FAMILY MOVIE REVIEWS

My sons, ages 14 and 12, and I love to watch movies. We are die-hard Peter Jackson fans (Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit,) loved the Harry Potter film series, and try to catch every Pixar and Dreamworks Animation movie that comes out! But when it's time to decide what your child should or shouldn't be watching, it can be kind of tough. Ratings are helpful but are not all-telling.  

I obviously can't review every popular family film I've ever watched, but I can try to cover some of the newer releases or classics as I see them for the first time or the umpteenth time. Hope my reviews will help you decide if a film is right for your children.  PLEASE NOTE: While I desperately try to not include spoilers, sometimes, for the sake of parents, specific scenes may be described to help you grasp the reason for a rating.

And, don't forget to check out my Nik's Piks: After Hours page for more movie reviews just for mature audiences. 

What's New: 

Summer Preview

Pre-teen and Teen Corner (PG-13) 

Movies popular with middle and high school kids as well as adults 

Allegiant (2016)

Ant Man (2015)

Avengers (2012)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) and The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist (2010) - RATED R

Deadpool (2016 - Guest Reviewer) - RATED R

Divergent (2014)

Dracula Untold (2014)

Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015 - Guest Reviewer)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Fantastic Four (2015)

Ghostbusters (2016)

The Giver (2014)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The Hobbit "Unreview" (2012-2014)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015)

Insurgent (2015)

Jurassic World (2015)

The Maze Runner (2014)

Pixels (2015)

Star Wars: Rogue One (2016)

The Scorch Trials (2015)

Suicide Squad (2016)

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Kids' Corner (G/PG) 

movies (mostly) suitable for the entire family - read reviews for details

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)

Bee Movie (2007)

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Cinderella (2015)

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Frozen (2013)

Goosebumps (2015)

Home (2015)

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Inside Out (2015)

Into the Woods (2014)

The Jungle Book (2016)

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

The Lorax (2012)

Maleficent (2014)

Megamind (2010)

Minions (2015)

Monkey Kingdom (2015)

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Paddington (2015)

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Tomorrowland (2015)

Wreck-it Ralph (2012)

Zootopia (2016)

Highlighted Classics 

The Breakfast Club (1985) - RATED R

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Ghostbusters (1984)

Home Alone (1990)

The Karate Kid (1984)

The Princess Bride (1987)

Stuart Little (1999)



Holiday Favorites

Frankenweenie (2012)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Polar Express (2004)

Also read my Nik's Piks: After Hours reviews for mature audiences.