DVD Reviews
Tale of Desperaux Review
Based on a Newberry Medal winning childrens’ book. It’s about a tiny, brave mouse with oversized ears. He refuses to live the life of a typical mouse; he likes to read, (not eat the books like all the other mice), he’s not afraid of anything, not even cats! So he’s banished from his home for not following the rules that society expects of a mouse. He’s then rescued by another outcast, a rat named Rosco. Later he discovers that he is the only one who can rescue the endangered Princess,(Pea).
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 7, 2001
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
No one is limited by physical appearances. Depereaux is smaller than other mice, but more capable.
Mig, a homely peasant girl, who wants to be a princess, finds peace and serenity when she discovers she is a princess in someone’s eyes.
Despereaux learns to read and appreciate books. Through reading he learns a lot about nobility and courage.
Through the various quarrels in the movie, the king hurts the rat, the rat hurts the princess, the princess hurts the peasant girl. A simple apology resolves everything.
I read that the author said, “We’re always underestimating children, but those major themes of how to be brave, how to be courageous, how to love, how to forgive, those things are the constant themes in their lives, too.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Knights/sword fights.
- Viscous cat chases Despereaux.
- Princess is kidnapped.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Name calling, word such as “crazy” and “weird.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall it’s a wonderful movie for adults and kids. It’s a tale of bravery and forgiveness in which a little mouse can teach a kingdom.
Super 8 Review
I felt like I was on a roller coaster during this adventurous sci-fi movie. Super 8 is set in a small town of Ohio during the summer of 1979. This is a story about a group of middle school aged kids who are shooting a Super-8 movie for a film festival in Cleveland. One evening, while filming their movie, the kids witness a horrific train crash. Initially they think it’s an accident, however after many strange events that begin to occur in their small town, they eventually come to realize that this awful train wreck was not an accident; and that it’s lot worse than they could ever imagine. With writer J.J. Abrams along with producer Steven Spielberg, this is a wonderful and suspenseful movie…hold on, you’ll be on the edge of your seat!
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 22, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
Kids that like suspenseful and scary movies, will enjoy this film. There are many different and intriguing elements to the film, which makes it so entertaining. It’s also interesting because the movie is centered around a group of friends filming their own movie.
Through all the drama and suspense there’s a little romance, and some emotional family dynamics to the movie; I had some tears during the film.
This movie is NOT predictable at all. There’s a lot of mysterious parts to film. To name a few; after the train crash they come across these strange white cubes, (which one of the kids takes), after the wreck; people, dogs and electrical things begin to disappear, even the military enter into their small, once quiet town. As the kids in the film are trying to figure out whats going on, so is the audience.
There’s a message of forgiveness and learning how to deal with difficult situations. Joe, (one of the main kids) says, “Bad things happen, but you can still live.” Alice, one of the kids, drives the gang around, even though she’s not old enough. This good spark a parent/child conversation, of what not to do.
Sexual Content: Mild
• There is a little romance between two of the kids, but nothing happens. It’s a sweet and innocent pre-teen crush.
Violent Content: Mild
I found the film to be scary in parts; for example:
• The train wreck was loud and very graphic, with massive explosions. The kids science teacher was involved in the wreck, we see him after the crash; he’s bloody and even threatens the kids.
• The movie that the kids are making is about zombies. When Alice (one of the girls), is playing her part as a zombie, she’s so good, it’s a little creepy.
• Alice’s dad is an alcoholic, scenes with him could disturb kids. Even though he doesn’t physically abuse his daughter, he’s a little scary.
Crude and Profane Language: Excessive
• The kids, especially Charles, one of the main characters, swears consistently throughout the film.
Overall this is an exciting, and thrilling movie. However if you’re children are sensitive to scary movies, it’s not for them. As long as parents and kids are aware of that, I recommend this film for kids ages 12 and up.
Step Up Revolution Review
Emily Anderson (Kathryn McCormick), a beautiful women in her twenties, has had a life long dream of becoming a professional dancer. When her wealthy father temporarily moves to Miami for business, Emily comes along to audition for the prestigious Winwood Dance Academy. Things don’t go as planned; Emily falls in love with Sean (Ryan Guzman), a local Miami boy who happens to lead a dance crew called “The MOB.” This crew was practicing their dance moves to win a You Tube contest, where they can win $100,000. Problems arise when Emily’s father threatens to develop The Mob’s historic neighborhood with luxury hotels and prestigious shops, which will displace thousands of people. Now Emily must decide if she should be a loyal and supportive daughter, or join Sean and The Mob as they protest to save their neighborhood. Step Up Revolution is the fourth installment of the Step Up movie series.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The dancing is amazing! I especially liked Emily’s classical dancing.
Emily and her father have their differences, though they communicate with each other, and have a healthy, loving relationship.
The Mob often ‘breaks the rules,” a motto they frequently use when trying to find various dance locations. ( Not a great example for kids).
The film is a little corny, and very predictable. There’s not much to the plot; it’s really about the dancing, and that’s what makes the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Set in Miami, we see characters in skimpy bikinis and formfitting outfits.
- Emily and Sean kiss several times.
- There are several sexual dance moves.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Sean and his friend get into a fist fight.
- There are violent dance scenes. In one scene the dancers are dressed as policemen and gang members; they mimic shooting each other, and have explosive sound effects.
- In one dance scene, the mob throws smoke grenades while wearing gas masks. “REVENGE” flashes on the screen. This is a creepy, intense scene that may scare kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “A–,” “h–,” “d–n,” and “b–ch” are said two or three times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Young adults are shown drinking beer, wine and mixed drinks throughout the film.
Overall this is an entertaining dance movie. It’s a “step up” from the previous films with the addition of the classical dances.Parents need to be aware of some of the inappropriate sexual and violent and dances. I feel this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
Step Up 3D Review
This is a story about a guy named Moose, an engineering major at NYU, who also happens to be an amazing dancer. When Luke, the leader of a group of street dancers called the Pirates, sees Moose dancing on the streets at NYU, he is amazed at how good this college student is, and ends up recruiting him to his dance group. Together with the Pirates, they team up against their rival dance group to try win the World Jam, a high stakes dance showdown.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 21, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
“Rhythmically, athletically and energetically, Step UP 3D does not disappoint.” I read this in USA Today, and I couldn’t agree more. The dancers were absolutely amazing! Having said that, there is not much to the plot, and the actors are very talented dancers, not actors, but their dancing makes up for everything.
There were many likable characters, especially Luke and Moose. Luke was a caring and encouraging leader, who treated his group of dancers like family, and cared for their well being. Moose, (Adam Sevani), was the one really good actor, who had a lot of great one liners, which added a comedic element to this dance movie.
Throughout all the hip hop and loud music there were some good lessons for kids. An example is when Moose said, “Life isn’t about a destination, but the friendships, lessons and experiences that happen along the way.”
I did not like the 3D effects. It took away from the dancing, and seemed a little blurry in parts. It was also a distraction, in many scenes we saw groups of dancers coming right up to the camera, doing their moves, and it seemed like they were inches away from our face. I think they could have done without the 3D technology, it was even a little annoying.
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, it was PG13, for moderate profanity.
Sexual Content: Mild
- They didn’t sexualize the dancing like many previous dance movies. They mostly danced in groups rather than as partners.
Profanity: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s a scene when the two rival dance groups get into a fight in the restroom. This may be disturbing to some kids.
I brought my 14 year old daughter and 16 year old niece. They both loved the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful dancing.
Overall this was a fun, entertaining movie. This is a movie for kids and adults who like to dance, and for those who enjoy watching dance. Viewers will be intrigued and mesmerized by the talented dancers in this film.
I give it three and half out of five buckets.
Star Trek Review
This is a prequel to the original Star Trek series from 1966. We see how the well loved crew of the Starship Enterprise comes together and is tested by adversity. Of course, here they’re younger and and in this day and age, more edgy. While on a special humanitarian mission from Starfleet Academy, the new recruits have to find a way to stop the evil Nero, a Romulan who wants to destroy all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of rivals, James Kirk (Chris Pine), a thrill seeking Iowa farm boy, and Spock, who was raised in the logic based Vulcan society that seeks to control all emotions. Though Kirk and Spock are very different, they lead the crew through danger and adventure.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 17, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I didn’t want to see the movie, I usually don’t like science fiction, however I loved it.
Even though there is fighting and violence, it’s a fun optimistic movie.
The special effects are terrific. At one point, they do a space jump which is something like a parachuting but from outside the atmosphere. It was really cool.
My husband, a lifelong trekie, tells me that there are many allusions and connections to the original 1966 series. Leonard Nemoy, has an important, though small role as an older Spock who is sent back in time. He provides a great connection with the new Star Trek cast and the original cast.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- If parents decide to bring younger kids, they may find one scene it a little uncomfortable when Kirk is in bed with a green skinned cadet in a bikini. They’re interrupted when her roommate walks in. But then he hides under the bed and sees the roommate(whom he likes) strip down to her bra and underwear.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Kirk gets into a bar fight, where he’s brutally beaten, covered with blood. He also gets in a few other fights.
- Kirk is nearly choked to death a few time.
- There a some intense spaceship battles.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used, and we hear other words such as “a‑‑,” “b‑‑tard” and “d‑‑n.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drink at a bar.
- We see Kirk drunk.
I thought the ending was, especially for Trekies, really neat. The movie ended with the lines and the music that started every show . . .”Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
I recommend that you boldly go to see Star Trek, I give it five buckets.