DVD Reviews
Joyful Noise Review
Set in a small-town in Georgia, Joyful Noise centers around a gospel singing church choir, whose goal is to win the national choral competition. Even with amazing choir leaders such as Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) and G. G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton), the choir still had many complications and struggles to overcome, while trying to win the national championship.
Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 1, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
There were many relationship issues; the two matriarchs of the choir, (Vi Rose and G. G.) didn’t particularly get along, they competed with each other, especially when Vi Rose was chosen to be the new choir director. Things got even more heated when G.G.’s headstrong teenage grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan), unexpectedly showed up; he not only joined the choir, he fell madly in love with Vi Rose’s daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer), and once again conflict occurred.
The film could spark some great parent/ child conversations especially with teenage daughters and mothers. We saw several confrontations with Vi Rose and her 16 year old daughter.
The film had some nice messages of forgiveness, and had a religious element to it; with gospel songs and many conversations about God and love throughout the film. This could also spark some great conversations as well.
One part of the storyline I especially liked was with G. G.’s grandson, Randy, and Vi Rose’s son Walter. Walter has Asperger’s Syndrome, and felt uncomfortable around people. Randy befriended him, and taught him how to handle some difficult situations.
The audience seemed to have love the movie! They were laughing throughout most of the film. One lady walked out saying, “That was a great movie!”
Randy, (Jeremy Jordan), wasn’t the best actor, but I could see how he would appeal to pre-teen and teenage girls. He was cute, fun and energetic.
The film didn’t seem to flow smoothly, it was a little choppy in parts, also a little too long at 118 minutes.
Sexual Content: Mild
- There were passionate kisses.
- There were some sexual references and comments. For example; one man died while in a sexual encounter, this was a constant joke throughout the film.
Violent Content: Mild
- Two teenage boys got into a fist fight, we saw blood and a bruised face.
- The two women, Vi Rose and G. G. got into a food fight, which turned into a mild brawl.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- There were about 9 swear words ranging from the b-word, s-word to the a-word. This was a sore subject for Vi as she didn’t like swearing.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- There was a scene at a night club, where we saw several people drinking alcohol.
Joyful Noise, a musical dramedy, was similar to Glee and other musical films. While I didn’t particularly love this film, I felt it was appropriate for pre-teens and teens, though they may find it a little slow and long in parts. Having said that there were some fun musical arrangements, nice messages, and appealing teenage characters that may entertain kids. This is an appropriate movie for kids ages 12 and up.
John Carter Review
A fun, interesting, imaginative adventure….that’s what John Carter is. John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), was a former military captain in the Civil War, who had not yet recovered from the horrific events from the war. Extremely tired and weary, Carter was mysteriously transported to an exotic planet called Barsoom (Mars). In this new world, Carter found himself reluctantly getting involved in a conflict amongst the inhabitants of the planet. With the world on the brink of collapse, Carter had to decide if he was ready to fight again; however this time he was in a new world, with a new cause. Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs classic novels, this is a Disney film for boys who like to see a lot of good fighting and adventure.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 5, 2102
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with A Thousand Words!
Talking Points:
With director Andrew Stanton, known for Finding Nemo and Wall-E, the 3-D affects were very well done and very believable.
There were some nice messages in the film about believing in a cause, and fighting for what’s right. There were other messages of good vs. evil, friendship, love and loyalty, which were all portrayed throughout the film. John Carter, was a noble, heroic character.This could spark some great parent/child conversation.
Taylor Kitsch, the actor who played John Carter, is also known for the part of Tim Riggins in the Friday Night Light’s TV drama. He did a wonderful job, as did the Lynn Collins, the lead actress who played Princess Dejah, (Carter’s love interest in the film). Having said that, I felt that the character development was poorly established, especially with the villain. He wasn’t very memorable, as with most villains in action movies.
While there was a lot of great action and adventure, the film took some time to get into it, though you needed the background information, before all the adventure.
I interviewed parents, and kids (boys ages 10 to 12) in the theater, who all loved the movie. They thought it was exciting and adventurous. The mother of a 10 year old said the violence was not disturbing for her child. My 12 and 14 year-old son’s liked it as well.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Character’s kiss.
- Women wear low-cut and revealing outfits.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Character’s were in battles with sword fights, gun fights, fist fights; you name they used it!
- The villain in the film had a ray gun, which disintegrated people. He constantly used this weapon.
- Carter beheaded another character.
- In an arena setting, there was a battle with John Carter against two large white apes. It was disgusting when Carter emerged from the apes carcass; covered with blue blood.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l, and “d–n” are said a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking alcohol in one scene.
Overall, this was a well done film with amazing special affects, and a great storyline. However, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film. Depending on your child, I recommend this for kids ages 12 and up.
Jack and Jill Review
The holidays are quickly approaching; a special time with family and friends…so we hope. Well, it’s not that special for Jack (Adam Sandler), though he has a beautiful wife (Katie Homes), 2 great kids, and a successful job as an advertising executive, he also has his annoying twin sister, Jill (also played by Sandler). Year after year Jack dreads the holidays, because he gets a visit from his neurotic twin sister; and this time it’s even worse, because Jill doesn’t want to leave. So now Jack’s quiet, comfortable life turns into a chaotic nightmare.
Rating: Two out of five buckets.
Release Date: November 11, 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:
Elementary school kids and tweens often like Adam Sandler movies; they’re funny and entertaining. I tend to like his movies as well. However, Jack and Jill, is a strange, atypical Adam Sandler movie. Jill (played by Adam Sandler), is not sweet and funny like Tootsie (played by Dustin Hoffman), she is a very large, ogre like creature. Her voice is annoying, she continually whines when she doesn’t get her way; Jack couldn’t wait for his sister to leave, and I felt the same way. Having said all that, Jill sincerely loves her brother; which was heartwarming at times.
There were some funny parts, even though Jack’s sister drives him crazy, they do have some resemblance, which added a little humor.
The movie has an all-star cast, to name a few; Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino. David Spade, Johnny Depp and Regis Philbin make an appearance.
Al Pacino, plays himself in the movie; that was another strange part. We learn that Pacino goes crazy, and falls madly in love with Jill… another unsettling part.
There is a lot of potty humor; with Jill’s sweat stained sheets, body hair and ear wax, it really wasn’t funny, just gross.
There are many racial stereotypes; which was the topic of many jokes in the film.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear sexy low-cut out fits. One women comments that she’s not wearing any underwear.
- There are other sexual references and innuendos; Pacino says, ” I can smell horny across an ocean!”
- In one scene, Jack dresses up up like his sister, he fills his bra with cantaloupes and then a bathroom attendant adjusts them. Later the attendant grabs Jill’s breasts, thinking it’s Jack’s cantaloupes.
Violent Content: Mild
- Jill punches the bathroom attendant.
- A drunken women grabs Jack’s wife, and puts her in a headlock. Jill steps in and punches the women.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The h-word is said a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are seen drinking cocktails at bars.
I’m not a twin, though I have nieces and have friends who are twins. I think it’s a unique and special relationship, which the movie ultimately portrays. However, I think Jack and Jill, is a movie I wouldn’t waste my time and money on, and I’m an Adam Sandler fan!
Iron Man 2- Teen Movie Review
Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, in the sequel to Iron Man. The movie starts six months after the end of the first movie. Now the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark is Iron Man. In this film Stark is up against his Russian arch nemesis, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), and his corporate rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), but with the help of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his friend “Rhodey” (Don Cheadle), they take on these villains that want to seek revenge against Stark, and that’s when the action begins, and there’s a lot of it!
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: September 28, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Great actors; Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson and more.
Even though this was an action packed movie, there was a comedic element to it that I Ioved. Robert Downey Jr. made wisecrack comments throughout the movie, which made his character even more likable.
Tony is very arrogant and full of himself, but we saw a sensitive side to him that was touching. Tony thought that his father never loved him, but when he saw an old film of his dad, Tony learned that he was truly loved. His father, who was an inventor, said to Tony in the film, “My greatest creation, is you.”
There are a lot of sub-plots from Tony’s health issues, father issues, and dealing with his enemies; that may confuse some kids, though it all comes together in the end. One reviewer wrote, “We never feel emotionally connected to Stark’s suffering because there’s too much going on.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- There is some mild sexual humor. There aren’t any sexual scenes, though Tony is a playboy, and made some off-color comments to women.
Violent Content: Excessive
- There are many violent and disturbing scenes. To name a few:
- Ivan Vanko, Stark’s rival, made his own Iron Man suit, though he has electric whips attached to his suit, in which he attacked Tony, and almost defeated him.
- In prison, Ivan kills a prison mate and a guard, and he blows up his cell.
- Tony thinks he’s dying because a device in his Iron Man suit has begun to poison his body. So Tony throws himself a birthday party, and proceeds to get very drunk, and out of control.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
I haven’t seen “Iron Man” but I read that “Iron Man 2” lacks the element of surprise that the 2008’s “Iron Man” had. Having said that I did interview people who saw “Iron Man 2”, some comments were: “awesome”, “brilliant”, “just as good as the first movie”. The audience seemed to have loved it, Iron Man is still a superhero in their minds.
I give it 4 buckets out of 5. However, parents need to know that there is a lot of violence in the movie. If they are comfortable with that, and know that their kids are okay with it, then I think it’s appropriate for kids ages 12 and up. My 12 year old son loved it, so did his friends.
Igor-Kids Movie Review
The movie is about an ambitious lab assistant, Igor, who wants to become a mad scientist, and wants to win the first place in the annual science fair.
Rating: Three out of five popcorn buckets.
Release Date: January 20, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Igor intended to invent a monster, but instead he invented Eva, who’s a sweet, gentle woman. At one point Eva gives Igor, and his two friends, Scamper and Brain, a gift. Then Igor feels bad that he didn’t have anything for her, so he ends up finding a necklace, and gives to her. It’s a very touching part in the movie.
Eva’s character is a light and refreshing part of the movie.
There are some funny parts, jokes that adults will get about Hollywood.
There’s a good message, Igor says “Everyone has an evil bone in their body, we choose whether to use it or not.” Eva says, “ It’s better to be a good nobody than an evil somebody.” Eva makes a decision to refuse the evil power that she’s tempted by.
They idealized evil, which is not good for kids to see: The did it in a cartoonish way. In this country of Malaria, evil is good. The King’s motto is, “The way to succeed is to do evil.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- The evil doctor’s assistant throws herself on top of Igor, and passionalty kisses him.
- Heidi wears some low cut dresses.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Some kids may find it to be scary because when an experiment failed, there was smoke, lightening, loud noises. The Evil Science Fair there were violent, mechanical monsters fighting.
- The evil scientist, Dr. Schandenfreud, was unpleasant to his girlfriend, he called her big mouth, and pushed her around. He typically won the science fair because he stole the other scientists inventions.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “Idiot” and “fool” were used.
- The d-word is used several time throughout the film.
- “What the…” is said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- It’s implied that a couple of characters are drinking alcohol.
Some parents my not like the movie because of the emphasis on evil. On the other hand, some parents may hope that their kids will understand the message, that being a good person is better than being a bad person. The movie may encourage some good family discussions about good and evil.