Movie Review: Big Fat Liar

Overall: 3

MPAA: PG

Starring: Amanda Bynes, Frankie Muniz and Paul Giamatti

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 12-14

Acting: 3

Script: 2.5

Story: 3.5

Scariness: 1, maybe for the tiny amount of suspense (if you can even call it that).

Language: Some, but no four-letter words, it is all name-calling.

Romance: None - Hardly Any

Violence: None, but there were lots of pranks that went a little overboard.

Blood and Gore: None

Alcohol/Drugs: Maybe some during a brief party scene.

Magic: None

Favorite Quote: "They told me to pick up a little blue car. They didn't say anything about a little blue man!" - Tow Truck Driver

Comments:

So, this is a movie for pre-teens and young teens. Totally not feasible, but good for a laugh. The story has a strong moral to it, lieing gets you into trouble. But, at the end, the boy doesn't get into trouble for leaving home without permission, breaking and entering, stealing and pulling many, many mean pranks. So, I wouldn't suggest getting your sense of right and wrong from this movie. But, it is really funny (if corney). So, if you're looking for a light hearted comedy, this would be for you.

~Ellentia

Movie Review: Transformers

Overall: 2.5

MPAA: PG-13

Starring: Shia Le Beouf and Megan Fox

Recommended: No

Age Group: Umm, maybe 14 and up

Acting: 4

Script: 2.5

Story: 3

Scariness:4, but I get scared pretty easily. So for everyone else, 3.75

Language: Quite a Bit - Throughout

Romance: Moderate - Quite a Bit

Violence: Throughout

Blood and Gore: I don't think it showed any, but it was insinuated.

Alcohol/Drugs: Maybe Some, but I'm not sure

Magic: There wasn't any exactly, but it kinda seemed like it sometimes.

Favorite Quote: I don't have one.

Comments:

Just to clarify, I did not choose to watch this movie, it was shown on the bus on the way to Atlanta. I didn't like this movie at all, it was very violent, and it was not my kind of thing to start with. It also had a lot of unnecessary things in it, such as taking the Lord's name in vein frequently. I can work past some things in movies if the story warrants it, but the story wasn't spectacular. The movie certainly wasn't the worst thing ever, but I can think of a lot better things to do or watch.

~Ellentia

Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Overall: 5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 12 and up

Writing: 5

Story: 5

Scariness/Suspense: 2

Romance: A "puppy love" crush, but it is a very small part of the story.

Language: I don't think there is any.

Violence: Some

Blood and Gore: I can't remember any, but it does specifically mention several rats and mice dying or getting injured.

Alcohol/Drugs: [SPOILER] The animals drug the cat several times to prevent it from attacking them.

Religious/Anti-Religious References: There are several mentions of evolution, all assuming it is true.

Magic: None

Favorite Passage: I liked all of it, which is just an excuse for not finding any passages online to put here.

Comments:

Let me first say that although I put "13 and up," this really is a childrens book. It is a very easy read, but definitely worth your time and thought. I couldn't put it down the whole time I was reading it. It gives you a lot to think about, partly because it is not written from a Christian perspective, it is in fact written assuming evolution is true. I highly recomend this book, especially just because it is simply a great story, and it doesn't end sappy with everything going perfect. Just don't read the back cover if you want the whole story to be a surprise, because more then likely it will spoil a big part of the story.

~Ellentia

Movie Review: Ocean's 11

Overall: 4.5

MPAA: PG-13

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pit, Matt Damon and Andy Garcia

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 13(ish) and up

Acting: 5

Script: 4.5

Story: 4.5

Scariness: 2.5 (simply for suspense, otherwise not scary at all)

Language: Moderate - Quite a Bit

Romance: None

Violence: Hardly Any - Some

Blood and Gore: None

Alcohol/Drugs: Moderate Alcohol

Magic: None

Favorite Quote: "Did someone call for a doctor?" - Rusty

Comments:

I wasn't sure that I would like this movie, but I thought it was really good. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't what I was thinking it would be. It is about Danny Ocean (so not the ocean that you swim in) and he gets out of prison on parole at the start of the movie and immediately violates his parole. It then moves into something like the Magnificent Seven (for a little while) because he and his friend start looking up and finding all sorts of criminals to help them rob three of the largest casinos in Vegas. There is language by several of the characters throughout the whole movie, but besides that, there is nothing especially offensive in the movie, and there is basically no romance at all, which is nice since a lot of movies revolve around that sort of thing. Overall, it was a really good movie.

~Ellentia

Movie Review: Get Smart

Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin

MPAA: PG-13

Reviewer's Rating: 4.5

Age Group: 13 and up

Acting: 4

Script: 5

Story: 3

Scariness: 3.5

Profanity: Moderate - Frequent

Violence: Moderate - Nothing for a good part of the movie, but a fair amount of bloodless death and fiery explosions

Blood and Gore: Little - None

Alcohol/Drugs: Moderate-Quite a Bit

Magic: None [Ell, why is this category in here??]

Favorite Quote:

Recommended: Definitely!

Reviewer's Comments: Very, very funny, and overall much better than expected. Incorporated great references to the original television series, and the storyline was not nearly as cheesy as it could have been. Steve Carell is great, and I was absolutely thrilled that the part was not given to Jim Carrey. Bill Murray's cameo was much appreciated.


[On a scale of 1-5]

Movie Review: Strangers on a Train

Overall: 5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 12-13 and up

Acting: 4.5

Script: 5

Story: 5

Scariness: 3.5

Language: None (that I can think of, I'm sorry if there is any)

Romance: Some

Violence: Moderate

Blood and Gore: None

Alcohol/Drugs: Some Alcohol

Magic: None

Favorite Quote: "One doesn't always have to say what one thinks." - Senator Morton

Comments:

Note: there is a small spoiler in here, so if you don't want to know anything at all about the movie, watch it before reading the comments.

This is one of my all-time favorite Hitchcock movies. It has a very unique story line, about a not-so-chance meeting and plans of murder. It is not, however, gory or extremely violent. [SPOILER] It does portray a murder, but it is not super awful or gruesome, as you might expect, and it is not shown directly, it is in a reflection. However, it is still murder, so I would not recommend letting a young child watch it. There is plenty of suspense, and quite a bit of action at the end. It is a bit creepy, but I think it is well worth it for the movie.

~Ellentia

Book Review: The Great and Terrible Quest

Overall: 5

Recommended: Yes

Age Group: 11-14 (but still good for older people)

Writing: 4.5

Story: 5

Scariness/Suspense: 3.5

Profanity: None

Language: Maybe Some, but I don't think there is any

Violence: Moderate

Blood and Gore: Some

Alcohol/Drugs: Some mentions of Alcohol

Magic: None

Favorite Passage: "The half-wit might have picked it up--they are like jackdaws."
It was a casual suggestion from Diamond, and though it made the boy's blood run cold, the Lord Regent dissmissed it impatiantly.
"He would have given it to his grandfather--he was terrified of the old man. I believe it must have jerked from my pouch on the road. No matter, as long as it is not--" he stopped abruptly, then added in a different tone, "Are you sure the man is dead?"
"As sure as can be," drawled Diamond.
"We thought we were sure the old dotard could not speak," said the Lord Regent bitterly. "To break a twelve-year silence--and to break it so, in full Council! Do what we will, that prophecy has run through the country like fire."

Comments:

I just have to say, I really liked this book. I had to read it for school a few years ago and since then, I have read it two or three more times. It is geared at pre-teens and young teens, but it is a fun, easy read. The story is set in the era of knights and castles, and there are evil Lords Regent ruling over the land. The main characters include a young boy and his dog, a very confused but surprisingly smart and strong man, a fat performer and of course, plenty of bad guys. There is, of course, scenes with fighting and it does clearly tell you about several severe injuries, but the main part of the book is more of a quest and a mystery. Well written, excellent plot and character development, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good adventure. (geez, that sounded like a commercial)

~Ellentia