loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his country, he reenlists in the Army, hoping to continue his long distance romance with Savannah.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 25, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This movie portrayed the difficulties of a long distance love affair, especially one with a soldier at war. Over the course of seven years the couple stayed in touch through their letters, but rarely met in person.
Savannah is a loving, nurturing girl with wonderful qualities that teens may admire. She doesn’t drink or smoke. She has a special relationship with her life long friend’s autistic son, and dreams of someday working with children who have special needs. She also teaches John how to be patient, and care for his dad who struggles socially and emotionally.
John is also a wonderful character. He loved Savannah deeply and would do anything for her. Though, in the countries time of crisis, the call of duty came first, he couldn’t abandon his country or fellow soldiers.
Sexual Content: Mild
The PG13 rating is appropriate. John and Savannah have many passionate kisses, and the movie shows them undressing each other, as they eventually have sex. This is tastefully done, with the viewers only seeing them kissing passionately in bed.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are a few violent war scenes, and TV coverage of 9/11 is briefly shown.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Some swear words used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters drinking, though not much!
I would recommend this movie for teenage girls, it’s also a great date movie. Because of the subject matter, I don’t think tweens would enjoy it. My 13 year old daughter, and many of her friends saw it. They all loved it, but cried throughout the movie. When I asked the girls how many buckets I should give it, one girl replied, “seven”.
Dark Shadows Review
I bet Barnabas wished his ex’s lived in Texas.It’s the late 1700’s where we first meet Barnabas Collins, an extremely handsome and wealthy man. So when Barnabas breaks up with his girlfriend, Angelique, for another women, his life dramatically changes… for the worse. Angelique, who happens to be a witch, is so furious with Barnabas that she not only kills Barnabas’ parents and his new girlfriend, she even turns poor Barnabas into a vampire and puts him in a coffin; hoping he’ll suffer for eternity. Two hundred years later, Barnabas is set free, and returns to his ancestral home , where he’s desperately needed to protect the family from his evil ex-girlfriend. Based on a television series, Dark Shadows has it all; romance, comedy, sci-fi and horror, but not the right movie for kids.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 2, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Barnabas’ father tells him that “family is the only real wealth.” It’s quite apparent that Barnabas truly cares for his family. He tries to restore the family fortune and good name.
Barnabas is a vampire, and by nature he is thirsty for human blood, therefore he kills many people throughout the film. However Barnabas is a good guy, he truly cares for a young disturbed boy, who sees visions of his deceased mother. Barnabas comforts him and becomes an important influence in his life.
Though I liked the movie, and found it to be strange, but entertaining, I strongly feel this is not for kids. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and sexual contents in the film. Depending on the child, I would say that this is appropriate for kids ages 14 and up.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Barnabas and Angelique are shown having a sexual encounter. They roll around all over the place, clawing each other, and destroying everything around them.
- It’s implied that a couple is having oral sex, we see the women’s head moving towards the man’s waist.
- Angelique takes off her panties and puts them on Barnabas’ face.
- Two character’s engage in sex, while another character guards the door.
- Angelique and Barnabas discuss all the places they’ve made love.
- Angelique forces Barnabas to press his hand on her chest, while she reaches down to touch his privates.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Barnabas kills many innocent people.
- We see Barnabas hit one man’s head against a pipe, and he bites another man’s neck.
- We hear several victims scream.
- There’s a scene where statues come to life and attack people.
- We see a child taken into an insane asylum; she is treated with shock therapy and is shown screaming in pain. This was disturbing to me, and will most likely disturb kids.
- Barnabas grabs a man by his neck and lifts him up.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The “sh-t,” “a–,” ‘b–ch,” “b–tard,” “h–l,” and “d–n,” are all used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters smoke marijuana, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.
Overall this film has many inappropriate parts that parents need to be aware of before sending their kids. If your pre-teen wants to see this film, and you’re okay with it, I recommend going with them, but be ready to cover their eyes.
Beastly Review
“People like people who look good, whoever doesn’t is either dumb or ugly.” That’s what teenage hunk Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) believes; he says, image is everything. Kyle’s got it all, (so he thinks); he’s popular, cute, comes from a wealthy family, and is now running for class president. Things change dramatically for Kyle when he insults his classmate, Kendra, who’s a witch. She casts a spell on him; and transforms him into a bald, tattooed and scar covered teenage boy. The witch tells him that he has a year for someone to fall in love with him, and then the spell will be permanent. Now we see how this once arrogant boy turns into a humble, considerate person who seeks out love.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
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 the Rango review too!
Talking Points
• This is a teen version of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. There are many nice messages, that teens could learn from. Kyle begins to truly care for people, even his housekeeper, Zola, whom he was initially very disrespectful to. He feels sorry for his tutor, who’s blind, and eventually wants to help him. He also falls in love with Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens), who comes from a dysfunctional family. Kyle protects her from her dad’s drug dealer.
• Even though the movie was a little sappy and predictable, there were some humorous parts. Kyle’s tutor (Neil Patrick Harris), had a lot of funny one-liners.
Sexual Content: Mild
This is a PG13 movie, and in my opinion, parents won’t feel uncomfortable with their pre-teens/teens going to this movie.
• Initially, when Kyle is good-looking we learn from Facebook that he’s promiscuous. He writes on his profile that he’s interested in “anything that’s bangable.”
• There’s some kissing, but that’s about it.
Violent Content: Mild
• In one scene we see Lindy’s father in a confrontation with his drug dealer, they get into a fight, but nothing too scary or violent.
Crude and Profane Language: Excessive
• There are bits of profanity throughout the movie; such as “s*#t” , “a$$”, “d%$m” and “b$%&h”.
Here are some fun quotes that I got from kids that I interviewed after the movie:
• “That movie made me want to barf, eat it, and barf again.” (Eleven year-old boy).
• “I loved it because of the guy.” (Teenage girl).
• “It was funny, cute and romantic.” (Teenage girl).
Clearly this is a teenage girl movie, the girls even clapped at the end of the movie. Overall this teen romance is about humility, and caring for others. I read that, “Beastly tells us that humility is a virtue, that true love is a nifty thing and that beauty is far more than what you see in the mirror. These values are like the story, timeless”. That sums it up! I recommend Beastly for girls ages 11 and up.