Student Film Reviews

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1. Chris Olsen 02.24.11 / 10am

   The film felt very original and put a perspective on how normal a family with homosexual parents can be. They had the same problems as everyone else and solved them much like others would. Small pockets of comic relief at the beginning of the movie gave me the impression that the movie was going to continue on that path, but it took a U-turn toward emotional family anguish. The film ended with such poise and reason from the main characters that I couldn’t help but say, “yep the movie was all right.” There were no serious twists or dramatic turns of events, just very predictable ones.
2. Ryan Parnell 03.16.11 / 8pm

   Overrated. In my opinion, not a film worthy of an Oscar nomination in any category. The acting didn’t give a presence onscreen. I didn’t fall in love with the characters nor did their performances make me forget that I was watching Annette Bening or Julianne Moore. I just felt like I was watching two Hollywood actresses “try and push the boundaries” by playing lesbians. It seems that anytime a film in Hollywood touches on a subject that seems taboo to more than half of America, it’s nominated for an award – even if it isn’t a spectacular film. The content or message alone shouldn’t be a catalyst for an Oscar. It should be the overall whole of the product. An example of my point is when during the actual Oscar broadcast this year, host Anne Hathaway joked that in the past if you got naked, you get a nomination. This film feels that way. After Brokeback Mountain, Milk, etc., if you play a gay/lesbian couple or person, you should now get nominated. The narrative seemed contrite and “pushed” in our faces like a person at a party forcing you to watch their home videos of family vacations.
3. Laura Cannon 03.18.11 / 6am

   This review did a very nice job of describing the characters and emotions that they go through. I felt like she really understood the true hurt and damage that the father put the other mother through and she explained it very nicely. After reading this review, I would want to watch the film because the reviewer did a really nice job at describing all the interpersonal relationships at a baseline level, without giving any unnecessary information. She hit on all of the really important aspects of the film. I also thought this reviewer was really good at discovering the underlying purpose of different characters, for example she says that the families “lives are somewhat complicated yet ultimately enriched by the arrival of Paul” in the very beginning of the review, but then toward the end after we know what he did to the family she expresses that she is glad he wasn’t welcomed back into the family.
4. Alec Stoll 03.18.11 / 6pm

   I thought that the Kids Are All Right was pretty good. I saw it a couple of months ago and I can still remember most of the movie which is impressive since I usually cannot remember movies very well. I thought that the cool thing about this movie was that it showed how a family that has two mothers was just as normal as a family with a mother and a father. There was comedic parts to the film although this film was definitely not a comedy. Overall I would recommend this film to people that want to have a couple hours of entertainment, but I am also glad that I did not pay to see it in theatre.
5. Sara Uronen 03.18.11 / 6pm

   This film was not at the top of my list for favorite movies, however it did have an interesting idea to it. The review that was written for this film definitely pin pointed the main ideas and important parts of the film. Solely judging on the review written here, I would most likely have an interest in seeing this film. However, I already saw it and I was not as pleased as I thought I would be. I thought the timing of the film was excessive, and it could have been a little shorter. I started to get bored at certain parts and had they been cut out I think my interest in this film would have been sparked up a little more. I think that the characters played their parts well and the film progressed well, but I just did not have the interest that I thought I would have in this film.
6. Anna Preston 03.22.11 / 6pm

   I watched the Kids are Alright and I believe that it was a great film. The acting was phenomenal, the story line was amazing, interesting and entertaining. I didn’t think the film would end the way it did which was good because it kept me on my feet. I felt connected with the character because the actors did a really good job on showing their emotion and it felt like it was real. The filming and setting were great as well.
7. Geordie Scully 04.14.11 / 10am

   This is a very good review on this film. I appreciate that this reviewer had some negative critiques on the film. When discussing this film with others it seemed like everyone thought it was amazing and I think it was because of it’s original concept. The acting was very believable it was the best thing going for this film. Even though the topic was “controversial” the movie still seemed very safe to me. I think that Lisa Cholodenko sort of fell back on the concept of the film and didn’t really do anything else to make this movie amazing or particularly interesting. The storyline just seemed flat and at times not believable, although the actors portrayed it very well. This review was a good critical review and highlights the good aspects of the film as well.
8. Daina Ellner 06.30.11 / 10am

   I found The Kids Are Alright to be incredibly enthralling, humorous, and dramatic all at the same time. Julianne Moore and Annette Benning have incredible chemistry from the moment they are introduced. You can truly see the love between them and the family that they created, despite the fact that it was against the “norms” of society. When Laser and Joni go to find their biological father, the plot goes from a comedic and lighthearted story to a more dramatic and heart wrenching one. The happy family is tested as Paul enters their lives, enriching them individually and yet tearing them apart. I found the cast to work incredibly well together and the overall film to be one of the best of 2010.
9. Christina Vlahos 07.01.11 / 1pm

   The Kids Are Alright is great in the sense that it a very well done story about a modern American family that deals with average family issues. The different with The Kids Are Alright and the point that makes it more unique is that it is a story about a lesbian couple who decided to start a family. The movie also provides many laughs without ever over exaggerating or tainting the story line for a cheep chuckle. The beauty of this film lies in the story line. Lisa Cholodenko ability to depict a modern day gay family as a picture of normality is brilliant along with the acting from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore and their ability to create a realistic modern day lesbian couple.
10. Rebecca Aurora 07.21.11 / 5pm

    I felt that this film was realistic and unique, and not just for a story about a family with homosexual parents, but for a story about any family. Kids with homosexual parents is just one part of the film, since the most scandalous and dramatic part of the film was Jules and Paul’s affair, which could happen to any family in which a mother cheats on her husband with another man. Even though it was more on the predictable side, I felt that the ending was well done because it shows that not life doesn’t often have a 100% happy ending, best demonstrated by the fact that even though Jules and Nic made up, Paul is never truly forgiven for the emotional turmoil he helped cause in the family.
11. ErinWagner 03.21.13 / 2pm

    I have been wanting to see this movie for quite some time and after reading this review I may take the time to watch it. The reviewer gives a great brief summary of the film as well as all of the themes and genres incorporated into it. The reviewer also does a good job analyzing every main character in the movie. After reading this review, you can almost have your own views on each of the characters despite the reviewers views; she does exclaim her views, but she gives enough information for readers to come up with their own views regarding the characters and their actions.
12. Joana Granados 06.04.20 / 12am

    When I first watched this film, it caught my attention right away. It was unique in the way that the parents were both homosexual. I liked the idea of the director thinking about this because since its very common it would get the viewers attention. I like that this movie was funny sometimes but it had some scenes that were very open and unexpected. I also think the way the cast got along and worked together to give this film the right meaning. The setting of the film were understanding and made sense with the scenario of the film. My favorite part of the film was when they accepted to get back each other even tho they knew of everything that happened. As a result they wanted to see the kids happy so they did it for the kids. I enjoyed reading your response and great work overall.
13. Jasmine Moreno 06.19.20 / 6pm

    I really enjoyed reading your review of The Kids Are All Right. I thought you explained the overall message spot on in the first paragraph and I do agree with you that this film portrays the ups and downs of a family, showing the audience that not all families are perfect and everyone has their ups and downs in life. I liked how the movie followed a 3-act structure because it allowed for character development, and personally, it is easier for me to follow along with movies that are in a 3-act structure because I know what to expect. Overall, I enjoyed reading your review, you did a great job.
14. Sierra Saragosa 07.18.20 / 10pm

    I enjoyed reading your review of “The Kids Are All Right” and liked some points you made, but disagree with others. I liked that you pointed out the conversation between Laser and his moms, where they thought he was telling them that he was interested in men. I also really liked how you explained their lives as “complicated yet enriched.” The kids definitely grow up and learn about themselves, and Nic and Jules’s relationship ultimately does come out stronger, assumedly. What I disagreed with is calling their family “stable,” because I think the whole point of the affair, was that she was unhappy at home. Neither one of them were happy in their relationship, they fought, and didn’t have positive views of each other, which I wouldn’t call stable. I also don’t agree with how you completely turned on Paul’s character. I don’t think he becomes less compassionate because of his actions. I think he was just really feeling close with all of them, and didn’t navigate that correctly.
15. Sierra Saragosa 07.19.20 / 8am

    I wanted to add to comment that the camera angle of the conversations you mentioned definitely helped contribute to the emotion you felt. When the characters have conversations the camera is angled so it feels as if you are sitting there talking with the characters. This really helps you feel the emotion the director wants you to feel.
16. Lyudmila Ignatovich 09.23.20 / 11am

    Well written review of The Kids Are All Right! I agree that Annette Benning’s performance was brilliant because of how the viewer could feel the pain she went through after discovering the affair. Although her acting was great, it was almost immediately obvious that she and Paul would have a sexual relationship based on their interactions with one another from the very beginning. It was also foreshadowed by Nic constantly finding strands of Jules’s hair that she unintentionally left behind throughout the film. I also have mixed feelings about this film because it seems to feed into a belief that women in gay marriages will never be completely sexually satisfied by their partner.
17. Skylar Hollingsworth 03.02.21 / 2pm

    Overall, great review of the movie. This was my first time ever seeing this movie and I thought it was pretty good. I thought it was unique to have a movie finally showing and normalizing same sex marriage. Jules and Nic had a beautiful family and lived in a nice house. At first i thought Nic was being a little too uptight about meeting Paul, but after the affair happened I finally understood why. It was her gut telling her from the beginning that this was not a good idea. When we first saw Paul come into the picture he seemed like a nice, caring guy that would never do such a thing. My opinions on him quickly changed because I had a feeling he was into sleeping with people.
18. Alejandro Vergara 03.23.21 / 11pm

    The film’s storyline was unique because of the normalization of same-sex marriages as well as the inclusion of a sperm donor and a untraditional family. Jules and Nic who were happily married meet there sperm donor Paul because their children out of curiosity wanted to meet the man they are connected to biologically. Jules has an affair with Paul which Nic soon finds out and their marriage is deteriorating because of it. The film is quite predictable though its unique nature makes up for it.
19. Alejandro Vergara 03.24.21 / 12am

    The film’s storyline was intriguing because of the normalization of same-sex marriages as well as the inclusion of a sperm donor and a untraditional family. Jules and Nic who were happily married meet there sperm donor Paul because their children out of curiosity wanted to meet the man they are connected to biologically. Jules has an affair with Paul which Nic soon finds out and their marriage is deteriorating because of it. One of the reviews mentioned that this film feeds into the belief that women in same-sex marriages aren’t completely pleased sexually by their partner. I agree, with that statement because Jules had an affair with the opposite sex while being in a same-sex marriage with Nic.
20. Alejandro Vergara 03.24.21 / 12am

    The film’s storyline was intriguing because of the normalization of same-sex marriages as well as the inclusion of a sperm donor and a untraditional family. Jules and Nic who were happily married meet there sperm donor Paul because their children out of curiosity wanted to meet the man they are connected to biologically. Jules has an affair with Paul which Nic soon finds out and their marriage is deteriorating because of it. One of the reviews mentioned that this film feeds into the belief that women in same-sex marriages aren’t completely pleased sexually by their partner. I agree, with that statement because Jules had an affair with the opposite sex while being in a same-sex marriage with Nic. This clearly indicates that there was some sort of dissatisfaction sexually and emotionally in the marriage. The way the film portrayed Paul made the film very predictable because he had that bad boy persona. For instance, he had a friends with benefits and he drove a motorcycle. So, this made me foreshadow that meeting their sperm donor would be a terrible idea.
21. trinity jennings 06.05.21 / 8pm

    The Kids Are All Right in my opinion was a very confusing movie to understand what the deeper meaning was at first but later I began to get it. I think that your review really helped me personally understand the film as a whole, how it shows very real issues within normal families especially those with same sex partners the way this one did. The affair while inappropriate was extremely realistic and I think the director really focused on the verisimilitude in the film itself by proposing these issues throughout. The characters’ personalities and issues specifically brought the film to life and is what made it such a great film to watch. I would definitely say that I agree with your ending statement of the film’s deeper meaning being the hardships and realistic experiences one faces in life and when it comes to family.
22. Jasminder Thind 07.24.21 / 11pm

    I truly enjoyed watching this film and it is a film that I would gladly recommend to others. I believe this film did a great job of showing the audience how a family functions with two parents of the same sex. When the sperm donor Paul, is introduced into the mix, things become a bit more interesting and the bond of the family is truly tested. For the most part, I believe that the acting in this film is great enough to give a sense of realism to the family. Overall, I believe this film is generally about the idea of family and the loved ones that you grow up with. The implicit meanings show that although Paul is the biological father to the two children, they have grown up without him and they will always share a different bond with the moms that they were raised by and grew up with.
23. Alexis Persoon 10.12.21 / 4pm

    I enjoyed reading your review of this film! I agree that I thought the acting was well done and many of the characters in this film had a complicated story. I also found it humorous in the beginning when Jules and Nic think that since Laser is with Clay a lot, they thought they may be romantically involved. I understand why you did not like Jules once she had an affair with Paul, but I think that her infidelity happened for a reason. Not to say in any way that I agree with her being unfaithful, but I think that in marriages infidelity happens because there are martial issues. I think the pressure and constant controlling Nic does, makes Jules seek another person to appreciate her. I personally did not hate Moore’s character after the affair, I just thought it was a reckless choice that happened because of the pain she felt.
24. Alexis Persoon 10.12.21 / 4pm

    I enjoyed reading your review of this film! I agree that I thought the acting was well done and many of the characters in this film had a complicated story. I also found it humorous in the beginning when Jules and Nic think that since Laser is with Clay a lot, they thought they may be romantically involved. I understand why you did not like Jules once she had an affair with Paul, but I think that her infidelity happened for a reason. Not to say in any way that I agree with her being unfaithful, but I think that in marriages infidelity happens because there are other problems. I think the pressure and constant controlling Nic does, makes Jules seek another person to appreciate her. I personally did not hate Moore’s character after the affair, I just thought it was a reckless choice that happened because of the pain she felt.
25. Ramona Perez 07.09.22 / 10pm

    In my opinion I believed that this film; The Kids Are All Right, was a unique film because of the normalization of same-sex marriage. I totally agree with you within the camera’s angles when the characters were having a conversation. When having this angle while having conversation it made us, the audience, feel like we were the ones having the conversation with the character. Overall after reading the review we get a better summary about the film and we get an analysis of every character. I felt like this film was one of the best films that I have seen.
26. Pippyn Carney 07.11.22 / 6pm

    Hello there Addie Rosales! Very spot on description of the movie “The Kids Are All Right”! I just recently viewed this film for my first time in my film studies course, and I enjoyed it! Although, it was one of those movies that sort of have you cringing the whole time you are watching it, which I didn’t necessarily love about it. The plot is very interesting yet realistic, and I do agree with you on the fact that the lesbian couple have a great chemistry in the beginning, and that the actresses did a great job in building that on screen feeling! I thought this film to be a bit stressful, but I did like the end scene with the three family members in the car and how the son cracking a joke brought them all back together for a brief second. I feel that that was a raw moment in the film, and leaves us wanting to see more scenes after that to give us answers on the growth or decline of the parents relationship and family!
27. Paige Halter 10.20.22 / 3pm

    I agree that this movie was quite funny at time and very entertaining to watch. Something that makes me angry about this movie is the affair between Jules and Paul. Their heterosexual relationship completely undermines the entire storyline that Jules is a lesbian. Although you might be able to argue that Jules might be bi-sexual, the movie completely throws me off because of this aspect. It felt like a massive plot hole.

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