DVD Reviews
Gnomeo and Juliet Review
This is the story about two feuding families, the Montagues (the blue family), and their next door neighbors, the Capulets (the red family). This story is based on Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, but in this movie the characters are garden gnomes. The two families bicker and battle throughout the whole movie, while Gnomeo, (member of the blue family), and Juliet, (member of the red family), secretly fall in love.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 24, 2011
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review, plus the review of Just Go With It!
Talking Points
This is a cute, entertaining movie, with some nice messages. The two families are seeking revenge against each other throughout the movie, however, the film stresses how miserable they are in trying to seek revenge. It takes Gnomeo and Juliet’s love affair to help the families forgive and forget.
Adults will love the music; classics from Elton John, who is the executive producer of the film.
The movie is similar to Toy Story in that the gnomes only come to life when people aren’t watching them.
The movie is a nice way to introduce youngsters to Shakespeare. My son and I talked about the story of Romeo and Juliet on our way home from the movie.
Violent Content: Mild
- The gnomes battle and fight continuously. One gnome seeks revenge by getting a powerful lawn tractor that rips down their fence, and destroys the families lawn and gardens. However, it’s not too scary for little kids.
Profane/Crude Language: Mild
- Slight potty humor. One gnome says, “Let’s go kick some grass!”
I interviewed kids ages 4 to 12 after the movie; they all loved it, and thought it was funny. Parents loved the innocence about the film. However, my eleven year-old son thought it was stupid and predicable.
This G-rated movie is targeted for young kids, and they do a good job of keeping it sweet and innocent. Adults may get a little bored, but with Elton John’s music playing parents will be thoroughly entertained.
Glee: The 3D Concert Experience Review
“Gleeks,” if you missed the Glee concert, don’t worry, you have two weeks to catch it in the theater. Glee 3D Concert Movie is a documentary which is revolved around the 14 members of the television show’s cast, and their 2011 summer concert. We see behind the scenes interviews and special moments with the cast, and some interviews with their enthused fans! So if you missed the concert, or you want to see it again, this is your chance!
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: December 20, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
I read that the cast of “Glee” are among the most hardworking actors in the business right now. They worked almost year-round filming and promoting the TV show, and then had a three month concert tour, on which the movie is based. Now the cast heads back to film the third season of their popular TV show, Glee!
Even though the movie is called Glee 3D Concert Movie, I thought it would be a story focused on their lives, rather than a concert with interviews. I respect and admire the groups talent of singing and dancing, however, I’m not a huge fan of the show.
The 3D effects were great, the movie had a concert feel to it.
The message of the movie is to embrace everyone – no matter how tall, short, fat, skinny, or your sexual preference; it doesn’t matter, just be yourself! This could spark a parent/child conversation.
The fans interviewed idolized the characters; in my opinion a little too much. One girl said the show changed her life. A boy explained that he felt comfortable “coming out of the closet,” because of some characters on Glee.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are some suggestive dances and lyrics that parents need to know about.
- References of sexual preferences.
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character talked about her “boobs.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
The “Gleeks” of the world will be entertained by the music and dancing, however if your kids are not a fan of the show, or if you don’t want your kids watching a concert, with some sexual lyrics and dances, I don’t recommend this film. As my eleven year old son said, (I dragged him to the show), “You could watch most of the concert on youtube.” Something to ponder!
GI Joe Rise of the Cobra Review
The movie is based on the long time action figure and the 1980’s cartoon, about a special operation unit known as GI JOE. The GI JOE team uses the newest futuristic spy and military equipment to fight the highly advanced crime organization known as Cobra. The GI JOE team must prevent the evil Cobra organization from destroying the world.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: November 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I brought four boys ages 9 to 14. They all thought it was an entertaining movie, they liked it.
Adults may think it’s corny and over the top with some of the futuristic scenes.
There’s an odd inconsistency in that it’s unrealistic in the same way that little boys who play with GI Joe action figures are unrealistic but it’s not geared for little boys -It’s a PG 13 movie with a lot of graphic violence.
When the bad guys blow a hole through the polar ice cap, hoping the ice will destroy the GI Joe submarines below, the ice sinks.(That bothered my husband).
I read some fun facts on-line about the movie:
- G.I. JOE is an acronym for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.
- The term G.I.JOE was a generic term given to the general infantry soldiers of the U.S. Army during WW II.
- Dennis Quaid took the role of General Hawk because his son is a G.I. JOE fan.
- The film-makers enjoyed working with Quaid so much that the screenwriter created 10 to 15 more scenes for him.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear low cut outfits, revealing cleavage.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Younger kids (7 and under) may get scared by the violence and disturbing scenes.
- In a flashback, we see two of the characters as children beating each other up to a pulp, using martial arts.
- In other scenes the characters are shot, sliced, stabbed, poked in the face with needles.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- Swearing throughout the film; the a-word, d-word, s-word and b-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- One character takes a pain medication.
Overall it’s an action packed, mindless, entertaining movie with well-known characters. Boys that like action packed movies may enjoy it. For boys ages 8 and up, with parental guidance. My kids said to give it 3 1/2 buckets, my husband said to give it 2 buckets, so I decided to give it 3 buckets.
Frankenweenie Review
“A dog is man’s best friend,” that was the case for a young boy named Victor. The day his dog, Sparky, ran into traffic and died, was the day that changed Victor’s life. Feeling sad and depressed, Victor came up with the idea to bring his best friend back to life by an experiment he learned in science. Victor succeeded in resurrecting his dog, however he didn’t succeed in keeping it a secret. When Victor’s friends and family discovered that Sparky was alive, chaos began as many other kids tried the same experiment on several deceased animals. Frankenweenie is based on Tim Burton’s original 30 minute short film from 1984, however I read the film was never released because it was too scary for kids.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 8, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive and Disturbing
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? No
Talking Points:
This is a dark creepy movie, though at times very heartwarming. When Victor’s dog dies, his mom tells him, “When you lose someone you love, you never really lose them. They just move into a very special place in you heart.” A great parent/child discussion.
The idea of bringing a pet back to life is a confusing concept for kids.
This film was in black and white, which made it even more disturbing.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- It’s disturbing when Victor resurrects Sparky. The dog is shocked, it reminded me of charging a car battery, though it was a cute dog with bolts screwed in his head.
- Kids found or dug up animals and brought them back to life. These animals became scary, destructive creatures.
- A turtle becomes a monster and crushes cars and smashes buildings.
- A rat becomes a large beast that claws people.
- A cat, holding a dead bat in his mouth, is transformed into a creepy flying creature that hisses at people.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see animals drinking from a keg of beer.
Will Kids Like It? No
- It wasn’t a suspenseful, scary movie..it was an old time horror film.
It’s Halloween season and your kids may want to see a scary, gory film; however with the subject matter of resurrecting your deceased, beloved pet, might not be the movie for your child. I recommend Hotel Transylvania, especially for younger kids who want to see a good Halloween flick.
Footloose Review
It’s been twenty-seven years since we’ve seen Kevin Bacon cut loose, and now in this wonderful remake, we see Kenny Wormald, a rising young star, cut loose with his own style. This is a story about Ren McCormack (Kenny Wormald), who moves from Boston to a small southern town. It’s quite a cultural shock for Ren as he quickly learns that dancing and rock music have been prohibited from the town. It all started a few years prior when a tragic car accident killed five local teenagers after a night of drinking and dancing. Local council member and Reverand Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid), who’s son was driving the car, spearheaded the new laws, which dramatically changed the town. After much frustration, Ren, with some help from his girlfriend Ariel (Julianne Hough), decided to challenge this ban with hopes to revitalize the subdued, lonely town. This is a wonderful remake of the 1984 Footloose classic. It still has the spirit and tone of the original film, with an additional modern day twist!
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 14, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
Ariel (Julianne Hough) is the Reverend’s daughter; it was her brother that was driving the car in the town’s horrific accident. Ariel and Reverend Moore handled the crisis in different ways: Ariel rebels and becomes a wild child, while the Reverend genuinely wants to protect his daughter and the town’s youth. They both mean well, but their relationship is overshadowed by this crisis, which causes conflict and misunderstanding. One reviewer wrote, “Rules without relationships are a recipe for rebellion.” This could spark some good parent/child discussions.
I loved the original film, and I loved the remake as well. However, parents need to know that there are many inappropriate scenes. The film touches on several teenage issues such as; drinking, drugs and sex.
The characters are wonderful; from Ren to Ariel and their friends. Willard (Miles Teller), Ren’s friend was fantastic, in my mind he stole the show. He added some humorous elements to the film, which the audience will love. Of course with Julianne Hough (from Dancing with the Stars), the dancing was amazing. I read that Julianne said, ” A lot of the stuff that I personally did was not choreographed. I just kind of like freestyled my way through it.” The dancing was fun and entertaining, though sometimes a little naughty.
The music is great. There are several songs from the original soundtrack, and there are other popular Footloose songs, they have been slightly changed; with a country modern flare.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Ariel wears tight jeans, short shorts and low cut shirts.
- Ariel engages in many sexual and inappropriate dance moves.
- Ariel dates an older boy, who is a race car driver. After he had won a race, Ariel gets in his car, takes off her shirt, and waves her shirt as he does a victory lap around the track.
- Ariel’s older boyfriend tells her that she’s just an innocent little girl, she then suggestively unbuttons her shirt, and it’s implied that they have sex.
- While in a church, Ariel tells her father that she’s not a virgin.
- When Ariel and her boyfriend break up, he calls her a “hussy,” and “slut.”
- There are many sexual references and suggestive comments throughout the film.
Violent Content: Moderate
- We see the car accident that killed the five teenagers.
- Chuck (Ariel’s boyfriend) challenges Ren to a game of chicken, which involves bus racing on a treacherous course. This was a very dangerous scene, with buses exploding, and a near death experience for the teens.
- Ariel’s break-up with her boyfriend turns violent. Ariel goes after his truck with a crowbar, and he violently hits her.
- Ren and Chuck, with the help of some friends, get into a major brawl with fist fights and beatings.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used a lot. Other words such as “a–,” “h–l,” “b—ch,” and “d–n,” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see high school student’s drinking beer from a keg.
- At an Atlanta dance club, we see several people drinking alcohol.
- Ariel’s boyfriend smokes marijuana.
This is an entertaining, fun movie; a well done remake. However, parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content and issues of teen drinking and drugs. You definitely don’t want your teenagers emulating Ariel, though sweet, she is a rebellious teenager. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for mature teens, parents will be entertained as well.