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Box Office Mom: 'Last Christmas' and 'Playing with Fire'

Our Box Office Mom Jackie Solberg reviews two new movies your kids may want to see.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Our Box Office Mom, Jackie Solberg, is back with a new release in theaters -- giving you a parent's perspective on movies your kids might be hoping to see.

This week, Jackie shared her thoughts on two movies to hit the big screen recently -- the Christmas romance "Last Christmas" and feel-good comedy "Playing with Fire."

Last Christmas

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
  • Release Date: November 7, 2019
  • MPAA Rating: PG13
  • Best Age Group: 13+
  • Sexual Content: Moderate
  • Violent/Disturbing Content: None
  • Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
  • Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
  • Will Kids Like It? Yes

Poor Kate (Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke), life has not been that easy for this twenty six year old aspiring singer who survived a life-threatening illness. She continuously auditions for singing parts and never seems to get them, and she has a job as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. However, Kate's life dramatically changes when she meets Tom (Henry Golding), a volunteer at a homeless shelter. Through a lot of ups and downs Kate eventually realizes that true happiness comes from helping others. Last Christmas is a romantic comedy, and a feel good  holiday film for the whole family.

The wonderful music of George Michael and Wham are woven throughout the film.

Sexual Content: Moderate

  • It's implied that Kate has sex with several different men. We see her waking up in a man's bed; naked under the covers.
  • Character's are shown kissing.
  • Sex is often talked about, however we don't see anything.

Violent/Disturbing Content: None

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

  • We hear "s--t," "d--k," "hell,"  "penis," and "damn."

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

  • We see characters drinking in a bar.
  • Characters do shots.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, Last Christmas is a feel good wonderful romantic comedy.


Playing with Fire

  • Rating: 4.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
  • Release Date: November 7, 2019
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • Best Age Group: 8+
  • Sexual Content: Mild
  • Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
  • Crude or Profane Language: None
  • Drug and Alcohol Content: None
  • Will Kids Like It? Yes

Jake "Supe" Carson (John Cena) says that kids are like tiny wildfires with tiny brains. He thinks they're unpredictable and destructive. Jake is a second-generation superintendent of an elite California firefighters station known as smoke-jumpers. He follows a rigid schedule and never breaks the rules. However, life changes for Jake when he rescues three siblings from a fire. He decides to care for the kids until their parents claim them. Chaos ensues as Jake tries to cope with the difficult responsibility of taking caring of three kids and managing the station. Playing with Fire is a comedy for the whole family.

Sexual Content: Mild

  • There's flirting and kissing between a couple.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

  • Slapstick silly violence as mayhem ensues at the firehouse.
  • The kids are in a car accident and almost fall off a cliff.
  • There's a fire scene where the kids are in danger. This may frighten  kids.
  • One of the kids grabs two flare guns, thinking they're NERF guns, and fires them inside the station.
  • A young girl grabs a nail gun and starts shooting that around.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film. Depending on the child I recommend this film for kids ages 8 and up.

For more of Jackie's reviews, visit www.boxofficemom.com

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