What’s Hot and What’s to Come: May 2014 update
The April and May blockbusters have unsurprisingly taken the top spots but an influx of popular movies being released on home media has helped to balance out the reviews between big and small screen releases. Here are the top 10 movies that our readers have wanted the most help with in May 2014.
This is a review which has proven to be extremely popular for us ever since it was released in cinemas in March 2013 and is in fact our top viewed review of all time since our launch in February 2013. Most people see Disney movies as suitable for most kids but the 12A rating for Jack The Giant Slayer suggested content that was potentially too violent or frightening for younger kids. The help our review provides has consistently placed this review in the top ten.
The return of director Bryan Singer to the X-Men franchise has created a renewed surge in both interest and box office sales for the menagerie of mutants. We’ve noticed an upward trend in the amount of on-screen violence in these movies and therefore, even though we only reviewed Days of Future Past last week, there has been a lot of traffic seeking information about what may be seen by kids if they watch this film.
With the recent release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 there has been an upswing in people wanting to refresh their memory when it comes to the latest outings for Spidey. With a more adult tone than the recent Sam Raimi trilogy and more frightening villains, this is a movie where we ensured that we detailed what could be expected.
7) Maleficent
We only posted this review right at the end of May but in the few days it was live it took a lions share of the interest. Rated PG and yet sold as a ‘dark re-telling’ of the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty from the evil (or is she?) Maleficent’s point of view, this movie has proved very popular with adults and kids alike.
Being a remake of the ultra-violent 1987 movie and yet getting a much more accessible rating, it is very understandable that parents are concerned about kids being able to watch a movie that may be very similar in tone. The rating of this movie does reflect its suitability but as it is a movie for adults, it isn’t designed to engage kids and could in fact be more dull than unsuitable.
5) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Another comic book movie which is currently being shown in cinemas, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is much more violent than any of the Marvel Avengers movies to date. Parents have been wanting more information on the violence to ensure that it isn’t too strong for kids.
4) Spider-Man 2
Released in 2004, it is likely that many readers have come to this review due to renewed interest in the Spider-Man franchise from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (see above). This Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst movie is much more child-friendly than the current entries but some scary scenes with Doctor Octopus may need some further clarification for parents expecting a movie which is aimed at a younger audience.
3) X-Men
The first installment that kick started a franchise. Indeed, this was one of the first batch of movies to re-populairse the comic book film genre. With an all-star cast and a genius decision to place Hugh Jackman in the role of Wolverine, Bryan Singer’s introduction to the world of X-Men may not have been the strongest outing that was to come (see X-Men 2 for the arguable peak of the series) but it was the first and reminded audiences of just how exciting mutants could be. It also had a violent edge that, whilst never too graphic, may have put it beyond the reach of younger kids.
The continuing story of Peter Parker’s alter ego has been very popular due to its recent cinema release. With a more adult feel than previous instalments, we have found that parents are concerned with the levels of violence, how scary the villains may be and what might be shown with a major love story between two teenage characters. Parents are often uncertain about comic book movies because the violence can vary considerably.
1) Godzilla
This schlocky 50’s inspired blockbuster has been very coy with its trailers so it’s understandable that parents are unsure whether the content will be suitable for kids. While the 1998 movie was decidedly aimed at a younger audience, this big monster flick is more mature and therefore parents are concerned mostly with how scary Godzilla will be. While it should be ok for a lot of children, its appropriateness is very dependent upon the individual’s sensibilities towards frightening scenes with big destructive monsters, and loud, screeching noises.
Upcoming June 2014 releases
Bizarrely, there does not seem to be many releases of interest due in the UK for June. As ever, we are lagging behind the USA release schedule and the much-anticipated How To Train Your Dragon 2 is not due out until July 4th.
We may or may not be finding ourselves in front of 22 Jump Street but, as the certificate for the UK is yet to be announced, this will depend on whether it is rated 15 or 12A.
One potential is Grace Of Monaco, starring Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth and Frank Langella. This PG rated movie explores the events around actress Grace Kelly’s dissolving marriage and the time of political unrest in Monaco when the threat of French invasion loomed during the 1960s. However, this doesn’t look like a movie that many families will be watching and so we will look into the movie more closely to see if our review may be helpful.
The majority of upcoming movies look like they will be rated with a 15 certificate and, as we do not review these, we are left with little to choose from! The Adventures Of RoboRex, featuring robot dog action aplenty, will be the release designed to appeal to the little ones, whereas The Fault In Our Stars fills the quota for romance aimed primarily at teenagers.
Other possibilities include Kevin Costner action flick 3 Days To Kill and 80s nostalgia musical Walking On Sunshine.
We are happy to take requests, time and location permitting, for any movies that our readers would like our assistance on. Feel free to leave a comment below!
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