The Basics Title: Confessions of a Teenage Drama
Queen Rating: PG
Overall rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 12+
Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Yellow
Ages 13 - 17: Yellow
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal:
Green
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Yellow
Language: Green
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green
Review:
When Lola (Lindsay Lohan), the most popular
girl in her New York City school, is forced
to move to a suburban New Jersey school she
thinks that her world has ended. Lola believes
that she can unseat Carla, the most popular
girl at the new school, if she gets the lead
in the school play. Unfortunately, Carla wants
the same part. The girls get into a popularity
competition with each other. Lola lies, cheats,
and takes risks to get what she wants. These
are not actions that most parents want their
children to emulate. There is also a young
boy with a drinking problem, but he does realize
it and promises to get help. Lola wears very
skimpy outfits for a 15-year-old. (Many parents
would not approve of this clothing for their
daughters.) She also tells lies to make herself
more interesting instead of wanting to be
accepted for who she is. She wants to be different,
but she also wants to be the same as the other
teenagers. All in all, she makes a lot of
bad choices, with few mild consequences for
her actions. Families could discuss these
choices and where Lola went wrong. Do your
children know people like Lola and Carla?
What do they think of them and why? Do you
have a drama queen in your family? Lindsay
Lohan's recent movie "Freaky Friday"
was funnier and the lessons learned were developed
better.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.
Linda has been a lover of movies
since she was a small child. This
love of film eventually brought
her to the point in life where
she is now, a film critic. She
was featured on WCCO radio for
three years on the “Dark
in the Morning” show with
Dark Star.
In December of 2001, Linda became
the film critic for the syndicated
“Ruth Koscielak Show”.
Linda sees over 150 movies a
year and has had the opportunity
to interview a number of directors
and actors when they are in town.
She has also appeared on a public
access show called the "Cinema
Judge" and has ventured into
writing for "Cinestar"
magazine in September 2002. The
Twin Cities movie magazine is
available, for free, at most local
Blockbuster's and local movie
cheaters.
As one of the few female reviewers
in the Twin Cities area, she brings
a unique point of view to her
reviews. Linda has raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and
knows what they like in movies
and what is appropriate. Hopefully,
her reviews will help your family
in choosing where to next spend
your movie-going dollar.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.