DVD Reviews
Fame Review
“Fame” is a remake of the 1980 film. This movie is very similar to the original story in that it follows a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over their 4 years at the NY City High School of Performing Arts, a very competitive school, with students from all walks of life. In addition to viewing all their wonderful artistic skills, the audience sees the students dealing with normal teenage issues such as schoolwork, friendships and romance.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: January 12, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
The movie emphasizes that hard work and dedication lead to success. A lot is expected of the students, they have their music and dancing classes in the morning, and traditional school in the afternoon. I read that one of the actors said:
“There is the realism of what artists go through and the work ethic involved, what it’s like to be rejected, and not giving up afterwards.”
The students are very supportive of one another, while the instructors are very supportive and encouraging as well. The teen audience may pick up on some of the instructor’s valuable lessons to their students. When one of the students refuses to play Bach the way its written for the piano, the professor says, “traditional techniques do not stifle talent, they free it.”
The students are mostly unknown actors, though most of the instructors are played by familiar TV stars, such as Megan Mullaly, Kelsey Grammar.
Debbie Allen, was in the original film as a dance teacher, and she returns as a school principal in this film.
I loved the music, which I think most kids will like, however it was disappointing that the title track “Fame” is not in this movie until the end credits.
Sexual Content: Mild
- A girl flirts with a graduate student to try to get a part in a TV show. He tries to make out with her, and pushes her on the couch.
Violent Content: Mild
- When a student realizes he won’t make it as a dancer, he tries to commit suicide by stepping in front on an oncoming train.
- There are a couple of disturbing parts when some of the students get into trouble because they’re obsessed with fame.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Many characters swear throughout the film. The a-word, d-word, b-word and h-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Students attend parties where there is alcohol.
- One student gets drunk and throws up.
Young viewers in the audience that are passionate about anything, whether it be in the arts, sports or academics, will relate to the dedication and work ethic that the students portray in the film.
Overall it’s an entertaining, fun movie!
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Review
Life was good for Oskar, an eight year old boy living in New York City. Oskar was thought to have Asperger’s Syndrome, but that was okay, because he had his dad, a dad who was his best friend and soul mate. Oskar’s father typically kept his son very busy; he had him on an extravagant scavenger hunt, where he was to find proof of New York City’s sixth borough. His father’s goal was not for Oskar to find this mythical borough, his goal was to encourage his son to explore and interact with people he didn’t know very well; hoping that Oskar would overcome his fears. Then September 11, 2001 came, and Oskar’s father died in the World Trade Center. A year later Oskar,who was still feeling lost and disconnected, came upon a mysterious key left by his father. Once again his search begins, as Oskar tries to track down the lock that matches his father’s mysterious key. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is a very sad, dramatic story about a boy coping with the loss of his father who died on 9/11.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content:None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
As Oskar was searching for the lock, he met many helpful and sympathetic people. It was interesting to see the relationships that he developed on his quest. I especially liked his relationship with an elderly mute man, (known as the “Renter”) who often accompanied him on his journey.
The search to find the lock for his father’s key may seem strange, but with Oskar’s quirky behavior, it made him feel closer to his dad. He had some issues with his mother, wishing she would have died and not his dad, but deep inside he truly loved his mother and needed her.
Thomas Horn, the actor who played Oskar was amazing!!! His parents were played by Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, who had small parts, but were great as well.
The movie seemed a little long and boring in parts. My friend and I weren’t captivated until the last 45 minutes or so.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- We saw many heartbreaking clips from 9/11.
- We saw Oskar’s torso covered with self-inflicted bruises, where he pinched himself too hard.
- Oskar would occasionally lose his temper, he would throw things, tear up his maps and papers, and scream. This may be disturbing to kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The s-word and a-word were used a couple times.
- Oskar and his doorman would insult each other, which sometimes sounding like profane words.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s were shown drinking wine and whiskey.
A film about an autistic boy losing his father on 9/11 would of course be extremely heartbreaking and sad. Depending on the your child, I think the subject matter may be too intense for kids; even some pre-teen and teenagers. I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 16 and up.
The Express Review
Ernie had wonderful qualities: Not only an amazing athlete, he was a kind, honest, gentle man. He was modest, hardworking, and team-oriented. A very good role model!
He was humble, never affected by the media attention and fame.
His coach, Ben Schwartzwalder, focus was on winning, he was an old-school, tough football coach. Ben taught Ernie everything he knew about football, and Ernie taught him some valuable life lessons.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: January 20, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Based on a true story about the extraordinary life of college football hero, Ernie Davis. (Played for Syracuse). In 1961, he became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. This was a time of racial tensions, segregation set in the background of the growing civil rights movement.
Talking Points:
Quotes:
Ernie said, “I want to be the best running back, not the best black running back. He didn’t want to be labeled.
“Football is just a game, what matters most is what you play for.” Ernie said this at the beginning of the movie, and it was reiterated by the coach at the end.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Ernie unbuttons his girlfriends shirt. ( See her bra)
Violent Content: Moderate
- In the Cotton Bowl, just before halftime there was a bench clearing fight. Fans were throwing trash at Ernie. After tackling Ernie, the players from Texas started punching him, refs never called a penalty.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- “S–t,” “a–,” “h–” and “d–n,” are used a lot throughout the movie. The n-word is used as well.
- Some locker room talk.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Ernie’s teammates drink beer
The movie will generate some good parent-child discussions. It was not only a great football movie, but it was fun, entertaining, also very emotional and educational. The kids saw the injustice of segregation and we discussed that issue.
Easy A Review
This is the story about Olive (Emma Stone), an intelligent, cute, high school senior. She’s not popular, and many of her peers don’t even know who she is. That all changes the day she tells her gossipy best friend a fib. Olive didn’t want to go camping with her friend, so she told her that she had a date with a college boy, and that she also had sexual encounter with that boy. What started out to be a small lie, got out of control. The story spread through the school, and pretty soon Olive was not only noticed, but she was now know as the “school slut.”
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 21, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
This is a great lesson for kids…not to lie. This movie demonstrates how rumors fly, especially with today’s technology; facebook, twitter, texts, and cell phones.
Olive has a great relationship with her parents. Though her parents were very open about sex, even Olive’s mom made some suggestive comments about her own sex life. However, Olive was close to them and they wanted her to do the right thing.
The movie is humorous and entertaining, mainly because of actress Emma Stone (Olive), who is a natural comedian.
Sexual Content: Excessive
There are many sexual comments and references throughout the whole movie. To name a few:
- Olive agrees to pretend to have sex with a boy in her class that’s gay. This boy is constantly being picked on by the school bullies, so he wants to boost his reputation. Olive staged a sex act with this boy at a party. This involved the couple going to a bedroom, Olive removed her underwear and stuffed them in the keyhole, followed by a lot of sexual noises, while kids at the party were listening. This was a very uncomfortable scene, especially with kids.
- We see Brandon, Olive’s gay friend, in bed with another guy.
- There were also many verbal references to sex including discussions about virginity, orgasms, masturbation, group sex…they covered it all. We also heard about sexual diseases, in detail.
I read that “This film aspires to the same sort of feel-good vibe that John Hughes films (Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day off) usually generate.”
Profanity: Moderate to excessive
- Maybe a little too much for a PG13 rating.
Overall, I liked the movie, and so did my husband. Though with the suggestive comments and sexual content, I feel that this movie is inappropriate for kids, and pre-teens. I would recommend it for girls ages 16 and up. I may bring my fourteen year old daughter, but I want to go with her and have a discussion after the movie. I compare this movie to Juno, a good movie and storyline; one that could spark a great parent-child conversation.
The Dilemma Review
This is the story about best friends and business partners Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Kevin James). Life is going well for Ronny and Nick, they are working on a major project that will ensure success in their auto design business, they’re both in solid relationships; Ronny has a serious girlfriend and getting ready to propose, while Nick is happily married (so we think). Ronny’s(Vaughn) life changes when he inadvertently discovers that Nick’s wife (Winona Ryder) is having an affair with a tattooed guy named Zip(Channing Tatum). Now the dilemma begins, does Ronny tell his best friend that his wife is having an affair, and if so, how and when does he do it; or does he remain silent?
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 3, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
Vince Vaughn, (Wedding Crashers, Couples Retreat), that sums up the movie; he was absolutely hilarious, I was crying I was laughing so hard. In addition to Vince Vaughn, the movie has an all-star cast, with Kevin James (Grown Ups, Paul Blart: Mall Cop) Channing Tatum(Dear John, G.I. Joe; The Rise of the Cobra), Winona Ryder, (Black Swan, Stay Cool) Jennifer Connelly (What’s Wrong With Virginia, Creation) and Queen Latifah (Valentines Day). It’s directed by Ron Howard(Angel&Demons, Frost/Nixon).
The movie was very unpredictable, unlike most comedies. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Vince Vaughn was going to handle his dilemma.
I thought the PG13 rating was appropriate. Pre-teen and teenage boys will like the sports metaphors used throughout the film. Since Ronny and Nick are in the auto business, there’s also a lot of “car talk,” which boys may find entertaining.
Sexual Content: Moderate
Since the movie is about an affair, there are some scenes that parents may not want their kids to see. For example:
- We see passionate kissing and some nudity (backs and butts) with Winona Ryder and her lover. It’s implied that they’ve slept together.
Profanity: Mild
Fine for the PG13 rating.
Violent Content: Mild
During Ronny’s plight to catch Nick’s wife and lover in action, there are many violent confrontations between Ronny and Zip (the boyfriend). In one scene Zip pounds Ronny’s car with a bat. There are many punches and fights between the two men as well.
Conclusion:
This is a movie that I wanted to see before bringing my kids. Knowing that the movie was about an affair, I wasn’t sure I’d let my kids see it. Like I mentioned, there are some sexual scenes and references where parents may feel uncomfortable. My friend said she covered her 12 year old daughters eyes a couple of times, but overall she thought it was appropriate. I felt the same way, and I will take my three kids ( Ages: 14,13 and 11) to this movie.
Overall it was a fun, entertaining movie about the importance of friendship, and honesty.