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Reviews
1923 (2022)
So Much Potential Wasted
The 1923 series, like the 1883 series, are both prequals to the Yellowstone shows. The acting and cinematography were excellent. Raw and historically accurate, both series had a lot of potential, as they featured many top actors and actresses.
I was SO disappointed by the excessive amount of profanity, nudity, and adult themes. The F-word was NOT used, every other line, in either era, making it so unnecessary. Nearly every episode had multiple uses of the F-word! The full-body nudity was disturbing and pornographic. I was shocked with how normalized the show made nudity and how it sexualized women. Adult themes included everything from child rape to lesbian bondage scenes! Child violence, adult violence toward minors, racist brutality toward Native Americans, sexual fetishes, and disturbingly brutal murders by both adults and children. The violence, although most was historically accurate, focused on rare situations not the normal. I am not Catholic, but if you are, you may be disturbed at how the priests and nuns are viewed as sadistic, cruel, child-torturers who rape, sexually violate, beat, and murder Native children.
This could have been an amazing series, but it was ruined by so many "bad scenes" that make the show "un-patchable". Had the directors left off the language and nudity, the show could have been used to teach highschoolers, how America has progressed, and taught the younger generation, about the rawness of what our ancestors endured. Some of these episodes should exceed an R-rating! Definitely not for children. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend these shows to adults.
Such a cool idea, to follow one family's heritage, and how they fought to hold their land. Very disappointed with the "extra" stuff Hollywood added.
Instant Family (2018)
Disapointed
Instant Family: Love the idea of fostering and adopting children. This movie showcased some real-to-life situations and opinions regarding the foster care system. The actresses and actors who performed did a good job playing their individual roles. There were many humorous as well as emotional parts throughout. I loved the story concept and the plot was good. What I did not like was all the unnecessary profanity. There were also several inappropriate lines, sexual references in regard to sexting, nudity, and loss of virginity. A minor is caught texting naked selfies to an adult. References are made to male and female private body parts. A gay and lesbian couple are seen throughout the movie. Overall, this was not a movie that I feel comfortable sharing with others. Very disappointed. A one-time-watch.
Love and Honor (2013)
Disapointed
Love and Honor: This movie depicts life during the Vietnam War. It highlights what America was like during this period of history. The movie emphases the hippy point-of-view, and two soldiers who have to choose whether or not to serve their country, or run from the draft/war zone. The movie was disappointing. The one young man, who you think has honor, courage, and loyalty for his country, chooses to abandon his duty and run away with a hippy. The other, who is a playboy, decides to stick to his unit abandoning the girl whom he loves. It is the story of choices. Like the war it was about, the movie did not have a happy ending. Two sexual scenes, both fairly discrete, but not appropriate for young children. Lots of profanity throughout! Overall, I counted approximately fifty one swear words! A one-time-view. On a positive note, the actors and actresses played their roles well. The concept of highlighting both viewpoints, of this terrible war, was well played. As someone who loves America and believes in fighting for it, this movie was disappointing.
Profanity: B--- (1), H--- (12), D--- (8), S---- (12), A-- (7), F--- (3), G--- D--- (5), and names of God (3).
Inappropriate: 8 Words
Restless (2012)
Caution
Star 1: I loved the cast! It featured Haley Atwell (played Agent Carter in Captain America's spin off) and Michelle Dockery (played in Downtown Abbey). The emotions were well played. Each character did a good job acting out their part.
Star 2: I love the 1940's, so, pretty much anything set in that era excites me.
Star 3: I liked the plot. The movie kept you on edge as you tried to figure out what was going on through the eyes of Haley Atwell's character Eva.
Star 4: I enjoy spy movies, and this was unique, in the fact it was about a female spy. I enjoyed watching her train and then seeing how she implemented her training. She was smart which made the plot flow quickly as she rarely stumbled her "on the job" scenes.
-* (Minus Two Stars): Foul language. I was truly disappointed by the unnecessary swearing. There were multiple uses of B---- (2x), F----(5x), and J------- C------(3x).
-* (Minus Two Stars): Nudity. I was not expecting any nudity in a movie set in the 1940's. There was one scene, about two minutes long, in which Eva has been tasked with putting a bad man in a position to be blackmailed. She sleeps with him, has a photographer capture the moment, and then runs away. As she runs away, the male gets up to go after her and you see a full-body backside view of him getting out of bed. (Part Two) - About ten minutes into the movie.
-*(Minus One Star) Sexual Tension: The female spy, Eva, is asked to strip down to her undergarments in a couple of scenes. Although her undergarments are fairly modest, it is evident by the expression on her face, that she is scared and emotionally torn by the command.
-*(Minus One Star) Terrible Ending: The ending was lousy in the fact it left you hanging. The mother was still worried that her daughter and grandchild were not safe but you never found out whether they were in danger or not. There is a theme running through both movies that indicated the mother's life was in danger because she was being watched. The ending is confusing because it doesn't clarify if she was/is still being watched.
Unplanned (2019)
Powerful, Moving, and Raw!
Unplanned is a powerful, moving, emotion packed movie that addresses the topic of abortion. It shows the topic from various viewpoints, covers multiple questions, comments, and arguments concerning unplanned pregnancies. The movie does not sugar coat the raw truth of abortion, and yet, the film expresses love, compassion, and empathy, not judgment and hatred towards those facing the decision as to whether or not to end a pregnancy. No matter what side of the fence you find yourself, you won't be able to deny the fact that this is an eye-opening, informative film! It provides women and young girls with an inside view as to procedures, medical dangers, abortive options, "key phrases" used to persuade and convince women, and even financial issues that arise during unplanned pregnancies. It debunks myths concerning who and what defines human life. Is it graphic? Yes. There is lots of blood and images of young women bleeding. There are scenes revealing medical procedures and "after effects" of abortion. Please keep in mind that this movie is designed to show reality. It is not like watching a horror film or a graphic war movie. I can't honestly think of a good movie to compare it to. Words that come to mind would be "raw", "vivid", and "authentic". I highly recommend this film to females old enough to conceive. If you are under the age of eighteen, you should watch this film with a parent or with an adult female present. Some would say it is not appropriate for a young man to watch, however, many abortions are the result of a young man pressuring or forcing his girlfriend into having an abortion, and therefore the men in our country need to see what goes on behind closed medical doors. If you have ever had an abortion this movie will grip your heart ... You will want to turn it off and tune out the sights and sounds as it will stir emotions and memories that you have chosen to bury, and yet, I encourage you to watch to the end. God loves you! Nothing you have done, are doing, or plan to do in the future will alter God's love for you. He forgives, He heals, and He loves unconditionally. The film itself is beautifully done and I believe tastefully done as well. My heart wishes to protect and guard young eyes from seeing this kind of reality, and yet, in American, you can have an abortion at the young age of fourteen! Although I believe this movie was designed for women in their twenties and thirties, it is a good film for both genders and those fourteen and older. For those of you who have faced miscarriages, still births, or the death of an infant, be forewarned that this movie may be difficult to watch, as it does show ultrasound images (both live and deceased), as well as medical rooms, and other situations that may cause you to recall the painful, heartbreaking situations that you yourself have faced. This is not a popcorn "fun night" show; it is educational, it is eye-opening, it is tragic, it is hopeful, and it is beautifully sad. Ten stars. Recommend to teenagers 14-18 (with adult present), and adults of all ages (with a box of tissues present).
Defiance (2008)
Good Historical Movie for Adults Only
Tragically sad but beautiful movie. The videography and acting were great. The only negative thing about the movie, beyond the time period violence, was the swearing. At least six uses of the F---- word, several S--- words, and a couple of B--- words. Definitely not for children or young teenagers, hence the R rating. Not appropriate to show in a school setting (for those searching for historical films to show their class), but, a good film for adults who are interested in life during World War II or Jewish history.
A Stranger Is Watching (1982)
Parential Caution
The mystery was intriguing and suspenseful and the acting was well done. The plot was very mature. The child recalls her mother being raped and murdered and is forced to watch her father's girlfriend being touched (against her will) in a sexual manner. Lots of swearing. Several GD's, Sh--, and Bi---. The "F" word was used throughout (whispered, mumbled, and openly stated). Child endangerment throughout. Child trauma throughout. Not appropriate for young viewers.