DVD Reviews
Furry Vengeance Review
“Furry Vengeance” is the story about a real-estate developer named Dan (Brendan Fraser). He moves his family from Chicago to Oregon to oversee the building of a major housing development. However, this new project threatens the homes of the local animals, so these animals, led by a raccoon, seek revenge; and that’s when all the trouble begins for Dan.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 17, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The characters are very likable. Brooke Shields character plays Dan’s loving and supportive wife. Dan is a good husband and dad, he wants everyone in the family to be happy with their move to Oregon. He tries to please his wife, son and his demanding boss.
This an appropriately rated PG movie, it’s a family friendly movie with nothing too inappropriate.
The movie is supposed to be a comedy, but I felt sorry for Dan, and didn’t find it very funny. He’s a good guy who works hard to provide a nice life for his family, but in return he receives a lot of abuse from the local animals. He’s tossed back and forth in a porta-potty by a huge bear; he’s continually being bitten and pummeled by a raccoon, he gets locked in his car with spraying skunks, and he’s also stung by a swarm of bees. The physical and slapstick humor got old.
I know that there was supposed to be a lesson for the viewers of preserving and protecting nature, but Dan get’s abused so much by the end you feel bad for him, not for the animals. I love what a reviewer from Entertainment Weekly said, “I’m not convinced that repeated assaults to the groin, bee stings to the eyes, raccoon pee in the mouth, or skunk stink sprayed head to toe is the way to teach ecological balance.”
Even though I didn’t care so much for the movie, it was a family friendly movie, and the kids in the theater seemed to like it. I interviewed three boys ages 6 to 8, they all enjoyed it, though my 10 year old son thought it was okay. I’m going to give it 2 buckets out of 5. I think it’s appropriate for kids ages five and up.
Fun Size Review
It was going to be a great Halloween for Wren (Victoria Justice) and her best friend April. The two high school seniors were invited to THE party of the year… life was good. However things changed when Wren’s mom told her she had to take Albert, her 10 year old brother, out treat-or-treating. Wren’s dad had recently passed away, and her mom wasn’t handling things well; she was dating a 26 year old party boy. Being the responsible girl that she was, Wren listened to her mom and took Albert out on Halloween night. That’s when the adventures began as Wren, her best friend, and her little brother went out trick or treating. Fun Size is a comedic film for teenagers.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 buckets out of 5.
Release Date: February 19, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Wren was the rock of the family after her father died. Joy (Wren’s mom) didn’t handle things quite as well; she started dating a 26 party boy, while Wren remained grounded and tried to help the family.
Albert, Wren’s younger brother, loved to play pranks on people; something you many not want your kids emulating.
There are some humorous parts to the film, but a lot of odd parts as well. We see a newly widowed mom enjoying her” boy toy” in front of her kids, we see two very quirky lesbian moms giving parental advice, and we see a young boy doing pranks throughout the film, while hiding from his sister.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are several sexual references throughout the film.
- Joy’s (Wren’s mom) boyfriend slept overnight. We see him the next morning walking around in his boxers, while Wren and her little brother are eating breakfast.
- A teenage girl was trying to decide what to be for Halloween, though she said it had to be sexy!!!
- We see suggestive dance moves at a party.
- One boy touches another girls chest at a party. The couple end up sleeping together on the couch. Even though we don’t see anything, the next morning she’s disheveled…it’s implied that they’ve had a sexual encounter.
- A guy strips and runs down the street naked. We see a blurred guy running down the street.
- A guy at a party asks a group of girls which one would like to make-out, they all raise their hands….so does a boy.
Violent Content: Mild
- Two bullies threaten to beat up the two nerdy boys.
- A character accidentally sets an apartment on fire.
- A very large man throws a guy on the floor, and smashes him through a door.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “Sh–,” “a–,” “h—,” “d–n,” and “b–ch” are all said a couple of times, even by some adolescents.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see teens drinking beer and hard liquor at the Halloween party.
- We see character’s drinking Jell-O shots.
- We see another character drinking a bottle of alcohol while getting out of his car.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is a movie that teens may enjoy, however parents need to be aware of the teenage drinking and moderate sexual content in the film.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Review
Ahh young love. Ted(voice of Zac Efron), a 12 year-old boy, asked Audrey, (voice of Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams, what she would do if a boy showed her a real tree; Audrey replied, “I’d marry him.” That was it for Ted, he was on a mission to find out why the trees in their world were all chopped down, and he was determined to find a tree to show Audrey. He went to visit Once-ler, a strange creature who was involved with the tree debacle. While chatting with Once-ler, Ted learned the intriguing story of the Lorax,(voice of Danny DeVito), a charming creature who fought to save the trees. So now it was up to Ted to fulfill his goal, and get the girl. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, is a fun, entertaining movie for kids of all ages.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 7, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
The Lorax has caused some controversy because of the environmental message instilled throughout the film. Some commentators thought the message was over the top, trying to “indoctrinate our children.” Some adults may feel the same way, however kids will most likely enjoy this film. It was an entertaining movie, with some catchy tunes and fun characters. The theater was packed with young kids, who were all very attentive, while laughing at the humorous parts.
When Once-ler gave Ted the last tree seed, he said, “It’s not what it is. It’s about what it can become.” We all grow and learn in life, especially our children. A good lesson for kids.
It was annoying to see Once-ler’s family mocking and criticizing him; saying he would never succeed. When he became successful they were supportive, however when he failed, they left him.
Once-ler broke a promise to the Lorax, which ultimately hurt him. This could spark some good parent/child conversations.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Animated characters wore bikinis.
- Ted had a dream that he kissed Audrey, it was a sweet innocent scene.
Violent Content: Mild
- There was some slapstick, silly animated violence.
- Ted was threatened and chased by Mr. O’Hare, a business tycoon, who sold bottled city air. He may scare young kids.
- When Ted approached Once-ler’s house, he had to avoid an array of old machinery, loaded with dangerous blades.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall The Lorax is a cute entertaining film for young kids. It’s appropriate for kids of any age, though parents need to be aware of the mild, slapstick violence.
Dolphin Tale Review
Sawyer Nelson was a shy, lonely boy who didn’t have many friends. However his life dramatically changed one day when he was asked to help a dolphin who was washed up on shore. The dolphin got caught in a crab trap, and severely damaged her tail; she was rescued and taken to local marine hospital, where they named her Winter. With a poor prognosis, and no tail, it took a group of dedicated doctors, biologists, and of course the dolphin’s loyal companion, Sawyer, to inspire a miracle that saved Winter’s life. The real dolphin, plays herself in this heartwarming true story about perseverance and hope; a movie for the whole family.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: September 23, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Sawyer’s father abandoned the family when he was little, however his older cousin becomes a father-figure for him, and becomes a wonderful role model.
When Klye (Sawyer cousin) gets injured and can no longer swim, the doctor stresses that just because he can’t swim doesn’t mean he can’t find something new to excel at. He said, “Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’re broken.” This is a constant theme throughout the film, whether it’s a physical injury, struggling financially, or emotional issues, it’s possible to pull together and overcome difficult situations. A great parent/child conversation.
It’s so sweet to see the relationship between Winter and Sawyer. Not only is Winter’s life saved, but so is Sawyers as he comes out of his shell.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Girls are shown in bikinis at a pool party.
Violent Content:Mild
- When we see Winter washed up on shore she’s tangled in a heavy rope.
- We see an x-ray of a large tortoise with a hook under it’s shell.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Slang words such as “darn,” “shoot,” and “crappy” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall ‘Dolphin Tale’ is an amazing true story, one that the whole family can enjoy. I interviewed kids of all ages, even teenagers, who all loved the film.
Dinner for Schmucks Review
Tim Conrad (Paul Rudd) wants to move up in the corporate ladder so to do that he must pass a strange test. Tim’s boss hosts a monthly dinner where all the top executives compete to see who can bring the most idiotic guest. Initially Tim is debating about whether to do such a cruel thing, especially since his girlfriend is against it. However, money hungry Tim decides to go through with it when he meets Barry (Steve Carell), a very quirky guy who has a hobby of making dioramas with stuffed mice. Meeting Barry changes Tim’s life, together they endure many strange situations, with the initial purpose of moving to the top of the corporate ladder.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: January 4, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
As quirky and weird that this movie is, there is also a sweet element to it. Initially Tim does want to use Barry to advance in his career, but in the end he realizes how cruel and wrong it is to mistreat people. Through all the drama that’s in their relationship, they gradually develop a nice friendship. This is the only thing I liked about the movie.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- This movie is on the edge of PG13, it could have been R, there is a lot of sexual adult humor throughout the whole movie. Some examples are:
- Darla, a girl that Tim once a had fling with, shows up at Tim’s apartment wanting a romantic evening with Tim. She is very strange, she even stuffs Tim’s phone in her pants. There was a great deal of sexual references and innuendo when she was on the screen.
- There’s a scene where an artist is shooting a photo session with two nude woman, covered with paint. He claims that he will sleep with both of them.
Profanity: Mild
Conclusion:
I really like Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, and my whole family was excited to see this movie. Unfortunelty this was a weird, strange movie, with uncomfortable humor that we did not enjoy. There were some redeeming qualities in the end about friendship and honesty, but other than that it was a waste of time! I didn’t like the movie and I don’t think it’s appropriate for most children.