Movie Reviews

What to watch...and what to skip!

By: Jean Joachim

Click on movie titles to link to trailers and more.

THE AVENGERS (Approx. running time: approx. 142 minutes) 

Rated PG-13   Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson

Since I’ve seen all the movies with these characters before, it was fun revisiting them and seeing them interact and the story continue.

Loki, Thor’s (Hemsworth) brother has gathered an army of his own and is planning to subjugate the people of Earth. Hah! Not so fast! Nick Fury calls together his team, the Avengers, which includes, Iron Man (Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Evans), The Incredible Hulk (Ruffalo) and others to face off with Loki. Thor joins them, too. We do get a brief profile of each of the main characters as they are being brought together, which is a handy reminder.

These Marvel Comics characters are fun, except for the Incredible Hulk, which I still think is a bad example for boys on how to handle anger. There is a ton of violence and some blood in The Avengers. The level of destruction and noise is intense and the computer graphics are amazing.  There is no sex and no bad language. For kids age 11 and up who can handle all the violence, this is a very entertaining, long, movie you can enjoy with your kids. Looking forward to a sequel as I loved the exciting non-stop action and watching all the heroes acting together to defeat the bad guy. P.S. I saw it in 3D which didn’t make it any better for me.

 

THINK LIKE A MAN (Approx. running time: 123 minutes)

Rated PG-13    Starring Chris Brown, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, Meagan Good, Regina Hall

This comedy, taken from Steve Harvey’s book, is a lesson in the sexual morays of dating today and how woman can avoid being taken advantage of by men. This modern day battle of the sexes is sly, clever and loaded with positive underlying messages about telling the truth, not using people and, for women, holding out for a positive relationship. I liked Think Like a Man more than I expected to but it is a film for grown-ups. There are many sexual references and some sexual scenes, making the move more appropriate for teens, age 16 and up. See it with them, there might be questions afterward.

 

THE LUCKY ONE (Approx. running time:  101   minutes)

Rated PG-13               Starring  Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner

The Lucky One is taken from a Nicholas Sparks romance book of the same name. The story is a heart-rending tale of love and loss with a military flavor. The characters are beautifully portrayed, the acting is terrific and the setting of a small country town is charming.

There is one sexual scene done tastefully but it is clear they are sleeping together. I didn’t like the ending, though there is nothing wrong with it for teens. Perhaps my romance writer side sneaking through a bit. But back to kids. There is some violence but no one gets hurt and an occasional bad word. The Lucky One is an adult story best for teens, age 15 and above.  See it with them and go away wearing a smile.

 

GIRL IN PROGRESS (Approx. running time: 90 minutes)

Rated PG-13    Starring Eva Mendes, Matthew Modine, Cierra Ramirez, Patricia Arquette, Raini Rodriguez.

There was a lot to like and dislike about this emotional movie. A high school girl, neglected by her mother, tries to find her way to adulthood taking all the wrong paths.

The mother was thrown out of her house when she got pregnant at seventeen and subsequently never grew up. Now she’s having an affair with a married man, one of a string of men who she has paraded in front of her daughter.

Her daughter is responsible. She does all the housework and takes care of herself while her mother is either working or out on a date. The girl has no guidance or direction because while her mother tries to be a disciplinarian, she’s too selfish and immature to pull it off. I especially hated the scene where the mother had just finished off the last of the cereal and milk leaving nothing for her daughter to eat before school.

The daughter goes through harrowing experiences involving alcohol and sex, looking for answers. She loses her best friend and makes bad choices. Reaching out to her teacher saves the teen and her mother sees the error of her ways and grows up, instantly! I didn’t like the way the daughter attempting to run away brought the mother to her senses. It seemed too pat and easy. The message to kids to run away to get their parents’ attention is not good. No violence but sexual scenes, drinking and bad language make this for kids 13 and over only.

 

 

 

DARK SHADOWS

(Approx. running time: approx. 113 minutes) 

Rated PG-13   Starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green.

Leave it to Tim Burton to combine horror, comedy and thriller elements into something new. Adapted from the TV show from the 1970’s of the same name, this movie was clever, funny and yet had much of the horror of vampire movies as well.

Barnabas Collins (Depp), heir to a fishing fortune in New England in the 1770’, spurns a young woman who, unbeknownst to him, is a witch. She casts a spell on him, turning him into a vampire, then buries him. Two hundred years later, he is accidentally uncovered by a construction crew he proceeds to kill.

Raised to believe family is everything, Barnabas returns to his home only to find the family home in shambles and the family business on the verge of bankruptcy. He decides he’ll build it back up, joins forces with his remaining family members and uncovers hidden assets that provide the money to rebuild.

The family part of the movie includes a rebellious teenage girl and her mom, the worthless brother and his weird son who keeps seeing his dead mother. Side characters like the butler and a shrink (Carter) add humor. Of course the witch is still around and she runs a rival fishing company intent on putting the Collins business out of business.

Most of the clever humor revolves around a man from the 1700’s being thrust into the 1970’s. But the movie has a dark side: there is murder, blood and lots of violence.  There is sexual innuendo and kissing but no bad language. While I enjoyed this movie, the scary scenes make it appropriate for ‘tweens and teens from eleven on up.

THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS 3D
(Running time: approx. 88 minutes)

Rated PG      Animated with the voices of Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Imelda Staunton

What a cute, funny, enjoyable movie! The Pirate Captain (Grant) is anything but a ferocious, successful pirate. Still, he's decided to enter the contest for Pirate of the Year. He's blown out of the contest by two more successful looters.

He sails to London where he must avoid running into the infamous pirate-hater, Queen Victoria. In London he meets Charles Darwin, who bemoans his lack of success finding a girlfriend, and discovers the Pirate Captain has a unique treasure: Polly, the Pirate Captain's beloved parrot. Polly isn't a parrot at all but the last of the extinct Dodo birds.

A greedy Charles Darwin, his highly trained monkey and the craziness that ensues as Pirate Captain enters Polly to win a scientific award is slapstick funny. He's certain the huge riches from this award will give him enough booty to win Pirate of the Year.

There is so much funny mayhem going on, both silly enough for kids and clever enough for adults to keep you and your family entertained the whole way through. I loved The Pirates! Band of Misfits.

The messages about the Pirate Captain learning about greed and friendship are good. There is some violence but no blood and nothing upsetting. There is no bad language and no sex. Even the scene with the giant fish eating the boat shown in the previews didn't turn out to be scary. This is a don't miss movie the whole family can enjoy. Take your kids six and up who can understand what an extinct species is.

Rated G Documentary       Narrated by Tim Allen

I have seen all the Disney Nature documentary films and this is the best one. While the other films told survival stories of various animals, they were slow. This one is not. The story of Oscar the baby chimp, his mother and their group, headed up by Freddy, a large male, is more compelling and more personal. Perhaps it’s because we are so closely related to chimps.

The story details the fight for survival of one group of chimps threatened by a rival “tribe” or “gang” of chimps whose territory abuts theirs. We see the day-to-day lives of chimps living in the Ivory Coast in Africa. Watch chimps make and use tools, play, groom, make beds and look for food. It’s a fascinating study and I was riveted.

When the rival gang attacks Freddy’s group to take over their valuable nut tree grove, Oscar’s mother gets killed. Oscar is not ready to be on his own and must find a protector to take care of him and show him the ropes of chimp survival in the rain forest.

This engrossing film does have some chimp violence. One scene when the chimps decide to capture and eat a monkey may be scary. You don’t see the chimps rip the monkey apart but you do see them eating it. There is no bad language or sex. I recommend this movie, shorter than most, to all families with children age eight and up who won’t be disturbed by the killing of the monkey. Don’t miss this one.

 

BULLY
(Running time: approx. 90 minutes)

Not Rated Documentary

Bullying is such an important issue, I've devoted my entire column today to the excellent documentary spreading through the country.

It's rare I see a movie I think everyone should see, but Bully is one. Remember the Our Gang comedies and the original Three Stooges? Bullies were a big part of those shows. Butch in Our Gang would torment the other kids, bullying and threatening. Everyone laughed. Or did they? Was bullying ever a laughing matter? It surely isn't now. Children are dying because of bullies and it's time we all stood up and did something about it. Watching the movie Bully can be the first step.

The movie opens with Tyler's father speaking. We learn of the life of an adorable little boy who grew up to be a loner. Bullied mercilessly in high school, he commits suicide at age seventeen. The movie shifts to Alex, a thirteen-year-old who was born prematurely and looks a bit different than the other kids. He is bullied on the school bus, threatened, choked, pushed and taunted all in front of the camera.

Another highlighted child is a lesbian who came out to her parents and is shunned in school. The entire family is isolated as former friends refuse to even wave a greeting to them. The story of Ty will break your heart. He was bullied to death at eleven years old! The movie shifts to the disturbing case of a quiet African-American girl who was bullied to the breaking point. She brought her mother's gun with her and brandished it on the school bus. No one was shot but she was arrested and put in psychiatric care.

The movie shows how kids, teachers, school bus drivers, principals and other educational administrators ignore the problem. Parents, sometimes unaware their child is being bullied, also may not be taking action. And parents who do stand up and speak out are more often than not ignored by school officials.

I think seeing Bully is important because one of the key findings of the movie is that children often don't go to their parents, don't tell anyone what is happening. So it's vital for parents to be vigilant and communicate with their children. Do you know if your child is being bullied at school, on the school bus or the walk home?

Another eye-opening revelation was from the father of the lesbian teen who admitted that before he knew he had a "different" child, he was as closed-minded as others. Being thrust into this circumstance has made him aware of what it's like to be different, have a child who is different, not only for himself but for others.

Too many adults fall back on the tired adage, "kids will be kids". Cruelty must never be tolerated. Mr. Smalley, the father of the eleven year old who took his life, started an organization called "Stand for the Silent". This group raises awareness of bullying and encourages parents, administrators and especially other kids to speak out and stand up for kids who are being bullied.

There is some bad language in this film but take kids ages 9 or 10 and up to see Bully. Maybe this movie will save the life of your child.

THE THREE STOOGES
(Running time: approx. 94 minutes)

Rated PG     Starring Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, Chris Diamantopoulos, Larry David, Jane Lynch

The Farelly Brothers are responsible for this revival of a famous slapstick group from 50 years ago. As a former Three Stooges fan, I came to this movie with an open mind. When I was a kid and watched their short films on TV, I was never tempted to do any of their crazy stunts. However, when I saw this new movie I realized how easy and harmless the gags look. The Farelly brothers come on during the credits to show kids the sledgehammer is rubber, how sound affects make it sound authentic and to keep kids from trying these things at home.

This team of Stooge imitators are quite good. They have the voices, intonations and signature styles of the original Stooges down pat. The movie is divided up into three shorts, like the original Stooge episodes. They are dropped off at an orphanage as infants. The orphanage scenes did not get many laughs from the kids in the audience who, at first, were rather horrified by the violent stunts. By the second episode they got that it was supposed to be funny and no one was getting hurt.

In the next episode, the Stooges agree to murder a man they are told is dying a horrible death anyway by his wife, a buxom brunette who has a boyfriend. The plots are a complicated, e.g., kids getting adopted or not getting adopted, rather than simply being set-ups for clever slapstick stunts and routines like the original Stooges. There are plenty of dangerous-looking bits, face-slapping and phony eye-poking to satisfy any Three Stooges fan.

The movie tries to have good messages. Is it entertaining? The kids in the audience laughed through the second half and gave it a big round of applause at the end so I guess the answer is "yes". "The disclaimer at the end makes me a bit nervous. There is plenty of violence, no bad language or sex in The Three Stooges. Are your kids going to try to recreate these stunts? Only you can judge. Best for kids eight and above who won't imitate the actions at home.

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN
(Running time: approx. 112 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas

This is an intriguing, funny, poignant film more for adults than kids. The story is about a Sheik who decides it'd be good for his people to build a river in Yemen and stock it with salmon. To this end, he hires a company in London to make it happen. Harriet (Blunt) the agent for the Sheik hires Dr. Alfred "Fred" Jones (McGregor), a fish expert to do a study and fulfill the Sheik's dream.

Fred thinks the project is stupid and hasn't a chance. He makes fun of it in a sarcastic manner but is forced by his boss to go ahead with it. The personal side: Harriet is dating a member of the British Army who gets transferred to Afghanistan three weeks into their relationship. Fred and his wife, Mary, have a slowly deteriorating relationship.

The movie then moves into a three-person film with Harriet, the Sheik and Fred.

At first this seemed a small film, comedic and quirky. After a while it got serious and the characters were developed. There is a brief bedroom scene more about the characters' relationship than about sex and some swearing, in British English and a little violence. Though I found parts of the film not thoroughly explained, it's an unusual, quieter movie than most that I enjoyed with some valuable messages about helping the poor and confusing messages about relationships. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is most appropriate for teens 16 and up.

MIRROR, MIRROR
(Running time: approx. 106 minutes)

Rated PG     Starring Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane

There was so much that was good and funny about this movie until they added a few scary scenes: one where huge marionettes attack the dwarfs and one with a huge, half-serpent, half-wolf beast that lived in the forest. Why did they have to ruin this movie for younger children?

This is the retelling of the tale of Snow White (Collins) and the evil Queen (Roberts). It's more like a fractured fairy tale with a Prince (Hammer) who gets overpowered by the seven dwarfs and a queen who vows to marry the prince to shore up her dwindling coffers. But the prince has already met and fallen in love with Snow White. The incredible vanity of the queen and her evil attitude aren't scary, they are funny.

There are some scary elements in Mirror, Mirror. Snow White's mother dies in the first scene, though that is not show, only mentioned, then her father disappears in the frightening woods. The two scenes previously mentioned are real stunners and keep me limiting the age on this movie to kids ages nine and up, who don't have problems with nightmares. There is violence, no bad language and no sex but a couple of innocent kisses. The beast in the woods swoops down with a huge serpent tail and scared the snakes out me. I did like the message about paying a price for evil doings.

Otherwise, Mirror, Mirror has laughs for older kids and adults. It's a fun movie and a pleasant way to pass a cold or rainy afternoon.

WRATH OF THE TITANS
(Running time: approx. 99 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes

I loved the Clash of the Titans, the first movie in this series. This movie had some plot problems. First off, they got rid of Perseus' (Worthington) wife, right from the get-go. Then they had Hades getting revenge on Zeus but being stupid about it so they would all suffer. Zeus' other son gets involved and helps kill his father and tries to kill Perseus, too.

There was plenty of action and terrific computer effects and several scary monsters in Wrath of the Titans. Perseus' love for and devotion to his son moved me and served as his motivation to get involved.

While the first movie was fascinating, this one had a confusing plot. I often didn't know where they were or who some of the characters were. Still, this is a mythology action movie and it does keep you entertained with rarely a minute without some physical conflict going on. Since his wife is out of the picture, Perseus falls for the Queen of Greece. Makes me wonder if she's going to die in the next movie, if there is one. It's bad luck to get involved with Perseus, it seems. Plenty of violence, no bad language and no sex make this best for kids age 10 and up who can handle the monsters.

THE HUNGER GAMES
(Running time: approx. 2.5 hours minutes) 

Rated PG-13      Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson

I haven’t read The Hunger Games books, but the movie was spectacular, one of the best I’ve seen. The two-and-a-half hours flew by like twenty minutes.

The movie opens in the ruins of what was once North America. Now it is ruled by a dictator and is called Panem. Once each year to remind the people about their disastrous uprising, the government plucks two teenagers from each of twelve districts to fight each other to the death. The one remaining teen wins food for his or her district. The hunger games are televised to the masses as both a punishing reminder and intimidation tactic.

Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) is an older teen who takes care of her mother and younger sister after her father is killed in the uprising.  The teens are selected at random and this year, Katniss’ younger sister is one of the unlucky ones whose number is picked. In a panic, Katniss volunteers to go in her sister’ place. She is scooped up and transported to the capital with the boy, Peeta (Hutcherson) from her district.

Katniss hated Peeta due to an old grudge. But as the two teens train together, she learns of his feelings for her and the difficulties in his life. They become friends before the competition begins.

Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson), a former winner and now a drunk, is hired to coach the teens. He proves to be shrewd as he falls under the spell of the earnest, doomed competitors. But are they doomed?

The movie creates a fantastic fantasy world where people are disconnected from each other. They resemble a more subtle version the blood thirsty crowds of Roman times but done up in the fanciest, most colorful costumes ever. The author is a member of the screenplay team which may have something to do with the tight, tension-filled script.

There is bloodshed, violence, no bad language and two chaste kisses. The concept may be frightening for younger children but for kids 11 and up, this is one spectacular movie. See it with your kids, this is a “don’t miss” movie and probably an Oscar contender. I adored it.

A THOUSAND WORDS
(Running time: approx.  91 minutes) 

Rated PG-13     Starring Eddie Murphy, Cliff Curtis, Kerry Washington

I admit to being a die-hard Eddie Murphy fan. A smooth talking literary agent, Jack McCall (Murphy), pitches a popular guru who has written a book. After signing the guru, a tree spring up in his backyard. For every word he utters, a leaf falls off the tree. The Guru tells him when all the leaves fall off, the tree will die and so will Jack. So the man who makes his living shooting phony words at people must shut up.

Mr. Murphy is a comic genius and the part of the film when he tries to get along without talking is clever and original. Then the movie turns serious as more leaves fall and Jack panics. In the process of not communicating with his wife and business associates, Jack loses his job and his wife leaves him.

What I liked about Jack is though he’s a fast talker, often skirting the truth, he is a man who cares for his wife, child and aged mother. His desperation to live and hang on to his family is touching. When he comes to terms with the emotional, truthful side of himself, he is saved. I loved the messages the movie conveys and humor is always welcome. There is no violence but some bad language and a scene with sexual overtones that don’t get played out. A Thousand Words is best for teens, thirteen and over. See it with the kids.

JOHN CARTER
(Running time: approx. 132 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Ciaran Hinds

John Carter is adapted from a story by Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan) called A Princess of Mars. I found it fascinating this science fantasy story was created in 1917. Burroughs went on to pen the Barsoom series, becoming an inspiration to Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and other famous science fiction writers. I love the fact the basic story is written by an accomplished story teller.

I’m fascinated by the elements of the Western novel in this story as the beginning takes place in the Wild West. Moving back and forth between planets is also intriguing. There wasn’t anything dull about this movie. Its action packed with lots of tension and plot twists. The Star Wars meets Sherlock Holmes aspects of the movie will keep you glued to your seat, waiting to have the mystery uncovered at the end.

There is violence in John Carter but no bad language or sex. There is a strong message about us destroying our own worlds through wars with each other, passed along painlessly and simply so children can understand. The computer graphics are excellent and the monster-dog creature along with a few other funny bits add welcome comic relief.

John Carter is a science fantasy tale well-told, appropriate for children ages 11 and up. I’m not sure why it’s rated PG-13. There are a few scary large monsters on the screen but they are not there long. Who knew that back in 1917 the imagination of a writer could conjure up a fantasy world that would fascinate audiences in 2012?

THE LORAX  
(Running time: approx.  94 minutes) 

Rated PG      Animated with the voices of: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White

I haven’t read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss so I didn’t know what to expect. I understand that the movie has been adapted from the book, which means some elements have been changed. This beautifully animated environmental message in a movie brought down to a level kids can understand is completely enchanting.

It begins in a completely plastic town where a pretty high school girl (Swift) wishes to see a real tree. A high school boy (Efron) who has a crush on her makes it his mission to find one. Granny (White) , being older, remembers when there were real trees and she steers the boy to the Once-ler. When he connects with this grizzly old character hiding behind hi boarded up dwelling, the story begins.

I remember examining The Lorax when I was buying Dr. Seuss books for my kids and putting it aside as too dark. It does have a strong environmentalist and responsibility theme, but the movie has brightened it up with charming humor and gorgeous computer graphics.

I like the idea of brightening darker themes to make them more palatable to families. Getting the point across about our responsibility to take care of our environment is a great theme and it’s nice not to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer about it.

There is a little pretend violence in a wonderfully funny chase scene, no bad language or sex. My only caveat and I don’t know why this was done is that the previews before the movie were for Tim Burton’s new movie, ParaNorman and a movie made by the makers of Coraline. These were very scary previews. Some of the little children in the audience were frightened.  The Lorax should be fine for kids age five and up, younger than I usually recommend. Don’t miss this one, parents, it’s outstanding. But do duck in after the previews.

GONE
(Running time: approx. 87 minutes)

Rated PG-13      Starring  Amanda Seyfried, Wes Bentley, Jennifer Carpenter

I have often been disappointed in today’s thrillers where a sudden appearance by an unexpected object or person is often used to startle you and pass for suspense. They haven’t learned from the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, that’s not how it’s done.

Expecting more of the same from Gone, I was pleasantly surprised. Jill(Seyfried) is a young woman who was attending college when she was abducted and put in a huge hole in the forest. She managed to fight off her abductor and escape but has lived with the horrid memories ever since. She now waits tables in a small restaurant at night and lives with her sister, a college student.

When Jill’s sister, Molly (Carpenter), disappears the police don’t do anything because they don’t believe Jill ever had an abductor and that Molly is missing. I can’t reveal much more without spoiling the plot. There was violence, a little bad language and sexual innuendo. This was a suspenseful ride, best for kids not prone to nightmares ages 13 and up. I was impressed with the theme of a young woman taking care of herself. It wasn’t predictable, either.

THIS MEANS WAR
(Running time: approx.  98 minutes) 

Rated PG-13     Starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy

This Means War is a good old-fashioned sex comedy. Two top CIA operatives fall for the same woman and turn their covert tactics on each other to win her affections. The movie begins with the heroes blowing an operation where the target got away. Then we cut to the lovely lady who does product testing for a living who wants to meet a man.

First you have the violence and fighting with guns blazing. Then you have the dirty tricks these guys, who are best friends, play on each other to win the fair lady. While the movie was cute and the stars were attractive and winning, the theme is adult. There was a bit of fleshing out the characters as we saw the men’s backgrounds, including ex-wives and loss of parents in childhood. There is some bad language, violence, sexual situations and plenty of discussions between our lady and her best friend plus one sex scene that is cut short.

This romantic story is best for teens 16 and up and parents. It’s entertaining and fun but for adults only.

 TYLER PERRY’S GOOD DEEDS
(Running time: not given. Estimated at about 1.5 hours)

Rated PG-13     Starring Tyler, Perry, Thandie Newton, Gabrielle Union

I love Tyler Perry movies and this one is no exception. Wesley Deeds (Perry) is a man doing what he’s supposed to do, what he’s been raised to do. Coming from a well-to-do family and running a business his father founded and built up. Wesley is engaged to the appropriate woman and living an orderly, dutiful life. Somewhere inside of him beats a whisker of rebelliousness. Wesley would like to ride a motorcycle through Africa and help poor people there by digging wells.

He crosses paths with a young woman who has fallen on hard times through no fault of her own. She has a daughter and is struggling, unsuccessfully, to make a home for her. Wesley does step in and help her but during a gradual process of them getting to know each other.

Of course this perfect life comes unraveled as tensions with his alcoholic brother and controlling mother heat up. As usual with Mr. Perry’s films, the messages are all good here. His philosophy about kindness to others, giving back when you have so much, not letting pride stand in your way and personal responsibility being important in life came across loud and clear. As with some of his movies, the themes are more for adults than children. There are sexual references in several instances though no bad language. But there is a brief scene of a thwarted attack in a shelter and a fight between the brothers.

The Wesley Deed character, a child that does everything he can to fulfill his parent’s wishes, is one not often tackled in movies. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds is an excellent movie but with adult themes. See it with your child of 15 or older.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARIETTY
(Running time: approx.  94 minutes) 

Rated G     Animated with the voices of Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, and Will Arnett

This anime film made in Japan but distributed through Disney is a story adapted from the well-known children’s book The Borrowers. This film is the charming story of Arietty and her parents, tiny people who live under the floor of a country house. They must stay invisible to remain safe. But they sneak around the house “borrowing” things they need, like a cube of sugar or a pin to act as a sword. Arietty, a fourteen year old girl, is about to go on her first borrowing expedition with her father.

A young boy has come to stay at the house because he has a heart condition and needs rest, peace and quiet before he undergoes heart surgery. He is a gentle and lonely soul. By accident, he sees Arietty.  Although Arietty’s mother gets hysterical, Arietty cautiously befriends the boy who means them no harm.

There is a mean housekeeper who grabs the mother and puts her in a jar. But the boy helps Arietty to free her mom. His friendship with the little people gives the boy courage to face his operation. Though Arietty and her family must move on, she and the boy have cemented their friendship.

I could see this sweet movie having a few sequels. As with most anime, the scenes are breath-taking, artistic masterpieces. The music was also wonderful in this enchanting fantasy. With great messages, this sweet movie has no violence, bad language or sex. It’s a perfect “first movie” for younger children, too.  The Secret World of Arietty is a delightful film experience for children age five and up and their parents, too.

GHOST RIDER 3D: THE SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE
(Running time: approx. 95 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba, Violante Placido

I did not care for the first Ghost Rider movie and this one wasn’t any better. Some movies made from comic book characters are quite good; this unfortunately, is not one of them.

We open with a religious man (Elba) riding his motorcycle to some type of monastery to find a special boy. Bad guys attack the monastery looking for the boy who escapes with his mother (Placido). The religious man recruits our Ghost Rider to save the boy.

The ghost rider turns into a terrifying figure with a skeleton head surrounded by fire. We are told he is “Justice” who seeks out all bad people and eats their souls. Yuck! Now we have the typical chase movie with Ghost Rider vs. the bad guys.

The Devil (Hinds) is after the boy, who he conceived with the boy’s mother. Ghost Rider must stop him. There were good special effects, lots of explosions but not much else. If the Devil is all powerful, why couldn’t he simply get someone else’s body if his was deteriorating? Plot holes and a boring story made this a ho-hum movie experience. There is tons of violence, fire, some blood, the “f” bomb said once and no sex.  Ghost Rider 3D: Spirit of Vengeance, like the use of 3D in this movie, was a waste of time. Let kids 12 and up see it if they must.

JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND
(Running time: approx.  94 minutes) 

Rated PG      Starring  Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine

There is a new trend in movies for kids, adding a cartoon. I have seen movies with a Wiley Coyote and Road Runner cartoons, Scat, the squirrel and now we have moved up to Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck. Requiem for a Hunter, the cartoon accompanying this movie, was fabulous. Smart, incredibly funny, clever and written in rhyme to a famous piece of classical music. Elmer chasing Daffy was never more fun and delightful to pass on to a new generation of kids.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island kept a theater full of kids totally quiet. This is a fun adventure film based on great books written by Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson. There is the typical blended family, missing father shtick sprinkled throughout the movie but it doesn’t interfere with the non-stop action, history lesson or just plain fun of this film.

Sean (Hutcherson) is a smart boy with a taste for adventure who idolizes his grandfather (Caine). Hank (Johnson) is his step-father, a caring man who sets limits and tries to befriend his step-son. Sean shares some maps and adventure books plus a communication from his grandfather with Hank and the two go off to find the Mysterious Island.

There is no violence but one giant scary lizard chasing them who almost eats them. There are also scary bits with some birds but that’s all. I didn’t hear any crying or screaming from the children during those parts. There is no bad language and no sex.  Journey 2: the Mysterious Island is a delightful film, beautifully created, entertaining in 3-D with good messages. It may also spark an interest in reading the classic books mentioned in the film. See it with your kids ages seven and up who can handle the big lizard.

THE VOW
(Running time: approx. 104 minutes)

Rated PG-13      Starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum

This bittersweet romance tossed several surprises at me which kept me guessing about the outcome. Based on a true story, we see the wonderful, sweet romance of two people wildly in love get destroyed when a serious car accident wipes out the short term memory of the heroine.

Paige (McAdams) wakes up not knowing her new husband. Leo (Tatum) is crushed and tries to do everything he can to jog her memory.

The twist of the story is that she remembers her life right before she met Leo. Previously estranged from her parents, they move in to take her back home. The struggle between Leo and the parents with Paige caught in the middle is riveting. I can’t say more without giving away the heart of the story.  There is no violence, although a punch is thrown, there is a little bad language and a touch of nudity: Leo from the back. But there is nothing added that doesn’t belong in the story.  At the end, you see the real people who actually lived it. The Vow is a tender love story, perfect to see with your ‘tweens and teens age 12 and up. Nice movie to enjoy for Valentine’s Day.

THE BIG MIRACLE
(Running time: approx. 107 minutes)

Rated PG     Starring John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell

Based on a true story that occurred in the 1980's, this heartwarming tale of saving three whales trapped in the ice in Alaska is a gem. The story begins with Adam (Krasinski), a newsman, winding up a week of stories in Barrow, Alaska when he stumbles on the whales. His story goes national and news reporters flood into the tiny town. Also arriving is Adam's ex-girlfriend, a major Greenpeace advocate and worker, Rachel (Barrymore).

Rachel gets heavily involved securing help from a wealthy oilman and the government to fund a rescue operation for the whales. Snags, walls of ice and equipment failure bring the whales perilously close to death. The men of Barrow, many who rely on whales for their livelihood call a meeting to decide whether to help free them or kill them.

Even the Russians get into the act, having the only Navy with an ice breaker large enough to do the job and close enough to get there in time. The movie highlights several stories of individual people, including the military man and the woman from the White House who end up getting married, an Inuit father and son, the oilman and his wife, two inventors from Minnesota and a beautiful, ambitious reporter.

Adam befriends the girl reporter, making Rachel jealous. I loved the original footage of real newscasters from the time who reported on the story, and how the real story was interwoven with the fictional. This was a wonderful movie about people coming together to save three animals simply because it was the right thing to do. There was no violence or sex but occasional bad language. The messages from this movie are terrific and the reality of the story brings it home. See The Big Miracle with your kids ages nine and up. It's a wonderful film. Stay for the credits where you will see the real people who accomplished this herculean task.

CHRONICLE
(Running time: approx. 89 minutes)

Rated PG-13      Starring Michael B. Jordan, Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell

Chronicle started out as a very interesting movie. Andrew (DeHaan) a high school senior and nerd, buys a movie camera and starts filming everything. Andrew is an observer in life, not a participant. His only friend is his cousin, Alex. Alex and Steve (Jordan), a popular boy, discover a mysterious hole. They get Andrew to document it on film, and then they investigate and find an amazing "something". They touch it and get superpowers.

Steve is popular but Alex and Andrew are not. The three bond over mastering their new abilities. Andrew uses his powers to defeat his abusive, bullying father and get noticed.

What starts off as a sensitive, intriguing metamorphosis for these young men ends up in violence, uncontrolled rage and destruction. It's too bad the filmmaker didn't know how to end the film and went for clichés. Although the movie was a bit slow, I liked the characters and was hugely disappointed in the ending. There is violence, blood, sexual talk and one situation and some bad language. I'm sorry I can't recommend this indie effort but it should be okay for kids 13 and up.

ONE FOR THE MONEY
(Running time: approx.  106 minutes) 

Rated PG-13    Starring Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara

This film is taken from a Janet Evanovich book I have not read. Therefore, I cannot give you a fair comparison between the book and the movie. But I can tell you this is a very entertaining movie.  Except for the fact she’s beautiful, Stephanie Plum (Heigl) is a character you can relate to. Everything does not go well for her. She’s fired from her job, loses her car and has a loving but overbearing family. Throw in a crazy grandmother and the cast of characters is complete.

Stephanie begs a job as a bounty hunter from her cousin and turns her nose up at the small jobs that pay less when she gets a whiff of big money. The best case involves an old sweetheart of hers. Bringing him in would give her a big payoff but it’s not going to be an easy job.

Stephanie goes on the trail of her old flame, Joe Morelli (Jason O’Hara), and the fun begins. This is where the movie plot kicks into high gear. Now we have an intriguing whodunit with new characters, humor and sizzling chemistry between Stephanie and Joe.  There is violence, some blood, some partial nudity, some bad language, including the “f” word once that I recall. Lots of sexual innuendo and some veiled sexual conversations but no sex scenes.  This is a lively, suspenseful, funny flick most appropriate for kids 13 and up. I enjoyed it and now I must read the book.

MAN ON A LEDGE
(Running time: approx. 89 minutes)

Rated PG-13 Starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks

I was not expecting much after seeing the television commercials touting this film. I went reluctantly and was pleasantly surprised. Nick Cassidy (Worthington) a former cop is taken to prison for a crime he didn't commit. While he's there, his father dies. At the funeral, he manages to escape and end up on the ledge of a tall hotel in midtown Manhattan.

The beginning of the movie was fast-paced, keeping me wide awake and paying close attention. I did get dizzy several times when they showed things from his point-of-view as I have a problem with heights. But that simply added to the thrill of the movie.

While he's on the ledge other things are happening. I can't go into detail on those without spoiling the plot. Nick asks for a special policewoman/psychologist, Lydia (Banks), to talk him down. While she's trying to save him we get to know her a bit better and other members of the police force are fleshed out, too. The excellent cast of supporting characters rounds out this exciting film that has enough plot twists to keep everyone guessing. I was riveted to the screen, not wanting to miss any curve ball this movie threw. Don't leave early because you'll miss one of the biggest surprises of all. Enough said.

There is some violence, some bad language but no sex. It is a fun film to see with your kids ages 12 and up. I enjoyed it.

RED TAILS

(Running time: approx. 125 minutes)

Rated PG-13      Starring Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Nate Parker, Elijah Kelley, Tristan Wilds

This film was inspired by the true stories of the Tuskegee airmen from World War II. This group of pilots made up of all African American men was segregated and treated like second class citizens. However, they fooled the naysayers and came through heroically.

The movie opens in 1944 in Italy where we get to know some pilots, identified by their nicknames: "Easy" (Parker) is in charge in the air, "Joker" (Kelley) is the rule-breaking risk-taking ace pilot and "Junior" (Wilds) is the serious flyer. These men are trained, accomplished pilots who have been relegated to less dangerous mission, like destroying supply trucks and trains, though those missions were quite risky, too.

But the men wanted to get into the thick of the war and their commanding officer pushed his prejudiced superiors to give them a chance. They finally get their break as escorts for bomber planes, a high-risk assignment and they handle it with flying colors.

Along the way we get to know these airmen, their strengths and weaknesses. We see up close what it was like for them to sit and wait for the war. The scenes in the beginning of the movie when they take out a supply truck and a plane are thrilling. You feel like you are right up in the planes with them.

After a successful mission escorting the bombers, thing began to change a bit for them. They were welcomed into the officer's club and considered for an even more important mission. I don't want to spoil the rest of the movie, so I will stop here.

Although much of the movie has been dramatized, the basic events are true. This peek into a different chapter of WWII is fascinating, beautifully written and filmed as well. The aerial scenes are reminiscent of the old WWII films of the forties but seem more real. Red Tails can bring a bit of history to your children they might not get in school. There was violence, blood and many explosions, a little bad language plus racial slurs - no sex but implied sex in one scene and some kidding about it in others.

I loved this move and seeing Red Tails is a great way to share some history with your kids ages 10 and up. Don't miss this one.

BEAUTY & THE BEAST
(Running time: approx.  84 minutes) 

Rated PG     Animated with the voices of: Paige, Robbie Benson, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Ohrbach

I can’t believe its 20 years since this gorgeous movie came out. Now it’s being re-released in 3-D and it is awesome. I remember how beautiful the opening scene of the forest was and in 3-D it is breath-taking. The glorious music will light up your heart along with this warm story of true love.

Fun, funny, scary in parts, Beauty & the Beast is a classic animated movie for kids. Now your children can enjoy the experience of seeing it on the big screen and in 3-D. I’d almost forgotten how fantastic the “Be Our Guest” scene was with the spoons and forks dancing.

You probably know the story and have rented the movie. Still, this is an event and taking the kids to see something familiar is not a bad idea. There is violence, fighting and a little blood. The wolves in the forest are scary. There is no bad language or sex. Beauty & the Beast should be a great experience for children six and up and parents will be riveted, too. I was. Don’t miss this delicious classic. Also, a cute short animated feature of the wedding of the Entangled couple added some silly, slapstick fun.

JOYFUL NOISE
(Running time: approx. 118 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Jeremy Jordan, Keke Thomas

The advertisements for this film did not do it justice. G.G. (Parton) is a wealthy, strong-willed woman with a heart of gold who sings in the choir at Divinity church. Her husband dies and she expects to take over his job. But the job goes to Vi Rose (Latifah) instead. Vi Rose has an iron will, too, and the women clash.

On top of this, G.G.’s grandson, Randy (Jordan) moves in with G.G. when there is trouble at home. He takes an immediate liking to Vi Rose’s daughter, Olivia (Thomas) who is kept under strict supervision by her mother. Their growing attraction adds to the conflict between the women. For icing on this cake, stir in the disagreements between the women on what kind of music is going to win the choir first place in the Joyful Noise choir competition.

This lively, entertaining movie had fantastic music, reason enough to see it. The small town counting on a win to save their pride isn’t a new theme but the characters were rounded enough and the pacing fast enough to keep your attention. Supporting characters added much to this movie and the messages are totally positive. Religion is at the basis of this film but it doesn’t shove it down your throat rather it gently places the concept of God in front of you.

There is some violence when three boys have a fist fight, but nothing gory or over-the-top. There is no bad language but one morning-after scene of adults having spent the night together. There are some adult issues. Joyful Noise is an excellent movie to see with your kids eleven and up.

EXTREMELY LOUD INCREDIBLY CLOSE
(Running time: approx.   129 minutes) 

Rated PG-13     Starring  Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis

I was reluctant to see this movie after living through 9/11 here in New York City. I was right, the movie recalling that day over and over is both extremely sad and somewhat uplifting. Oskar (Horn), a nine-year-old boy, stumbles upon a key belonging to his dad and spends the entire movie trying to find the lock that fits it. The pursuit of this mystery parallels Oskar’s feelings of guilt, anger and abandonment at his father’s death in the 9/11 tragedy. Oskar hopes to find peace with his father’s death when he finds the lock.

The movie is too long. Too much time is spent watching Oskar run; some of the parts, like walking from the Upper West Side to Brooklyn and so on because Oskar as Asbergerer-like issues, are not believable. Oskar’s unfathomable relationship with his mother who seems to let this youngster roam the city by himself and a strange man who enters the picture who refuses to speak are two more puzzles thrown into the mix.

This movie is about loss, serious, gut-wrenching loss of a parent you adored. That theme makes it unsuitable for children. While the advertisements paint it as an adventure, there are parts, like hearing his father’s six voice messages before he goes down in the World Trade Center and pictures of people falling from the building that are horrifying and twist your heart. The movie taken from a novel is well made and beautifully acted. But that doesn’t make it appropriate for kids. There is no violence, no sex and no bad language. If you want to see it with your children, take ‘tweens and teens.

THE IRON LADY
(Running time: approx. 105 minutes)

Rated PG-13     Starring Meryl Streep, James Broadbent, Harold Lloyd

I had high hopes for this movie but only half of it was worth my time. I went to view this film eagerly seeking another outstanding Meryl Streep performance and a peek into the life of Margaret Thatcher. The interesting parts of the movie were done in flashback and too much time was spent with Mrs. Thatcher descending into Alzheimer’s, having visions of her dead husband and trying to face the end of her life.

The history parts of the movie, her move into Parliament and some of her time as Prime Minister were the most interesting parts and Ms. Streep’s finest moments. But too much was not properly explained. When 10 Downing Street was bombed, all you saw was the bombing with no explanation of why it happened or what occurred afterward. For teens and ‘tweens who didn’t live through her regime, they will be left in the dark on some issues.

The war to recapture the Falkland Islands was fascinating and covered well. The portrayal of her as a person, her personal trials, ambition and ideals were good. Half this movie was worth seeing but the other half was drawn out, boring and jumped around too much.  I wish I could recommend it but I can’t. There was violence in real news footage of actual events, one quick flash of breasts also in news footage and a tad of bad language.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
(Running time: approx. 107 minutes)

Rated PG      Animated with the voices of: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig

This is the front runner for BEST KID'S MOVIE OF THE YEAR so far. Wow! The computer graphics in this movie is impeccable. Every detail of the characters, supporting characters, scenes, buildings, windows, you name it, was exact, true to life. Steven Spielberg directed this gorgeous movie and his drive for perfection cannot be equaled this year.

The story is an old one as The Adventures of Tintin comes from a series of comics popular in France. They came out in 1929, so this story has an older feel to it, like Indiana Jones. The adventure is a lot like an Indiana Jones movie but with no gore or creepy critters. Tintin is a boy journalist of indeterminate age. He's old enough to live alone but doesn't seem to be old enough to shave. He has a trusty dog, Snowy, who accompanies him on his adventure.

The story does involve a hardened sea captain who has a drinking problem and an evil man seeking treasure at all costs. Murder is committed but there is no blood and many of the bad guys get dumped in the sea and fished out again. The action is non-stop from a boarding house to the desert to the sea; Tintin is on the move, chasing the treasure with the Captain to help him and his trusty, intelligent dog, too.

I found this whole experience delightful. The movie transported me to another world, right into the scene with 3-D graphics better than any other, including Pixar, I've ever seen. There is violence but no blood, no bad language and no sex. This film should be fine to see with your children age seven and up. Enjoy it; it's a fantastic ride for adult and child.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL
(approx. running time: 129 minutes)

Rated PG-13      Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg

Whew, there isn't a dull second in this movie. Action packed doesn't begin to describe this entry in the series. On the way to complete a mission something goes wrong and a big explosion destroys the Kremlin. Of course the Russians assume the Americans did it and the IMF team has been disavowed and is on their own. And that's simply the introduction.

It was great to see the team get messed up and make some mistakes in this film. The perfection thing wears thin after a while. There are guns galore, shooting, killing, fist fights, a car chase, climbing on a building 130 stories up, not to mention a sandstorm in the Middle East! I let out an audible sigh of relief from time to time when the excitement got intense.

As usual with this series, there were clever pieces and amazing schemes worked out down to the second. If you're looking for a highly entertaining, fast-moving movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it. See it with your 'tweens and teens or kids 11 and up. There is violence, a sprinkling of bad language from time to time, sexual innuendo but no sex. I saw it with my son and we both enjoyed it immensely.

NEW YEAR'S EVE
(Running time: approx.  118 minutes) 

Rated PG-13    Starring  Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessic Biel, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jon Bon Jovi, Katherine Heigl

Garry Marshall likes to make warm and fuzzy movies, like Valentine’s Day and this delightful creation, New Year’s Eve, is in the same vein.  The stellar cast is broken into groups of two, creating small vignettes of what people are experiencing on New Year’s Eve. From babies being born to old men dying, from adults finding new love to teenagers finding puppy love a wide variety of scenarios are covered in this film. There is suspense as to who is going to end up with whom at the end of the movie. I was surprised by several plot twists and turns.

As usual with Mr. Marshall’s films, love is the main topic, in all forms, from parent to child, adult to adult to teen to teen. Giving, forgiving, starting over, saying goodbye these are all themes he covers with humor and affection. I found the film heartwarming, a perfect holiday movie to see with your ‘tweens and teens age 11 and up. There was no violence, no sex, some kissing and a couple of bad words.

The scenes of New York at Christmas time are beautiful, including the giant toy soldiers on Park Avenue, FAO Schwarz, all the lights and Times Square on New Year’s Eve. This is a charming film that will make you laugh and cry and feel good when it’s all over.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
(Running time: approx.  97 minutes) 

Rated PG         Animated with the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy

This computer animated comedy take on an old, familiar subject for children’s movies, how Christmas actually happens. We go to the North Pole which is totally computerized now, run by elves headed up by Steve (Laurie), Santa’s oldest son. The sleigh has been replaced by a space ship. We see elves landing by the dozen in cities and towns, sliding down cables, going into “stealth” mode to deliver gifts to children.

Then there is Santa’s other son, Arthur (McAvoy), who is a bumbler. Arthur handle letters; he receives children’s letters to Santa and responds to them telling them Santa is real. There is a slip-up and one little girl’s gift is not delivered. While Steve tries to convince Santa that one child doesn’t matter, Arthur is appalled. Grandsanta (Nighy) recruits Arthur, dusts off the old sleigh and they go on an adventure, trying to locate the little girl and deliver her gift from Santa.

The journey is funny with Grandsanta an irreverent old guy. Arthur I scared but goes along. The trip also symbolizes Arthur’s coming-of-age, taking control and growing into the job of Santa, despite his pushy and controlling older brother. There were family issues here but not as extreme as is often the case. Arthur Christmas is a gentler movie than some and it’s fun and funny in parts. While smaller children may not understand everything going on, they will enjoy the eye-catching, colorful animation and the spirit of the movie.

This sweet movie has no violence, bad language or sex. It should be appropriate for kids age five and up who can sit through it without causing a ruckus.  Parents will enjoy the humor, too.

THE MUPPETS
(Running time: approx.  98 minutes) 

Rated PG         Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper

I loved this movie, a true family comedy! Walter, a Muppet, and Gary (Segel) are brothers. Gary takes his girlfriend, Mary (Adams) from Smalltown, where they live, to Los Angeles on a sight seeing trip and Walter tags along. The first place they visit is the Muppet Theater because Walter loves the Muppets so much.

While at the Muppet Theater, they learn of a plot by a rich oilman (Cooper) to buy the theater, tear it down and drill for oil. Walter is horrified and so he, Gary and Mary track down Kermit the Frog who brings the Muppets together for one last show to raise money to save the theater. The movie has wonderful music and glorious dancing, too.

One by one the old characters are revisited and recruited. Then we see the show. There are hilarious bumps along the way and laughs galore in this lovely movie, that is truly for children, who will understand most of what’s going on, even younger ones. The charm of the Muppets has not worn thin; they are still delightful, enchanting and entertaining. All our favorites are there, Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, Ralph, Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf, the Chickens and so on.

There is no real violence, sex or bad language but a touch of bathroom humor. The Muppets is a “don’t miss” movie not only for children from four to twenty-four but for parents as well. If you don’t see it, you’re missing one of the best movies of the year.

HUGO
(Running time: approx.  2 hours 7 minutes) 

Rated PG         Starring   Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield

This dark, beautiful movie is not for younger kids though the rating is PG. It’s a touching story about a young orphan boy, Hugo (Butterfield), living in a Paris train station in 1925. His father was a clock maker and fixer of things. When he died, the boy’s uncle, in charge of winding the clock in the station, took in the boy.  He taught the lad how to wind the clocks so he wouldn’t have to, gave him a bed in the station, then disappeared.

Hugo maintained the clock and continued to live there, pilfering food and hiding from the gendarme (Cohen) who patrols the station with a Doberman Pinscher. Hugo has a run-in with an older man (Kingsley) who sells toys at a small shop. The man’s granddaughter and Hugo become friends and he shows her his secret hiding places and how to sneak into the movies.

I can’t say enough about the charm of the location, the sets and the supporting characters in this movie.  You feel the flavor of the times as you are pulled into the lives of these characters. There is no violence, sex or bad language here simply a strong, complex story well told. The movie is too long, complicated and too adult in theme for younger children. Scenes where an orphaned boy is thrown in a cage and hauled off to the orphanage might be frightening to children under the age of eleven or twelve. But for older children and adults, Hugo is a magical journey into the past.

HAPPY FEET  2 
(Running time: approx.  1 hour 30 minutes)

Rated PG         Animated with the voice of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Hank Azaria, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt

I was looking forward to this movie and am sorry to say I was grossly disappointed.  Back to Antarctica but nothing about the environment or real nature information. No, we got unrealistic situations, like elephant seals befriending penguins. Elephant seals eat penguins. The movie started off well with tap dancing and then bogged down into a heavy father/son plot. Then there was the puffin pretending to be a penguin that could fly. And the puffin and penguin that were rescued by man and the elephant seal too stubborn to back up who fell into a ravine and was rescued by a penguin. And the krill, one who didn’t want to swarm and one who did and the penguins getting trapped by ice. But the movie totally lost me when the tiny penguin son breaks into an operatic aria in defense of his father and trying to convince the elephant seals to help the trapped penguins.

The music was the best part of the movie and there wasn’t enough of that. Too many subplots to keep track of, a father who felt guilty over some insensitivity toward his son, jealousy, and voices from various nationalities, including Swedish, Hispanic, British, Australian and sometimes simply unintelligible!

There were a few scary moments when the leopard seal was chasing the father penguin. That were scary but mostly it was disjointed, hard to follow and boring. Will kids like it? Probably. The 3-D was fun; the animation was terrific, beautifully done. Is this a bad movie for kids? No, no bad language or sex. So you can send the kids ages 5 and up. My advice is rope grandma into taking them; you must have something better to do at home.

TWLIGHT: BREAKING DAWN, PART ONE
(Running time: approx.  117 minutes)

Rated PG-13    Starring   Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

What can I say about Bella and Edwards wedding? It was beautiful and their honeymoon was tastefully done. The teens and ‘tweens in the audience cheered their favorites and were responsive to things happening. The bedroom torn to shreds after their wedding night elicited laughs from the audience.

There is drama, the plot is a bit confusing but if you’ve read the books you can probably follow along fine. I admit to loving the main characters and when the werewolves change into wolves. They are such beautiful creatures!

The movie has the obligatory fight between the werewolves and the vampires, which I find the least interesting part! I like the interaction between the characters and the vamp “family” and how they cope with life, considering their challenges.  The movie is well made, romantic and sweet. Now with the threat to Bella’s life it took on new drama and tension and left us hanging a bit at the end, anxious to see what the next installment will bring.

There is violence, blood, no bad language and scenes of sensuality and implied sex. The movie is best for ‘tweens twelve and up, though if you have a child into this series, I don’t know how you will be able to keep them away.

 

TOWER HEIST   
(Running time: approx.  104 minutes)

Rated PG-13    Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Tea Leoni, Matthew Broderick

I was looking forward to this movie and I wasn’t disappointed. The premise of the movie is based on the Bernie Madoff scandal. Ben Stiller leads a group of employees of a luxury condo apartment building in New York City who have been swindled by one of the wealthy residents. Because the avengers are all law-abiding citizens who don’t know how to steal, they cut a local thief in on the plan.

There was a terrific cast of supporting characters of good guys and bad guys. The plot had several marvelous twists and turns that kept you guessing and a wonderful surprise ending. While this gang that couldn’t shoot straight was trying to pull off the heist, all sorts of funny things were happening to get in their way. Ben Stiller plays the straight man here and Eddie Murphy is hilarious as the con man/thief who becomes their teacher.

Although stealing isn’t a great idea, the movie managed to get across good messages. There was no violence, but some bad language and a little sexual innuendo. Tower Heist is a clever and entertaining movie that will keep you guessing. It should be fine for kids 11 and up who can get the gist of how a Wall Street investor can swindle people.

LIKE CRAZY
(Running time: approx.  89 minutes) 

Rated PG-13    Starring   Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones

This movie was advertised as a charming love story involving two college students from different countries. We have Anna (Jones) from England and Jacob (Yelchin) from the United States (Los Angeles) who meet at college. They fall in love and then have to face the difficulties of being separated halfway around the world from each other.

The early scenes of Anna and Jacob getting to know each other, clowning around at the beach, driving little hot rods at an amusement park and so on are delightful. This cute couple connects on an intellectual as well as physical level and the audience falls in love with them as they fall in love with each other.

The separations test their love and being only human, sometimes they fail the tests. At various times both of them get involved with other people and right in the beginning they break the rules regarding immigration for Anna because they cannot bear to be parted.

The breaking of the rule is the plot twist that drives the rest of the movie. Because of that misstep, they cannot get Anna over to the U.S. So Jacob travels to England. What was so touching was the way their love, though dormant for months, became alive again once they were together.  The only disappointment was there was no real ending to this movie. It seemed to either peter out or get chopped off at the end instead of having some genuine resolution.

There was no violence, some bad language and a number of sexual scenes and situations though no nudity. Like Crazy is a captivating love story that needs a finish. It should be best for teens who are interested in learning about a love relationship and are not expecting a fast and witty movie.

 

PUSS N BOOTS  
(Running time: approx.  90 minutes) 

Rated PG         Animated with the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Zach Galifiankis

I was looking forward to this movie and was not disappointed. The story is good, the side characters, the actions of a macho cat too funny and the music was great. Puss (Banderas) is an outlaw because of his mistakes made years ago with his sidekick Humpty Dumpty (Galifianakis). Puss meets up with a female cat named, Kitty Softpaws(Hayek) who leads him to Humpty Dumpty. Humpty tries to recruit Puss in a plan to get Magic Beans and golden eggs. Puss wants to repay the town where he was adopted by Imelda, and raised as her “own”.

The plot gets a bit complicated with Jack and Jill and there is lots of fun as the bad guys pursue the quick cats who manage to escape every time. The underlying plot about friendship, betrayal and stealing are good and something children can understand. One strong point of this movie was that, while it had enough adult humor to keep me entertained, the plot was geared for children with no adult issues or themes to interfere. Such a nice change of pace!

There is a giant goose that terrorizes Puss’ home town and might be a little scary for very young children. There are no sexual scenes, bad language and though there is violence, no blood. I loved the blending of several children’s fairy tales and the creative way the story was told. The animation is spectacular and the humor delightful, even for adults.

IN TIME
(Running time: approx.  109 minutes) 

Rated PG-13    Starring   Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy

This futuristic sci fi thriller was face-paced, exciting and engrossing. The premise is that no one ages beyond age 25, physically. But that is all the time they have alive unless they work and can “buy” more time. There is no money in this world; time is the commodity of exchange. Of course you have the “rich” who have hundreds or thousands of years and the poor who live from day to day. The concept was intriguing.

Will Salas (Timberlake) lives and adores his mother, who looks great, because she hasn’t aged past twenty-five. That was a little weird, seeing everyone looking young. You couldn’t tell if a man was with his wife, his mother or his daughter! Will helps out a rich man who wants to die and gives the 116 years he has left to Will.

Will goes to the rich sector and meets Sylvia Weis (Seyfried), the daughter of one of the richest men in the land. He is pursued by police who think he stole the time. Will and Sylvia strike up a relationship and I must stop or be a spoiler. There are excellent messages in In Time about rich vs. poor and what you do with the time you have. There is violence, some blood, some bad language, including the F-bomb once, and several sexual situations, plus a wee touch of nudity, only from the back. In Time should be a good, provocative movie to see with your ‘tweens and teens ages 12 and up. I enjoyed it.

FOOTLOOSE  
(Running time: approx. 113 minutes) 

Rated PG-13    Starring Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid

This is a remake of the 1984 movie that shot Kevin Bacon to stardom. Ren McCormack (Wormald) is a Boston high school boy who’s just lost his mother to illness. Ren goes to live with his aunt and uncle in a small town where dancing has been banned.

Dancing was outlawed because five teens had a fatal car crash after a dance where the kids were drinking and dancing. This film is based on a true story. The man behind the ban on dancing is respected Reverend Moore (Quaid) who lost his son in the crash.

Rebellious but good natured and sweet, Ren falls for the minister’s daughter who is also rebelling.  Ren takes on the dancing ban, recruiting fellow teens and even some of their parents.

The movie shows how teens can go over the top, controlled by their need to push the envelope. There is violence, some bad language and a brief scene of implied sex.  The music and dancing are simply awesome. Footloose is about imperfect teens trying to figure out their lives, watch it with your kids ages 12 and up. The movie might start some interesting family discussions.

THE BIG YEAR
(Running time: approx. 100 minutes) 

Rated PG         Starring Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Steve Martin 

What can I say about how much I loved this movie?  I am a big fan of birds, all sorts of birds, so watching a movie about people being “professional” birders was heaven. You might describe this film as The Great Race meets James Audubon. The movie is based on a true story of the man who saw more different bird species than anyone else in a year…hence the title “The Big Year”, Kenny Bostick (Wilson). Kenny is obsessed with keeping his title decides to go for another “big year”, leaving his wife, who is trying to get pregnant on her own. Brad (Black) a man in his thirties who has not amounted to much, decides this is his year to have a “big year” and challenge Bostick’s record. So does Stu (Martin) a wealthy corporate executive about to become a grandfather.

The movie blends the stories of these three men, their lives and their passion for birds. They travel all over North America seeking more bird species. The film has amazing footage of birds I have never seen before and probably will never see again. The locations are gorgeous as is the cinematography.

Along with the birds, the movie blends in the comedy the competition and the craziness with human drama and sentiment. Each man has family concerns he has to brush aside to achieve his goal. It’s a lonely and challenging event for the birder and his family.

A surprise treat came at the end, during the credits. They flashed pictures and the names of all 755 species spotted by the winner (I’m not telling who it was!) on the screen. Wow! There was no violence; there is some bad language and some “sensuality”. I found this to be a warm, funny, fascinating look at the world of birding. See it with your child of 10 or 11 and up.

REAL STEEL   
(Running time: approx. 127 minutes)

Rated PG-13    Starring Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly

Reminiscent of the classic film, “The Champ”, this futuristic boxing father-son saga is intriguing and well done. In this time period, all boxing is done by eight-foot steel robots, not men. Something I approve of! The men handle the controls and bring these huge creatures into a ring.

Charlie Kenton (Jackman) is a washed up fighter who could have been a contender but wasn’t. Now he’s a penny-ante robot boxing promoter down on his luck. As his life takes a turn for the worse, the appearance of his estranged son, Max (Goyo) provides a reprieve. Charlie cashes in on the boy but can’t shake him. Father and son share a love of robot boxing. Max finds a sturdy robot and together they build it into a champion.

This story is about the father and son more than the boxing, but the boxing was exciting to watch. Charlie will never qualify as father of the year and Max is resentful and hostile as he tries to get close to Charlie who rejects him. But they warm up and the story ends up being a lovely one where the boy learns to accept his imperfect father while the father learns to love his amazing son.

There is also some human violence, some bad language and one suggestive scene between Charlie and Bailey, his girlfriend.  Real Steel should be fine for kids 11 and up. Parents can enjoy this one, too.

ABDUCTION  
(Running time: approx. 106 minutes) 

Rated PG-13   
Starring  Taylor Lautner, Antonique Smith, Alfred Molina, Maria Bello, Sigourney Weaver

Abduction was a very exciting movie that started off appearing to be just another teen movie but transformed into a thriller. Nathan (Lautner) is a high school boy who is troubled by recurring dreams. He sees a shrink for anger management and seems to be making progress. His father teaches him to fight, being tough and demanding on the boy to the point where you wonder what’s going on. Something is definitely going on.

There is a scene of a drunken teen party in a high schooler’s home where the parents are not present. There, Nathan runs into Karen (Smith), a girl he’s had a crush on since middle school but Karen is with another boy.

During work for a school project, Karen and Nathan discover his face on a missing children’s website and the plot moves into high gear. With the Internet and high tech devices the bad guys can trace Nathan’s interest in his picture and locate him. They burst into his house and kill his parents then blow up the house.

The CIA contacts Nathan, too. It seems that everyone is looking for him and he doesn’t know where to turn. Karen gets involved in this with him and they go on the run together. The chase scenes are exciting as are the fight scenes between Nathan and the bad guys. Now you know what his father was preparing him for – to defend himself. I can’t go much further without spoiling more of the plot. I found Abduction to be an exciting thriller that held my attention every second. This action thriller is highly entertaining and will keep you in its grip. There is a lot of violence, though little blood, no bad language and one scene of intense kissing, plus the teen party scene. This film should be fine for kids 12 and older and adult might enjoy the ride, too.

Again this week we are without another film appropriate for kids since the slasher, scary, kill-your-children or someone else’s children movies are not for kids, I am profiling a special favorite of my, actor Rowan Atkinson, one of the funniest men alive, who has a new movie about to break.

If you’re not familiar with the rubber-faced Rowan Atkinson, he had the very popular “Mr. Bean” British TV half-hour comedy show a while ago. He brought back his character, Mr. Bean in the 2007 film Mr. Bean’s Vacation one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. Another side-splitter was his Johnny English combination spoof and just plain funny spy film. It was so successful that Johnny English Reborn is being released on October 28.

Now I haven’t seen the new Johnny English movie but I have complete faith in Mr. Atkinson, who has never done a movie or TV program that didn’t crack me up and with mostly tasteful hilarity that you can share with children. The new Johnny English movie is rated PG. I am looking forward to viewing this film and welcoming Rowan Atkinson’s brand of insanity and loonyness back to the screen.

WARRIOR    
(Running time: approx.  139 minutes)

Rated PG-13
Starring  Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte

I was expecting this mixed martial arts film to be all about fighting and totally boring. I was pleasantly surprised. The film is mostly about the relationships between two young men and their formerly drunken and abusive father (Nolte).  Tommy (Hardy) left his father and went with his mother when he was young. He has a chip on his shoulder a mile wide and secrets he’s keeping. Brendan (Edgerton), the older brother, stayed with his father and found a serious relationship at sixteen. He married the woman and now has two kids of his own.

Neither boy can forgive his father nor trust him and Tommy feels a great deal of anger against his brother as well. The drama unfolds in other ways as Brendan, an upstanding guy now a physics teacher but once a mixed martials fighter professionally runs into financial difficulty. Tommy returns to get trained by his dad to win a big fight for private reasons.

While both brothers beating all opponents and ending the movie by meeting in the cage to fight each other may not be realistic, it is symbolic. This is a dark drama of serious human mistakes and their ramifications, forgiveness and familial love. There is tons of violence, including men’s faces being beaten. There is some bad language but no sex. Warrior should be fine for kids 13 or 12 and up who can understand all sides of the issues.  Note: There are few famous names associated with this movie but the writing and acting were superb.

I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT
(Running time: approx. 91 minutes)

Rated PG-13
Starring  Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan

What a charming, funny and touching movie! Once you can get past the characters stepping out of the movie and talking to you, the audience, you can enjoy this sparkly family comedy.

If there are three more charming actors than those starring in this movie, I don’t know who they are. The chemistry, fine acting and snappy writing made this story of a mom who moves heaven and Earth to balance career and parenthood entertaining and too true.

Kate (Parker) runs herself ragged juggling a good marriage, high powered job and raising two children in Boston. While much is funny, i. e. watching Kate run into an important meeting scratching her head because she has head lice (us moms in the audience knew at once), much of it is serious as well, addressing the pull of both home and work on the heart and mind of a conscientious parent and smart woman.

There were many laughs and some serious moments, too. I loved the warm relationship between Kate and her husband, Richard (Kinnear). The big boss who falls for her does it in a classy, unsleazy way, making it both believable and poignant.

All in all, except for a few mentions of the parents never having time for sex, there is nothing objectionable in this movie. No violence, no bad language and the scenes of parents cuddled together in bed or sharing a sweet kiss are wonderful not tawdry. I don’t know How She Does It should be fine for kids 11 and up. I loved it.

DOLPHIN TALE   
(Running time: approx. 113 minutes) 

Rated PG
Starring  Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson

This terrific film is inspired by a true story. Winter, the dolphin, washes up on the shore in Florida. A troubled young boy, Sawyer (Gamble), whose father abandoned him and his mother, helps with the rescue. He removed a rope from the dolphin’s mouth. Like all dolphins, Winter is smart, she remembers Sawyer. The boy forms a friendship with Hazel, a girl about his age whose father runs the marine hospital.

When the dolphin’s tale has to be amputated to save her life, the boy and the rescuers lose heart that she will be able to swim. But the folks at the Clearwater Marine Hospital cannot produce miracles, or can they? While Sawyer is finding he way back to life through working with the rescue group, his beloved older cousin, Kyle, a champion swimmer, goes into the Army where he is badly injured and cannot walk without a brace.

After meeting the man who designs and fits prosthetic devices who is helping Kyle, Sawyer recruits him to make one for Winter. After several unsuccessful tries, Winter becomes outfitted with a new tail that works and her survival is guaranteed.

There are wonderful things about this movie on many different levels. Two families each missing one parent but bringing up their kids with courage and energy are well drawn. I was pleasantly surprised to find no romance here, the movie stuck to Winter’s story and when it did branch out, it encompassed the amazing things people can do with prosthetic devices. There are many people, including children, wearing these amazing inventions that help them return to normal lives. They are highlighted in the movie, so if those scenes will bother your children, this is not the movie for you. But otherwise, there is no violence, no bad language and no sex. Dolphin Tale is a feel-good movie perfect for kids eight and up and parents as well. I loved it.

MONEYBALL   
(Running time: approx.  126 minutes) 

Rated PG-13   
Starring  Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman

This movie is about Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland “A’s” baseball team and the way he carved a winning team out of a tiny budget. The movie parallels the story of Billy’s (Pitt) rise to professional baseball where he couldn’t make the grade. Now he’s managing a losing team and can’t get enough money in his budget to attract big talent.

Along comes Yale computer/statistics genius, Peter Brand (Hill) with a whole new way of evaluating baseball players and the game. Billy hires Peter and puts his method into play. Then we see how much resistance he faces from everyone, his scouting staff, manager and the press who crucify him at every opportunity.

But Billy has faith and works hard to make his plan succeed. This film is based on a true story. You don’t have to know baseball to love it, but it helps. There is no violence (Billy loses his temper a couple of times), there is bad language which is why it’s PG-13 but no sex.  Thoughtful, inspiring and well done, baseball fans - don’t miss this one with your kids 12 and up.

CONTAGION
(Running time: approx.  108 minutes)

Rated PG-13  
Starring  Matt Damon Laurence Fishburne, Gweneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard

This all-to-plausible thriller about a deadly new virus running rampant in the world is a well-done and scary film. With a phenomenal cast lending credibility to the concept…a virus

starts in Hong Kong and spreads across the world in about three weeks, killing a few people then rapidly escalating to killing thousands.

The movie focuses on the CDC (Center for Disease Control)’s efforts to stop the virus, find a cure and create a vaccine all at the same time. The movie highlights one family who loses the wife and one child, several doctors and their search of the key to the virus and precautions taken to stop the spread and those who wish to capitalize on the ensuing panic.

The movie is very realistic, portraying the frenzy unleashed as people scramble for survival. Looting, hysteria, mobs out of control fill the screen as the virus travels. One journalist claims to have found a cure, bilking people out of millions of dollars.

This is a fascinating movie but definitely not for younger children. Watching the process of finding a cure, including listening carefully to the scientific language riveted me to the screen. Watching people go out of control is frightening as we have seen before on the news. I don’t want to spoil the movie so I’m going to stop. This is an excellent serious movie to see with teens, 13 and up. There is some violence, no sex and no bad language. Contagion can cause something in your house, perhaps a discussion about whether this could actually happen and what you would do if it did.

 

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Previously Reviewed Movies...

Marley and Me, The Puppy Years
(straight to DVD) 

This movie with a cast of unknowns bears very little resemblance to Marley & Me, the movie or the best-selling book. However it is a very cute movie with lots of puppies doing everything from agility stunts to being innocently destructive.

The story begins with a family who is watching Marley for his owners. The family consists of a single mother and her teenage son. Mom has to take a business trip and drops off Bodi, the son, with grandpa for several weeks in the summer. Grandpa is a former Marine and runs a tight ship. He teaches the boy some discipline while his grandson gives him some laughs. The rapport between the boy and his grandfather is heartwarming.

Bodi trains Marley for an agility contest to prove to his mother he is responsible enough to own a dog. He teams up with a neighbor lady and her two lab pups to form a team and the fun begins.

Unfortunately there is a bad guy trying to fix the contest which makes the plot trite when it didn’t have to be. Some of the movie is boring for adults and the dogs talk, making inane comments, but there is plenty of slapstick humor, dog antics and fun here to entertain kids. There is no violence, bad language or sex to spoil this doggie romp. It’s fine for kids of all ages.

 

One Day
(Running time: approx. 108 minutes)

Rated PG-13  
Starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgiss

One Day is a sad movie about love, friendship, sex and life. It starts in the present then jumps back 18 years to the college graduation day of Emma (Hathaway) and Dex (Sturgiss). While they had not been dating, they get together that day and almost sleep together, except he changes his mind. So they decide to become friend

The movie is about their friendship that grows over the years and seesaws between a love/sexual relationship and friendship. They always seem to be skirting the edge of romantic involvement, though underneath, both want it.

The movie follows the careers and love lives of Emma and Dex throughout the years. Dex goes toward the gaudy world of low-class TV and drugs and alcohol while Emma, a struggling writer, copes with years of waitressing while writing and a sweet but dense boyfriend.

There are some good messages about friendship morphing into true love but the movie also shows infidelity, alcoholism and a brief scene of implied drug use. I liked the way the movie took you through their lives by going back to the same day each year to bring us up-to-date on their lives. We watched them change, come closer together then get blasted apart.

There is some nudity, bad language, quite a few sexual scenes and one violent scene that shocked me because it was so unexpected. I found the ending to be very sad. While One Day is a beautiful movie in many respects, it is only appropriate for teens, sophisticated 14 year olds and up. Parents will like it, bring tissues.

 

Spy Kids - All the Time in the World

This new addition to the Spy Kids series was different from the first Spy Kids movie in that the step-mom was the spy. It starts with the usual step-mom complaints by the daughter even though the step-mom (Alba) was the kindest sweetest step-mom, even putting up with the mean pranks launched by the little girl. The brother is the wisest one, except for the dog, who is also a spy and has the best lines in the movie.

The mom had to reveal she was a spy and the kids got involved. The husband, a reality TV actor who wanted to catch spies, was portrayed as a total dork but turned out to be valuable in the end.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World has references to vomit, gas and other unpleasant subjects instead of violence. There were some gross things but from a slapstick perspective, intended to make kids laugh. Clever gadgets, the talking dog and an appearance by the original actors from the first Spy Kids movie rounded out this film, which is set up for a sequel.

There is no bad language or sex. This is a harmless movie that will amuse children ages 7 and up. Parents should take a double dose of coffee or send the kids with Grandma to this one as it is not wonderful for adults…that’s why it’s a kid’s movie.

 

The Help
(Running time: approx. 137 minutes)

Rated PG-13
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard

The Help is my pick for best movie of the year so far. This is an amazing movie providing personal accounts about racism, women’s liberation and man’s (or woman’s) inhumanity to man.

The story opens with Skeeter (Stone), a young woman recently graduated from college in the early 1960’s returning to her home in Jackson, Mississippi. She wants to be a writer and gets a job doing a cleaning column for the local paper. The movie shifts to other women in Skeeter’s circle of friends and the African American women they hire to be maids.

The Help hits hard, showing rank discrimination of the worst kind, including demeaning treatment of workers—as if they were not human beings. The movie pulls no punches, although it does lace the story with wry humor. Also, we get a peek into the world of the women who are the maids, what their lives are like, and the fear they live with every day.

Skeeter strives to break out of the mold, deciding to write a book about what it feels like to be a maid and the real story of the bad treatment they receive. The book is written in secret as there’d be serious retaliation if the women of the town knew.

The movie shows the shaky courage exhibited by the women who have worked long hours for tiny wages in the homes of smug, abusive white women all their lives. We see how control over the social life in Jackson is exerted by a handful of women who ostracize anyone at will. The pressure to conform is tremendous.

Skeeter’s publisher isn’t happy with only the two maids Skeeter has and insists on more. Unfortunately no other women are brave enough to come forward until Medgar Evers, a famous civil rights leader, is killed.

The book gets published and there is hell to pay for Skeeter and one maid, but all the women who participated in it are proud of their commitment and the payback to the mean women of Jackson.

This movie is beautifully written, acted and filmed. If you want to expose your children to what it felt like to be discriminated against on the inside of society, this is the place to get that lesson. There is some bad language, a touch of violence but no sex. It is best for sophisticated kids 11 and up who will understand what’s going on. There are some sad parts, so bring tissues, but I laughed often as well. The Help is a long movie worth every minute. I believe there will be a number of Academy Award nominations for this movie, so don’t miss it.

 

Cowboys and Aliens
(Running time: approx. 118 minutes)

Rated PG-13    
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde

I was pleasantly surprised by Cowboys and Aliens. The movie opens with Jake (Craig) in the desert, injured, not knowing who he is when he sees a strange contraption on his arm. Three typical Western bad guys appear and Jake defeats them, takes their guns, horses and clothes, and rides into town.

The alien element is introduced in the beginning through Jake's hazy flashbacks. The early part of the movie spins a Western yarn with the proverbial rich man’s spoiled bad-boy son and a few other archetypical characters.

The supporting characters are developed and add much to the texture of the movie. When the aliens land, all hell breaks loose as the people in the town wonder what is going on. So does the audience. The film becomes an episodic good guys (cowboys and Native Americans) vs. bad boys (aliens) film. The aliens are incredibly frightening, with huge teeth, dripping with slime, and small, bony flesh-colored grasping hands coming out of their chests. They terrified me. I could hardly look at them.

I admit to being a sucker for a Western and loved the hard-bitten men out there fighting to protect their families. The cowboys were clever and fought the aliens with primitive but effective tools and good military strategies. This isn’t a “great” movie, but it was highly entertaining. There is violence and blood, and the aliens were frightening; there is bad language and one nude scene, but you see her only from the back from the waist up, so no big deal, and no sex. It is too frightening for younger children. Take your kids 11 and up who are not sensitive, and have fun.

 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(Running time: 105 minutes approx.)

Rated PG-13 
Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow

Wow! How lifelike the apes were and how wonderful the message: We shouldn’t fool with Mother Nature! We meet Will (Franco), a scientist who has invented a drug to fight Alzheimer’s Disease in order to save his beloved father. His drug trials start off well, but go awry. After this, Will is forced to bring a baby chimp home, and he and his dad become attached to the little fellow they name Caesar.

While his first test fails and he is almost fired, he tries it on his father. It works. But there are side effects. When the chimps take it, they become super-smart. The story unfolds slowly but kept me riveted. There is love in this story; the love of a son for his father, the love of the two men for the ape who is like a son/grandson.

When things begin to go out of control, Caesar takes command. There is cruelty to animals, violence, some blood, no bad language, and no sex in this movie. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is not a movie for young children as the plot is complex and the apes running wild are scary. The film is best for children 11 and up who won’t be scared by violent chimps and gorillas and who are better able to handle being disturbed by the violence done to the animals.

One last note: You MUST stay for the credits as there is an important part of the story revealed there.

 

The Smurfs
Running time: approx. 86 minutes
Rated PG
Live-action and animation, starring: Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Winters, Alan Cumming, Hank Azaria, Jayma Mays

I did not see The Smurfs in 3-D. Even without the 3-D, this is a perfect movie for children. Taken from the comic book characters and originating in France, Smurfs have been delighting children for a long time. So it’s about time they made it to the movies.

The story begins with the evil wizard, Gargamel (Azaria), chasing the Smurfs through a portal that connects to New York City. There they encounter Patrick Winslow (Harris) and his pregnant wife, Grace (Mays). Patrick works for a witchy cosmetics company boss who threatens to fire him if he doesn’t come up with a great ad campaign in two days.

Meanwhile, the Smurfs are trying to get away from Gargamel, who is hot on their trail, and get back home. They must find a special book to do the right magic to turn the moon blue and make the portal return.

There are lots of funny slapstick scenes with both the humans and the Smurfs to keep any child entertained. While there are pratfalls, chases and a bad guy, there is little here to scare a child as there are no monsters, dragons or huge snakes.

While The Smurfs may not be the best children’s movie for adults (even with the adult subplot), it's one of the best that’s come along in quite a while for children. The little blue characters are adorable and funny. There is a little fake violence, no bad language and no sex. The Smurfs should be fine for children age 6 and up who can sit through the movie and won’t mind not getting the adult subplot. Adults might need a second cup of coffee to stay focused.

 

Crazy, Stupid Love
Running time: approx. 118 minutes
Rated PG-13     
Starring: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei

This was both a hilarious and touching film, but not one for kids. Cal Weaver (Carell) is straight-laced, forty-something, and married for 25 years when his wife tells him she wants a divorce and that she slept with someone from work. Cal is comatose when he hears the news and passively moves out of his house. But Cal is very much in love with his wife and his life is destroyed.

At a bar, he watches Jacob (Gosling), a womanizer, move in on women night after night after night. Jacob and Cal become friends and Jacob gives Cal a makeover. Cal gets in the groove of picking up women, too.

There are lots of complications between Jacob and Cal and Cal’s wife and the woman that Jacob meets. I can’t go further without spoiling the movie. Although I found Crazy, Stupid Love highly entertaining and one of the funniest movies in a long time, it is about sex and relationships, and it's inappropriate for children under 14 years old.

There is no violence, but there is bad language. The movie has many sexual situations, though no nudity. While mostly funny, Crazy, Stupid Love is poignant in places and doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow at the end, another aspect of the movie that I liked. Loved this movie.

 

Captain America
Running time: approx. 125 minutes
Rated PG-13 
Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Stanley Tucci

Special effects and a gripping story make Captain America an entertaining movie.

The movie, based on the comic book, opens in the present and almost immediately moves into flashbacks to WWII. We meet Steve Rodgers (Evans), a scrawny man whose parents were killed in the war. He desperately tries to enlist, but keeps flunking the physical. A German doctor named Erskine (Tucci) picks him for an experiment with a serum that can change his cells and make him stronger than any human. Steve agrees and becomes one buff guy.

Meanwhile, Hydra (Weaving), a bad guy with plans to rule the world, has also received the serum. He uses a magic energy cube to create uber-powerful weapons.

The Nazis kill Dr. Erskine. After an act of bravery, Steve is shunted into a publicity program to sell war bonds because without Dr. Erskine, this special program to create others like Steve is also dead. He performs on the stage with a kick line of chorus girls dressed up as “Captain America.” He is ridiculed by the troops for pretending to be a hero. This galls him, so he dons a real uniform and goes out to rescue 400 men who have been taken prisoner by Hydra.

There are some awesome weapons, and the battle scenes are amazing, as are the special effects, especially making Chris Evans look like a shrunken weakling.

The messages here are mostly good, except for the fact that weak-guy-Steve is portrayed as being not much use in the war effort. There is tons of violence but no blood, no bad language and no sex. This film should be fine for children 11 and up who are not scared by a horrible-looking Hydra when he takes his mask off to reveal a red and hideous face. See it with them; Captain America is engrossing and well done.

Captain America is another film that leads to The Avengers, a movie yet to be released. If you stay for all the credits, there is a clip of The Avengers afterward.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II
Running time: approx. 130 minutes
Rated PG-13
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

I’ve been waiting, anticipating this movie since Part One came out. In the beginning I was able to keep up, reading the books before seeing each one of the movies, but in the past few years I’ve fallen behind. So I viewed both Part One and Part Two with fresh eyes, having no idea of the outcome of either movie. Not having read the books made me more eager to see the movie.

Each and every Harry Potter movie has impressed me with the quality and the strict adherence to the storyline in the book (for the ones where I read the book) so I went in with high expectations and was not disappointed.

There was much ground to cover finishing the fabulous tale of Harry Potter, so it made sense to have two movies for the last book. This movie opened in a dark place with the death of Nobby the Elf. Harry, Hermione and Ron banded together to take out Voldemort, understanding there were still bridges to cross and objects that needed to be destroyed.

The movie sucked me in right away. Although I occasionally had trouble understanding all the dialogue spoken with British accents, I picked up the plot with no problem. The symbols continue to fascinate as Harry trades the magic sword to a gnome for help entering the vault where one of the items they are seeking resides.

The hunt continues throughout the movie with more plot twists being revealed at every turn. The action leaves you breathless as magic and great writing keep you guessing every minute. Although the movie was long, it passed quickly because there was not one dull second. Just when you think you have it all figured out, J.K. Rowling turns everything on its head.

The movie was fabulous whether you’ve read the book or not. Definitely headed for the top ten, this don’t-miss movie had many scary moments with that huge, nasty snake, a frightening fire-breathing dragon and assorted huge warriors. It is best for children 10 and up who won’t be frightened by large monsters on the screen. You do not have to have read all the books to enjoy this movie. See it with your kids; it’s a cinematic ride like none other.
 

Larry Crowne
Running time: approx. 99 minutes
Rated PG-13    
Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts

Larry Crowne is a breath of fresh air. Written by Tom Hanks and Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), the movie is delightful.

Larry (Hanks) has been employee-of-the-month at a big box store nine times. Suddenly, he is downsized, out of a job, because he doesn’t have a college degree. He enrolls in the local college and begins slowly, taking two courses and desperately looking for a job so he won’t lose his house. He takes a speech course and meets Ms. Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), his professor.

Larry is a sweet, gentle guy who spent 20 years as a cook in the Navy. His marriage dissolved, and he lives alone. Ms. Tainot’s marriage is crumbling, and she is depressed doing the same job with bored students.

The movie provides a wealth of warm, funny, quirky supporting characters, created with great writing, in brief, thumbnail sketches. Larry is a decent guy dealing admirably with a hand full of lousy cards dealt him by life; you’re rooting for him from the get-go. Although Mercedes appears as a dislikable, burned-out teacher in the beginning, by the end, we’re rooting for her, too.

I loved this story, the organic way it unfolded, the way the characters developed and the happy ending. There is no violence, some sexual references, including a brief view of a porno page on a computer (not close-up) and a little foul language (including the “f” word once by Ms. Tainot). Don’t let that stop you from seeing one of the best movies so far this year. Take your kids 13 and up who will not object to an older man as the main character.

 

Zookeeper
Running time: approx. 104 minutes
Rated PG         
Starring Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb

Griffin (James) is a sweet man, a gentle soul who is a terrific zookeeper because he genuinely cares for the animals. He’s in love with a shallow beauty, Stephanie (Bibb). He proposes, and she shoots him down. Five years later, Griffin, shy with women, is still carrying a torch for her.

Meanwhile, at the zoo, the animals love Griffin and when they see he may leave the zoo, they get together to help him get Stephanie back. When he discovers the animals can talk, Griffin flips out at first, and then gets into it. The scene where he dresses up the gorilla and takes him out to dinner with him is pretty outrageous, but I laughed anyway.

We all know Griffin is barking up the wrong tree with Stephanie, but he has to find out for himself, which he does by the end of the movie.

While this is a fairly pedestrian plot, the talking animals, their rapport with Griffin and the physical comedy are cute, funny and entertaining. The messages are good. It's a movie about being true to yourself and feeling good about who you are, even if your job is not the most glamorous or highest paying. There is a little violence, no sex and no bad language. Zookeeper is a fun movie to see with your kids, 9 and up, who can understand the rivalry over a pretty girl.

 

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

Running time: approx. 157 minutes
Rated PG-13 
Starring: Shia LaBoeuf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, John Malkovich, Rosie Huntington-Whitely

I didn’t see Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3-D, yet it was still an amazing experience filling up my eyes and ears with scene after scene of explosions, collapsing buildings and those fabulous, wonderful transforming autobots.

The story begins in the Kennedy era when our race to the Moon was launched. Jump to the present where the Autobots learn there is a Cybertronian spaceship hidden on the Moon and race to check it out. I admit some of the details of the plot escaped me, perhaps qualifying me even more to give an opinion from the point of view of a child.

I did get that the Decepticons, defeated in the last encounter, didn’t give up. Their goal is to take over Earth and use our energy to revitalize their planet so they can be back in business again.

At the same time, we agonize with our hero, Sam (LaBoeuf), as he, along with a million other recent college grads, tries desperately to find a job. There is some interplay with his parents and his gorgeous girlfriend, Carly (Huntington-Whitely). But the action belongs to a bad guy (remaining nameless to avoid spoiling the movie), the autobots and the Decepticons.

The movie has several plot twists, some humor, and those amazing computer effects to stun and amaze you. There is a ton of violence, though no human blood, some bad language and no sex although it is clear that Carly and Sam are living together unmarried. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a fun movie to see with your child (11 and up) who can keep up with the plot.

 

Midnight in Paris
Running time: approx. 100 minutes
Rated PG-13            
Starring Owen Wilson, Marian Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates

Mr. Wilson plays the Woody Allen character, a frustrated screenwriter who longs to write good fiction, in Midnight in Paris. He is engaged to the most unpleasant woman in the world and visiting Paris with her equally unpleasant parents. Unfortunately, no one can deliver the humor like Mr. Allen himself.

While in Paris, our hero falls in love with the city and imagines what life must have been like during the golden era of fiction, when F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein lived.

One evening when our hero is lost, a bell tolls midnight, a car from the 1920’s pulls up, and our hero gets in. He is immediately transported back to the golden era in the company of some of the most famous American artists and writers that ever lived.

The movie bounces our hero back and forth between the life that was and his life today, making him yearn to go back in time. This is a gorgeous, charming movie taking a peek into a glamorous past. The theme is adult and although there is no bad language or violence, there are sexual references. For every writer and aspiring writer, the idea holds magic. Best take your children 13 and over who know of these great achievers and can appreciate our hero’s dilemma and Mr. Allen’s subtle humor.

 

Cars 2
Running time: approx. 95 minutes
Rated G 
Animated, featuring the voices of: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, John Turturro, Michael Caine

What can you say about a studio which never made a bad film? You can say their winning streak still stands with this entry. I like Cars 2 even better than Cars.

The story, about Lightning McQueen (Wilson) going to Europe to race with his sidekick, Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), meeting a haughty Italian race car, British intelligence spies, lemons like The Pacer, and others, is fast-paced, fun, complex and beautifully animated.

Like most Pixar films, regardless of the rating (this one is rated a “G”), it is not a film for small children, who will not understand what is going on. However, the race scenes, the beautiful animation, the fun characters and animated scenery of Tokyo, Paris, London, and Italy created by the talented Pixar team were outstanding. The story involved spies, a certain type of car (do not want to spoil movie), several races, ingenious car chases, funny bits about car parts, and other small but effective jokes.

Another reason not to miss this movie is the short film preceding it with the wonderful cast of Toy Story. Ken and Barbie have their first kiss!

No one does an animated film like Disney Pixar, and Cars 2 is another don’t-miss film you’ll definitely want to see with your children.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Running time: approx.  91 minutes
Rated PG 
Starring:  Jordana Beatty, Heather Graham

This lively movie is taken from the book of the same name. Judy (Beatty) is a creative, active third grader planning her summer with her best friends. She wants to have a competition to see how many exciting activities each of them can master. Unfortunately her plans are destroyed when she finds out her best friend is going to circus camp and another is going to Borneo. Summer partings happen to children. Parents make plans for summer vacations involving sleep away camp or trips with their children regardless of what a best friend is doing. This seemed like a universal issue.

But Judy is not daunted. She sends the list to her friends via e-mail (do they have email in circus camp?), and each one agrees to participate. Judy has one friend left at home and she and he pair up, scheming to get “thrill points” for a variety of adventures. But Judy blunders everything, bringing up last place when she gets a hand from her wacky aunt (Graham).

While the movie is a bit silly in places, it is a warm, amusing romp geared directly to younger children (not 4-year-olds) with no adult issues to cloud the fun. Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is a movie made totally for kids, ages 7 and up.

With no violence, bad language or sex, this is the perfect summer movie for children. It is fun, entertaining for kids and written from a child’s perspective. There is nothing to object to here except parents might find it boring. Send your children with Grandma or a baby sitter.

Mr. Popper's Penguins
Running time: approx. 95 minutes
Rated PG            
Starring: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury

This movie has no relation to the beloved book. The only similar part is the arrival of an unexpected penguin and the ensuing chaos and fun. Those screenwriters needing therapy create another father/son problem relationship. To repeat, guys, get over your father issues when you write…please!

This Tom Popper (Carrey) is a hard-driving real estate developer assigned to buy Tavern on the Green, a beautiful old restaurant located in Central Park in New York City. Tom is divorced and has two children. His father, absent for most of his life, sends him a penguin then Tom messes up returning the penguin and gets five more.

The penguins teach Tom humanity and bring him closer to his children and his former wife (Gugino) who miraculously harbors no ill will toward him. Do I like what they’ve done to an old classic? No. Is the film a disaster? No. It will be entertaining to kids who haven’t read the book. The penguin scenes and the fact that the director managed to keep Mr. Carrey from shamelessly overacting for most of the movie redeemed it.

It’s a cute, funny, predictable film but not the charming story you read as a kid. There is no violence, sex or bad language. There are some adult issues, like divorce, the prospect of parents reuniting, and greedy developers. It should be fine for kids 8 and up.

Green Lantern
Running time: approx. 105 minutes
Rated PG-13            
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins

Another D.C. Comics movie hits theaters this summer with Ryan Reynolds as the reluctant hero, Hal Jordan.

Hal is a pilot, a test pilot, like his dad, his hero, who died in a plane explosion when Hal was a boy. Hal is a confident guy but a bit of a screw-up. He blew his relationship with the daughter of the plane company owner.

Meanwhile, in outer space a legion of planet protectors is born. They name themselves the Green Lanterns. One dies as his plane plummets to Earth. Hal finds him and the magic ring finds Hal, who becomes the next Green Lantern.

The bad guy from outer space is a huge, horrible looking creature who comes to Earth. A scientist gets “infected” by the alien who dies on Earth and also becomes a bad guy (Sarsgaard).

Things get complicated, but the story in interesting, the fight scenes are exciting, and it ends happily, leaving room for a sequel. I saw it in 3D, which didn’t make a huge difference in the movie, only in the admission price. There was a subplot about father and son hatred between the scientist and his father. I’m so tired of father/son issues in movies. Hey, male screenwriters, get a good shrink and stop putting your hang-ups in movies!

Green Lantern has violence but no blood, the opening scene shows Hal waking up in bed with a woman he doesn’t know well, and there's a little swearing but not much. I enjoyed Green Lantern and recommend it for kids age 11 and up, as long as they're not prone to nightmares as the creature is scary.

 

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COMING SOON... 

Tower Heist
There is a new movie due to be released in November called Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy playing a thief, Alan Alda as a Bernie-Madoff-type and Ben Stiller as the hero. I don't know what the rating will be, but I'll see it because one of the most entertaining movie actors ever will be in it: Eddie Murphy.

One unusual aspect of Mr. Murphy's career is that he has done movies for a variety of audiences. If you have a rainy weekend coming up, I suggest an Eddie Murphy festival.

 

Here are a few movies featuring Eddie Murphy that you might enjoy:

 

For the younger ones:

• Dr. Doolittle and Dr. Doolittle 2. These are sweet, funny, touching films with loads of animals and a warm family.
• The Nutty Professor is also fine for younger children. A funny, silly romp with Mr. Murphy playing several roles.
• The Shrek series also falls in this category as Mr. Murphy was the voice of Donkey.
• Daddy Day Care is a movie that spans all ages groups. Watching the fathers trying to cope with the little kids had me laughing until I cried.

'tweens and teens try these:

• Beverly Hills Cop and Beverly Hills Cop 2 – these are perhaps the finest films he has made for adults. Much violence and some bad language don't ruin the great character of Axel Foley, a savvy policeman who doesn't do things by the book and the wonderful plots. Throw in a fantastic soundtrack and you have the best entertainment going.
• Trading Places with Dan Ackroyd is a hilarious, irreverent movie with an original idea carried off beautifully.

 

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Jean's DVD Picks for Kids

 

Jungle Book (1967)

Running time: 78 minutes
Starring: Phil Harries, Sebastian Cabot and Louis Prima

The story of Mowgli, a boy raised in the jungle, and his friends, a crazy orangutan and an easy-going bear, is charming and delightful. Even the bad snake is not very scary. The jazzy music is wonderful, and one song, “The Bare Necessities,” was nominated for an Academy Award. From 1967, this charmer is appropriate for kids of all ages.

Mouse Hunt (1997) 

Running time: 98 minutes
Rated PG
Starring: Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Christopher Walken

Since there was a dearth of appropriate movies for kids opening this week, I am recommending an old favorite for viewing at home. Mouse Hunt is a crazy story about two brothers, down on their luck, who inherit their father’s house. The house is worth enough money to set them up, but they must first get rid of a mouse with no intention of moving out.

Mouse Hunt is a gem, the perfect family movie with plenty of genuinely funny slapstick comedy. Nathan Lane is hilarious, but Christopher Walken practically steals the movie as an exterminator driven almost insane by this intrepid mouse. Mouse Hunt is perfect for children of all ages and parents, too. It’s clever, witty and silly all at the same time.

Jumanji (1997) 

Running time: 98 minutes
Rated PG
Starring: Robin Williams, Bebe Neuwirth, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce

This highly original movie starts off when a sister and brother who lost their parents in an accident move to a new house with their aunt/guardian. They find a game in the attic, dust it off and play it. The game is called “Jumanji.” Unexpectedly, a man (Williams) appears. He played the game years before when he was a boy and got trapped in the jungle setting of the game's parallel universe, until he was released by the kids' roll of the dice.

With every role of the dice, a new challenge comes to life: evil monkeys, huge spiders, and a jungle stampede, to name a few of the things that appear. There are some scary elements, so this movie is best for kids 10 and up, but many parents will love it, too.

The Sound of Music and Singing in the Rain

These are two classic musicals with some of the best movie music ever. While Sound of Music has a better story, there is no movie musical with better dancing than Singing in the Rain.

Night at the Opera and Duck Soup

These two Marx Brothers movies are still hilarious and can be shared with kids of all ages who will get all the slapstick humor but not all the jokes. The kings of slapstick are still funny and will have you laughing together.

Rear Window and North by Northwest

These two award-winning Hitchcock movies are best watched with kids age 10 and over as the plots are complicated. They are two of the most suspenseful movies ever made and are sure to hold everyone’s attention every second, after all, they are Hitchcock movies. I’ll never look at Mt. Rushmore the same again.

Bringing Up Baby

This classic Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn comedy is hilarious with much slapstick and mistaken identity between two leopards, one tame and one ferocious. It’s a fun one to share with kids, even though it’s in black and white.

 

Jean Joachim's Movie Choices For Kids is a nationally syndicated movie review column.

 

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