DVD Reviews
Amelia Review
“Amelia” is based on biographies The Sound of Wings, and East to the Dawn. It’s the story of Amelia Earhart, the first women to fly across the Atlantic, and one of America’s major celebrities of the 1930’s. As a child in Kansas she became obsessed with flying after seeing a plane flying close the ground. She was determined to make her dream come true, which was to fly. The movie shows a series of events in her life which leads to her final flight. In the summer of 1937 Amelia took on a flight around the world, which became one of the most talked about journeys in history.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: February 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Amelia had a lot of wonderful qualities that young girls will admire. Failure was not an option for Amelia. She was determined, hard working, and had a thrill for danger. While her first flight across the Atlantic made her famous, and an inspiration, Earhart was dissatisfied, because she was the passenger, not the pilot, so she took the dangerous journey solo.
Amelia was a role model for many young women in her life. Her courage, passion and perseverance proved to other woman that they should follow their dreams, no matter people say. She was even an inspiration to Eleanor Roosevelt.
The scenery, especially while flying, was absolutely gorgeous.
Amelia became the first person to make the flight across the Atlantic since Charles Lindburgh, so her nickname became “ Lady Lindy.”
Like anything, hard work leads to success. She had to work hard to keep up her expensive life style of flying. It was the commercial endorsements that her husband set up, which helped fund her flying, this was stressed throughout the movie.
While the movie did not get the best reviews, I enjoyed it, and so did many people in the theatre. One reviewer said, “Despite Earhart’s extraordinary life, the movie about her feels all too ordinary”.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Though very famous and well liked, she had some personal problems. She had feelings for another man, a fellow pilot, with whom she had an affair. This scene was uncomfortable and disappointing, because she was such a role model. In the end she realizes how important marriage is, and sticks with her loving and supportive husband.
Violent Content: Mild
- During some of the flights, there were some scary scenes.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The a-word, d-word are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters were drinking in many scenes.
The movie may bore younger kids, and there’s probably not enough action for boys, though it’s a great, educational movie for girls ages 11 and up. There’s the repeated message to follow your dreams, while remaining down to earth and humble. I give it 3 1/2 buckets.
The Amazing Spider Man Review
“Poor Peter Parker,” that’s what villain Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) says as he attempts to kill Peter, also known as Spider-Man! This is the story about Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), a troubled teenager who was abandoned by his parents, and raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). When Peter finds his father’s mysterious briefcase, he discovers the secrets of his father’s bizarre past and he begins to understand his parents’ disappearance. Information in the briefcase leads him to the lab of Dr. Connor’s, his father’s former partner, which leads him to one life-changing bite…a spider bite. The transformation begins as Peter Parker turns into Spider-Man! The Amazing Spider-Man is a suspenseful action/adventure movie, one that pre-teens and up will enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 9, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Not only is this an action packed movie, but there are some wonderful life lessons for teenagers woven through the film. When Peter plays a heartwarming voicemail from his uncle, Uncle Ben states, “With great power comes a great responsibility.” Ben insists that his nephew is a hero; he also says that we all have certain gifts, and to use them wisely.
When Peter forgets to pick up his Aunt from work, Uncle Ben demands an apology, and insists that Peter show respect to his Aunt May. Uncle Ben also gives Peter many well-deserved lectures when he acts up. This could spark some great parent/child conversations!
It was nice to see Peter’s transformation from a troubled teenager, to a caring helpful person; wanting to do the right thing. There was a great scene when Spider-Man rescued a little boy trapped in a car.
Peter promises his girlfriend’s father that he’ll stay away from her, however later he implies that he won’t keep that promise.
Young kids may get scared as the villain is a creepy monster; half-human, half-reptile.
Two likeable character’s die, which may be disturbing to kids.
The beginning is a little slow as the film explains the origin of Spider-Man; my 14 year-old got a little bored.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Peter and his girlfriend kiss several times; sometime passionately.
- Peter sneaks into his girlfriend’s bedroom.
- Spider-Man accidentally rips off a girl’s shirt, she’s shown only wearing a bra.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Dr. Connor’s transforms into a lizard, a very painful process, which was disturbing to see.
- There are several fights amongst teenagers; especially with the school bully.
- There are several gunshots and fights amongst the evil Lizard, Spider-Man and thugs on the street.
- We see character’s bleeding from gun shots, we also see open wounds as a result of brutal fights.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “A–,” “d–n,” and “h–,” are said, though not a lot.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It: Yes
Overall this is a fun action packed film with some great lessons. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and some disturbing content as two character’s die. Depending on the child this film is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.
Abuction Review
Abduction is a a story centered around the life of Nathan (Taylor Lautner), a teenage boy who is determined to figure out the truth about this life after finding his baby picture listed on a missing persons website. Through a lot of suspense and action, Nathan and his neighborhood friend Karen, eventually realize that there’s a lot more to this than they had ever anticipated.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: September 23, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content:Moderate
Violent Content:Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, plus Moneyball!
Talking Points:
Nathan might not be the best role model for teenage boys, but he is a nice guy, who cares about his family, and will do anything to protect his friend Karen.
This film may attract tween girls; the big fans of Taylor Lautner and Twilight fans. However in this movie Lautner gets drunk and beats people up, he’s definitely not Twilight’s Jacob, who the girls really want to see.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Nathan and Karen have some passionate kisses, and there’s some touching going on as well.
- Teenage girls wear low-cut outfits, and skimpy bikinis.
- There’s a joke about virginity.
Violent Content: Excessive
- When the killers invade Nathan’s home, they shoot his parents, right in front of Nathan…this may be very disturbing for kids.
- There are viscous fights, gunshots and explosions.
- Karen is hit, tied up and threatened by the bad guys.
- We see flashbacks of Nathan’s birth mother being killed, with Nathan watching as a young child…once again, this is disturbing for kids to see.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word is used once, other swear words are used throughout the film, such as; “a–,” “b–ch,” and “d–n.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- When we initially meet Nathan, he’s on his way to a party to get drunk; Nathan ends up passing out on his friend’s lawn.
Overall I was not a big fan of this film. I didn’t like the violence and disturbing content, and I definitely do not recommend this for the tween girls that are really only there to see their favorite werewolf (Twilight’s Jacob)! Mature teens that are not sensitive to violence, may like the suspense and action of this film.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked Review
Alvin, Simon,Theodore and the Chipettes are once again up to their usual shenanigans, however this time they’re on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship. Things are going great until our little furry friends become “chipwrecked’ on a desert island. While Dave(their manager) frantically searches for them, he eventually realizes that the Alvin and the gang are singing and dancing, and making the best of a difficult situation. The Chipmunks embark on many adventures on the island, as they meet a castaway who adds a little spice to the Chipmunk’s journey. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a fun, musical comedy for young kids.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 27, 2012
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 here, plus Sherlock Holmes!
Talking Points:
There’s a wonderful message of the importance of family. Dave, who adopted the Chipmunks, takes his parental role very seriously. He risked his life to save the Chipmunks; something a parent would do for their children. Dave also claimed that he’s not their manager for the money, it’s because he loves them. Forgiveness is another message instilled throughout the film, this could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Great, entertaining music with songs such as; “Born This Way” and “Firework,” by Lady Gaga.
The previous two Alvin and the Chipmunk movies are rated PG, while this is rated G.
I enjoyed the movie, though I did hear an adult snoring a couple rows behind me.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The Chipettes get drawn into a dance-off with three human girls, there was a little sexual dancing.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slapstick violence; an example would be when Dave slipped on the ship’s deck, where Alvin had poured suntan oil. Dave continuously bumped and hit his head on something.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says, “I’m such a pain in the…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s drink mixed drinks on the ship.
Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a movie for young kids. There’s nothing inappropriate,it has a nice pro-family message, and most important, the kids will be entertained for 90 minutes! You may not find Gilligan or The Professor, but you will see some cute chipmunks on the island.
Alice In Wonderland Review
“Alice in Wonderland” is based on the 1865 children’s classic. This is a story about a 19 year old Alice, and her adventures as she follows a white rabbit down a hole into her imaginative “Wonderland.” She encounters many unusual characters, the Mad Hatter, disappearing cats, and the evil Red Queen, she also faces many of her own wild and weird adventures while in the Underland.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: June 1, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It was a very creative, quirky, dark movie, like most of Tim Burton’s films. In this wild wonderland, certain drinks make you shrink, while certain foods make you grow. Kids will enjoy some of the creativity from this film.
Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter do a terrific job. The 3D aspect was well done, not over the top, but added depth and excitement to the movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
- Since this is a dark film, with scary creatures, and some evil characters, younger kids may get frightened.
- One large scary creature scratches his claws on Alice’s arm, this leaves red wounds on her arm that we see throughout the movie.
- There’s also another scary creature that Alice has to battle. This creature will scare any youngster, as he tries to bite and crush Alice in the movie.
- The Red Queen is very evil. She gives out numerous death sentences, and we see many heads floating in her moat.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Overall this is dark film that will frighten younger kids. Depending on the child, I would recommend this movie for kids ages 8 and up. I interviewed an 8 year old girl after the movie, she liked it, thought some parts were scary, but not too bad.