DVD Reviews

That Awkward Moment-Teen Movie Review

“So, where is this going?” That’s the question that Jason hates, and that’s when he decides to end it with a girl he happens to be dating, or just sleeping with. This is the story about three best friends from college, now in their twenty’s and working in New York City. Jason (Zac Efron) is a lady’s man who fears commitment, Daniel (Miles Teller) is Jason’s “wingman” who always helps him find his next girl, and then there’s Mikey. Mikey is a doctor who thought he found true love, but caught his wife cheating on him. After hearing Mikey’s news the three boys make a pact to avoid a serious relationship. They want to be carefree, play video games, and pick up girls at the bars. Initially this plan sounds great to the boys… but is it really what these college graduates want? That Awkward Moment is a R-rated comedy about the awkward moments of dating and relationships.

Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 13, 2014
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate
Will it Appeal to Teens? No

Talking Points:

These three singles guys, especially Jason, lie to women and treat them poorly, however they ultimately learn their lesson and quickly mature. They find out what’s important in a relationship and how to treat respectfully treat women.

This film seems as though it would appeal to teens; with Zac Efron, from the High School Musical series, Seventeen Again and many other popular pre-teen films, and Miles Teller from Footloose. However, the plot is boring and not much too it. This could have been a really good movie like St. Elmos Fire from the 80’s, though it’s not entertaining and not well done.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see several couples in a sexual encounter, though their private parts are covered we see explicit sexual motions.
Jason (Zac Efron) goes to a party wearing a dildo attached to the outside of his pants.
There are sexual references regarding oral sex, masturbation, condoms, pornography and male and female private parts, throughout the whole movie.
The three guys in the film take Viagra before having sex; there are many jokes about that as well.

Violent Content: Mild

One character punches another.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word, “sh-t,” “p—,” “d-nm” ,”b–tard,” “d–k,” “p—y,” and “c–k,” are said throughout the whole movie.

Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate

The characters socially drink throughout the film.

Will it Appeal to Teens? No

That Awkward Moment is an R-rated comedy, which is not that funny. See Anchorman 2 instead! Parents need to be aware of the excessive language and moderate sexual and alcohol contents.

I, Frankenstein-Kids Movie Review

Science experiments can be very interesting, especially for scientist Victor Frankenstein; he created Adam (Aaron Eckhart). Since Adam is immortal, he survives many horrific situations and gets caught in the middle of a centuries old battle between the gargoyles and demons. Both clans desperately want to discover the secret of Adam’s immortality. I, Frankenstein is an action packed, violent, sci/fi movie based on a graphic novel, “I, Frankenstein.”

Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 13, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to Kids? No

Talking Points:

Initially Adam reacts violently when meeting people. However when he’s introduced to Terra ( Yvonne Strahovski), we see another side to Adam. She tells him, “You’re only a monster if you behave like one.” He gradually learns to protect and care for others.

The film is very violent and dark. Though there is a lot of action, I don’t think the storyline will appeal to most kids.

Sexual Content: None

Violent Content: Excessive

There are violent and graphic battles between demons and gargoyles throughout the film.
Adam gets into several brutal situations. He falls from high places crashing to the ground, he even goes through the ground, landing on a subway car.
Adam gets into numerous fights; slicing people with blades, punching and hitting characters with clubs.
A man is strangled to death.
We see thousands of corpses.
We see injured characters with bloody open wounds.
The demons and gargoyles are scary looking creatures, they will most likely scare young kids.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Characters are shown drinking at a nightclub.

Will it Appeal to Kids? No

As I previously mentioned, I, Frankenstein is a violent and creepy film, one that will not interest kids or teens. Though the language, alcohol and sexual contents are mild, parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content woven throughout the film.

Ride Along-Teen Movie Review

“Show me you deserve my sister.” That’s what police officer James Payton (Ice Cube) says to his sister’s boyfriend, Ben (Kevin Hart). Ben is a security guard, but dreams of being cop. He plays enough Call of Duty-type video games, so he feels ready for the real thing. Ben is also in love with James’ sister, Angela ( Tika Sumpter), and asks for James’ blessing before proposing. However, it’s not that easy, in order to prove himself worthy of marrying his sister, James insists that Ben ride along for a twenty four hour patrol. So now Ben and James hit the streets of Atlanta while Ben desperately tries to impress his brother- in- law to be. Ride Along is a comedic film, with a lot of action and adventure.

Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 15, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

There aren’t any life lessons or encouraging messages in the film, however it is funny and entertaining.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see Ben and his girlfriend kissing in bed together.
Ben’s girlfriend texts him to hurry home because she’s “horny.”
Guys were making sexual noises, imitating a couple making love.
There’s a scene in a strip club, we see woman in bikinis and revealing outfits.
Ben’s gaming nickname is “Black Hammer.” There are sexual comments regarding that name.

Violent Content: Excessive

During the ride along, in the rough areas of Atlanta, we see characters punched, kicked, beaten, shot and often killed.
A character gets shot in the leg, we see him suffer, then shot to death.
We see bloody injuries.
Ben is a gamer, we see virtual characters beaten, shot and torn apart.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said once. We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” “p—y,” “h—,” throughout the film.

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

We see a drunk character holding a bottle of vodka.
A high school student was about to skip school and go drinking with friends. Ben talks him out of it and explains how it could ruin his life.

Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes

Overall Ride Along is an action packed, comedic film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence, language and sexual references in the movie.

The Legend Of Hercules-Kids Movie Reviews

Hercules (Kellan Lutz)… the son of Zeus, half-god, half-man. This is the story of the very handsome and strong mythical hero named Hercules. When we initially meet Hercules, he is happy and madly in love with Hebe (Gaia Weiss); a beautiful young woman and daughter of a powerful Greek king. However, Hercules’ life changes when his stepfather, the King, announces the marriage between Hercules’ deceitful half-brother, Iphicles (Liam Garrigan) and his true love Hebe. Now Hercules is exiled and sold into slavery because of his forbidden relationship with Hebe. Through vicious battles and gladiator arena death matches, Hercules hopes to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 10, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

The film may appeal to the Twilight Saga fans, as vampire Emmett Cullen stars as Hercules. Also, pre-teen boys may like the action and adventure throughout the film. Having said that, parents may want to stay home. It’s a low budget film and very corny in parts.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see Hercules and his true love Hebe kissing under a waterfall.
Hercules and Hebe are in a sexual encounter. We see them wrapped in sheets and her chest is briefly exposed.
There’s also a sexual encounter involving Alcmene (Hercules’ mother) and Zeus. We see Alcmene lying in bed covered with blankets while Zeus takes the form of a strong breeze. It’s clear as to what they are doing.

Violent Content: Excessive

There are several battles and gladiator-arena matches. Characters are stabbed and killed by swords and arrows.
We see dead bodies hanging from ropes, and bloody corpses covering the ground.
A woman stabs herself in the chest and the blade goes through the man behind her as well.
There is a scene where a lion attacks Hercules, though Hercules kills the lion.
Woman are hit, stabbed and thrown around.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: None

Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Overall The Legend Of Hercules is a film that pre-teen boys may find entertaining. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content throughout the film.

Saving Mr. Banks

She loathes Disney products and the idea that wishes can make dreams come true, a well known Disney philosophy. She despises anything associated with Disney, even Mickey Mouse. This is the story about British writer P. L. Travers, the author of the beloved “Mary Poppins” books. It’s a story of how Walt Disney pursues Travers so he can turn the wonderful Mary Poppins creation into a magically Disney film. After twenty years he eventually succeeds, though it wasn’t easy. He discovers the truth about Travers’ horrid past, and learns how the magical English nanny came to be. Based on a true story. Saving Mr. Banks is a wonderful film, though it may not appeal to kids.

Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 18, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
Will It Appeal to Kids? No

Talking Points:Saving Mr. Banks

Most people assume that this is a fun loving movie, after all Walt Disney is one of the main characters. However, Saving Mr. Banks is not necessarily for kids, though an amazing movie. The mature storyline of Travers’ life, and the trials and tribulations she faces during her childhood might not be something that would appeal to kids.

Sexual Content: None

Violent Content: Mild

Travers’ mom tries to commit suicide. We see her walking out into deep water…it’s a creepy scene and may frighten young kids.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear, “d-mn,” “h—,” and “g–d-mn.”

Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive

Travers’ father is an alcoholic. We see flashbacks throughout the film of him drinking from bottles and flasks. In one scene he has a speaking engagement, and falls off the stage. He hurts his back, and becomes bedridden from then on. We see him lying in bed while coughing up blood.
When Travers’ father was convalescing, he has his daughter get him his booze, calling it his “medicine.”

Will It Appeal to Kids? No

Overall this is a wonderful movie, one that adults will especially enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the excessive drug and alcohol content throughout the film.