Thriller
Thriller movie reviews
The Woman in Black Review
Horror movies always scare me so I decided to bring my mom. Daniel Radcliffe plays a young British lawyer named Arthur Kipps. His wife had passed away in childbirth, which was extremely difficult for Arthur. Before he could completely focus on his son, and get his life back in order, Arthur had a simple work project to finish; he had to take care of a deceased client’s legal papers. However, this client’s papers were crumpled up and hidden all over a creepy old mansion, on an island in the middle of nowhere. The locals warned Arthur of the strange happenings in this house, and advised him not to go there, but Arthur wanted to take of care business, and that’s what Arthur did, and that’s where he met the women in black. The Women in Black, is a mystery/suspense horror film, one that I don’t recommend for children.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of “Big Miracle”
Talking Points:
Many kids want to see this movie because of Daniel Radcliffe, after all he’s Harry Potter. However, this was a creepy, scary movie one that I don’t recommend for kids. There were many disturbing scenes, as we saw dead children, and very strange, spooky characters throughout the film.
The only positive comment I have to make; Daniel Radcliffe did an amazing job of acting. However, I wish he would have picked another film, especially after playing Harry Potter for so many years.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- A ghost appears and silently tells children to kill themselves.
- We see a girl set herself of fire.
- A young boy walks towards an oncoming train.
- We see a girl spitting up blood.
- Arthur placed a crucifix on a child’s corpse.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” is said once
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and brandy.
I’m not a big fan of horror films, and I really didn’t like this one for children. In addition to the scary, dark parts, I thought the film was long and boring. Depending on the kid; teenagers that like horror films may find this appealing, though, I doubt it.
Source Code Review
Captain Steven Colter (Jake Gyllenhaal) gets on a Chicago train, sits across from a cute girl (Michelle Monaghan), the girl gets a phone call from her ex-boyfriend, someone spills coffee on Colter’s shoe, the conductor checks Colter’s ticket, the train stops, the passengers get off the train, and then the train explodes. And, then the same thing happens again, and again, and again. He’s involved in a government experiment known as “Source Code.” This experiment allows him to enter into the body of a male passenger on this Chicago train; eight minutes before the explosion. His mission is to identify the bomber, and prevent another attack from happening. Colter returns on the train several times hoping to get enough clues to complete his mission. This suspenseful drama will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: April 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Very Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here!
Talking Points
The goal of Captain Colter, and everyone involved in the mission, is to save lives! A good thing for teenagers to witness.
It was exciting to see Colter with each return train visit; as he got more clues determining who the bomber was. I kept thinking of the board game Clue, a family favorite.
There are many likable characters in this film, I especially liked Carol Goodwin (Vera Famiga, from Up In The Air). She’s Colters main contact at the agency, and they develop a special friendship. Colter also got attached to some of the passengers on the train, especially the cute girl.
The movie got confusing at times, you really had to pay attention, though not as confusing as Inception.
Sexual Content: Very Mild
• There are a couple of kisses, but that’s about it.
Violent Content: Moderate
• We see the train explode several times throughout the movie.
• There are some graphic scenes. Colter gets in a bad fight, he’s beaten and bruised. He also jumps off a moving train, and once again gets pretty bloody.
• Colter is aggressive with some of the passengers while aiming his gun at them; you’re not sure if he’s actually going to kill them.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
• “F#@k” is said, but not much, maybe once or twice. Other words such as “s*&t” and “d%n” are used sporadically throughout the film.
Overall this was an intense and exciting movie. I was anxious at times, wondering who the terrorist was, and if Colter could accomplish his mission successfully. I thought the movie had an appropriate rating of PG13. I brought my 13 year-old son, who loved the action and suspense as well. I recommend this for kids (mainly boys), ages 12 and up.
Snow White and the Huntsman Review
Well, I would not want to escape into a dark forest from an evil queen, but I would want the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) protecting me. Snow White and the Huntsman is story about the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) who desperately wants Snow White (Kristen Stewart) killed when she realizes that the Princess will soon become more beautiful than she. So the Queen recruits a fierce Huntsman to go into the dark forest and kill the fair beauty. Things don’t work out the way the Queen had originally planned; the Huntsman ends up protecting Snow White and helps prepares her to save the kingdom from the evil Queen.
Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: September 11, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language:Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? No
See a clip of my review here, along with Crooked Arrows!
Talking Points:
This is a modern-day twist to the classic fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, however this film is very dark and creepy, one that young kids should not see. The Twilight fans, which include many tween girls, will want to see this film because of Kristen Stewart (who plays Bella in the Twilight series), however parents need to be aware of the disturbing content of the film.
The classic theme of good vs. evil is portrayed in the film as Snow White convinces man, beast and the dwarfs to do the right thing and set their kingdom free.
Snow risks her life to save the kingdom from the Queen’s control, she even stands in front of a a giant troll to help the Huntsman.
When we first meet the adult Snow White she prays the “Our Father,” while thinking of her deceased parents.
The Queen is very cruel, dark and malicious; she kills anyone she pleases; and enjoys the power and control she has over the people.
Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth were amazing in their roles as the Queen and the Huntsman. Kristen Stewart struggled in her role as Snow White. She acted like Bella from her Twilight movies.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Queen Ravenna wears low cut dresses, showing cleavage.
- We see the Queen’s naked form, from the back side.
- We see the Queen from the waist up naked, though she covers her chest with her arms.
- A couple kiss.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The Queen stabs her husband with a knife in his chest.
- We see battles with sword fights and stabbing, and bloody victims.
- Ravenna is stabbed in the gut by an attacker, she pulls the blade out and is perfectly fine.
- The Queen steps into a fire, we see her skin begin to burn, then she’s magically healed.
- The Queen slaps and attack’s Snow, we see her mouth bleeding.
- Queen Ravenna wears claws on her fingers which she uses to attack people.
- In one scene the Queen scoops out a small birds heart, and eats it.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–,” and “d–n,” are said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- The Huntsman is typically drunk.
- The dwarfs are shown drinking alcohol in several scenes.
Will Kids Like It? No
Overall this is a very dark and disturbing film, not for kids. Having said that, adults may like this film… I did. Mirror Mirror would be more suitable for kids, as it’s targeted to a younger audience. Depending on the child, I feel that Snow White and the Huntsman is appropriate for kids ages 14 and up.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Review
Set in 1891, as an unknown terrorist’s bombings threaten to push Europe to war we see Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr), in pursuit of Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), a mathematical wizard who was suspected to be the world’s first supervillain. Meanwhile, Watson, (Jude Law), Holmes’ friend and partner, was primarily focused on being a good husband to his new wife, Mary (Kelly Reilly), while keeping Holmes safe and alive; which was not an easy job! Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an adventurous action packed film that will keep you in suspense.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, plus a review of Alvin and The Chipmunks
Talking Points:
The banter between Holmes and Watson was fun and entertaining, even with the excessive violence. I noticed the audience laughed a lot throughout the film.
Watson was a very loving and dedicated husband, however, Holmes was not a fan of marriage. He labeled marriage as,”eternal purgatory.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mary, Watson’s new wife, had an unusual encounter with Holmes’ brother. She saw him walking around his house…naked. We could see his torso and backside, though Mary saw more! He continued to chat with her as if he was fully clothed, Mary was horrified, and wanted to leave.
- Women wear revealing outfits.
- Mild kissing.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There were several scenes with Holmes fighting thugs; kicking and hitting with character’s thrown against the wall.
- There were several explosions and gun fires, as we saw many characters die throughout the film.
- A bad guy stabbed a huge meat hook through Holmes’ shoulder, then raised him off the ground…it was disgusting!!!
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as, “b–tard,” and “d–n” were used a few times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drank frequently throughout the film. Watson got very drunk at his bachelor party.
- We saw character’s smoke cigarettes and cigars.
Sherlock Holmes fans will most likely enjoy this film. I was slightly entertained, but with all the unnecessary violence, the film didn’t appeal to me that much. Depending on whether you child is sensitive to violence, I would say this is appropriate for kids 13 and up.
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.