DVD Reviews

The Finest Hours-Teen Movie Review

On February 18, 1952 there was a horrific storm causing an oil tanker, the SS Pendleton, to split in two. More than 30 sailors were trapped inside the tankers’ stern, all desperately praying for help. When the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass gets word of the disaster, an officer orders a rescue mission to brave the storm and find the sailors. Officer Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), a meek and humble man, takes out three men on a life boat to try and save the stranded crew. This was a very dangerous rescue as they had to endure the horrific storm as well. Based on a true story, The Finest Hours is an inspirational film about courage and hope; a great movie for the whole family!

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: May 24, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is an amazing true story about the courageous men in the Coast Guard who risked their lives to save others. They never gave up, their positive attitude and perseverance was unbelievable during the extreme weather conditions.

Sexual Content: Mild

We see Bernie and his girlfriend kiss several times.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

As the men are stranded in the ship, we see crew members tossed around, some were injured.
A character dies during a rescue operation.
There were many intense and uncomfortable scenes seeing the men stranded in the tanker, and the dangerous rescue mission of the Coast Guard.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “d–n,” and “h–l.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking at a bar.

Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

The film is slow in parts, however I interviewed two teenagers (boy and girl) who both loved it and thought it was very exciting.

Overall this is a wonderful inspirational drama. Depending on the child I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up.

The Finest Hour-Teen Movie Review

Kung Fu Panda 3-Kids’ Movie Review

Po (Jack Black) has a great life as a Kung Fu Panda. He’s the Dragon Warrior leader of the Furious Five, and he’s the dumpling-eating champion of the whole Valley of Peace. However, when Po’s instructor wants him to transition from the student to teacher, Po realizes he has a lot to learn; he has to train a group of silly pandas to become martial-arts fighters. Eventually the pandas come together as they must conquer the evil Kai (J. K Simmons), a supernatural warrior who wants to take over the world with his powers.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 28, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

There are some sweet and endearing father/son scenes as Po reunites with his biological father.

Sexual Content: None

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There are many kung fu battles. The villain, Kai, and his army attack Po and the Furious Five.
Characters are kicked and punched during the battles.
Po and Kai fight in a magical battle that destroys building and structures.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will kids Like It? Yes

Overall Kung Fu Panda 3 is an entertaining film for kids of all ages.

Kung Fu Panda 3-Kids’ Movie Review

Dirty Grandpa-Teen Movie Review

Jason Kelly (Zac Efron), a high-strung attorney, is one week away from marrying his boss’s controlling daughter, Meredith (Julianne Hough). Finalizing the wedding plans and working hard to become a partner at his firm, Jason has a lot going on. However, his life dramatically changes when he finds himself driving his newly widowed grandfather Dick (Robert De Niro) from Atlanta, Ga to Daytona Beach, Fla. Even though Jason wanted to help his grandpa out and do the right thing, he didn’t know what was really involved…a wild spring break with his dirty Grandpa.

Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 17, 2016
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Read the full review here!

Watch the trailer here!

Talking Points:

The idea of a Grandfather and his Grandson driving from Atlanta to Florida together is sweet and endearing. Even though there are some cute bonding scenes; overall the film is raunchy and inappropriate.

Sexual Content: Excessive

We see couples having sex, grandpa masturbating, sexual dancing, and nudity (male and female).
There are numerous sexual jokes and references throughout the film. To name a few…jokes regarding oral sex, group sex, masturbation, male and female body parts, herpes, gays and dildos.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

Characters are punched, someone is Tazed and knocked unconscious, and someone is hit in the face with a beer can and gets a bloody nose.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

Every other word is the f-word. We also hear “b–ch,” “h—,” “a–,” “ba-tard,” and crude sexual references to male and female private body parts.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive

Characters are shown drinking beer, wine and champagne throughout the film.
Pam, a drug dealer, continually talks about all the drugs he sells. To name a few; heroin, meth, crack, marijuana, Ecstasy and mushrooms.
We see people smoke marijuana at parties.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is an extremely raunchy and inappropriate R rated film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive crude language and excessive sexual content.

The 5th Wave-Kids’ Movie Review

Cassie Sullivan (Chloe Grace Moretz) is a happy teenage girl living in Ohio. She’s close with her family, has a wonderful best friend, and has a crush on the school jock. However, things dramatically change as a series of alien attacks attempt to destroy the planet with earthquakes, tsunamis and a deadly strain of bird flu. As Cassie is separated from her family she ventures out to find her younger brother Sam (Zachary Arthur), which eventually leads her to a handsome young man named Evan (Alex Roe). Together she and Evan fight to stay alive as the aliens prepare for the 5th attack. Based on the best selling young adult novel, The 5th Wave is an entertaining and suspenseful film.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 3, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Though there are billions of casualties throughout the film the main characters risk their lives to try and save the innocent victims.
The mature subject of loved ones dying is highlighted in the film.

Sexual Content: Mild

A character is shown bathing in a lake. We see him waist up.
Two teens kiss which eventually leads them to the back seat of a car. They wake up fully clothed.
There’s talk of “end of the world sex.”

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Kids in the film are forced to wear trackers which are injected in the backs of their necks. The devices can only be removed by slicing open ones skin. This was disgusting too.
There are numerous deaths throughout the film. The first wave knocks airplanes out of the sky, causing explosions. The 2nd wave triggers floods worldwide, and the 3rd wave, a bird flu, leaves several dead bodies lying around.
Cassie gets shot in the leg and we see a lot of blood seeping through her jeans. Later, Evan stitches her leg back to health. This was a graphic scene as we see a lot of blood and her open wound.
We see numerous characters shot and killed.
A woman’s head crashes through a glass window. A guy gets punched in the throat.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear the f-word once. We also hear “sh-t,” “h—,” and “a–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Cassie and her drink at a party. It’s assumed they’re alcoholic beverages.

Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is an intense drama. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content.

Ride Along 2- Kids’ Movie Review

Police Officer Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) is a good guy and takes his job very seriously. However he desperately wants to become a detective like his future brother-in-law James (Ice Cube). So when James is working on an intense criminal investigation, Ben asks if he can ride along. James is very hesitant since Ben is annoying and talks a lot. Though after much debate James takes Ben on a “ride along,” one that changes Ben’s life forever. Ride Along 2 is an adventurous comedy, one that kids may find entertaining.

Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 26, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see a female character only wearing a black bra and panties. She’s pretending to be a police officer using a nightstick and handcuffs.
There’s a discussion of a couple having sex.
We see women in bikinis and revealing outfits.
We hear sexual references regarding incest and strippers.
A male character has a video chat with a woman only wearing a bra and panties. The woman talks very seductively.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There are several shooting scenes where characters are held at gun point and shot to death.
A car explodes during a chase scene and guns are fired as well.
Characters are hit and knocked unconscious. Someone is also attacked by a huge alligator.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

We hear the f-word, “sh-t,” “d–n,” “a–,” and “h—,” and “b–ch,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see characters drinking tequila, martinis, whiskey and other alcoholic drinks.
A character tries to smuggle drugs into the country.

Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is an entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive profane language and sexual content.