DVD Reviews

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty-Kids Movie Review

His profile on eHarmony was blank and his childhood travel journal was empty. This is a story about Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a quiet guy who works hard as a negative asset manger for LIFE magazine; he develops photos by great photographers. However, Walter is not content, he wants more in his life, he wants some excitement… and his constant adventurous daydreaming doesn’t cut it. When the magazine goes from print to online publication only, Walter’s co-workers start getting fired, and the amazing photo for the final edition’s cover is missing. As Walter searches the world to find the photographer, and the special negative, he also learns a lot about himself and what’s truly important in life.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 15, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kid/Teens? Yes

Talking Points:

There is a wonderful message in the film is to enjoy the little things in life- to love, and appreciate your blessings. This will spark some great parent/child conversations.

The film is very appropriate, however young kids may get bored, and may not appreciate the office politics and humor.

There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn and Shirley MacLaine.

Sexual Content: Mild

It’s mentioned that some sailors were “horny” as we see them running to a strip club.
While traveling in Greenland, Walter mistakes the word eruption for erection.

Violent Content: Mild

Walter tends to daydream a lot, though fictitious, some scenes were a little violent. He imagines himself saving a pet in a burning building, gets into a brawl with his boss in an elevator, falls out of a glass window from a high rise, jumps into the ocean from helicopter, skateboards towards an erupting volcano and gets into a bar fight.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear, “sh-t,” “h–l,” and “a–.”

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

We see characters drinking beer, one character is shown drunk.

Will It Appeal to Kids/Teens? Yes, it will appeal to pre-teens and teens.

Overall The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty is a wonderful heartfelt story. This is an appropriate film for kids ages 10 and up; adults will enjoy it too.

Grudge Match – Kids Movie Review

In the day, Henry “Razor” Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) and Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (Robert De Niro) were two of the biggest fighters in the Pitsburgh boxing world. They had it all; fame, glory and the fierce competition to fight. However in 1983, just before the championship match, Kid announced his retirement. So who really was the champ? No one knew, until 30 years later when they were lured by boxing promoter Dante Slate Jr. (Kevin Hart) to fight once again and regain their fame to world. Grudge Match is a sports comedy, one that may not appeal to kids or teenagers.

Rating: 1 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: April 8, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate
Will It Appeal to Kids? No

Talking Points:

There are some messages about the negativity of holding a grudge and not moving past old regrets.

The film may seem appealing to some kids, after all Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is fighting once again, however the storyline of two old men boxing will not interest most kids.

Kevin Hart who plays Dante Slate Jr., the boxer’s promoter, is funny and a great asset to the film.

Sexual Content: Moderate

There are numerous sexual references made throughout the film, to name a few; conversations regarding body parts, sex toys and homosexuals.
There are jokes about BJ’s name ( a main character in the film). When Kid’s 8 year old grandson wonders about the jokes, his grandpa says he was named after “Butterscotch Jellybeans.” This joke is carried throughout the film.
The 8 year old grandson gets into an SUV and finds his grandpa having a sexual encounter with a younger woman. We see the grandpa in his boxers, and the woman’s bare shoulders.
During the boxing fight, we see woman wearing skimpy bikinis as they announce the various rounds.

Violent Content: Moderate

Razor and Kid despise one another, so when they see each other during publicity events they typically get into a brawl.
We see details of the boxing fight, the brutal hits and punches. We see the blood and bumps on their faces, they both look beat up.
Two characters get into a car accident, one of them is injured and gets stitches on her forehead.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said twice. We also hear “a–,” “b–ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” and “p—y,” a lot throughout the movie.

Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate

Kid owns a bar, we see him drinking hard liquor several times in the film.
Kid uses a case of beer as a car seat for his 8 year old grandson.
A bartender teaches Kid’s grandson to play a drinking game. However, the child doesn’t drink, but everyone else around him does.

Will It Appeal to Kids? No

Overall Grudge Match is a slow moving film that most kids will not enjoy. See Anchorman 2 or The Hunger Games: Catching Fire instead.Parents need to be aware of the sexual references and excessive profane language throughout the film.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues-Teen Movie Review

“Don’t just have a great night, have an American night,” that’s what the beloved anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) says as he broadcasts the news at station GNN in New York City. Set in the 1980’s, in the beginning of the cable news era, GNN is starting a 24/7 news channel, and who better to take the the 2:00 a.m. time slot but Ron Burgundy and his sidekicks Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), and sports anchor Champ Kind (David Koechner). Initially things were rough for Ron as he got fired from his previous job as San Diego’s top rated newsman. However when landing a new job in New York, Ron and company spice up the night shift news. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the sequel to the 2004 film, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

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

Talking Points:

There is an all-star cast, to name a few; Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and James Marsden. There are some surprise cameos too.

There are not any life lessons or inspirational elements to the film, however, through all the goofy and silly humor it is a fun entertaining film. Having said that, it did get a little long and dragged on at the end.

The West Michigan Whitecaps make a small appearance in the movie, which is fun for their fans and locals to see.

Sexual Content: Moderate

There are sexual comments and references made throughout the film, to name a few; two character’s make sexual animal sounds as they’re fondling one another, there is talk of masturbation, strip clubs and condoms.
A woman’s shirt is torn, exposing her bra.
Ron and his boss have a sexual encounter. We see them in bed kissing, however they are covered by a sheet.
Two characters are shown passionately kissing. We see the woman’s back side pressed up against a window, revealing her underwear.

Violent Content: Moderate

Ron tries to hang himself from a light fixture.
Ron and the gang’s motor home crashes, we see them tossed around.
Ron and gets into a fist fight with a woman.
The ghost of a Civil War general, characters in the film, and mythical characters are shown fighting, shooting one another and striking each other with blades. This is done in a slap stick humorous way.
We see an explosion as a character drops a sparkler in a puddle of gasoline.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said twice, we also hear “a–,” “sh-t,” “h—,” “b–ch,” and “d–n” numerous times throughout the film.

Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate

We see Ron drunk while working at SeaWorld.
Characters are shown drinking beer and wine.
Ron and company smoke crack as they are broadcasting on TV.

Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Pre-teens and teens will enjoy the film.

Overall Anchorman 2 : The Legend Continues is a silly, but entertaining film. Depending on the child I feel it is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content and excessive profane language in the film.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug-Kids Movie Review

“The courage of a Hobbit never ceases to amaze me,” that’s what one of the thirteen dwarves said while traveling with the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), and the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen). Bilbo and company were traveling to the Kingdom of Erbor, hoping to reclaim their homeland from the villainous dragon, Smaug. On their journey they face many obstacles such as terrifying Orcs, giant spiders and imprisonment in an elf dungeon. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is the second installment of the The Hobbit series. This is an adventurous, action packed film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels.

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 8, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Talking Points:

Amongst all battles and casualties shown in film, we also see characters (especially Bilbo) helping one another as they try to rid the evil that surrounds them.

The film will most likely interest kids that have read the novels.

Sexual Content: Mild

Character’s flirt with one another.

Violent Content: Excessive

There are numerous battles throughout the film. Characters are shot and impaled with arrows, decapitated by swords and knives and attacked by scary creatures.
There’s a scene with giant spiders who have long fangs. We see them gnashing their fangs and attacking their prey.
A character is shot with an arrow. When trying to remove it, the arrow breaks, and part of it is left in his body, causing an infection. We see the opened bloody wound.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Characters are shown drinking beer and smoking pipes.

Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes

Overall The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is an action packed adventurous film. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up. As previously mentioned parents need to be aware of the excessive violence.

The Book Thief-Kids Movie Review

“If your eyes could speak what would they say?” That’s what Max, a Jewish refugee, says to Liesel as he is hiding from the Nazi’s in her adoptive parent’s basement during the height of World War II. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by death; The Book Thief is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Liesel. Liesel finds comfort and peace by reading. She steals books and reads them to her loved ones as they all deal with the horrors of World War II.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 11, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Kids or Teens? Yes

Talking Points:

Even though the film is about tragedies of World War II, we see many acts of kindness demonstrated by good Germans. Liesel’s adoptive father, Hans, is a kind, loving man, who makes Liesel feel welcomed and loved. Hans also welcomes Max, a persecuted Jew, into his home. He not only hides Max in their basement, he protects and cares for his well being. The friendships that Liesel developes with Max, and their neighbor Rudy is also an endearing and important part of the film.

Due to the mature subject matter, the film may not appeal to kids, however mature teens may find it interesting.Having said that, the film is very educational and will spark some great parent/child conversations regarding WWII Germany.

Sexual Content: None

Violent Content: Moderate

Characters are kicked, punched and pushed around by the Nazis.
A boy bullies Rudy and Liesel throughout the film. In one scene Liesel fights back and punches the boy.
We see bombings and the awful effects from the war.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“H–l,” is said once.

Drugs and Alcohol: None

Will It Appeal to Kids? No

Overall The Book Thief is an amazing, heartfelt story. Though very appropriate, the storyline may not appeal to kids, but it may interest mature teens.