I gave this film a 10 because i cannot think of anything that would have made it better. I wasn't even thinking this would be more than good due to being from a new studio. As a movie it was great, moved along easily and quickly, very smoothly. As a documentary it was superb. Covered the issue from all sides from a variety of sources. All sources were freely given permission to speak without interruption and some asked questions also. Doctors, therapists, pediatricians, experts of all kinds were given voice, respectfully. Every parent should see this and every young person who might be having issues in this realm should also see it. You can only come out more informed.
Reviews
37 Reviews
A Waltons Thanksgiving
(2022)
Don't tamper with basics
28 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Most awful waste of time I've had in years, had to try 3 times to get through this. Now they have a nice house and grandparents don't live with them? MaryEllen likes to sing, since when? Olivia an entirely different person. Pa calls them "walnuts"? Elizabeth less mature and more babyish than she was. Erin, whiney and pathetic. Who would take this family to heart? None of us and story so crazy, forced, without the Waltons' heart. This was pointless since the movies are still fairly current. Making me go on and on to fill in required characters to say this is just bad, and waste of time, yours and mine.
Pinocchio
(I) (2022)
Don't waste your time
8 September 2022
First, this movie is was way too long for children. Second, I didn't appreciate the morality lessons the way they were being pushed. Why would I want my children saying "what the cuss?" The boy who took him to Pleasure Island sounded like a stereotypical gangster. Why would this be desirable for children? At least I assume the ethnic-bashing is probably over their heads. Nothing here is for children. Too dark and hard to see. Watch the original, the classic again and listen to classic soundtrack. Mostly same songs but not as well done as the original. I couldn't wait for this to be over. Can't remember the last Disney movie I found worthwhile.
Dallas
(2012–2014)
Could well be better than our first view
28 April 2019
I was a huge fan of Dallas from the begining, either watching every week or taping the episode in my absence. Toward the end of the series I had a child and discovered recently that I'd never actually watched through to the end. About a decade ago I purchased the DVDs but never got to the end that time either. Watched the entire series recently through IMDb's Freedive. I loved it and remembered most of it and relished seeing it again and there were points I'd forgotten also. Loved it so much I decided to watch the "new" Dallas from 2012. Right from the start I was hooked again. I though this could well be even better than the original. Loved seeing all the characters again and watching the sons model their fathers' behavior. I suspect I'll be watching these again every year or two.
Pete's Dragon
(2016)
Yet another underwhelming live action
28 February 2019
To be honest I have to admit I'm a really big Pete's Dragon fan, the original, definitely not this one. My nephew and I saw the original many times over his childhood in many different venues. I also own it, of course.
Disney's latest plan to take money from us is the live action remakes of all their classics. I liked the Dalmatian movies. I loved Maleficent (different story, at least a different point of view). Was very disappointed in Jungle Book, Cinderella. Not going to spend money on any of these any more. I also refuse to go to movies whose characters are changed to add a "modern" characteristic (like sexuality) to "spice things up".
Pete's Dragon (2016) tried too hard to be a big movie with a big story and big visuals. If you're going to do a movie about a potential monster who cares for a child but adults want to attack, then you have to put the special love between the child and the dragon as priority way at the beginning of the movie so that we'll love him to and our hearts will ache as he's put into danger. Otherwise you've got nothing and this movie had nothing. They should stop spending money just to spend it until they have a real story worth doing. If you want to make a new movie with new story then do that, don't ruin the classics.
Disney's latest plan to take money from us is the live action remakes of all their classics. I liked the Dalmatian movies. I loved Maleficent (different story, at least a different point of view). Was very disappointed in Jungle Book, Cinderella. Not going to spend money on any of these any more. I also refuse to go to movies whose characters are changed to add a "modern" characteristic (like sexuality) to "spice things up".
Pete's Dragon (2016) tried too hard to be a big movie with a big story and big visuals. If you're going to do a movie about a potential monster who cares for a child but adults want to attack, then you have to put the special love between the child and the dragon as priority way at the beginning of the movie so that we'll love him to and our hearts will ache as he's put into danger. Otherwise you've got nothing and this movie had nothing. They should stop spending money just to spend it until they have a real story worth doing. If you want to make a new movie with new story then do that, don't ruin the classics.
The Departed
(2006)
poor rating for disgusting language
21 October 2018
Why does everyone think it's OK to put this stuff out with that kind of language? Every third word is something you wouldn't want your grandmother to hear. Can't wait until these guys' daughters are called these things and referred to this way. Then they'll be really proud, won't they? I just couldn't stick with it because of the language. No, I don't hear it everyday. If you have something to say, speak adult.
The Last Movie Star
(I) (2017)
It's like a eulogy
9 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not certain how much I would have enjoyed this movie when it came out last year but today, days after Burt Reynolds' death, I think it was a wonderful movie and he will go off maybe a little more humble than we remember him. WIth all that Burt has shared about his personal life and missed opportunities and regrets, let's try to remember that your life isn't over and your choices can still be changed until you breathe your last breath. Don't make your life one of regret, while you still have a chance to change things.
Tag
(I) (2018)
Language is horribly vulgar
13 July 2018
I went to see this by myself because it sounded like it would be fun. Instead, I was confronted by vulgar language, mostly by the women in this film. I should get my money back. Why can't we speak with respect to each other? These are supposed to be friends. I was annoyed and I guess I'll just have to avoid Ed Helms' movies from now on, knowing this is what it will be. Movie could have been (and should have been) made without this vulgarity. I'm especially offended because it was the women who had the bulk of the vulgar language. I don't accept this from anyone with whom I share space, so why should I pay to be offended?
The Florida Project
(2017)
for what reason?
22 April 2018
Save yourself from this say nothing, do nothing movie. It was kind of enjoyable to see all the places we've been driving by for years, but it was a complete waste of time to introduce me to this good-for-nothing mother and soon-to-be-the-same daughter (through other than her own fault, to be sure). I hate that kind of language and hate that it's being portrayed universally as "normal". I hate that children were (and are) exposed to this in the making of this movie. If you think that little girl is a good actress, then I challenge you to watch carefully every little spoiled child who is attempting to use crocodile tears to get what they want. Where do I apply to get my two hours that were stolen from me? Nothing made me think it was real.Thank goodness I didn't pay for this.
The Looming Tower
(2018)
Too many characters to keep straight
19 April 2018
I found the series overall to be done well and answered many questions I've had since 9/11, however there are so many characters it is difficult to remember who everyone is. I had to keep stopping and going to cast list (if I recognized the actor) to see who he was and looked up several of the people whose lives they were playing. That made it difficult to see the underlying idea of the competition between the FBI and CIA being the cause of the failure of both because I couldn't remember who was FBI and who was CIA and who was White House, etc. Instead of wasting time with characters' personal lives, I wish they had spent more time making sure we knew who was who.
The Resident
(2018–2023)
Yawn
24 January 2018
We don't even like your main character. How would you think this will be successful?
Main character breaks the rules, is proud of it and can't wait to teach the new interns to also break the rules. He is far too casual to be taken seriously and, if I were a patient, I'd wonder when the last time he bathed was. Tattoos, scruffy beard, ugh.
The background conversation is far too technical for the regular viewer (ST depression, Q waves, for instance, relating to heart rhythms). Is it put there to pretend this is a first-class drama or just as background noise? If a viewer needs to know something, this won't do it. If they don't need to know something why is this distraction there at all.
Can't see me following this show.
Main character breaks the rules, is proud of it and can't wait to teach the new interns to also break the rules. He is far too casual to be taken seriously and, if I were a patient, I'd wonder when the last time he bathed was. Tattoos, scruffy beard, ugh.
The background conversation is far too technical for the regular viewer (ST depression, Q waves, for instance, relating to heart rhythms). Is it put there to pretend this is a first-class drama or just as background noise? If a viewer needs to know something, this won't do it. If they don't need to know something why is this distraction there at all.
Can't see me following this show.
Draft Day
(I) (2014)
A Surprisingly Good Move for a non-Football Fan
20 November 2017
I watched this movie finally because it was made here in Cleveland and I know people who were extras in it. I want you to know that I am not a football fan, nor am I a Browns fan. I do not watch the games and could absolutely not care less who wins or loses. However, being a living- breathing being who does listen to the radio, I know a slight amount about draft day and am familiar with the hype surrounding certain players and our ever-hopeful for next year fans here.
That being said, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this movie so much. It's not really a "sports movie" as other reviews have said; it's more an inside look at the big day, the rules and conventions, how life goes on for others despite this day and how the "perfect choice" is different for different people. You hope your coach chooses your guy, but what does he know that you do not? It's like choosing a spouse, in the long-run who will be best for the team?
That being said, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this movie so much. It's not really a "sports movie" as other reviews have said; it's more an inside look at the big day, the rules and conventions, how life goes on for others despite this day and how the "perfect choice" is different for different people. You hope your coach chooses your guy, but what does he know that you do not? It's like choosing a spouse, in the long-run who will be best for the team?
The Good Dinosaur
(2015)
So glad I didn't spend any money on this one
13 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I am so glad I didn't spend any money on this movie, I borrowed it from the library. Used to be the name Pixar meant quality. Now that is no longer true. When it got to the end (finally), I thought to myself what was this supposed to be about. What was the purpose of it? How many of you knew when Poppa and Arlo went out that Poppa wasn't coming back? Too often done in these "children's" movies, do you think? Then the poor grammar--what's the point of that? That animals aren't smart enough to speak properly? Really? Cavemen here are so dumb that they can't even speak at all and likewise they can't walk upright either. Tired of this indoctrination to children. If cavemen were that dumb, they would not have survived and we wouldn't be here.
Maggie's Passage
(2009)
Sometimes I wish they wouldn't even try
14 July 2017
While I try to watch all the "Christian" films and wish there had been more when my son was young, they're generally so badly done that I wish they wouldn't even try. Here the script is so routine and childish (you know exactly what each character is going to say beforehand) and the point (what are they trying to accomplish) so light, that the most it does is hold the genre up to ridicule and teach people who might be open that it's more than likely to be a waste of both time and money.
Why do all the characters in this movie seem to think that it's OK for a young woman to go and spend time with a strange man inside an airplane hangar? Does no one see the danger but me? Did she learn nothing with the other men she was involved with? What is the man thinking to invite her in? What do they want other "runaways" to learn here? That if you're good all the people that you meet will also be good? Doesn't work that way. I'd rather see them save their money and put it to genuine good use.
Did anyone else notice that everything in this movie is clean and new? Even the furniture and outdoor area and shelter kitchen that the homeless people use. Just like real life.
The background music with the young girl singing is also so bad that you want to cover your ears. Save yourself from this movie.
Why do all the characters in this movie seem to think that it's OK for a young woman to go and spend time with a strange man inside an airplane hangar? Does no one see the danger but me? Did she learn nothing with the other men she was involved with? What is the man thinking to invite her in? What do they want other "runaways" to learn here? That if you're good all the people that you meet will also be good? Doesn't work that way. I'd rather see them save their money and put it to genuine good use.
Did anyone else notice that everything in this movie is clean and new? Even the furniture and outdoor area and shelter kitchen that the homeless people use. Just like real life.
The background music with the young girl singing is also so bad that you want to cover your ears. Save yourself from this movie.
Daddy's Home
(2015)
not a movie for children of any age
10 June 2017
Interesting concept, but the adult theme is way too much for children. A fertility doctor, process to get sample from prospective dad, discussion of male genitalia is completely inappropriate for children and who, above child age, would be interested in this level of detail? Since when did age 13 become mature enough to delve into such an adult theme? Never, that's when. I would have been embarrassed if I'd taken my son to see this and would have left the theatre immediately and demanded my money back.
Hairspray Live!
(2016 TV Movie)
Normally I love musicals
8 December 2016
This was very disappointing. I like singing where beautiful sounds come out, not screeching. Way too much screeching.
There were so many places where the music overpowered the singing so that I only saw moving lips and heard no singing at all. There is no way to adjust ears so that one can tune into the music and the other to the voice, so it's just disappointing when someone doesn't do his/her job to make sure things are working together.
I had to actually force myself to watch all the way through to the end. It was way too long and not interesting enough to enjoy to the end. Maybe NBC just can't pull off a live musical show.
There were so many places where the music overpowered the singing so that I only saw moving lips and heard no singing at all. There is no way to adjust ears so that one can tune into the music and the other to the voice, so it's just disappointing when someone doesn't do his/her job to make sure things are working together.
I had to actually force myself to watch all the way through to the end. It was way too long and not interesting enough to enjoy to the end. Maybe NBC just can't pull off a live musical show.
The Atheist Delusion
(2016 Video)
Truth is easy to see if you open your eyes and heart
24 October 2016
Ray Comfort is out to open the eyes and hearts of Atheists. His approach is easy-going and non-judgemental. Movie is easy to watch and gives you a lot to think about. The movie is focused on conversations with random people who say they are Atheists. Ray asks questions and provides answers to theirs. Most people shown say they are open after their conversation and some are willing to pray with him by the end.
The simple question Ray asks makes sense and brings the Atheists to the proper answer and opens their eyes to additional interest and instruction. If you're a believer already, it's great to watch for how to have conversation. If you're questioning, it's a simple way to find some truth without pressure or judgement and offers a path.
The simple question Ray asks makes sense and brings the Atheists to the proper answer and opens their eyes to additional interest and instruction. If you're a believer already, it's great to watch for how to have conversation. If you're questioning, it's a simple way to find some truth without pressure or judgement and offers a path.
Demolition
(2015)
to say any of them is helping any of the others is totally false
9 October 2016
These are three of the most dysfunctional people ever in the same movie. None of them is helping any of the other of them. To pretend this is the underlying story of the film is just not true. This movie has no redeeming quality whatsoever.
Each relationship between the different "couples" of them is just a different experience than they've had prior. They're not better, they're just different.
They don't need each other; they just use each other to get through.
And the misplaced sub-plot of the child is manipulative and nonsensical.
The only redeeming part of this movie comes near the end when Davis says, "There was love between Julia and I. I just didn't take care of it." If you take nothing else away from this movie, take that. We are mostly so wrapped up in ourselves that we don't take the proper care of what and whom we should.
Each relationship between the different "couples" of them is just a different experience than they've had prior. They're not better, they're just different.
They don't need each other; they just use each other to get through.
And the misplaced sub-plot of the child is manipulative and nonsensical.
The only redeeming part of this movie comes near the end when Davis says, "There was love between Julia and I. I just didn't take care of it." If you take nothing else away from this movie, take that. We are mostly so wrapped up in ourselves that we don't take the proper care of what and whom we should.
Breathe
(II) (2011)
Too important a message to have been let down by the production
12 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe Spoiler: With the public service message at the end and the disturbing facts cited there also, it would have been nice to have seen the story with an improved production. Most of the acting was so bad, you couldn't get too caught up in the emotion of it. Even the "doctor" couldn't pronounce the condition that Mrs. Logan had; he kept calling it "preclampsia" instead of preeclampsia. A better job of presenting her symptoms was called for, for example, she said at first she'd gained 25 lbs. (that was at 16 weeks). Then 3 weeks later at her next appointment, she said she'd gained 15 more and then toward the end she said she'd gained 15 lbs. in just one week. That's 55 lbs. total that we know of and her body did not show that (as a matter of fact, her breasts were not even any larger than they were before she was pregnant). Her belly was shown like a basketball, completely round, like it was just plastered on the front of her. After the baby was born, when we see her husband visiting, her entire abdomen is still huge (larger than when she was pregnant), even though the baby is no longer there. The nurse is ordering tests? Nurses have no authority to do that, only doctors do (and sometimes physician assistants and certainly nurse practitioners). This being a true story (and pregnancy an everyday occurrence) the "unreality" of all these things was so distracting that the connection to the suffering mother was not there. It detracted from the important message attempting to be sent here.
Chased
(2015)
In the Not-too-Distant Future?
24 February 2016
The young narrator asks what was the last memory you have when things were good. Then she proceeds to tell and show us her memories. Even her voice is a bit haunting, presenting her story in soft and clear words. We meet her grandfather, who has told her of a time in the past she cannot remember and we also meet her brother, who has let his fear overcome him. We see the Commmunity she lives in, the little stories, the celebrations. We meet her best friend in play with her. It all looks too normal. It looks too much like our world. Will those of us who remain allow this to become our future and continue to ignore the stories of today in distant places? Can we stand up and be counted now to forestall the movement from coming to our communities? Will we?
The Wiz Live!
(2015 TV Movie)
if I wanted to hear screaming, I'd go to a playground
5 December 2015
I don't think I've ever actually seen The Wiz before. I do remember the commercials and all the interviews back when Michael Jackson's version was made, but don't recall seeing the entire movie. Perhaps it's time to check it out now. For a big-name production and, I'm sure a big financial commitment by NBC, this is a sad mess. Some of the songs have become iconic, but the renditions here show each performer trying to make his or her "mark" by screaming out the songs. Screaming may be in vogue right now, but it is not pleasing nor does it actually showcase a singer's talent. I found it so annoying, I had to force myself to sit through the entire production. The reason we enjoys musicals is so that we can live through the songs with the story. If I'm gritting my teeth and grimacing throughout, I'm not enjoying. Skip this version. Unfortunately another loss for NBC live productions.
The story of The Wiz should be light and airy. This one was so angry that I would have ended viewing if children had been present. We never saw Dorothy scowl before. Speaking of children, Dorothy, who is a child, had the shortest skirt NBC could get away with. I am appalled that, even with children, we cannot seem to have modest clothing. The actress did not have a slip on either. Her turns showed all the way up. This version is definitely not for children or anyone who appreciates fine theatre or their hearing.
The story of The Wiz should be light and airy. This one was so angry that I would have ended viewing if children had been present. We never saw Dorothy scowl before. Speaking of children, Dorothy, who is a child, had the shortest skirt NBC could get away with. I am appalled that, even with children, we cannot seem to have modest clothing. The actress did not have a slip on either. Her turns showed all the way up. This version is definitely not for children or anyone who appreciates fine theatre or their hearing.
Moondance Alexander
(2007)
Beautiful movie and story, weak script
22 November 2015
Loved the look of the movie, beautiful shots, wonderful characters, actors seemed fine. I'm not much of a horse person, so with me that doesn't carry the movie. Movie was the right length, not too long. The script was just so poorly written, I'd find myself wincing at the dialog. Character names were strange also (Gelsey, Moondance?), as if the author was "putting on airs". The makeup on the young actress bothered me also. First, she's a child and second, she's working in a stable and riding a horse. Those aren't activities where someone would normally be so made up and certainly not a child. If you're looking for a family movie with an interesting story (based on a true story), maybe about second chances, then this would be a good pick.
Moms' Night Out
(2014)
save your children's brains, avoid this at all cost
25 September 2015
This is probably the worst movie I have ever seen. Granted, I've missed the classic worsts by paying attention to reviews, so I confess I've never seen Gigli, Showgirls and Glitter. But this one caught me off- guard. I love Patricia Heaton, our hometown girl, love Sarah Drew from Gray's Anatomy, have always loved Sean Astin and have recently come to love Alex Kendrick but, even with all that going for it, I have wasted my day with this one. I never allowed my son to watch Barney, even though every other kid was watching and singing along. And that's for the same reason I'm begging you to avoid this one: nothing but time- wasting, brain cell killing fluff. The ending was tender, but we knew it was coming. Wish I hadn't had to pay with my life to get there. Not funny at all. Stupid is never funny to me. Stay away.
Vacation
(I) (2015)
the language is terrible
24 August 2015
I had to downgrade this by several points for the bad language. That's not funny or acceptable in any way. Let's get back to decency and respect. That the parents spoke this way in front of their kids (and obviously in front of the kids who will come to see this movie) is reprehensible. More and more, we're expected to tolerate this lack of decency wherever we go and that's not right. We need to be teaching young people that we do not tolerate this and decent people leave wherever this is going on and make a public rejection of the behavior. The movie was funny and touching and the language did not make it more funny. We need to expect more from movie makers and stand up for the right thing as we raise our children.
Last Ounce of Courage
(2012)
It's not about Christmas, it's about freedom
31 July 2015
This movie was so much more than I expected. What a powerful message about the price that has been paid for freedom in this country and around the world, and we are letting it slip away because we're too intimidated to stand up and fight so that we don't lose it all together. When they came for the Jews, I didn't say anything because I'm not Jewish, etc., etc. What a great story, good acting, powerful message, super ending. Sometimes it just takes one person to get things going. People want to be shown how and will follow. A great movie to watch with the entire family, no matter your faith. I'm going to add this to my Christmas movie collection to watch again and again.
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