Sports
Sports movie reviews
Soul Surfer Review
This is story about Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) a 13 year old girl who was born to surf. She was an amazing surfer, and enjoyed her wonderful life in Hawaii. Bethany was constantly participating in national surf competitions with her best friend; that was her greatest passion in life, until the day everything changed. In 2003 Bethany lost her arm by a shark attack while surfing. Her dreams were shattered, but with the help of family and friends, and her strong faith, Bethany persevered , and was determined to be back in the water again. This is a heartwarming, true story about a courageous girl who is an inspiration to all, as she handles life’s difficulties with faith and determination! A great movie for the whole family!
Rating: Four out of five popcorn buckets.
Release Date: August 2, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
This is one of my favorite movies of the year! I loved the religious element of the film. Even though Bethany went through a very difficult time, her faith kept her going; she ultimately knew that something good would come out of this; she completely trusted God’s plan for her. She knew that God would take care of her. This could spark some great parent/child conversations.
I also loved the family dynamics. Her dad, mom, and two brothers were very loving and supportive, which helped her through this difficult time. She became stronger and better as she fought to get back in the water.
While in Thailand on a mission trip, Bethany realized that she has not suffered as much as others in the world. With the help of her youth group leader, Sarah (Carrie Underwood), Bethany helped people in Thailand who had lost loved ones in a tsunami in 2004. Another great lesson for our kids!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Teens wear skimpy bikinis, and bare backed shirts as there on the beach in Hawaii.
- Teens innocently flirt with each other.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The shark attack was very scary, and may disturb some kids. We saw a large pool of blood from Bethany’s shoulder, it may be hard for kids to see.
- The surfing can get intense. There were shots of struggling surfers in the water.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- There was a little name-calling like, “psycho,” but no swear words.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
This movie is a life lesson for everyone. Millions of people all over the world have seen her interviews and witnessed her strong faith and courage. I read that in an interview Bethany said, “We never know what life brings. Maybe there are some rough times for you now or in the future. I think that if you seek God first and focus on Him, you’ll be able to endure those struggles and hardships.”
I highly recommend this movie for kids ages 10+. If your kids are sensitive, they may be scared by the shark scene and the disturbing subject matter. However with the strong message of faith, and trust in God, when your kids do see it, there will be some great parent/child discussions…there were in my house!
The Secretariat Review
This is the story about Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), a housewife in the seventies, living in Denver with her husband and four children (ages 10 to 17). When Penny agreed to take over her ailing father’s stable in Virginia, her life dramatically changed. She not only took care of her family in Denver, but she also managed her father’s stable, and fostered the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years. Her horse, Secretariat, is still known today to be the greatest racehorse of all time.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: January 25, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I’ve heard people say that if you like animals, you’ll like this movie. I’m not a huge animal lover (though I love my dog), but I loved this movie. Even though we all know the ending, it’s still a thrilling sports movie, one I would compare to “The Blind Side.”
The characters are very likable; Starting with the owner and comical trainer (John Malkovich), the stable’s secretary ( who named Secretariat), the very loving and sweet groomer, the jockey, and of course, Secretariat.
There are many messages throughout the movie. It would have been easy for Penny to sell the farm once her father passed away. However, with Penny’s strong determination and faith, she not only saved the family farm, but her horse set records, that still thirty-seven years later have not been broken. Penny say’s her father’s legacy is “ Do everything you can to win, and live with it if you can’t.”
Penny sacrificed a lot to obtain her goal. She left her husband and children in Denver for weeks at a time. In one scene she tearfully listened to her daughter’s play over the phone, that was sad. Though Penny was a loving and supportive mother, I didn’t always agree with her leaving her family. However, in the end she taught her children a valuable lesson; “Believe in yourself.” Her children were very proud of their mom, and found her a to be their ideal role model. Her husband, who wasn’t always supportive, said, “You taught the children what a real woman is, you taught me something too.”
This movie is rated PG. This is a wholesome family movie for all ages. There are no sexual scenes or references, and very mild profanity. I recommend this for the whole family.
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.
Playing for Keeps Review
In the day George Dryer (Gerard Butler) was a soccer superstar. He was a Scottish player, who played for the Queen, played for his country and even played with David Beckham. George had it all until the dreadful time of his life came; it was time to retire. He could no longer play games for a living, he had to grow up. Things were initially hard for George, he struggled to pay his rent, he struggled to find a job, and he struggled to become a responsible adult. However after moving to Virginia, to spend more time with his 10 year old son, Lewis, things dramatically changed. George became Lewis’ soccer coach; the kids were in awe of his skill and the mom’s were in awe of his looks. Now George had to figure out how to be a responsible dad, and not re-live the glory days of his past.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 5, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
{Spoiler Alert} George was a good guy. Ultimately he cared for his son and ex-wife. He eventually came to realize that his family was the best thing that ever happened to him, not his fame. He learned to take responsibility, and treasured the time with his son and the people he loved.
There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quad, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
George let his son sit on his lap and drive (steer) a borrowed Ferrari.
Even though I liked this movie, and so did the mom’s in the theater, I feel that kids may get a little bored with the subject matter.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- The soccer moms like George, and they definitely show it. One women goes to George’s apartment, puts her arms around him, and pushes him against the window and passionately kisses him.
- Another mom wrapped her leg around George’s waist, gave him a big kiss. That’s all we saw, but it was implied that they did more than smooch.
- A married woman/soccer mom went to George’ home, took off her clothes (down to her bra and panties). George did the right thing and didn’t pursue her.
- One mom said that she fantasizes about George while he is coaching
Violent Content: Mild
- Two men got into a fight. They started out by pushing one another, which turned into a wrestling match.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “Sh–” is said a lot, “a–,” “b–ch,” “h—,” and “d–n,” are said several times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks.
Will Kids Like It? No
- The film has a lot of fun soccer scenes which I’m sure most kids will enjoy, however the film is centered around adult issues which kids may find boring.
Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and profane language. Depending on the child I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. As I previously mentioned, kids may not like this film, but moms will!!
Invictus Review
“Invictus” is based on a true story of how newly elected South African President, Nelson Mandela, united his country through means of rugby. He knew his nation was racially and economically divided. With the help of the national team’s rugby captain, played by Matt Damon, Mandela inspires South Africa’s rugby team to make history as they make it to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
Forgiveness is the crucial theme of the movie. Mandela says, “Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” After spending 27 years for opposing apartheid, rather than seeking revenge, Mandela learned that in order for his country to survive, they must forgive and unite.
Invictus is Latin for “unconquerable,” it is a Victorian poem that inspired and strengthened Mandela while he was in prison. He references the poem frequently by saying, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” He also stresses to the rugby captain that a leader leads by example, which Mandela did an outstanding job of.
Some fun and amusing scenes throughout the movie involved Mandela’s black and white bodyguards. Initially Mandela’s longtime black bodyguards were upset when he added more bodyguards, who were white. It was wonderful to see them work together and gradually bond throughout the movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- It’s implied two characters sleep together.
Violent Content: Moderate
Rugby is an aggressive, violent sport, played without pads. I did not enjoy the rugby scenes all that much, though it got very exciting.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- One f-word, and a few other swear words throughout the movie.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Players drink beer throughout the movie.
“Invictus” is an outstanding well-done movie. It was very interesting and educational. My 10 year old son liked it, though he got confused at times. My 12 and 13 year olds liked it a lot and thought it was very interesting. My 13 year old daughter thought Nelson Mandela was a very sweet, compassionate old man. She said, “His smile was contagious.” I felt the same way. We also saw about ten 16 year old boys in the theatre. They liked it as well. One boy said, “It was awesome.”
I loved the movie, though I’m giving it four buckets because the subject matter may not interest kids. It’s a 5 bucket movie, but a 4 bucket family movie.