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DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and action.
Length: 96 minutes
Adult Language: No
Violence: Mild, cartoonish.
Sexual Images: No
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking: No

Actors: (voices of) Ed Asner, Delroy Lindo, Christopher Plummer

Kids might ask about: Aging, Death, Mature Relationships

General thoughts: This is a nice take on a familiar story. An older man, lonely and forgotten, learns the importance of friends from an unlikely young friend. There is quite a bit of action in this otherwise touching and simple story. There are packs of angry dogs that might scare the smallest ones in your audience a touch, but most action is harmless. The adults in our audience were surprisingly affected by the story, as well.

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

DVD Release Date: December 1, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and brief language.
Adult Language: Very mild.
Violence: Mild, but constant bloodless action.
Sexual Images: No.(Characters kiss and embrace.)
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking: No.

Tagline: When the lights go off, the battle is on.

Actors: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Christopher Guest.

Kids might ask about: Historical figures/events

General thoughts: This movie was a huge hit with the kids who watched it with us. They especially liked the monkeys and a funny action sequence toward the end. Watching with toddlers, the movie prompted several discussions about the historical figures and events depicted in the movie. There was also a new interest to visit the Smithsonian that had never been expressed.
There were a few moments that would possibly be intense for really young ones. For example, a giant octopus attacks a warehouse. As with the previous Night at the Museum, all action is bloodless and tame.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

DVD Release Date: November 3, 2009
Rating: PG-13
Adult Language: Yes.
Violence: Yes.
Sexual Images: Yes.
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking:Yes, but mild.

Actors: Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid

Kids might ask about: Military, Torture, End of the World,

General thoughts: Just like Transformers 2, this is another adult-oriented movie based on children's toys. The combination of non-stop violence, Doomsday imagery and disturbing medical scenes makes for a very uncomfortable ride for children. The ratings board advises this for kids over 13, but we're not sure this movie is great for any audience. There are much better options out there for your family viewing.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009
Rating: PG-13
Adult Language: Yes.
Violence: Yes.
Sexual Images: Yes.
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking: Yes.

Actors: Megan Fox, Shia LaBeouf, Rainn Wilson, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Isabel Lucas, Matthew Marsden, Tyrese Gibson, Darius McCrary, Mark Ryan

Kids might ask about: The End of the World, Drugs, Torture

General thoughts: This is a loud mess as a movie(for adults or kids). The kids we watched it with didn't really enjoy it. The first movie had a certain charm and whiz-bang excitement, but it's all lost in this sequel. There's very little redeeming value and the PG-13 is no joke. The adult language, sustained intense violence and sexual innuendo should be enough for parents of young children to simply stay away.

A-Z Movie Reviews

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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Up (2009)
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