DVD Reviews
Where the Wild Things Are-Kids Movie Review
The movie is based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book. It’s a story about a rambunctious but lonely boy named Max. After a series of uncomfortable conflicts Max runs away, boards a small boat, and sails into the ocean to an island with a mysterious forest, and that’s where we meet 7 enormous, wild creatures.
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Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie will spark conversations with kids about family relationships.
I enjoyed the music.
While it’s a children’s book, the movie is not for children. The subject matter is way too emotionally involved for kids. Max is a very lonely, sensitive boy looking for attention. The Warner’s Bros. President said, “I would say it’s a movie for adults first and for a certain kind of child second. It doesn’t completely fit your expectation of a pure family film”.
It’s a very depressing movie, when Max is named king of his forest one of the creatures say’s “Will you keep out all the sadness?’ Even the creatures have relationship issues and psychosis, which is fine, but not for a children’s movie. These psychosis and relationship issues create conflict and a kind of evil danger that a small child should not face (either Max or the children viewing the movie).
Max is very disrespectful to his mother, in the movie he yelled, “woman, feed me,” then he bites her shoulder while throwing a temper tantrum.
At one point Max hides in one of the creatures stomachs, and then he comes out of the creatures mouth all slimy and wet.
The previews are misleading, they make the movie look like a light hearted kid’s movie, which it’s not.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Characters kiss.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
In science class the teacher says that the sun will die on day, but that the human race will already have been wiped out by natural disaster and/or disease, well before the sun dies. This may concern kids, and once again, why is this in a children’s movie?
Sendak, the author and one of the producers told the director “Make the story your own, make it personal, make it dangerous.”
Profane or Crude Language: Mild
- The d-word and h-word were used a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
The book, “Where the Wild Things Are,” was my husband’s favorite book as a kid, which then became my kids favorite book. The movie was very disappointing to all of us. Parents should take the PG rating seriously. I give it 1/2 bucket!
When in Rome- Teen Movie Review
“When In Rome” is a romantic comedy about a woman named Beth, played by Kristen Bell. She’s an ambitious young curator at the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan. When Beth attends her sister’s wedding in Rome she has too many glasses of champagne, and ends up taking coins from a fountain of love. When Beth returns to New York, she’s suddenly faced with a number of men, all smitten over her. She’s also pursued by Nick (Josh Duhamel), a charming young sports reporter whom she met at her sisters wedding. Now Beth’s really confused, not knowing if Nick is under the magical spell from the coins she picked up, or if he is truly in love with her.
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Rating: Four out of five buckets.
Release Date: June 15, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I was delightfully surprised, this is a PG13 movie, ( for some suggestive content), and really there’s nothing inappropriate about it.
This movie is similar to “Leap Year,” in that it’s a cute, lighthearted, entertaining movie that pre-teen and teenage girls will love. Also, parents won’t feel uncomfortable with the kind of sexual scenes that are in most PG13 movies.
Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel are terrific! There characters are very likable and charming. Danny DeVito, has a role, and is also very funny.
Though the movie is very predictable, and a little cheesy, it’s really enjoyable. It is a chick flick, and I don’t think most boys will like it, though LaDainian Tomlinson (running back for the San Diego Chargers) and Shaquille O’neil are briefly in the movie which may appeal to some boys.
Sexual Content: Mild
- There are a few passionate kisses, but for PG13, that’s not much!
Violent Content: None
Crude of Profane Language: Mild
- A few swear words were used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters were drinking alcohol.
The theatre was packed, and the audience was thoroughly entertained, as I could tell from all laughter in the theater.
The movie didn’t get the best reviews, but everyone I interviewed from ages 13 to 36, all loved it. Even a few boys commented by saying, “even though it’s a chick flick we thought it was funny.” I’m not sure if they were trying to please their dates, or if they truly enjoyed it, but it’s a great date movie, a great chick flick, and a great movie for girls ages 12 and up!!! I give it 4 buckets for it’s audience.
Valentine’s Day Teen Movie Review
“Valentine’s Day” follows the intertwining story lines of many couples, and singles, over the course of one Valentine’s Day. Throughout the movie, viewers are introduced to a number of characters, all played by famous actors, and their Valentine’s Day stories. Some of their stories are sad, some happy, but they all have one thing in common; how to spend that one special day.
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Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
It’s a cute, fun movie with a couple of good twists.
Reed, Ashton Kutcher, has some great lines. “If you’re ever with a girl that’s too good for you, marry her.”
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, PG13, though parents may feel uncomfortable with some scenes.
The movie got a little boring, I looked at my watch several times throughout the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- When we are first introduced to many of the Valentine’s Day lovers, they’re shown in bed, wearing skimpy clothes. One couple alluded to the wild sex they had just enjoyed the night before.
- Anne Hathaway’s character is an adult phone entertainer. We hear many suggestive conversations with her on the phone.
- I felt most uncomfortable when the high school couple, who are madly in love with each other, plan a romantic encounter. Fortunately, their plans change when the girl decides it’s not the right time. This couple also kiss very passionately several times in school.
- One couple gets into a fight, when they reunite, they can’t wait for the “make up sex.”
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drink alcohol in some scenes.
I interviewed kids ages 5 to 16. Most of the kids liked it, though a couple of girls also thought it got too long. Two 16 year old boys also really liked it, especially the twists in the movie.
I know some fourth grade girls that wanted to see this movie because Taylor Swift is in it. I would not recommend it for young girls, I think it’s fine for girls 13 and up. A great date night movie too.
Overall, it was a fun movie, though the story line got a little too long and boring. But be forewarned, sex is a common theme in the movie. I give it 3 buckets.
Water for Elephants-Teen Movie Review
Twilight fans may get a little confused because our favorite vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is now Jacob. No, he didn’t switch teams, and this is not Twilight. Now Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary school student during the depression, in 1931. He’s just about to take his final exam at Cornell University, when he’s suddenly informed that his parents had just died in a car crash, and that the bank owns everything. So Jacob leaves his home, doesn’t take his final exam, and he jumps on a freight train that changes his life for ever. This train belongs to the owners of Benzini Bros. Circus; just where a vet student on the run is meant to land. Now Jacob gets a job with the circus, falls in love with the circus owners wife, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), and bonds with the special circus elephant, Rosie. This sounds like a romantic love story, which it is, however there’s a lot of drama, violence and suspense in this wonderful movie; which is based on the acclaimed bestseller, Water For Elephants.
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Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points
The owner of the train, August (Christoph Waltz), was an abusive, dangerous man. He abused the animals, his employees, and his beautiful wife, Marlena. However, Jacob’s character was very likable, he’s a kindhearted man, who truly cares for the animals well-being, and the employees of the circus. He stood for what he believed in, and almost risked his life. Oh, he’s not hard to look at either!
This was a well done movie, with wonderful characters and an unusual subject matter. From the clothes, to the 1930’s music, it was very interesting to see a traveling circus in the depression era. It was much different from the modern love stories in the theaters today.
While I loved the book, and the movie, there were some things that parents may feel uncomfortable with. This may not be the right movie for the tween girls, who only want to see Robert Pattinson. The content listed below are some reasons why:
Sexual Content: Moderate
• Jacob and Marlena have an affair; we see them in a hotel room, and it’s implied they’re having a sexual encounter. Though Jacob rescues her from an abusive relationship, she is still a married women. Something that could spark a parent/child conversation.
• Circus performers talk about some sexual situations that they had been in.
• One circus girl performed a striptease act for all the men involved in the circus. We only see her back, but it’s implied that she’s topless. She also fondles Jacob and wants to be with him.
Violent Content: Excessive and Disturbing
The movie has many violent and disturbing scenes:
• August, the owner, went from being a nice, happy, lovable guy, to an evil person at any given moment. His mood swings were creepy and scary. He abused Rosie the elephant with his bull hook, while viciously jabbing him.
• August abused his wife Marlena, this was disturbing to see, which may scare some kids.
• When August doesn’t have enough money to pay his employees, he throws them out of the moving train. We see two dead men who were thrown out onto rocks near the track.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
• I was so focused on the violence that I only noticed a small amount of profanity. Words such as; the s-word, d-word and the a-word.
Water for Elephants was a wonderful book and movie. I loved the storyline with the drama and suspense, and the romantic aspect of it. However, I review movies on whether they are appropriate for kids; I would not recommend this movie for kids under 13. I think even some older teens may feel uncomfortable with the subject matter.
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 2- Teen Movie Review
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is no longer torn between Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Edward (Robert Pattinson). She is now happily married to Edward Cullen, she’s a vampire, and she’s the mother to their beautiful daughter Renesmee. Jacob is still around, though a close family friend, and not a threat to Edward. Initially things are going well for the vampires, however problems arise when the Volturi, a powerful group of vampires who enforce the laws, find out that Renesmee was conceived and carried while Bella was a mortal; she is half-human/ half-vampire. This is very rare, and a threat in the vampire world. To prevent an attack from the Volturi, the Cullens gather Vampire clans from around the world to witness their daughter’s innocence. So now the Cullens, their allies, and the wolf pack are prepared meet with the Volturi, hoping for a peaceful resolution. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, is the fifth and final movie in the Twilight series, a movie the Twi-hards will most likely enjoy.
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Rating: 3 and 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: March 2, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
I love the strong family dynamics in this film and the whole series. Bella and her father have an endearing relationship. The Cullen’s are a very close knit family as well.
The closing credits featured all the actors that have appeared in a Twilight movie. This was very well done, a nice way to wrap up the series.
I thought the first half of the movie was very corny, but it gradually got better.
This was not my favorite Twilight film, though I interviewed people after the movie, and they all liked it. From teenagers to adults, they thought it was their favorite of the series.
I read that this film had a hard time avoiding an R rating due to the violent content.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- We saw Bella and Edward in bed making love, their first time as a vampire couple. This was a very sensual scene with romantic music in the background. We saw bare backs and legs.
- There are sexual comments about vampire couples breaking the furniture while in a sexual encounter.
- In one scene Jacob took off his clothes, though not his boxers. The audience liked that!!!
Violent Content: Excessive
- The battle between the Cullens and the Voluri was very graphic. We saw a lot of decapitations and dead bodies all over.
- We saw a vampire woman being forced to kneel before a fire; her head was twisted until it snapped off. She and her child were thrown into a fire to burn.
- We saw a child with blood dripping down his chin.
- A vampire attacked a human in an alley, throwing him to the ground and biting his neck.
- Bella attacked a mountain lion and bit his neck.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” and “h—,” were said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see Bella’s dad drinking a beer.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Twi-hards will most likely see this movie. Some may like it, some may not. Though the Twilight Saga has come to a conclusion, the vampires will live forever!!! Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence. Depending on the child, this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.