DVD Reviews
Bully Review
Bully center’s around the lives of five victimized children and their families over the course of a year. The director, Lee Hirsch, does a powerful job of portraying the victims daily torment and humiliation. We also get a glimpse of the administrators’ struggles, as they try to resolve this horrendous problem facing millions of kids today. Bully is a heart-wrenching documentary that will spark some great parent child conversations.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 30, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language:Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
See a clip of my review here, along with The Lucky One, and Touchback!
Talking Points:
As a mom of three this was a very difficult film to see. Two of the families interviewed were those whose children had committed suicide, because they were bullied. We also saw a young girl who was ostracized for being a lesbian; we saw a nice quiet boy who was physically abused…poked, hit and choked. We even met a girl who was so frustrated from being bullied she responded by bringing a loaded gun to school.
It was interesting that many of the victim’s parents were shocked to discover how badly their kids were bullied. Some comments we heard from the bullies were; “I’ll break your Adam’s apple, which will kill you,” “I will f–ing end you and shove a broomstick up your a–.”
A very upsetting scene was seeing a suicide victim’s parents attending their son’s funeral. We eventually learned that these parents set up an anti-bullying organization.
The film was initially rated R. I read that the director said, ” I made Bully for kids to see-the bullies as well as the bullied. To capture the stark reality of bullying, we had to capture the way kids act and speak in their everyday lives-and the fact is that kids use profanity.” They eventually reduced the number of swear words to secure a PG-13 rating, which would hopefully attract more kids and their parents.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We saw a lesbian couple holding hands and hugging.
Violent Content: Moderate
- We saw kids being physically abused; poked, hit and even choked.
- We also saw the mental abuse which the kids faced; as they were continuously being ridiculed and humiliated.
Crude and Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word was said several times, we also heard “a–,” “b–ch,” and “n-gger.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Bully was not a fun entertaining movie, however bullying is a serious issue facing millions of kids today. The film will hopefully spark some awareness towards the problem, and is a great vehicle for parent/child discussions. However, parents need to be aware of the profanity laced throughout the film. Depending on the kid, I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up.
Bridesmaids Review
“Always a bridesmaid never a bride.” I’m sure you’ve all heard that saying, and when you’re in your thirties it really starts to get you down. I know I was a bridesmaid nine times before getting married. In the movie Bridesmaids, Annie (Kristen Wiig), is a single women in her thirties, and has been asked to be her life long friend’s maid of honor. Though a little jealous, Annie is excited for her friend, and wants to help plan the perfect wedding. However, it’s not as easy as she thought it would be. Dealing with four other bridesmaids, (one whom is especially difficult), being completely broke, and having romantic issues of her own; Annie goes through many uncomfortable and difficult situations, hoping to be the quintessential friend and maid of honor. Bridesmaids is not for kids, though it’s a hilarious, entertaining movie, good for a mom’s night out!
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: May 13, 2011
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points
I absolutely loved this movie. Besides the comedic element of the film, it was a story of friendship and romance. I thought of my best friend and maid of honor, and all the fun times we had planning our weddings.
The soundtrack was great, the film concluded with Wilson Phillips singing, “Hold On,” which was the maid of honor and brides favorite song. That brought back some fun memories, too.
One bridesmaid was obsessed with how awful her family was. She continually complained about her three boys, and husband. She wanted to be with a different man, and get away from her kids. That part bothered me, and got little old.
Sexual Content: Excessive
There were some sexual scenes, with a lot of suggestive comments and references throughout the film. To a name a few:
• The opening scene Annie and her “F*&k Buddy” (that’s how he refers to Annie), are in bed having a sexual encounter. There’s not full nudity, though she is in her bra and underwear, and you clearly see them in action.
• Conversations of different sexual positions and number of partners.
• Conversation on an airplane between one of the bridemaids and the “Air Marshall,” insinuating a rendezvous in the bathroom.
• Two of the bridesmaids kissed on an airplane, they were both upset about their sex lives, and wanted to try something different.
Violent Content: Mild
• In one scene, the bridesmaids vomit and have diarrhea in a bridal shop. Though a very funny scene, it’s pretty disgusting.
• Annie’s roommate gets a free tattoo and shows it to Annie. It’s infected and disgusting as well.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
• The f-word and every other swear word is used a lot throughout the movie.
• At one point a kid tells his mom to f*&k off.
• One bridesmaid tells her kids to f*#k off as well…unusual parenting.
This is an R-rated movie, which means that kids under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. With that in mind, I decided to review this because a couple of months ago, my daughter (14), called me from a friends asking if she could see “The Hangover.” I immediately told her “no”. Though I would never bring my kids to this movie, I could see a similar situation happening, and once again the answer will be “no”. Having said that, Bridesmaids is a fun, entertaining movie for adults. I brought my niece (22), brother and sister-in-law, and we all loved the movie.
Brave Review
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: November 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Talking Points:
Great family lessons – Merida and her mother fought often but they really loved each other. Both Merida and the Queen learned to listen to each other.
The movie is fun, funny and action packed. Kids as young a seven seemed to enjoy it and were captivate by the movie.
The animation was stunning and 3D effects were well done.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the King’s Lords moon another character by lifting their kilts.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are numerous animated battles between men and also between men and bears. One battle is particularly tense and may frighten small children.
- There are scary beasts in the film, which may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- The King drinks from a flagon.
- Merida suggests that her dad have some of the King’s wine.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was a fun entertaining movie for the whole family. However parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare young kids. I recommend this film for kids ages 7 and up.
Bolt Review
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 22, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Story about a TV super star dog who discovers that his powers, which he possesses on his TV show, aren’t real, when he accidently winds up in New York. While traveling cross country to get back to his owner/co-star, he meets 2 companions along the way, a star struck hamster, and a cat. Their adventures getting back to Hollywood are very entertaining.
Talking Points:
There are some good quotes and positive points such as:
Bolt wants to protect his owner/co-star. Throughout the movie he say’s “ I have to find my person”. “I want to protect my person.”
The hamster says,” You never abandon a friend in time of need.”
Bolt discovers that he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.
Families will find it very fun and enjoyable, especially dog lovers.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Opening scenes are from his TV show. He and Penny are being chased by bad guys. There are exploding vehicles, and loud noises. This may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as, “stupid” and “gosh” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see a dog in a lab filled with chemicals.
Overall, Bolt is an uplifting, heartwarming movie with messages about honesty, loyalty, humility and other virtues. I cried!
My 3 kids loved it!
The Blind Side Review
The Blind Side is an inspirational, heartwarming true story based on the life of Michael Oher. Michael was a homeless African American boy from a broken home, who was picked up off the streets by Leigh Anne Tuohy(Sandra Bulock) and her family, and then taken to their home. The Tuohy’s helped Michael pursue his potential, he is now a lineman in the NFL, playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: March 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I think it’s good for young viewers to see how hard Michael worked to succeed. Michael came from the Nashville projects, he was admitted to Wingate Christian school for his athletic potential. Most of the students there were white, they came from educated and well-to-do families. Even though Michael was rescued from his awful environment in the projects, he then had new challenges to overcome. With his hard work, and the help of his tutor and adopted family, he succeeded to become an All-American offensive left tackle.
This is a movie about helping others, which is great for kids to view. Leigh Anne initially takes Michael in for a temporary place to stay, and he gradually becomes part of the family. When a friend of Leigh Anne’s tells her how wonderful it is that she’s changing this boy’s life, Leigh Anne replies, “He’s changing mine.” So often we find that when we help others, we tend to get more satisfaction then the people we’re helping.
The Touhy children are great kids, very welcoming to their house guest, eventually their adoptive brother. S.J. Touhy(the son) develops a strong friendship with Michael, Collins(the daughter) takes more time to warm up to him, but eventually does.
I read that Michael Oher has not yet seen the movie. His adoptive mother said, “When Michael is getting prepared to play a football game, the movie is not the foremost thing on his mind.”
The actors were terrific! Sandra Bullock was amazing, and the actor who played the little boy were great! Kids will like him, my son thought he was the coolest.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Implied that Leigh Anne and Sean have sex.
- Sexual conversations, but nothing too much.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There is some violence. When Michael went back to the projects to look for his biological mother, some of the guys were making crude comments about Leigh Anne and her daughter. Michael defends them, and gets into a fight with one of the guys in the projects. This is a disturbing scene, especially for younger kids. My 12 year old son said he didn’t like that scene, but they had to show it.
- Michael and S.J(the son) get into a car accident, this scene shows a lot of blood, which may also be disturbing to young viewers.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Swearing throughout the movie.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Michael’s mom has a drug addiction.
- Leigh Anne drinks wine in the film.
Overall this is a feel good sports drama that the whole family will enjoy. However, it is PG13 due to some violence and disturbing scenes. I would recommend this for kids ages 9 and up. Parents will love it too. I give it five buckets.