movie reviews

Leave a comment Posted on August 9, 2014 movie reviews, Nostalgia, parenting, reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Determining What Is Age Appropriate Versus What Is Just Okay

I mentioned a few weeks ago in my review of Planes: Fire & Rescue that Mommy and I were planning to take you to the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie when it came out in August. (Which was yesterday, August 8th.)

Well, the time has come, yet we’re not taking you to see it this weekend. That’s because I realized the movie is rated PG-13, not PG; you’re not even 4 years old yet.

(Not to mention, the new Ninja Turtles movie isn’t getting good reviews either.)

At first I tried to convince myself it would be okay; after all, it’s just the Ninja Turtles!

But after having recently seen and reviewed X-Men: Days Of Future Past as well as Guardians Of The Galaxy, I predict that the new Ninja Turtles movie would simply be too intense for you at this age.

Like those other PG-13 nostalgic movies, I’m sure there will be no explicit violence, but I assume the level of action will be much more intense than what you see while watching Power Rangers on Netflix.

Therefore, I think we’ll check out the new Paddington movie coming out in a few months. That seems a lot more appropriate for you at this age.

I’ve been noticing that’s a new theme for me these days in “daddyhood.”

The question: What is age appropriate for you versus what is simply just okay?

For example, a couple of weeks ago I heard you randomly say, “This isn’t WrestleMania! That’s what my teacher Ms. Michelle says.”

That prompted me to show you a classic 1988 WrestleMania match. You were into it, but haven’t wanted to watch anymore of it since then.

You’d rather watch Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood instead.

So that’s what I’m accepting: While something like classic WrestleMania or the new Ninja Turtles movie may be okay for you to watch, it’s doesn’t mean it’s necessarily age appropriate.

This morning as you and Mommy left the house to go buy groceries, your departure song was “God Is Bigger Than the Boogie Man.”

Looks like VeggieTales is more your speed right now. That’s fine by me.

Love,

Daddy

3 Comments Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 Uncategorized

Guardians Of The Galaxy: Family Friendly Movie Review By Nick Shell

There is no question that Guardians Of The Galaxy is an excellent, successful movie… not to mention hilarious! But the question I’ve already been asked is this: What age is appropriate for a child to see it?

Like what I said in my recent review of X-Men: Days Of Futures Past, the movie follows a certain formula which ensures a PG-13 rating for an action/comedy; which is much more profitable than R, and completely more profitable than PG.

Therefore, the movie contains constant violence and on screen deaths; however, virtually no blood.

As far as profanity, again like X-Men: Days Of Futures Past, they casually use pretty much every word in the book once, except for “the f-word” or “g.d.” or references to female genitalia. The main character also “shoots a bird,” uncensored; unlike in the preview.

Regarding nudity, just like X-Men: Days Of Futures Past, there is a brief shot of a man’s bare butt. But female nudity is not a problem whatsoever.

I assumed that for a science fiction comedy, there would probably be reoccurring shots of scantily clad female aliens, but unless you’re really making a point to scan the background shots of crowds of people, you won’t find that in this movie.

That’s especially opposed to X-Men: Days Of Futures Past, which contained constant coverage of Jennifer Lawrence in a very form-fitting, yet non-explicit, skin suit.

As expected, Guardians Of The Galaxy contains a steady amount of “boy humor.” There is also an ongoing reference to the main character (Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt) being a playboy with female aliens across the universe, yet nothing explicit is ever mentioned.

So over all, I would project that the youngest safe age for a child to see this movie would be around eleven years old; 6^thgrade, which is how old I was when I saw Jurassic Park in the theatre back in 1993.

I want to close by pointing out that Guardians Of The Galaxy is a very well done movie. It’s nostalgic, action-packed, and contains a great script and plot.

Think of it as the underdog version of X-Men: Days Of Futures Past. Unlike the X-Men, the Guardians of the Galaxy were not brought together as an all-star team.

It’s more like they ended together, not even liking each other for most of the movie.

However, they recognize they are all “losers,” all having lost something important in their lives; like their families and homes. That’s what brings them together.

Something else I particularly appreciate about the movie is that it has a perfect and happy ending, yet creatively leaves the door open to make a trilogy of the movie.

Thanks for reading my review today. You’re welcome back anytime!

*Click on “movie reviews” below to see other movies I’ve featured!

4 Comments Posted on July 19, 2014July 19, 2014 movie reviews, reviews, Uncategorized

Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue- A Family Friendly Review

Today my wife and I took our son (age 3 years, 8 months) to his 2nd movie in a theatre: Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue.

As expected, he loved it. Though, strangely, when I asked him what his favorite part was, he answered that it was when Dusty Crophopper crashes.

I personally definitely enjoyed this sequel more than the original.

Whereas the first Planes movie seemed more like the “plane version” of Cars, Planes: Fire & Rescue actually serves more as a spin-off of the first Planes movie.

I appreciate that Planes: Fire & Rescue picks up with the protagonist Dusty Crophopper moving on in his career. He leaves behind his career as a racer and decides to pursue obtaining his certfication to become a fire and rescue plane; in the majestic setting of the very fire-prone woodlands of northern California.

(As I learned from sitting through the movie’s ending credits, actual fire and rescue officials from Sacramento were consulted for the making of this movie.)

I felt the characters and the plot line in this sequel/spin-off were much interesting and original. It sort of reminds me of the difference between the two Captain America movies.

While the concept of death is not typically addressed in the Disney Cars/Planes universe, it definitely is in this movie.

They don’t shy away from that theme; as heroes of the fire and rescue team, they must be willing to sacrifice their lives for others. Death is not simply alluded to in Planes: Fire & Rescue, it’s very much a present concept throughout.

I believe that part of the reason it is rated PG instead of G is because of the undeniable theme of life and death; even though there are no shown “deaths” throughout the movie; they are only referenced.

Language and sexual content are not an issue. There are of course “vehicle-related” substitutes like “Chevy” being used as a curse word, for example.

Also, one scene features an “oil and gas bar” named Honkers, in which the sign contains the headlights of a car lit up, as to parody Hooters; though there are no “topless” waitresses, as suggested in the original Cars movie in which race fans “flashed” the race cars by turning on their headlights.

But obviously, only adults would even recognize those brief references. I can’t see any of those examples actually being perceived as offensive.

So in other words, Disney was clever enough to splice in a few subtle references to make sure that Planes: Fire & Rescue had just enough “oomph” to earn a PG rating.

By now, it should be common knowledge that PG rated kids’ movies make a lot more money than G-rated kids’ movies; likewise, PG-13 rated non-kids’ movies make a lot more money than PG rated non-kids’ movies.

(That explains why nearly every PG-13 rated movie contains its one token “f-word.” It ensures that more profitable PG-13 rating.)

In summary, our family loved seeing Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue on opening weekend. We had a great time! I seriously doubt your family will be disappointed either.

As you can see from the photo collage above, my son and I spent this morning building planes out of Legos in preparation for seeing the movie today. And of course, he had to take his two Planes toys with him to the theatre.

Thanks for reading my family friendly movie review of Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue. About a month from now, I plan to review the new (PG-13 rated) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.

Will it be suitable for my son? Let’s find out… next month.

4 Comments Posted on June 15, 2014June 16, 2014 Uncategorized

Unboxing Of “Everything Is Awesome” Edition Of The Lego Movie: Family Friendly Review

I’ve probably earned a reputation on Parents.com by now, as their daddy blogger, of being quite the fan of The Lego Movie. That suits me well though, because I was asked by Lego to review the Everything Is Awesome Edition of The Lego Movie.

With that being said, check out the unboxing video that I did, along with my 3 and a half year-old son who helped me out:

The Everything Is Awesome Edition of The Lego Movie includes the Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Ultraviolet (enabling you to watch it on your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone. Plus, the Bonus 3D movie is included as well.

Special featuers on the 2D Blu-Ray include a “brick’s eye view” of Emmet’s adventures, showing you how bricks were born in Bringing Lego To Life. Not to mention, there is are director/star commentary, outtakes, Dream Job: Meet The Lego Builders, and the “Everything Is Awesome” Sing-Along.

Goodies inside the Everything Is Awesome Edition of The Lego Movie include Vitruvius and President Business minifigures; which are the “Lego Man” versions of those two movie characters.

There is also a fun 14-page Meet The Characters book which contains 13 stickers, as well as games and puzzles.

As the unboxing video demonstrates, a 3D Emmet Photo is inside is well. If I was a little boy, I’d want that displayed proudly on my dresser in my room!

So there is my overview of what all you get with the Everything Is Awesome Edition of The Lego Movie. The official release date is Tuesday, June 17th. (Just in time for family vacation!)

But as for my son, he was able to enjoy it a few days sooner, as you can see him in a “Lego Movie trance” during dinner; in the photo collage above.

And the 2000 piece Lego box provided some good quotes from my son, like, “Daddy, make a Trans-grasshopper-former.”

As well as, “I like my new Legos because it’s a big block. Daddy, the big block is the garage.”

Thanks for visiting the Family Friendly Daddy Blog. I wonder what I will review next?

6 Comments Posted on June 12, 2014March 5, 2024 Uncategorized

X-Men: Days Of Future Past: Family Friendly Movie Review

This past weekend, I went with my friends Dave and Jet to go see X-Men: Days Of Future Past. Today, I want to share my “family friendly movie review” of it.

In other words, despite the PG-13 rating, at what age would it truly be okay for you to take your child to see this movie. That’s not a question I can answer for you.

But sort of look at me as a parent friend who is briefly examining the movie for you to decide if it will be a good choice for a child to see- and what age that child should be.

So let’s get started.

Profanity: They use pretty much every word in the book once, including one “f” and one “gd”, as well as an “a-hole.”

Violence: No blood, but several on-screen deaths and constant action throughout.

Sex/Nudity: There is an implied “morning after” scene involving Wolverine and a woman he doesn’t really know after he travels to 1973 and instantly wakes up in bed next to her; not knowing what’s going on. He steps out of bed and looks out the window, while the audience sees his bare butt for a few seconds.

Other than that, there is the fact that Jennifer Lawrence (of The Hunger Games) is wearing the equivalent of a skin-tight, one piece bathing suit for almost the entire time she is on screen- which is a lot of the movie. For what it’s worth, she’s entirely blue because she’s a mutant.

Overall: This is a solid movie; worth paying full price for. Not as awesome as Captain America: The Winter Soldier– that’s definitely the comic book movie to beat for this year… However, the plot, the acting, the production, I feel none of it is lacking.

I will point out that the plot does seem to resemble Inception, which also features Ellen Page. Both movies involve travelling into a person’s subconscious to attempt to change their conscious actions.

But seriously, no complaints!

With that being said, I’m a 33 year-old man. After hearing me describe this much about X-Men: Days Of Future Past, does it sound like the kind of movie you would be okay with your child seeing?

For me, thinking back to my own childhood, I believe that a 12 year-old boy could be mature enough to see this movie. That’s how old I was when Jurassic Park came out and I saw it in the theatre.

Decide for yourself what is best.

Thanks for reading my “family friendly movie review.” I wonder what I will see next?

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