DVD Reviews

Spectre-Teen Movie Review

Bond. James Bond…he’s back and better than ever. In this film Bond (Daniel Craig) ends up in Mexico City and Rome. After entering a secret meeting, he discovers the existence of an evil organization called Spectre. As Bond learns about the group, he also finds a connection between himself and their cruel leader (Christoph Waltz). Spectre is an action packed adventurous film with 007’s cars, guns, and gadgets. It’s all about Bond. James Bond.

Rating: 3 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: February 9, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Though Spectre is very violent, and disturbing in parts, Bond seems very different. He falls in love, and treats woman with a more respect. There are times in the film when he could kill, though he chooses not to.

Sexual Content: Moderate

James Bond sleeps with a newly widowed woman. We see them passionately kiss, then bond unzips her dress. Later we see her on the bed in a negligee.
James sleeps with another woman as well, a love interest. We see them passionately kiss as Bond rips off her clothes (we don’t see anything). Later she’s shown wearing a sexy nightgown.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

The villain drills holes into James’ head, James screams in agony. This was a very disturbing scene.
We see a lot of characters shot and killed. There are several explosions as cars, planes and buildings blow up.
There are numerous brutal fights, with very graphic images. In one scene a man gouges out another mans eyes with his thumbs… killing him. There’s a violent fight on a train with characters thrown around, beaten and shot.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “a–,” “b–tard,” and “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Bond orders his usual drink…vodka martini.
We see characters drinking beer, wine and champagne. One character is shown tipsy and tells Bond that she can see two of him.

Will Teens Teens It? Yes

Overall Spectre is an action packed movie, one that teenagers will enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the excessive and disturbing violence throughout the film. Depending on the child I recommend this for kids ages 15 and up.

The Peanuts Movie-Kids Movie Review

Charlie Brown is not a quitter, and life isn’t always easy for Charlie; especially when he’s trying to impress the Red-Haired Girl who moves into his neighborhood. As Charlie continually tries to woo her, things don’t always go his way. However, he keeps hoping and never gives up. We see how “Good ol’ Charlie Brown” handles his ups and downs, while always doing the right thing! The Peanuts Movie is a wonderful feel good family flick!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 8, 2016
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Charlie Brown may have his goofy mishaps but he never gives up….great parent/child conversation.
He’s a good friend, and brother. We see him help his sister as she’s in a embarrassing situation. He puts aside his own plans to help her out. It’s noted that he’s kind, compassionate, brave and funny.
The Peanuts Movie does a great job of representing the Peanuts comic strips and TV show. The voices are perfect.

Sexual Content: None

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

There is some silly slapstick violence throughout the film. Charlie stumbles, slips on a wet floor, gets tied up by a kite, and much more.
In Snoopy’s fantasy world we see him pursue his nemesis, The Red Baron, as a WWI pilot.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

Name calling, “blockhead” is said a few times.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Kids of all ages were at the theater grinning from ear to ear and sitting at the edge of their seats.

Overall this is a perfect animated film for young kids. Parents who grew up Charlie Brown will love it as well.

Burnt-Teen Movie Review

“If it’s not perfect, throw it away.” Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a control freak and a perfectionist! He was once known as a top chef in Paris, though he had his share of problems due to drug and alcohol addiction that put his career on hold. However, he gets a second chance when he’s hired as the head chef of a fine-dining restaurant in London. Adam learns a lot on how to handle his control issues while managing his new staff. He also gets a second chance to fulfill his dream of earning a third Michelin star…a goal the perfectionist chef has always pursued.

Rating: 1 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: January 26, 2016
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Teens Like It? No

Talking Points:

As I previously mentioned, Adam Jones is a perfectionist and he wants to be in control. Even though this is not a sports film, the theme throughout the movie is to work as a team. One of Adam’s chefs says, “We cook together. We take care of each other. You can’t do it alone. No one can. You have to trust us.” {Spoiler Alert} He relinquishes some control and becomes a better chef and more importantly a better person.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see a couple kiss passionately.
A couple is shown in bed together, and the woman is only wearing a camisole.
A man is gay and it’s noted that he’s in love with Adam. We see him admire Adam’s physique.
There are a lot of sexual references throughout the film. Adam repeatedly compares food to sex. There’s talk of orgasms, condoms and prostitutes.
.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Drug dealers beat Adam (offscreen), we see his scared face and a big bruise and wound on his back.
Two chefs destroy their kitchens in a fit of rage.
Adam pulls a plastic bag over his head and attempts to suffocate himself. This was a disturbing scene.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said numerous times throughout the film. We also hear “sh-t,” “h—,” “b–tard,” and “a–.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see characters drinking wine and smoking cigarettes.
It’s noted that Adam had a drug and alcohol addiction.
References are made to painkillers and cocaine.
We see a character who gets very drunk and can barely walk.

Will Kids Like It? No

Overall this is an interesting film, however due to the mature subject matter and R rating, Burnt may not appeal to pre-teens or teens.

Jem and the Holograms-Kids’ Movie Review

The power of social media!! Jerrica Benton is a quiet, though very talented teenage girl, who writes her own music, sings and plays guitar. Her songs help her deal with the day to day stress of being a teenager girl. However, her quiet life soon ends when her sister, Kimber, posts one of Jerrica’s tunes online, and before you know it’s gone viral. Now the world wants to know that quiet and humble girl. Based on a the popular 1980’s cartoon, Jem and the Holograms is an entertaining film, especially for pre-teen girls.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 19, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Jem and the Holograms is a little corny in parts, though entertaining for tweens. The film highlights the importance of family and loved ones in your lives. One of the girls says…”A home is a place where you’re surrounded by people who you love and who love you regardless.”
At the recording studio’s headquarters, the girls are told that the “house rules” demand no drinking, no smoking and no venturing out after curfew.
The positive and negative aspects of social media is noted. A character says that paparazzi photos “live longer than vampires.”
The teens break into a building and run from the police. One of the girls has a habit of stealing things.

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a teenage couple making out.
A teenage boy is shown only wearing a towel, waist down. A teenage girl walks in on him and admires his physique.

Violent/Disturbing Content: None

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

“A–,” is said a few times, we also hear “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall Jem and the Holgrams is an enjoyable musical drama. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.

Goosebumps-Kids’ Movie Review

Moving to a new city can be difficult, especially for a teenage boy whose father had just passed away. Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) is upset about moving from New York City to a small town in Delaware. Though things quickly change when Zach meets his beautiful new neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush). Zach discovers that Hannah’s father is R. L. Stine (Jack Black), the author of the bestselling “Goosebumps” series. Things get exciting when Zach accidentally releases the monsters from R. L. Stine’s novels. Now Zach’s boring small town becomes an adventurous city. Goosebumps is a thrilling Halloween film, especially for pre-teens.

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 26, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

R. L. Stine, known as the “Stephen King of children’s literature,” is an author that kids and tweens are very familiar with. Goosebumps is a creative film, one that will most likely appeal to Stine’s fans. Parents need to be aware of the violent parts that will scare young kids.

Sexual Content: Mild

A teenage couple kiss.
Innocent flirting.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

The first monster to escape is the Abominable Snowman. He destroys an ice rink’s scoreboard, a Zamboni and a vending machine. He chases some teenagers as well.
We see close-up of snarling werewolves, which may scare youngsters.
A werewolf chases a group of teenagers through a grocery store.
A praying mantis grabs a boy through a school window. Later we see him in a neck brace.
Humans fight with ceramic gnomes, smashing them to the ground.
A monster closes a typewriter case on Stine’s finger, breaking most of them.
Aliens freeze most of the townspeople.
We see a group of half-decomposed zombies at a cemetery.
A group of monsters attend a high school dance, scaring the students.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“H—,” said once.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids like it? Yes

Overall this is a fun, though scary, Halloween film. Great for tweens who like scary movies.