The Trick That Reunited a Family: A Movie Review of "Jurassic Park III"

A boy is lost on an island, separated from his parents. If that isn't bad enough, the island is literally infested with dinosaurs! The boy's divorced parents sneakily enlist the help of paleontologist Alan Grant, a survivor of Jurassic Park. The Kirbys (the parents), Alan Grant, and his friend must survive long enough to find a way to escape the island.
There you have the plot of Jurassic Park III in a nutshell. The third installment of the Jurassic Park Trilogy received mixed reviews, many of them criticizing the "been there, done that" plot.
The film stars Sam Neill as Alan Grant, William H. Macy as Paul Kirby, and Téa Leoni as Amanda Kirby.

SUMMARY

   Young Eric Kirby is parasailing with his mom's friend over an exotic island. It seems fun at first, but things take a turn for the worse when their boat is attacked...by what? 

   Some time later, Alan Grant gives a speech on recent dinosaur findings. He runs into questions concerning Jurassic Park and is annoyed. Afterwards, he tells intern Billy Brennan that he might want to find a new career. The two are soon approached by a man named Paul Kirby.

   The three men and Paul's wife Amanda go to dinner. The couple explains that they are wealthy and enjoy taking adventure tours (Mount Everest, to name one). They convince Dr. Grant to take them on an airplane tour of the dinosaur island. Grant declines, but Paul eventually coaxes him with a checkbook.

   On the airplane, Dr. Grant begins talking about the dinosaurs, but the Kirbys (along with their other "friends") seem to be occupied on something else...

   The airplane is then landed (to Grant and Billy's utter horror), and Amanda begins calling for "Eric." Unfortunately, this attracts the attention of a massive dinosaur: Spinosaurus. What ensues is an intense dinosaur attack, complete with a broken airplane and dino lunch.

   The Kirbys eventually come clean and tell Grant and Billy that they are looking for their lost son. The rest of the film shows running from dinosaurs and looking for Eric.

CONTENT

   Jurassic Park III definitely earns its PG-13 rating through violence (and, yes, language). There are multiple scenes of dinosaur attacks, each of them featuring at least some amount of blood. In one scene, we see a man being eaten by a dinosaur and some of his blood drops on Amanda. In another scene, a man's neck is snapped by velociraptor dinosaurs. This is just as violent as the previous two Jurassic Park movies, if not even more gory.

   The movie is rather clean in the area of sensuality. There is one brief scene when Amanda's back is turned to the screen, but you can tell she is in her underclothes (we see from her back up). This is for a split second and we don't see anything specifically, but it is not really necessary for the film. Also, Paul and Amanda Kirby are divorced.

   Language is moderately heavy in the third Jurassic Park movie. There are several uses of d***, G**, among some others. 

   The matter of evolution is present, but it is thankfully not pressed as hard as in Jurassic Park, the first movie. I did like one scene, in an abandoned breeding room; Amanda asks what it is and Grant responds, "This is what happens when you try to play God." That, I think, is a very important lesson for today's scientific age when cloning is a growing issue.

   In conclusion, viewers will want to watch Jurassic Park III with caution. Today violence, gore, and blood in films can sometimes (and sadly) be a source of enjoyment. We need to be careful not to get joy out of death and violence.

   The third Jurassic Park sadly does not quite have the great moments that the others did (although, it was nice to see a divorced couple reunited). There is a lot of action and chasing, action and chasing, action and...well, you get the idea. It is a decent adventure film, but it has several flaws to keep an eye on.  

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 92 minutes

Rating: PG-13 (for intense sci-fi terror and violence)

Director: Joe Johnston

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Larry J. Franco

Music: Don Davis (Original scores by John Williams)

Year of release: 2001

Primary audience: Teens, adults

Earth's 'Fightiest' Heroes: A Movie Review of Joss Whedon's " Marvel's The Avengers"

What will happen when six superheroes team together? They will save humanity, right? Wrong! First, they need to clear their differences and stop fighting each other before they can start fighting evil alien soldiers.
The Avengers was, by far, one of the highest-anticipated superhero films ever. In fact, several individual superhero films were made in building up to it (i.e. Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Iron Man). It received countless good reviews, as well as becoming the third highest-grossing film worldwide. The movie stars Samuel L. Jackson (as secret agency director Nick Fury) and Tom Hiddleston (as villain Loki). The main superheroes are played by Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Capt. America), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Dr. Banner), and Chris Hemsworth (Thor).

SUMMARY

   In a top secret facility, scientists in the agency S.H.I.E.L.D. work on an extra-terrestrial cube. It has the power to open portals into other worlds...and that is just what it does. The evil villain Loki of Asgard comes into our world, bent on domination and destruction.

   He takes control of the minds of many S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, then escapes with the "cosmic cube." Meanwhile, the rest of the agents must escape before the area blows up. Already has a fast-paced start, huh?

   We find out that S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury has been trying to assemble a team of superheroes to defend the world from extra-terrestrial threats. His candidates are of a wide-variety: the scientific Tony Stark (Iron Man), the super soldier Steve Rogers (Captain America), the brilliant Bruce Banner (The Hulk), and the "god" Thor. 

   While he does finally get them all together, they all begin bickering and arguing. They are fighting each other, not Loki. But they are forced into action when Loki makes his strike in Germany, where he is captured.

   The remainder of the film holds many surprises, but I will not spoil them. Let's just say it includes a portal into space that transports an army of alien soldiers, led by Loki. The Avengers must learn to work with each other's differences to protect their world.

CONTENT

   The violence is rather intense. People are shot, stabbed, and more (the creators of the movie have no fear of displaying at least some amounts of blood). There is one scene where Loki uses a weapon to "carve" a man's eye out, so as to gain entrance into a secure area (this is bloodless, but creepy and gruesome). With explosions, goblin-like aliens, and more, this is not a movie for young children.

    Earlier in the movie, the agent "Black Widow" is tied to a chair and is being interrogated. She is wearing a tank-top, and she performs acrobatic stunts. While this scene is not the worst that could have been shown, Black Widow is not very modest. Also she and agent "Hawkeye" have some sort of relationship, but there is absolutely nothing sexual (I don't even recall a single kiss between them). On the other hand, Tony Stark/Iron Man has at least two kisses with his girlfriend Pepper Potts, and it is implied that they are living together. 

   The language, while not completely overbearing, is certainly an issue to consider. At least a few uses of d***, G**, and h***. There is also one use of SOB. 

   In one scene, Tony Stark drinks some sort of alcohol, though it is not clearly stated. 

   There are good lessons in The Avengers concerning working together and defending America's freedom. There is one excellent scene where Loki orders a large crowd to bow to him. Everyone does, but an elderly man stands out of a wheel-chair. He says, "I don't bow to men like you." Loki smiles and replies, "There are no men like me." The man angers Loki by saying, "There are always men like you." This film is strong in showing that humans will fight for freedom and should never willingly come under the dominion of a tyrant.

   This is no film for young elementary-aged children. Some pre-teens might be able to handle the violence, though this is, of course, up to the parents. The Avengers is a wonderful superhero movie, complete with action, humor, and some romance (a little something for all tastes); teens and adults will likely enjoy this movie the most. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 142 minutes

Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference)

Director: Joss Whedon

Producer: Kevin Feige

Music: Alan Silvestri

Year of release: 2012

Primary audience: Teens, adults

(The Avengers are nick-named "Earth's Mightiest Heroes." Thus, the title of this review includes "Fightiest" to signify their bickering before they work together.)

A Day in the Life of Charlie Brown: A Movie Review of Sam Jaimes' "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

Did you ever read any of the Peanuts Gang comic strips? Whether or not you have, just about everyone can recognize Charlie Brown and Snoopy. In 1967, the Broadway musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, showed for the first time. In 1985, a cartoon adaption premiered with the same name.

The movie starred the voices of Brad Kesten as Charlie Brown, Jessica Lee Smith as Lucy van Pelt, and Robert Towers as Snoopy.

SUMMARY

   The entire film basically takes you through a day of Charlie Brown's life. It has many adaptations from the original comic strips; Lucy's fondness of Schroeder, Charlie Brown's Valentine’s Day troubles, Snoopy's wild imagination, and a baseball game.

   The movie ends with the gang all meeting at the Brown family’s front porch and singing their friendly song "Happiness."

CONTENT

   As this is a kids/family cartoon, the most violent it gets is Charlie Brown getting bumped into and Snoopy pretending he is a wild animal.

    In one of the earlier scenes, Lucy sings a song about her and Schroeder getting married (the song "Schroeder"), obviously showing her love for him. In another scene, Charlie Brown debates about whether he should go talk to the "little red-haired girl" or not and ends up ruining his lunchtime.

   There is no foul language.

   During one song, Happiness, the children list the things that make them happy (i.e. “Happiness is finding a pencil, pizza with sausage, telling the time / Happiness is learning to whistle, tying your shoe for the very first time"). Christians know that true happiness can only by found in God, but this particular song is innocent, I believe.

   You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown has upbeat, jumpy music. While not a musical epic like Les Mierables or The Phantom of the Opera, it is a nice, family-friendly musical. It is kind of like a Peanuts version of The Music Man. Unfortunately, the cartoon version of the musical does not include the song My New Philosophy, which is a fun one, but it did include the nice song Happiness. 

   This was definitely geared for children, but the entire family can enjoy it. The songs are catchy, much like (as I said earlier) those in The Music Man. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a great family movie.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 50 minutes

Rating: NOT RATED

Director: Sam Jaimes

Music: Clark Gesner (music, lyrics, & composer), Ed Bogas (composer), Desiree Goyette (composer)

Year of release: 1967 (original Broadway musical), 1985 (cartoon adaption)

Primary audience: Kids, family

Update to Blog: "Is This Movie Good?" article

   You might notice that we have a new page on our blog. It is titled "Is This Movie Good?" The page is an article I wrote to help us think about whether or not a movie really is good. If you take the time to read, you will see five questions to ask yourself during and after watching a movie.

Enjoy!
~Family-in-Mind Reviews

They Were Blind, but Then They Saw: A Movie Review of Michael Apted's "Amazing Grace"

In America, we all know about the fight against slavery in the 1860's, but do you know much about the fight against it in England, during the late 18th century? The anti-slavery campaign was largely led by William Wilberforce, a godly and bold politician.
Amazing Grace did fairly well in the box office and won the 2008 Christopher Award and Best Spiritual Film. The movie stars Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce, Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner Wilberforce, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Prime Minister William Pitt.

SUMMARY

   The film opens in 1797 with William, who is severely ill, taking a holiday with his cousin and wife. Although William and a Miss Barbara Spooner are both annoyed at attempts to put the two of them in a romance, William begins to convey the story of his battle against slavery.

   Fifteen years earlier, William is a rather young member of Parliament. He considers leaving politics for theology, but his friend William Pitt (along with some anti-slavery activists) implores him to stay in politics. He visits the aging John Newton, ex-slave ship captain and current pastor, who tells William he should fight against slavery.

   Years and years of disappointing attempts and failures follow. William becomes frustrated and tired with the political battles. He soon becomes quite ill, and the story comes back to 1797, with him and Barbara. It is she who tells him that he must continue battling slavery, and the two are married shortly afterward. The two have children, and William is given hope.

   William and his political allies find a backdoor way of weakening the slave trade. Twenty years after beginning his campaign, William Wilberforce's bill of anti-slavery is passed in 1807.

CONTENT

   I would not say that the content in Amazing Grace should give it a PG-13 rating, but the content is definitely not for a younger audience. There are references to violence and cruelty to human beings, as well as one scene where Wilberforce dreams of young African boys being burned. If the length of the film does not get to younger children first, then the violence in this matter might frighten them.

   There is not any bad sexual content. I don't even think there is but one kiss between husband and wife. I do recall one brief mention of adultery but nothing else.

   For all the good in this movie, there was some inappropriate uses of language, including a**, h***, and God's name. I wondered why they would include this in an otherwise clean movie.

   Amazing Grace is an inspirational and moving story about the evils of slavery and the political life of William Wilberforce. The acting by Gruffudd and Cumberbath, I thought, was especially wonderful. Apart from some violent descriptions and an occasional swear word, this is a clean family film that many will likely enjoy.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 118 minutes

Rating: PG

Director: Michael Apted

Producers: Terrence Malick, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Edward R. Pressman, Ken Wales 

Music: David Arnold

Year of release: 2006

Primary audience: Pre-teens, teens, adults

For an interesting interview with director Michael Apted, visit this link at Christian Answers: Spotlight, titled Faith, Politics, and Moviemaking: http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2007/amazinggrace2007-interview.html

Broken Promises, Battling Warriors: A Book Review of William Shakespeare's "Troilus and Cressida"

Kindle edition

What is really behind vows of love and marriage? Is it just words you speak into the air, or is it something more than that? Shakespeare attempts to answer questions surrounding these issues in his play Troilus and Cressida. Although it is not one of his most well-known plays, the story has some interesting and good lessons to take from it. 

SUMMARY

   Paris, prince of the mighty city of Troy, kidnapped Helen, Queen of Greece. Her enraged husband Menelaus and the High King Agamemnon gather an army of Greeks to take back Helen. The war has lasted for seven years, so far...

   While the above paragraph does not have too much to do with the story, it is an important piece of background history. Troilus is the younger brother of Paris and Hector, sons of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Troilus loves Cressida, daughter of a Trojan priest. She secretly loves him, but her uncle Pandarus is trying to get her and Troilus together.

   The two are finally brought together and pledge their love to one another. Nothing can go wrong now, right? Wrong! The Trojan council is offered a deal: a Trojan warrior (currently a Greek prisoner) will be returned if Cressida is given to Diomedes, a Greek warrior. Cressida's father, a Trojan priest, has joined the Greeks and orchestrated the entire deal. The Trojan council makes their decision: Cressida will be traded for the Trojan. 

CONTENT

   There is not too much violence in the book. Of course, a war is going on and soldiers talk about how they wish to kill their enemies. The last act of the book especially has many battle scenes. The story is not about the war, though; it really is about Troilus, Cressida, and the predicaments they find themselves in.

   Sometime in the first half of Troilus and Cressida, the titles characters are sent to bed. While not described or specifically stated, it is implied that the two lovers have sex before they are married. Troilus' brother Paris makes an excuse for Troilus' absence from a feast. Also, towards the end of the play Cressida and Diomedes speak lovingly to one another, causing Troilus anger at the broken vows.

   I recall no foul language.

   The reader of Troilus and Cressida can walk away with some moral lessons concerning loyalty, love, honor, and keeping vows/promises. Readers are faced with a choice (if they look hard enough): will I be like Troilus and honor my vows, or will I be like Cressida and break my vows?

   The play is a classical piece of literature (and on some high school reading lists) and provides some insightful thoughts. Younger children will definitely not want to read this.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 179 (Kindle edition)

Author of book: William Shakespeare

Published in: 1602 (believed to be the original year)

Primary audience: Teens, adults

Clean Family Films

   I'm looking for clean family films that I can review. If you have any ideas, please contact us!

Thanks!
~ Family-in-Mind Reviews