Katy Perry: Part of Me Review
Katy Perry’s goal is to make people smile, and that’s what she does in this wonderful musical documentary. In this film we get to know Katy Perry; we see many behind the scenes moments of her California Dreams Tour. We also get to know her family and friends, as we watch Katy Perry become an iconic pop star.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: September 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Initially I was not excited about seeing this movie, but now I’m a fan! It was interesting to learn about Katy Perry. Though a little weird, she’s a very nice, loyal person. Her family, friends and fans, are what’s truly important to her, and after seeing many interviews with her parents, siblings, grandma and best friends; it’s quite apparent. One of her employee’s said, “Working for Katy Perry is like working with a friend”.
Katy is an intelligent hard-working women, and never gave up on her dream. Things didn’t come easily for her, after several years of working and trying to become a success, she went through many difficult times. However when her song, I Kissed a Girl, came out, it was a big hit, which made her a famous pop-star.
Growing up, Katy’s parents were traveling ministers, so initial she only sang gospel music. Katy writes her own lyrics from life experiences.
The most poignant part of the movie was Perry’s relationship with Russell Brand. We sense her sincere affection for her husband and see her broken heart when it doesn’t last.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Katy wore some revealing outfits while performing, but most of them were fine.
- The lyrics in some of her songs are inappropriate.
- We see Katy and her husband kissing.
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” and “a–,” are said once. The word “fart,” was shown on the screen.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Katy Perry is a wonderful entertainer, and seems to be a good person. This was a fun, entertaining movie, one that I’m sure her fans will enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the inappropriate lyrics in some of her songs. I feel this is an appropriate film for kids ages 8 and up.
Just Go With It Review
This is the story about a plastic surgeon named Danny (Adam Sandler). His pick up line is that he’s in a horrible marriage. These women feel sorry for him and jump at the opportunity to comfort him. However, things change when Danny meets Palmer, a beautiful 23 year old schoolteacher. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but when she finds his “fake wedding ring” a whole set of new lies begin. The only problem is that Palmer wants to meet his soon to be ex-wife. So Danny enlists his loyal assistant, Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) to be his pretend wife. The lies snowball and the Danny’s troubles accelerate, but in the end he comes to realize what’s really important.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: June 7, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of Gnomeo and Juliet!
Talking Points:
I know many 8 to 12 year old kids that wanted to see this movie because of Adam Sandler. He’s funny, charming and great with the kids in the movie.
The characters in the film are very likable. Katherine’s kids (Danny’s pretend kids) were great actors, very funny, and entertaining for kids in the theater.
Sexual Content:
- Danny is a plastic surgeon, many sexual jokes are stemmed from his profession….enlargements of body parts was a constant joke throughout the film.
- There are many sexual references, which most likely the kids won’t understand.
Profane/Crude Language: Moderate
- The two kids in the film swear, which had kids in the theater laughing.
- Many crude jokes and a lot potty humor.
I interviewed kids and parents after the movie. They thought it was hilarious, however, most of them were Adam Sandler fans. One mom, who brought her 8 year son, said she wasn’t concerned about the inappropriate jokes, they went over her son’s head.
Overall this is an entertaining, fun movie. It’s not going to win an Oscar, and it’s not a deep, thought provoking movie; but it is a nice escape from our day to day concerns…… isn’t that why most people go the movies?
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Review
Most teenagers feel that they can do things on their own, without their parents help or wisdom. That’s how Sean Anderson,(Josh Hutcherson) felt. He claimed that he could take care of himself; and he especially didn’t want any advice from his step-father (Dwayne Johnson). However, things changed the day Sean received a coded signal from a mysterious island. Since his step-father was once in the Navy, Sean realized that he might need his help after all. So Sean and his step-father decoded the secret message, and discovered that the note was from Sean’s long-lost Grandpa (Michael Caine). So now Sean, his step-father, a helicopter pilot, and the pilot’s beautiful daughter (Vanessa Hudgens) ventured out to find the mysterious island; and that’s when the excitement begins. A sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, is an action/adventure, sci-fi movie, with some great messages for kids!
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 5, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group:8+
Sexual Content:Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
See a clip of my review here, along with a review of The Vow!
Talking Points:
Initially Sean wanted nothing to do with his step-father, however they gradually developed a special relationship,which was nice to see. Hank (the step-father), gave some great parenting tips on making wise choices, and he even gave some advice about girls.
When researching the island, Sean and his step-father got clues from classic novels. Great for kids to see!
Kailani,(Vanessa Hudgens) the helicopter owner’s teenage daughter was very close with her father. She frequently expressed her love for him, and appreciated his protection and care. Great parent/child conversation.
I felt the movie was a little corny and unrealistic, though kids may feel differently.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Kailani wore a low-cut tank top and short shorts.
- Sean and Kailani briefly kissed.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are many chase scenes with giant lizards, huge birds and an electric eel. This may scare young kids.
- We also saw an enormous spider, which was scary looking, however not threatening.
- When the island started to sink, volcanoes erupted, the land shook, and things got very chaotic.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Characters say, “heck” and “crap.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a film for the whole family. Younger kids may get a little scared in parts, though most likely they’ll be be entertained, especially with some parental comfort. Depending on your child, I recommend this film for kids ages 8 and up.
Invictus Review
“Invictus” is based on a true story of how newly elected South African President, Nelson Mandela, united his country through means of rugby. He knew his nation was racially and economically divided. With the help of the national team’s rugby captain, played by Matt Damon, Mandela inspires South Africa’s rugby team to make history as they make it to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 18, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Talking Points:
Forgiveness is the crucial theme of the movie. Mandela says, “Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” After spending 27 years for opposing apartheid, rather than seeking revenge, Mandela learned that in order for his country to survive, they must forgive and unite.
Invictus is Latin for “unconquerable,” it is a Victorian poem that inspired and strengthened Mandela while he was in prison. He references the poem frequently by saying, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” He also stresses to the rugby captain that a leader leads by example, which Mandela did an outstanding job of.
Some fun and amusing scenes throughout the movie involved Mandela’s black and white bodyguards. Initially Mandela’s longtime black bodyguards were upset when he added more bodyguards, who were white. It was wonderful to see them work together and gradually bond throughout the movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
- It’s implied two characters sleep together.
Violent Content: Moderate
Rugby is an aggressive, violent sport, played without pads. I did not enjoy the rugby scenes all that much, though it got very exciting.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- One f-word, and a few other swear words throughout the movie.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Players drink beer throughout the movie.
“Invictus” is an outstanding well-done movie. It was very interesting and educational. My 10 year old son liked it, though he got confused at times. My 12 and 13 year olds liked it a lot and thought it was very interesting. My 13 year old daughter thought Nelson Mandela was a very sweet, compassionate old man. She said, “His smile was contagious.” I felt the same way. We also saw about ten 16 year old boys in the theatre. They liked it as well. One boy said, “It was awesome.”
I loved the movie, though I’m giving it four buckets because the subject matter may not interest kids. It’s a 5 bucket movie, but a 4 bucket family movie.
Imagine That Review
Evan, played by Eddie Murphy, is a financial executive who barely has time for his 7 year old daughter,Olivia, because he’s a workaholic, and focuses more on his computer, blackberry and business phone calls. When he’s faced with a challenge at work, he finds solutions to his problem in his daughters imaginary world. Olivia’s pretend friends come up with advice on which stocks her dad should buy and sell, and they’re always right. Evan eventually learns to loosen up at home, and has fun with his daughter, and her imaginary friends. He and his daughter end up developing a wonderful relationship.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: October 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I love the father-daughter relationship. Initially, Evan is a self-absorbed business man. He’s even upset with his estranged wife when he has to watch his daughter (Olivia) for a week. Eventually he realizes that Olivia matters more than his career, and at the end of the movie he’s even willing to sacrifice his career for a healthy relationship with his daughter.
There’s real warmth in the father-daughter scenes. Evan sings and dances with his daughter, and it’s really cute when he teaches her how to sing “All You Need Is Love.”
When Olivia develops a strong emotional bond with her father, she’s ready to throw out her security blanket(Goo-Gaa), and say goodbye to her imaginary friends.
Younger kids may get confused with Evan’s career problems and his relationship with his office competitor. It’s also very predicable, but the story is so charming and cute it doesn’t matter how predicable it is.
Sexual Content: Mild
- One character wears a form-fitting outfit.
Violent Content: Mild
- Slap stick silly violence. Children throw balls at Evan.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- H-word and “idiot” are used. Adults say, “crap” and “big ol butt.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink beer.
I interviewed kids ages 6 to 12 that all really liked it a lot. They liked Olivia.
Overall it’s a feel good, family friendly movie, with a sweet message about the importance of family. The movie stresses that work and a career are important, but spending quality time with your kids and spouse, are what matters most. I give it 4 buckets.