Bedtime Stories Review
Bedtime Stories is a family comedy about a hotel handy man (Skeeter) whose life changes when the outrages bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to come true. His niece and nephew unknowingly have the power to make the stories become real.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 7, 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:
His clever and creative storytelling is portrayed as a fun and relaxing family activity, which may inspire viewers to do the same thing.
I read that when Adam Sandler was asked about the film he said, “I wanted to make sure I made one movie in my career that mothers hug me for.”
Though Skeeters storytelling may be self-absorbed, he is a devoted and loyal uncle who loves his niece and nephew. His love and dedication is shown throughout the movie, as the children are going through a hard time with their parents divorce.
His storytelling highlights greed. He tells stories to get what he wants, (A Ferrari, and a million dollars),
Sexual Content: Mild
- There are some sexual references. Skeeter comments on a girls reputation, saying that she is hot and that she likes to have a good time.
- In real life and his stories, Skeeter tries to kiss several women, and he says he’s a great kisser. Eventually, he actually does kiss a character.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are some violent scenes in a few of Skeeter’s bedtime stories. There are battle scenes, and laser beams are used in some of his stories.
- Skeeter steals a motorcycle as a way to rapidly get to a crime scene.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “stupid,” and “weird,”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink alcohol. Skeeter mentions drinking in his “bedtime stories.”
Overall, it’s a fun, heart warming, unassuming movie that the whole family will enjoy.
My kids ages 9, 11 and 12 loved it too.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua Review
It’s about a very pampered, well-to-do, Chihuahua named Chloe, who lives in Beverly Hills. While Chloe’s on vacation in Mexico (with her equally snobby dog-sitter), Chloe gets lost. The movie shows her adventures in Mexico, and how she’s trying to get back home to her luxurious life in Beverely Hills.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The film was funny: Chloe goes to the spa,dogs on tread mill, seaweed wrap
diamond collar and designer clothes and boots.
Dog owners can relate to the silly things in the movie.
Funny Line:
Papi- Her neighbor dog, (who is in love with Chloe), searches for her in Mexico. The Mexican police say they don’t need Papi’s help. Papi says, “We’re Mexi-can not can’t.”
Movie Entertains adults and engages kids right from the beginning of the movie.
My 12 year old daughter and friend thought it was really corny. (The dramatic dog scenes in the middle of the movie.)
Sexual Content: Mild
- Girls wear bikinis. One man is very suggestive to Rachel, wanting more than just a dance.
- Songs such as: “I”m too Sexy,”” Whomp,” and “Hot, Hot, Hot,” play as background music.
Violent Content: Mild
- May be a little scary for younger kids. A mean Mexican dogcatcher who wants to capture Chloe could scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- There is some mild name calling such as, “fool.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- In a restaurant scene, there are many champagne glasses that are shown.
- One of the dogs is named Whiskey.
Overall it’s a wholesome Disney Movie.The movie highlights loyalty and friendship. Chloe relies on her friends to try to help get her back to Beverly Hills.
Beastly Review
“People like people who look good, whoever doesn’t is either dumb or ugly.” That’s what teenage hunk Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) believes; he says, image is everything. Kyle’s got it all, (so he thinks); he’s popular, cute, comes from a wealthy family, and is now running for class president. Things change dramatically for Kyle when he insults his classmate, Kendra, who’s a witch. She casts a spell on him; and transforms him into a bald, tattooed and scar covered teenage boy. The witch tells him that he has a year for someone to fall in love with him, and then the spell will be permanent. Now we see how this once arrogant boy turns into a humble, considerate person who seeks out love.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with the Rango review too!
Talking Points
• This is a teen version of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. There are many nice messages, that teens could learn from. Kyle begins to truly care for people, even his housekeeper, Zola, whom he was initially very disrespectful to. He feels sorry for his tutor, who’s blind, and eventually wants to help him. He also falls in love with Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens), who comes from a dysfunctional family. Kyle protects her from her dad’s drug dealer.
• Even though the movie was a little sappy and predictable, there were some humorous parts. Kyle’s tutor (Neil Patrick Harris), had a lot of funny one-liners.
Sexual Content: Mild
This is a PG13 movie, and in my opinion, parents won’t feel uncomfortable with their pre-teens/teens going to this movie.
• Initially, when Kyle is good-looking we learn from Facebook that he’s promiscuous. He writes on his profile that he’s interested in “anything that’s bangable.”
• There’s some kissing, but that’s about it.
Violent Content: Mild
• In one scene we see Lindy’s father in a confrontation with his drug dealer, they get into a fight, but nothing too scary or violent.
Crude and Profane Language: Excessive
• There are bits of profanity throughout the movie; such as “s*#t” , “a$$”, “d%$m” and “b$%&h”.
Here are some fun quotes that I got from kids that I interviewed after the movie:
• “That movie made me want to barf, eat it, and barf again.” (Eleven year-old boy).
• “I loved it because of the guy.” (Teenage girl).
• “It was funny, cute and romantic.” (Teenage girl).
Clearly this is a teenage girl movie, the girls even clapped at the end of the movie. Overall this teen romance is about humility, and caring for others. I read that, “Beastly tells us that humility is a virtue, that true love is a nifty thing and that beauty is far more than what you see in the mirror. These values are like the story, timeless”. That sums it up! I recommend Beastly for girls ages 11 and up.
Battleship Review-Teen Movie Review
“You sank my battleship!” Even though they don’t say that in the movie, it’s a familiar phrase from Milton Bradley’s classic naval combat game…Battleship; and now it’s on the big screen! Lieutenant Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) also known as Tim Riggins from the TV series Friday Night Lights, is intelligent and handsome; but makes poor decisions. He’s 26, his car won’t start, and he sleeps on his brother’s couch, who’s a commander in the Navy. Alex’s life dramatically changes when his brother convinces him to join Navy and get his life in order; so that’s what Alex does. Things start out a little slow, an admiral even tells him, “You’ve got skills, but I’ve never seen anyone waste them like you!” However when the world is attacked by an army of aliens, Alex takes command with hopes to save the world. Battleship is a sci-fi, action/ adventure film, one that boys will love, though it’s very violent!
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content:Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Alex went from a guy who didn’t care about much, to someone who became passionate about helping people, and saving the world. He was a great character and role model for kids. Good eye candy for moms!
One of the soldiers lost his legs during the war, he felt insecure about his handicap, though he become a key part in helping his country.
Alex and his brother have a strong relationship, which ultimately helps Alex become a true hero. Another great thing for kids to see.
At the end of the film a group of 80 year-old men help Alex and company save the world from the alien invasion. This was a great, motivating scene!
Rihanna was not the best actress, I think she should stick to singing.
Sexual Content:Mild
- Alex’s girlfriend wears low-cut, revealing shirts.
- In one scene Alex’s girlfriend straddles him, while not wearing much, as we see them passionately kiss.
Violent Content:Excessive
- There are several ships that sink, we see hundreds of people die.
- The alien’s weapons could tear through metal, which would ultimately sink our ships.
- This was a very loud movie, with many massive explosions throughout the film.
- Aliens and humans engage in fistfights.
- We hear screams of several victims.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “S–t,” “b–ch,” “b-tard,” “d-mn,” and “a-s,” are said throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s are shown in a bar drinking shots and beer.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an action packed violent film that boys will love, however parents need to be aware of the continuous violence. Depending on the child, I feel the movie is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
The Back Up Plan Review
“The Back-up Plan” is a story about Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), a single woman who decides that after several years of dating, and never finding “Mr. Right,” that she’s ready to have a baby; so she opts for artificial insemination. Naturally, the day that she is artificially inseminated, is the day she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin). While after many romantic dates, she decides that it’s time to tell Stan about her pregnancy. Stan responds enthusiastically, though very nervous. Over the course of nine months, we not only see the couple’s romance and excitement, but also their struggles over the stress of Zoe’s pregnancy.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 24, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I liked Jennifer Lopez’s hair, and clothes.
Even though Stan is nervous, he does everything he can to support Zoe. From her cravings to her mood swings, he’s always there for her. I liked the fact the abortion was never mentioned.
The part that bothered me the most was how poorly parenthood is portrayed. When Zoe’s friend, a mother of four, was trying to dissuade Zoe from having a baby, she say’s that kids are awful, it’s the worst thing thats ever happened to her, and that she hates them. A father at the playground tells Stan the same thing. He says fatherhood is “awful, awful, awful, and then something beautiful happens, then it’s awful, awful, awful.”
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Many times we see a woman breast-feeding her 3 year old girl, this was inappropriate.
- There are many sexual scenes with Stan and Zoe, and there’s a lot of sexual conversations throughout the movie, mostly regarding pregnancy issues.
- We see one of Zoe’s friends give birth in a tub of water, this was a disturbing and inappropriate scene for young teens, my daughter thought it was gross.
Profane or crude language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the movie.
I kept thinking there would be some redeeming qualities at the end, Perhaps a nice message on how wonderful parenthood is, or how it’s best to get married first, then have children, but no such luck.
I know many teens that saw the movie, some thought it was okay, while others really liked it and thought it was a cute and fun movie. From a mom’s perspective, I didn’t care for it. If you have to see it, I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 14 and up, but I would have a conversation with your kids how it’s just a light hearted movie, with not much substance. I’m going to give the movie two buckets. The movie was centered around the couples love affair, and the trials of parenthood, but not the blessing that is truly is.