Princess and the Frog Review
“Princess and the Frog” is set in the city of New Orleans in the 1920’s. The movie is about a young hard working girl, Tiana, who wants to fulfill her and her late father’s life long dream of someday opening their own restaurant. However, when she encounter’s the lazy, but charming, Prince Naveen, they magically turn into frogs. Tiana and the Prince have many adventures and meet a lot of fun characters, as they seek help to become human once again.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: March 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie has a lot of laughs and great messages. The film emphasizes the value of love over material wealth, and Tiana continually stresses throughout the movie that you get what you want from hard work and perseverance. She say’s, “Wish and dream with your heart, set your mind to it, you can do anything.”
The music was phenomenal. Very catchy jazz and gospel tunes. All the original music on this film was done by Randy Newman, who has done most of Pixar films for Disney.
I think most adults will enjoy the movie. It was fun to see the 1920’s New Orleans setting, Mississippi steamboats, and wonderful bayou’s.
Tiana, is the first African American Disney Princess. The movie lightly touches on social and racial divisions of the time.
The characters are very entertaining. There’s Charlotte, Tiana’s best friend, who’s a very spoiled wealthy girl, only wanting to marry a Prince. Then there’s a trumpet playing alligator and a lovesick Cajun lightening bug. They add a lot of humor and wonderful music to the movie.
The animation was colorful and well-done.
I have 2 negative comments; it’s a little long, 1 hour and 35 minutes, though the music should keep the kids attention.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Innocent flirting and smooching.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are images of evil spirits and fire-breathing masks, that may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Heck” and “dang” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and champagne.
I brought my 10 year old son, who thought it was okay, and my two nieces. My 16 year old niece thought it was a sweet Disney movie, okay to watch, while my 6 year old niece said, “It was good.” My sister-law also liked it, and really enjoyed the music, and the New Orleans setting, as most adults will.
Overall it’s a fun, entertaining movie for all ages. I’m giving it 4 buckets!!!!!
Pitch Perfect-Teen Movie Review
Beca(Anna Kendrick) is a freshman at Barden University; she doesn’t love college, she doesn’t try to fit in, but what she does want to do…is move to Los Angeles!!! However, things change when she’s persuaded to join The Bellas, an all-girls a cappella group. Now Beca takes this traditional, somewhat boring singing group, and adds a contemporary flare, which sets them apart from their rivals. Pitch Perfect is a comedy musical; it’s a fun entertaining movie!!!
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Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The a cappella group is filled with a bunch of misfit girls. It was nice to see the girls accept one another and learn how to work together. Great parent/child conversation.
The movie is predictable and sappy, though cute and entertaining.
The music and talent of the young men and women in the film was amazing. They had wonderful voices!!!
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are some suggestive dance moves as one girl touches her privates while dancing.
- In a singing contest, one group is asked to sing songs about sex.
- Initially Beca was asked to join the group while she was in the shower, the other girl was in the shower too. We only saw their shoulders and backs.
- Three girls were kicked out of the group for sleeping with their rival boys group.
- There were sexual references made throughout the film.
Violent Content: Mild
- After a competition, The Bella’s got into a fight with another singing group. One character is hit in the face and crotch.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is said about 6 times, we also hear other words such as; “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n” and “h–l,” are said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see college students drinking at a party, it’s obvious that some are drunk.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- Fans of Glee and other movies of this genre, will enjoy this film.
Overall this is an entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content. Depending on the kid, I recommend this film for girls ages 12 and up.
Pink Panther 2- Family Movie Review
Pink Panther 2 is a sequel to the 2006 comedy “Pink Panther.” When the film begins Inspector Clouseau is a parking meter attendant. But when the legendary Pink Panther diamond is stolen, along with artifacts from all over the world, the chief inspector assembles an international dream team to track down the thief and recover the missing artifacts. Clouseau is added to this team as the French detective. With his physical gags, and French accent, he adds excitement and humor to the team.
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Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date:
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Funny, mild entertainment.
I interviewed kids ages 7 to 10. They all loved the movie, and thought it was very funny. My kids loved it as well.
The cast is filled with many talented actors and comedians.
I interviewed a few mom’s who thought it was inappropriate because of the sexual components of the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- A women police dept. therapist meets with Clouseau to discuss proper sexual conduct in the workplace, which then trigers improper conduct. Clouseau makes suggestive statements to the therapist as well as other women. He says to his assistant, “ You’re like a brother to me, a hot sexy brother in a dress”.
- Women wear low cut outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There’s a lot of slapstick, silly violence.
- There is some serious violence. For example, one character is found dead on the floor.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says the a-word.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
If you like slapstick humor, you will find the movie entertaining.
Good for kids ages 9 to early teens.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Teen Movie Review
One thousand three hundred and eighty- five more days. That’s how many days of school that high school freshman, Charlie (Logan Lerman) had until he graduated; and he was counting down the days. Charlie had been through some rough times before his freshman year. His best friend had committed suicide, so going off to high school was a scary, lonely venture. However, when Charlie met Patrick and his stepsister, Sam (Emma Watson), things began to change. Though Sam and Patrick were both seniors, they liked Charlie, they introduced him to their friends and they even took him to parties. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, based on the best selling novel, is a story about the ups and downs of growing up, and the importance of friendships along the way.
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Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? Yes (Mature teens)
Talking Points:
Initially Charlie was dreading his freshman year, however things began to change when he met some new friends. His friends distracted him from his dark past. The film highlighted the value of friendships.
Charlie may have had some emotional problems, though he was a very devoted friend and brother.
Charlie and his English teacher, Mr. Andersen (Paul Rudd) had a wonderful relationship. Mr. Andersen was a positive influence in Charlie’s life; the movie also highlighted the importance of a great teacher and how that can positively effect a student.
Drugs, drinking and casual sex were apart of these teenager’s lives; it was accepted and not a big deal….but where were the parents???
Sexual Content: Excessive
- We saw couples kissing and fondling each other at high school parties.
- It was implied that most of the teens were having sex. The movie portrayed the attitude that casual sex was not a big deal, it was apart of high school.
- We saw two male characters kissing each other in a bedroom.
- We saw Charlie touch a girls chest; though she was fully clothed.
- The teenagers frequented the movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show; they dressed up as character’s in the movie and danced around the theater. That was very strange.
- We see flashbacks of a young Charlie with his adult aunt. His aunt rubs his leg, and Charlie remembers how she once molested him. This may be disturbing to some teenagers.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
- Two boys had a fist fight in the high school cafeteria; we saw one boy punching and beating up another boy.
- We saw a teenage boy viciously slap his girlfriend.
- In one scene, it seemed as though Charlie was going to hurt himself with a knife. That was disturbing.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word is said once. We heard “sh–,” “h—,” “a–,” and “b–ch,” a couple of times each. We also heard “f-ggot,” and “jack-off.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Teens drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes at parties. Charlie got stoned on hash brownies, and also had LSD.
- Drinking and drugs were at all their high school parties…not sure where the parents were!
Will Kids Like It? Yes (Mature teens)
Perks of Being a Wallflower dealt with difficult teenage issues and had a mature subject matter. Some teens may find the film depressing, while mature teenagers may find the movie very interesting. Depending on the teenager, I recommend this for kids ages 16 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual content and drug and alcohol content.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop- Family Movie Review
As the title implies, Paul Blart is a mall cop who takes his job very seriously, perhaps a little too seriously. It’s a pretty quiet job until a group of well organized robbers attempt to rob the mall on Black Friday, they also take a group of hostages, including Paul’s daughter, and a mall worker who he has a crush on. So now the mall cop has to become a real cop and rescue his daughter, and love interest, and save the day..
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 19, 2009
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:
It’s an entertaining and funny movie that keeps you interested.
Paul is committed to his family and job, he’s loyal and trustworthy. He also refuses to hit a women, even in self defense.
Strong father-daughter relationship.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Paul flirts with a teenage girl.
- A character comments on a push-up bra.
Violent Content: Mild
- The robbers may scare younger kids. They arrive in the form of tattooed thugs who ride skateboards throughout the mall. They barricade the doors and take hostages, but in a humorous way.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The a-word, and h-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Paul drinks socially, he even gets drunk at one point.
I interviewed kids ages 8 to 11 after the movie, who all loved it! Some parents thought it was a little corny, but thought it was exciting for the kids. My husband, 2 boys (ages 9 and 11) and I all enjoyed it.