DVD Reviews
Man on a Ledge Review
I was on the edge of my seat as Nick Cassidy was on the edge of a ledge, 25 stories high. Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex cop, was on the ledge of a New York City high rise only to prove a point…he was innocent. Nick was framed for the theft of a rare diamond and was sent to prison; where he eventually escaped. He then wanted to attract the world’s attention and claim his innocence by threatening to jump. With the help of NYPD hostage negotiator (Elizabeth Banks) and his loyal brother, Nick anxiously awaited, on the ledge of the 25th floor, to see if his intricate plan would work; to reveal the identity of the real criminal. Man On A Ledge was an exciting, suspenseful movie, one the family would enjoy!
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets
Release Date: May 29, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Modeate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with “One for the Money.”
Talking Points:
I did not want to see this movie, but I ended up loving it. Not only were there likable characters, but it was an intense, fun movie as well… and did I mention eye candy? Sam Worthington, who played the man on the ledge, is now one of my new favorite actors!
People in the theater loved the movie. I interviewed kids and parents who all said they loved it.
There were some intense moments as he was on the ledge, I was scared he was going to fall. If you’re scared of heights, this may not be the movie for you.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We saw a character in her bra and undies, as her boyfriend was zipping up her outfit.
- There were sexual references, one character made a comment about the best sex she ever had.
- Couples kiss.
- Women wore low cut revealing shirts; showing cleavage.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were several brawls and punches amongst the characters. We saw some injured characters with blood and cuts on their face, after a fist fight.
- Many gunshots were fired, and character’s held at gunpoint.
- It was frightening at times watching this man 25 stories above the ground.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The movie was so intense that I may have missed a couple words, but I do remember the f-word was used once, and the h-word, and s-word were used a few times.
- One character said, “stick your d-word in the door…”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters were shown drinking alcohol at a bar, and in a hotel room.
Overall this was a fantastic, exciting movie. Considering that this was a PG13, action movie, there was some violence, and some intense moments, but not too much. Depending on your child, I would recommend this for kids (especially boys), ages 10 and up.
Lincoln-Family Movie Review
Sixteenth president of the United States from 1861 to 1865, leader of the Union during the Civil War, dedicated husband/father, and a wonderful man referred to as “honest Abe.” Lincoln chronicles President Abraham Lincoln’s final months in office. We see his fierce determination to end the civil war and abolish slavery. We see his personnel struggles and the difficulties he had to face while pursuing his heartfelt goals as president. Lincoln is a dramatic war film, one that mature teenagers and adults will enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 16, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes (mature teens)
Talking Points:
This is an educational film, one that mature teenagers will find very interesting. For example, in the beginning of the film we see Lincoln visiting troops; we heard soldiers reciting Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This film will spark great parent/child conversations. However, since the film is 150 minutes, and mostly dialogue, I feel that younger kids will get confused and bored.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- We see character’s stabbed with bayonets and beaten.
- Lincoln visits a battlefield filled with corpses.
- We see orderlies emptying carts of human limbs into a huge pit.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
We heard the f-word one time. Also “sh–,” “b–ch,” and “d–n” were said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s were shown drinking beer and wine.
- We see character’s smoking cigars.
Will Kids Like It? Yes (mature teens)
Overall this is a wonderful, educational film. It’s appropriate, however due to the mature subject matter I recommend this film for kids ages 15 and up.
Leap Year-Family Movie Review
“Leap Year” is a romantic comedy about Anna (Amy Adams); a very structured, controlling young woman from Boston. When her materialistic boyfriend doesn’t propose on their anniversary, she remembers an old Irish tradition in which women can freely ask their boyfriends to get married on Leap Day, Feb 29th. Ironically, it just so happens that her boyfriend will be attending a cardiologist’s seminar in Dublin, late February in a leap year. As she travels to Ireland to propose, her flight encounters a storm, and her plane lands in Wales, so Anna ends up paying an innkeeper (Matthew Goode) to drive her to Dublin. Predictably, the two bicker their way to Dublin, gradually falling for each other as they race to get there by the 29th.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 4, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It’s a feel good, lighthearted, cute, entertaining PG movie that pre-teens, and teenage girls will enjoy.
The soundtrack is great, and the scenery beautiful.
Amy Adams and Matthew Goode are terrific. Their characters are very likable and charming.
It’s a great movie for moms to take their pre-teen and teenage daughter, and not feel uncomfortable with the kind of sexual scenes that are in most romantic comedies these days.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The movie instills good old fashioned values. When you find true love, you get married, grow old together, and live a long happy life. A rule in a small town Irish Bed and Breakfast was that boarders must be married if they’re going to sleep in the same room. This is a nice message for young girls.
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- There may have been a few swear words, but not much at all.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters were socially drinking in a few scenes.
Though the movie is very predictable, and a little cheesy, it’s really enjoyable.
Overall, it’s a fun, charming movie that most girls 12 and up will enjoy. I’ll give it 4 buckets.
Knowing Review
The movie starts in 1959. As part of a dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students are asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. Most of the kids draw pictures of what they thought the world would look like in 50 years, except for one mysterious girl, whose paper is covered with rows of numbers. Then 50 years later a new generation of students opens the capsule, and a boy named Caleb gets the sheet with all the numbers. Caleb’s father(Nicholas Cage), discovers that the numbers are dates of disasters, and the number of victims, from the past 50 years. At the end of the list there are 3 disasters that are left to occur, all within the next few days few days. So Caleb’s father takes it upon himself to try prevent the destructions.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: July 7, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
It has a clever premise.
The previews are deceiving. A lot people thought the movie would be like “National Treasure” from watching previews, but it’s not at all!!!!!! It’s really not a kids movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Comments on whether someone is gay.
- A male character is seen in the shower, only his upper body is revealed.
Violent Content: Excessive
- It’s very scary, silent, slightly menacing people, are haunting Caleb throughout the movie by following him, and whispering strange things to him, very creepy.
- There is a plane crash and subway crash, which are disturbing to watch.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “A–s,” d–n” and “sh-t” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- There is drinking throughout the film.
Overall it’s a very scary, creepy, unpleasant movie, with no redeeming elements.
The Karate Kid-Family Movie Review
If you want your child to hang up their coat, with a good attitude, then see this movie! Karate Kid is a remake of the 1984 original film. This is the story about a twelve-year-old boy Dre Parker (Jaden Smith), and his mother, who moves from Detroit to China, and once they’re in China, Dre is bullied by his classmates. A maintenance man and former martial arts champ, prepares Dre to take on the bullies.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: October 5, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
My favorite part of the movie is the wonderful relationship that Dre and his mentor Mr. Han have. When Mr. Han agreed to instruct Dre in martial arts, Dre not only learned karate, but he also attained a newfound confidence, which helped with his daily struggles.
I also loved the “coat” part of the movie, as I mentioned in the synopsis, probably because my kids don’t always hang up their coats. Initially, Mr. Han gives Dre a training exercise of hanging up his coat, the motion is to help with karate, but he also taught Dre to respect and listen to his mother. Adults and kids will appreciate that scene.
Some great messages that Dre learned from Mr. Han, which are stressed throughout the movie are:
“Life will knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to get back up.”
“Kung fu is not about fighting, it’s about making peace with your enemies.”
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
I absolutely loved this movie! However, I felt that the PG rating was not appropriate. I think older boys would like this movie, but will be deterred by the PG rating, and younger kids will want to see it because of the PG rating. However, I would not recommend this movie for kids younger than ten years old. There are many violent scenes; to name a few:
- When we first met the gang of bullies, they punched and kicked Dre many times, before they flipped him to the ground.
- The next time we saw them, they beat Dre to a pulp, which was very disturbing, especially for younger kids to view.
- There were also many disturbing scenes during the big karate tournament.
Profane or crude language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- There was drinking, and Mr. Han had some alcoholic issues.
My friend and I brought our two ten year old sons to this movie, which was great, we all loved it. It was an action packed, entertaining movie, with solid moral messages. I recommend this for kids ages ten and up. I give it four out of five buckets.