Despicable Me Review
This is a story about Gru, a middle aged man who wants nothing more than to become history’s number one super-villain by stealing the moon. To do this, he adopts three cute little orphan sisters. Initially, he wants to use the girls for his plans to conquer the world, and then get rid of them. After a while his heart softens, and he realizes that he might be a better dad than the bad guy.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: December 14, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any Age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
I loved this heartwarming story, and the impact that these three little orphan girls had on Gru. It was nice to see his gradual transformation from being a” bad guy” to a loving father. Initially taking the girls to ballet class, reading them bedtime stories, and even going to a carnival, drives him crazy. But their continued interactions, and loving ways, makes Gru think twice about his evil goal.
It’s a fun, simple movie with a great storyline.
The little orphan girls are absolutely adorable! They make Gru realize that love and family will make him happy, not conquering the world.
The movie started out a little slow, initially we saw a lot of Gru’s evil ways and plans. It got a lot better once he met the orphan girls.
Sexual Content: None
Violent or Disturbing Content: Mild
Some things that may scare younger kids:
Gru, at first, seemed like a scary mean old man. He had a secret hideout hidden in his home which was filled with an army of little men called minions. He also had a lot crazy gadgets, designed to help him achieve his goal; these may scare younger kids.
The girls sleep in beds made out of bombs. At one point Gru says, “It’s highly unlikely they will blow up.”
The head of the orphanage, a mean old lady, locks the girls in cardboard boxes labeled “Box of Shame.”, if they don’t sell enough cookies for their school.
Crude or Profanity: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall, this is a wonderful, heartwarming movie, good for the whole family. Stay and watch the credits, they’re very entertaining.
Delgo Review
The movie is an animated fantasy adventure about a teenager, named Delgo, who is from a very friendly, prosperous and peaceful civilization. Then a more war-like civilization attempts to take over and wipe out the Lockni people. So Delgo and his friends try to protect their world.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: August 4, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The leader of his peaceful civilization tells Delgo that, “ people cannot change the past, but they can choose what they learn from it.”
“Where one learns vengeance, another learns mercy.”
Through Delgo’s relationship with Kyla(war-like people), the 2 groups of people learn to appreciate each other, and work together. It has a Romeo and Juliet aspect to it.
Plot is somewhat involved for young kids, and very BORING.
I read that,“Delgo’s” computer imaging took more than 6 years to complete. The visuals are colorful and detailed, but not fantastic.
The only redeeming quality of the movie is that if offers a pleasant message of peace and racial equality.
Conflict can be resolved when people forgive and work together.
Good triumphs over evil.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two characters hold hands and kiss once.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Delgo’s parents are murdered.
- The villain breaks in to someone’s house and uses a glowing green gas to poison the family.
- Many characters are kicked, punched and knocked down.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “idiot,” “fool,” “pansy” and “wuss” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine in one scene.
While the movie might spark a good family conversation, there are better movies that cover that subject. Overall it’s a boring ,dull movie with a lot of violence.
Death at a Funeral Review
“Death at a Funeral” is a remake of a 2007 British comedy. This is the story about an American family who come together to mourn the loss of their beloved husband, father, brother and friend. The funeral is at the family home, but this is not a typical funeral. This funeral is completely chaotic, filled with dark secrets, blackmail, hallucinogenic drugs, competitive brothers and much more. Though with all the mayhem, this is a family filled with love, who deeply care for each other.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 10, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
There’s a star ensemble including Chris Rock, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Luke Wilson and Zoe Saldana, and many more well known actors.
The characters are very likable. Chris Rock plays Aaron, the older responsible son who’s in charge of the arrangements, and when everything gets out of control, you actually feel sorry for him. James Marsden was also great, he was accidentally given a hallucinogenic drug, and he’s hilarious.
Like I mentioned, there were some funny parts, but this is not the type of humor that I typically enjoy. However, some teens may like the potty, slapstick humor that ensue over the course of 90 minutes.
This is an R rated movie, which means that kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. This movie is rated R for language, drug content, and sexual humor.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are many sexual references and comments throughout the movie.
Violent or Disturbing Content: Mild
There’s a bathroom scene in which Uncle Russell has diarrhea. It was disgusting because fecal matter was smeared on a man’s clothes, face and hands.
.Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- There is a lot of crude and profane language throughout the movie, which parents may not want their teens to see. The f-word is used numerous times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- There’s also a scene in which actor James Marsden, who plays the boyfriend, ends up naked on the family’s roof, because of the hallucinogenic drug he was accidentally given.
- Jeff, a relative, and pharmacology student, mentions that he prepares illegal “prescriptions” and sells them to his friends.
I’m going to give it 2 1/2 buckets, because I thought the movie was okay. I liked the characters, but it was not as funny as I had hoped. Most of the humorous lines are in the trailer. If parents are okay with their kids seeing a movie with a lot of swearing, and mild sexual humor, it would be fine for kids ages 15 and up. Though, like I said before, kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dear John Review
“Dear John” is based on a Nicholas Sparks’ novel. This is a love story about John (Channing Tatum), a young soldier, and his long distance romance with Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a dedicated college girl. They met in the late 1990‘s on a South Carolina beach when John was on a two week leave, and Savannah was on spring break. After 2 wonderful weeks together, the smitten couple had to part ways, as Savannah went back to college, and John went back to combat. Knowing they’re going to be apart for twelve long months, they promise to write letters and keep in touch, with the plan to eventually get married. Then September 11, 2001 occurred, and that changed their plan. With John’s loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his country, he reenlists in the Army, hoping to continue his long distance romance with Savannah.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 25, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
This movie portrayed the difficulties of a long distance love affair, especially one with a soldier at war. Over the course of seven years the couple stayed in touch through their letters, but rarely met in person.
Savannah is a loving, nurturing girl with wonderful qualities that teens may admire. She doesn’t drink or smoke. She has a special relationship with her life long friend’s autistic son, and dreams of someday working with children who have special needs. She also teaches John how to be patient, and care for his dad who struggles socially and emotionally.
John is also a wonderful character. He loved Savannah deeply and would do anything for her. Though, in the countries time of crisis, the call of duty came first, he couldn’t abandon his country or fellow soldiers.
Sexual Content: Mild
The PG13 rating is appropriate. John and Savannah have many passionate kisses, and the movie shows them undressing each other, as they eventually have sex. This is tastefully done, with the viewers only seeing them kissing passionately in bed.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are a few violent war scenes, and TV coverage of 9/11 is briefly shown.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Some swear words used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters drinking, though not much!
I would recommend this movie for teenage girls, it’s also a great date movie. Because of the subject matter, I don’t think tweens would enjoy it. My 13 year old daughter, and many of her friends saw it. They all loved it, but cried throughout the movie. When I asked the girls how many buckets I should give it, one girl replied, “seven”.
Dark Shadows Review
I bet Barnabas wished his ex’s lived in Texas.It’s the late 1700’s where we first meet Barnabas Collins, an extremely handsome and wealthy man. So when Barnabas breaks up with his girlfriend, Angelique, for another women, his life dramatically changes… for the worse. Angelique, who happens to be a witch, is so furious with Barnabas that she not only kills Barnabas’ parents and his new girlfriend, she even turns poor Barnabas into a vampire and puts him in a coffin; hoping he’ll suffer for eternity. Two hundred years later, Barnabas is set free, and returns to his ancestral home , where he’s desperately needed to protect the family from his evil ex-girlfriend. Based on a television series, Dark Shadows has it all; romance, comedy, sci-fi and horror, but not the right movie for kids.
Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 2, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Barnabas’ father tells him that “family is the only real wealth.” It’s quite apparent that Barnabas truly cares for his family. He tries to restore the family fortune and good name.
Barnabas is a vampire, and by nature he is thirsty for human blood, therefore he kills many people throughout the film. However Barnabas is a good guy, he truly cares for a young disturbed boy, who sees visions of his deceased mother. Barnabas comforts him and becomes an important influence in his life.
Though I liked the movie, and found it to be strange, but entertaining, I strongly feel this is not for kids. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and sexual contents in the film. Depending on the child, I would say that this is appropriate for kids ages 14 and up.
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Barnabas and Angelique are shown having a sexual encounter. They roll around all over the place, clawing each other, and destroying everything around them.
- It’s implied that a couple is having oral sex, we see the women’s head moving towards the man’s waist.
- Angelique takes off her panties and puts them on Barnabas’ face.
- Two character’s engage in sex, while another character guards the door.
- Angelique and Barnabas discuss all the places they’ve made love.
- Angelique forces Barnabas to press his hand on her chest, while she reaches down to touch his privates.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Barnabas kills many innocent people.
- We see Barnabas hit one man’s head against a pipe, and he bites another man’s neck.
- We hear several victims scream.
- There’s a scene where statues come to life and attack people.
- We see a child taken into an insane asylum; she is treated with shock therapy and is shown screaming in pain. This was disturbing to me, and will most likely disturb kids.
- Barnabas grabs a man by his neck and lifts him up.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The “sh-t,” “a–,” ‘b–ch,” “b–tard,” “h–l,” and “d–n,” are all used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters smoke marijuana, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.
Overall this film has many inappropriate parts that parents need to be aware of before sending their kids. If your pre-teen wants to see this film, and you’re okay with it, I recommend going with them, but be ready to cover their eyes.