The Woman in Black Review
Horror movies always scare me so I decided to bring my mom. Daniel Radcliffe plays a young British lawyer named Arthur Kipps. His wife had passed away in childbirth, which was extremely difficult for Arthur. Before he could completely focus on his son, and get his life back in order, Arthur had a simple work project to finish; he had to take care of a deceased client’s legal papers. However, this client’s papers were crumpled up and hidden all over a creepy old mansion, on an island in the middle of nowhere. The locals warned Arthur of the strange happenings in this house, and advised him not to go there, but Arthur wanted to take of care business, and that’s what Arthur did, and that’s where he met the women in black. The Women in Black, is a mystery/suspense horror film, one that I don’t recommend for children.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 15+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of “Big Miracle”
Talking Points:
Many kids want to see this movie because of Daniel Radcliffe, after all he’s Harry Potter. However, this was a creepy, scary movie one that I don’t recommend for kids. There were many disturbing scenes, as we saw dead children, and very strange, spooky characters throughout the film.
The only positive comment I have to make; Daniel Radcliffe did an amazing job of acting. However, I wish he would have picked another film, especially after playing Harry Potter for so many years.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- A ghost appears and silently tells children to kill themselves.
- We see a girl set herself of fire.
- A young boy walks towards an oncoming train.
- We see a girl spitting up blood.
- Arthur placed a crucifix on a child’s corpse.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” is said once
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and brandy.
I’m not a big fan of horror films, and I really didn’t like this one for children. In addition to the scary, dark parts, I thought the film was long and boring. Depending on the kid; teenagers that like horror films may find this appealing, though, I doubt it.
The Vow Review
“For Better or for Worse.” Newlywed’s Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) had their challenges two months after their marriage. The couple survived a horrific car accident, however, Paige suffered head injuries, and experienced personality changes. She had no idea who her husband was, and no recollection of their relationship. Being a dedicated and faithful husband, Leo tried to help his wife, hoping to rebuild their relationship; after all he made a vow. The Vow is a heartfelt love story, inspired by true events.
Rating: 4 1/2
Release Date: May 8, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with Journey 2: The Mysterious Island!
Talking Points:
It was amazing to see Leo’s love and dedication to his wife. He did everything he could to spark her memory, though unsuccessful. She only recognized her family, and childhood friends.
Paige had an estranged relationship with her family. She hadn’t seen them in years; they had never even met Leo. It was nice that they reunited after the accident, though her parent’s weren’t supportive of her marriage with Leo.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Before the accident, Paige and Leo are in the car, and Paige says, “A girl’s guaranteed to get preggers if she does it in a car.” This may spark an interesting parent/child conversation!
- When the couple is dating, they had frequent overnights together. We see them in bed on top of each other.
- After the accident we see the couple strip down to their underwear, and jump into a lake. She also has on a bra.
- The couple kiss passionately.
- We hear a suggestive voicemail.
- In one scene we see Leo, naked, though only his back side.
- After the accident, Paige flirts and kisses her ex-fiance.
Violent Content: Mild
- The accident is shown in slow motion, as Paige goes through the windshield.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as, “s–t,” “h–l,” “d–n,” “a–,” and “d–k,” are used about 1 to 3 times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Character’s are shown drinking alcohol at various parties and social gatherings.
Overall The Vow was an amazing, heartfelt love story. I would recommend this for kids ages 12+. It’s also a great date night movie!!
The Three Stooges Review
Moe, Larry and Curly are back, and still up to their old shenanigans. However, this time the three Stooges are on a mission to save their childhood orphanage. The orphanage needs $830,000, or it will have to shut down and send the children to a foster home. The Stooges come across many adventures as they try to fulfill their mission, and save the orphanage. However, because there’s an immoral relationship involving a key character woven throughout the film as well as constant slapstick violence, I do not recommend this for kids.
Rating: 1 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, along with Lockout!
Talking Points:
I felt the Stooges goal of saving the orphanage was admirable. I also admired their friendship and dedication to each other. A nice lesson for kids.
There were a lot of silly, goofy scenes. In one scene the Stooges were in a room full of babies, and proceeded to spray each other with the babies urine. This was disgusting, though I’m sure kids will find it humorous.
Moe ended up on the reality show, Jersey Shore. Once again he had fun poking, boinking and torturing them as well.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Women wear revealing low cut outfits.
- There were immoral sexual relationships and suggestive references however, there were no inappropriate visual scenes.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Where do I begin….There was continuous hitting, poking, slapping and silly violence throughout the whole film.
- We saw a character putting hot irons on another character’s chest.
- A women, who was having an affair, convinced the Stooges to kill her husband. This created a lot more silly violence and mayhem.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “What the…?” was said.
- “Knuckleheads” and “nitwits,” were also said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s were shown drinking alcohol.
As the film concluded the directors appeared on screen explaining that the tools used in the film were made out of rubber. They told the kids in the audience to “please play safe at home.” With the violence and immoral themes, I don’t recommend this for kids. Instead of The Three Stooges, take your youngsters to see Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.
The Three Musketeers Review
“All for one and one for all,” that’s the very familiar motto of the Three Musketeers. Based on the French classic novel, The Three Musketeers is about an arrogant teenage boy named D’Artagnan, (Logan Lerman) who lives 18th Century France. He leaves his home in rural France to become one of the king’s elite guardsman, the Musketeers. After arriving in Paris, D’Artagnan inadvertently impresses the The Three Musketeers with his confidence and charm. While spending much time together, he and his new friends eventually come to realize that the evil Cardinal (Christoph Waltz), along with some other villains, have a plan to overthrow the French monarchy. So now D’Artagnan, and the Musketeers must rally together to defeat the villains, and save their country. This is an action packed, adventurous film, one that your kids will most likely enjoy!
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Initially the three Musketeers were down and depressed and in a rut. However when the young D’Artagnan arrived, his excitement and energy encouraged the Musketeers, and stressed that there are still things worth fighting for.
I loved the characters in this film, from D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman) to the Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom); they were very entertaining, and very captivating to young kids.
I interviewed several boys ages 10 to 12, all of whom loved the film. Even the parents liked it.
When D’Artagnan gives the King some relationship advice about girls, he says, “speak from your heart, be yourself, and be someone who cares.” I thought this was a sweet, sincere scene.
D’Artagnan falls in love with Constance, one of the queens ladies-in-waiting. Their relationship was also very sweet and innocent.
The Cardinal and Milady de Winter were very deceiving and cruel characters.The Cardinal tells Milady that she has a gift for corruption, and that he admires her skills. This could spark a good parent/child discussion of how not to behave.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Many of the women wear low cut outfits, we see a lot of cleavage.
- There are several kisses, mainly with D’Artagnan and his love interest.
- There’s some suggestive bantering throughout the film, mostly with Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich). She was willing to sleep with anyone to get what she wanted.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are several sword fights and fist fights, some of which were a little cartoonish and not very intense.
- There’s an intense battle scene at the end of the film, we see many bloody cuts on D’Artagnan.
- There are many explosions, with things being blown up.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word, h-word, d-word, a-word are used and “b–tard,” is said once.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see several characters drinking alcohol.
- One of the Musketeers was so drunk he passed out.
Overall this is a fun, entertaining movie. I don’t think it will be the most memorable movie, but I do think kids will enjoy it. This is a PG13 movie that most parents can feel comfortable taking their kids to.However, parents need to be aware of the moderate violence and some profane language. I recommend this film for kids, (especially boys), ages 10 and up.
The Hobbit: An Expected Journey Review
He missed his armchair, he missed his books, and he missed his home. That’s how Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) felt when he expectantly left his home to help thirteen dwarves reclaim their Dwarf Kingdom; which had been attacked by the dragon Smaug. Continue reading