Sparkle

Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 17, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
Will Kids Like It? No

Three beautiful sisters, one named Sister, were raised as churchgoing girls who sang in the choir. One of the girls, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) had a gift for songwriting, and wanted to pursue her goal of becoming a singer/songwriter. The other two had beautiful voices as well and had their own dreams and goals. However their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston) wanted to keep her daughters on the straight and narrow; she did not want them to lead a life of fame. Eventually the three sisters secretly formed a singing group and became a Motown hit! Later, their fame and fortune brought on unforeseen difficulties and began to tear the family apart. Set in Detroit in the 1960's, Sparkle is a musical drama about fame and the hardships that may come along with it. 

The movie highlights the values of faith, family and love. The three sisters were supportive of one another, and always tried to help each other through difficult times.
The movie notes that sometimes fame can destroy a person, as it did with one of the girls, Sister. However the film also suggests that if we use our gifts to benefit others, as Sparkle did, then it's worth pursuing.
The girls had an unusual relationship with their mother, Emma (Whitney Houston). Emma had a difficult life and made some poor choices. She was adamant about her girls not following in their mother's footsteps.
There are some disturbing abusive scenes, and disturbing images of drug use. This could spark some good parent/child conversations of making the right choices.
Adults will like the 1960's music.
Sexual Content: Moderate
• The girls wear very revealing dresses while performing. Sister believes her sex appeal is the key to their success.
• While performing Sister has many seductive moves as she caressed her chest and thighs. The camera zoomed in on the girl's hips and chests. Men in the audience are cheering.
• Sister and Satin (her abusive husband) kiss passionately and talk about making love. Sister straddles him on a chair and says she "horny."
• We see couples kissing at night clubs.

Violent Content: Moderate
• There are two fist fights.
• We see bruises on Sister's face, it's noted that Satin (her husband) had abused her.
• We see Satin chasing Sister around the house, then whipping her with a belt.
• The girls get into a fight with Satin. One of the girls hits Satin on the head with a fireplace rod.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild
• The s-word is said twice. "BS," "d--n," "h---," and "a--," are also used several times each.

Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
• Several character's are shown smoking throughout the film.
• We see several characters' drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Sister uses cocaine which we see on a mirror. It's clear that she becomes addicted to the drug.

Overall I would say this is not a movie for kids. With the mature subject matter and images of drugs and physical abuse I would not recommend this for kids. Adults may find the storyline interesting, and enjoy the wonderful Motown tunes from the 1960's.

ParaNorman

Rating: 3 and 1/2 buckets
Release Date: August 17, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Norman is a different type of kid; he's popular, however not with the living. Norman is popular with zombies and ghosts.He not only speaks to dead people and understands them; he's also very nice to them. The townspeople of Blithe Hollow think that Norman is a strange kid who continuously speaks to himself. His parents don't understand him, and his teenage sister thinks he's weird. Then one day Norman is accosted by his smelly, hairy uncle. His uncle tells him that it's up to Norman to stop a witch's curse which was conjured up to 300 years ago. If he doesn't stop this curse, the dead will rise from their graves. Now it's up to Norman to become a hero and save his town from this ancient curse. ParaNorman is an animated, comedic horror film for kids.  

The premise of this film is a little creepy; a boy speaking to ghosts and zombies; however it has a very clear and powerful message to be kind to one another. It highlights the fact that if you're upset and angry with someone you will be miserable - don't let your anger consume you and get the best of you. The film also focuses on the problems of bullying, acceptance of others, and most importantly forgiveness!!!
Norman's dead grandpa says to him, "There's nothing wrong with being scared, Norman, as long as you don't let it change who you are."
Norman tells a witch that it's okay to be different, that differences make us who we are, and gives us the power to help others. Great parent/child conversation.
This film may scare younger kids as Norman has many encounters with ghosts. Having said that, many of the scenes are portrayed as silly rather than gory. Kids were laughing throughout the film.
Norman first sees the ghost of his uncle in a toilet bowl; this was a very strange scene.
Sexual Content: Mild
• Norman's sister flirts with a big muscular guy.
• Another character tries to impress girls by break dancing; he also talks about an adult video store.
• Norman tells his parents that Courtney (Norman's sister) hides pictures of the high school quarterback in her underwear drawer.

Violent Content: Excessive
• The zombies are scary looking and rotting away. Ones ear falls off.
• There are battles with the zombies and the living, we see the zombie's body parts flying all over the place.
• Villagers assault the zombies, and try to burn down city hall.
• Aggie (a witch) has dangerous powers. She caused wooden thorns to pop up from the ground, almost impaling Norman.
• We see Norman watching a movie, in the movie there is a zombie attacking a women.
• As Norman tries to retrieve a book from his uncle's corpse, he repeatedly knocks the dead man's head on a table.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
• Words such as "a--," and "sucks," are said, and one character says "the f-word."
• Name calling such as, "diarrhea mouth," "stupid," "fatty," and "weirdo," are used. Character's also say "boobs."

Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the strange premise, which may scare kids, and also the moderate profane language. Depending on the child, I'd say this is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.

Courtesy: Jackie Solberg, Take Five Box Office Mom www.boxofficemom.com