We Bought a Zoo Review
Try to find 20 seconds of courage in a frightening situation; that’s what guided Benjamin Mee (Matt Damen) his entire life, and that’s what helped him as an adult, as he faced a family crisis. Benjamin, is a widower with a 14 year old son and a 7 year old daughter. After losing his wife, Benjamin felt that he and the kids needed a new beginning; especially when Dylan (his moody teenage son) was caught stealing, his grades had declined and he continually drew pictures of decapitated men and other horrific drawings. It was time…Benjamin quit his job, took his inheritance, and found the perfect home just outside of town, the only problem is….he bought a house with a zoo. We Bought a Zoo is a heartwarming true story about family, zoo animals, and coping with the loss of a loved one.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 23, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with War Horse!
Talking Points:
“When you love somebody that much, that hard, that long, you can’t get away from them.” That’s what Benjamin tells his kids. Though the movie is about animals, it is not a light heart-hearted movie for kids. The film has a mature subject matter; coping with the pain of losing a loved one. This could spark some great family discussions as we see this family handle their crisis. From the teenage son to the young daughter, they both handle it in different ways.
Benjamin and his son Dylan argue throughout the film. When Dylan gets caught stealing his dad says, “You stole, that breaks my heart.” Another parent/child discussion with teenagers.
I liked the characters and the different relationships in the film. From the zookeeper ( Scarlett Johansson) and zoo’s crew member’s to the family who bought the zoo.
Kids and adults who love animals will enjoy this film. You get to know some of the animals and their different behaviors.
I really enjoyed this movie, however my 12 year old son got a little bored, not enough action for him!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Benjamin’s brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) wants his brother to date again. Forget the dating part, Duncan really thinks his brother needs to be sexually active again.
- Women flirt with Benjamin.
- Benjamin tells Kelly (Scarlett Johansoon), “I don’t want you to be offended if I don’t hit on you.” She says, “I’d be offended if you did.”
Violent Content: Mild
- Dylan’s draws dark and disturbing pictures.
- A grizzly bear breaks out of his enclosure, Benjamin and the bear come face to face, this may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word, a-word and d-word are each used several times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see young adults drinking at a party.
- Character’s drink in a bar.
- One of the zoo’s crew member’s drinks a lot and gets drunk.
Overall We Bought a Zoo is a wonderful, heartwarming film. However, parents need to know that the movie highlights the mourning of a family, and the healing process involved.
Where the Wild Things Are-Kids Movie Review
The movie is based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book. It’s a story about a rambunctious but lonely boy named Max. After a series of uncomfortable conflicts Max runs away, boards a small boat, and sails into the ocean to an island with a mysterious forest, and that’s where we meet 7 enormous, wild creatures.
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Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 18+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie will spark conversations with kids about family relationships.
I enjoyed the music.
While it’s a children’s book, the movie is not for children. The subject matter is way too emotionally involved for kids. Max is a very lonely, sensitive boy looking for attention. The Warner’s Bros. President said, “I would say it’s a movie for adults first and for a certain kind of child second. It doesn’t completely fit your expectation of a pure family film”.
It’s a very depressing movie, when Max is named king of his forest one of the creatures say’s “Will you keep out all the sadness?’ Even the creatures have relationship issues and psychosis, which is fine, but not for a children’s movie. These psychosis and relationship issues create conflict and a kind of evil danger that a small child should not face (either Max or the children viewing the movie).
Max is very disrespectful to his mother, in the movie he yelled, “woman, feed me,” then he bites her shoulder while throwing a temper tantrum.
At one point Max hides in one of the creatures stomachs, and then he comes out of the creatures mouth all slimy and wet.
The previews are misleading, they make the movie look like a light hearted kid’s movie, which it’s not.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Characters kiss.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
In science class the teacher says that the sun will die on day, but that the human race will already have been wiped out by natural disaster and/or disease, well before the sun dies. This may concern kids, and once again, why is this in a children’s movie?
Sendak, the author and one of the producers told the director “Make the story your own, make it personal, make it dangerous.”
Profane or Crude Language: Mild
- The d-word and h-word were used a few times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
The book, “Where the Wild Things Are,” was my husband’s favorite book as a kid, which then became my kids favorite book. The movie was very disappointing to all of us. Parents should take the PG rating seriously. I give it 1/2 bucket!
When in Rome- Teen Movie Review
“When In Rome” is a romantic comedy about a woman named Beth, played by Kristen Bell. She’s an ambitious young curator at the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan. When Beth attends her sister’s wedding in Rome she has too many glasses of champagne, and ends up taking coins from a fountain of love. When Beth returns to New York, she’s suddenly faced with a number of men, all smitten over her. She’s also pursued by Nick (Josh Duhamel), a charming young sports reporter whom she met at her sisters wedding. Now Beth’s really confused, not knowing if Nick is under the magical spell from the coins she picked up, or if he is truly in love with her.
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Rating: Four out of five buckets.
Release Date: June 15, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I was delightfully surprised, this is a PG13 movie, ( for some suggestive content), and really there’s nothing inappropriate about it.
This movie is similar to “Leap Year,” in that it’s a cute, lighthearted, entertaining movie that pre-teen and teenage girls will love. Also, parents won’t feel uncomfortable with the kind of sexual scenes that are in most PG13 movies.
Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel are terrific! There characters are very likable and charming. Danny DeVito, has a role, and is also very funny.
Though the movie is very predictable, and a little cheesy, it’s really enjoyable. It is a chick flick, and I don’t think most boys will like it, though LaDainian Tomlinson (running back for the San Diego Chargers) and Shaquille O’neil are briefly in the movie which may appeal to some boys.
Sexual Content: Mild
- There are a few passionate kisses, but for PG13, that’s not much!
Violent Content: None
Crude of Profane Language: Mild
- A few swear words were used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters were drinking alcohol.
The theatre was packed, and the audience was thoroughly entertained, as I could tell from all laughter in the theater.
The movie didn’t get the best reviews, but everyone I interviewed from ages 13 to 36, all loved it. Even a few boys commented by saying, “even though it’s a chick flick we thought it was funny.” I’m not sure if they were trying to please their dates, or if they truly enjoyed it, but it’s a great date movie, a great chick flick, and a great movie for girls ages 12 and up!!! I give it 4 buckets for it’s audience.
Valentine’s Day Teen Movie Review
“Valentine’s Day” follows the intertwining story lines of many couples, and singles, over the course of one Valentine’s Day. Throughout the movie, viewers are introduced to a number of characters, all played by famous actors, and their Valentine’s Day stories. Some of their stories are sad, some happy, but they all have one thing in common; how to spend that one special day.
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Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
It’s a cute, fun movie with a couple of good twists.
Reed, Ashton Kutcher, has some great lines. “If you’re ever with a girl that’s too good for you, marry her.”
I thought the movie was appropriately rated, PG13, though parents may feel uncomfortable with some scenes.
The movie got a little boring, I looked at my watch several times throughout the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- When we are first introduced to many of the Valentine’s Day lovers, they’re shown in bed, wearing skimpy clothes. One couple alluded to the wild sex they had just enjoyed the night before.
- Anne Hathaway’s character is an adult phone entertainer. We hear many suggestive conversations with her on the phone.
- I felt most uncomfortable when the high school couple, who are madly in love with each other, plan a romantic encounter. Fortunately, their plans change when the girl decides it’s not the right time. This couple also kiss very passionately several times in school.
- One couple gets into a fight, when they reunite, they can’t wait for the “make up sex.”
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drink alcohol in some scenes.
I interviewed kids ages 5 to 16. Most of the kids liked it, though a couple of girls also thought it got too long. Two 16 year old boys also really liked it, especially the twists in the movie.
I know some fourth grade girls that wanted to see this movie because Taylor Swift is in it. I would not recommend it for young girls, I think it’s fine for girls 13 and up. A great date night movie too.
Overall, it was a fun movie, though the story line got a little too long and boring. But be forewarned, sex is a common theme in the movie. I give it 3 buckets.
Water for Elephants-Teen Movie Review
Twilight fans may get a little confused because our favorite vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is now Jacob. No, he didn’t switch teams, and this is not Twilight. Now Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary school student during the depression, in 1931. He’s just about to take his final exam at Cornell University, when he’s suddenly informed that his parents had just died in a car crash, and that the bank owns everything. So Jacob leaves his home, doesn’t take his final exam, and he jumps on a freight train that changes his life for ever. This train belongs to the owners of Benzini Bros. Circus; just where a vet student on the run is meant to land. Now Jacob gets a job with the circus, falls in love with the circus owners wife, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), and bonds with the special circus elephant, Rosie. This sounds like a romantic love story, which it is, however there’s a lot of drama, violence and suspense in this wonderful movie; which is based on the acclaimed bestseller, Water For Elephants.
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Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 1, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points
The owner of the train, August (Christoph Waltz), was an abusive, dangerous man. He abused the animals, his employees, and his beautiful wife, Marlena. However, Jacob’s character was very likable, he’s a kindhearted man, who truly cares for the animals well-being, and the employees of the circus. He stood for what he believed in, and almost risked his life. Oh, he’s not hard to look at either!
This was a well done movie, with wonderful characters and an unusual subject matter. From the clothes, to the 1930’s music, it was very interesting to see a traveling circus in the depression era. It was much different from the modern love stories in the theaters today.
While I loved the book, and the movie, there were some things that parents may feel uncomfortable with. This may not be the right movie for the tween girls, who only want to see Robert Pattinson. The content listed below are some reasons why:
Sexual Content: Moderate
• Jacob and Marlena have an affair; we see them in a hotel room, and it’s implied they’re having a sexual encounter. Though Jacob rescues her from an abusive relationship, she is still a married women. Something that could spark a parent/child conversation.
• Circus performers talk about some sexual situations that they had been in.
• One circus girl performed a striptease act for all the men involved in the circus. We only see her back, but it’s implied that she’s topless. She also fondles Jacob and wants to be with him.
Violent Content: Excessive and Disturbing
The movie has many violent and disturbing scenes:
• August, the owner, went from being a nice, happy, lovable guy, to an evil person at any given moment. His mood swings were creepy and scary. He abused Rosie the elephant with his bull hook, while viciously jabbing him.
• August abused his wife Marlena, this was disturbing to see, which may scare some kids.
• When August doesn’t have enough money to pay his employees, he throws them out of the moving train. We see two dead men who were thrown out onto rocks near the track.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
• I was so focused on the violence that I only noticed a small amount of profanity. Words such as; the s-word, d-word and the a-word.
Water for Elephants was a wonderful book and movie. I loved the storyline with the drama and suspense, and the romantic aspect of it. However, I review movies on whether they are appropriate for kids; I would not recommend this movie for kids under 13. I think even some older teens may feel uncomfortable with the subject matter.