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.
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.
Eclipse Review
Twihards will not be disappointed in this third movie of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. In this movie Bella is once again surrounded by danger, as the vengeful vampire Victoria gathers an army of “newborn vampires” to seek revenge against the Edward Cullen. Throughout all the violence and suspense, Bella must decide between the handsome vampire, Edward Cullen, and her best friend and werewolf, Jacob Black.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: December 4, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Wether you’re in the Edward or Jacob camp, both characters are great. Jacob had a lot of one liners, and added some humor to the movie, while Edward was an old fashioned romantic, and just looked handsome.
This movie has something for everyone; humor, action and of course romance. There are more action-oriented scenes in this movie, than the previous ones. We are introduced to the “newborn vampires” which are more violent and difficult to control, this caused a lot of intense scenes.
I thought it was cute and entertaining when Bella’s dad tried to give her “the talk.” I also liked Edward’s “old school” approach to not having sex before marriage. This was refreshing to see.
The flashbacks were well done, as we saw how the Cullens became vampires, and we learned about the werewolves history.
Like I said before, I think that most Twihards will love this movie. People not familiar with, or those who haven’t seen “Twilight”, or “New Moon”, will not understand and may not like this movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- I thought that the movie was appropriately rated; PG13. Some things parents may want to know:
- There were passionate kisses throughout the movie.
- Bella wanted to have a romantic evening with Edward, but he wanted to wait until they got married.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were some intense and violent scenes amongst the vampires and werewolves.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
This was a fun, dramatic, entertaining movie, great for pre-teen girls and up. I’ve read all the Twilight books, I’m in the Edward camp, and I am a Twihard, so my five out of five bucket rating, may not surprise anyone. I give it five buckets.