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Family movie guide
The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.
By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 2, 2002
RECOMMENDED
Ice Age
(PG) -- Fox Animation Studios does a decent Disney impersonation with an animated tale about prehistoric creatures returning a lost human child to her family. No profanity, nudity or sexual content. Some brief, crude toilet humor and moments of mild tension to make young viewers squirm.
The Rookie
(G) -- Fact-based tale of a middle-age baseball coach making it to the major leagues (or at least the Rays). Nothing objectionable, making this one of the most mature G-rated films since My Dog Skip. Good lessons about reaching for dreams for impressionable children, especially sports fans.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
The Scorpion King
(PG-13) -- Parents who don't mind their children watching pro wrestling on TV probably won't be bothered by the bash-about action and scantily clad women of this prequel to The Mummy. WWF superstar the Rock stars as a warrior destined for royalty, but not before some vicious brawls and swordfights. Not much blood, but loads of fantasy violence. No profanity or nudity, just some brief sensuality.
Spider-Man
(PG-13) -- Comic book-style violence, loud and incendiary, is the main concern for parents, whose children probably won't be deterred from seeing Spidey on the big screen. Some scary images, including Willen Dafoe's villainous Green Goblin makeup, but hardly nightmare material. More like daydreams.
NOT RECOMMENDED
The Cat's Meow
(PG-13) -- Children probably aren't interested in Hollywood scandals of the 1920s, but Kirsten Dunst in a starring role may be appealing. Peter Bogdanovich's film, based on Tinsel Town whispers, contains moderate profanity, several subplots based on sexual urges and a briefly graphic gunshot killing. One scene prominently features drug abuse.
High Crimes
(PG-13) -- Kiss the Girls co-stars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd are reunited in this military mystery. She's the wife of an officer accused of murder, and he's the investigator trying to prove the defendant's innocence. Moderate profanity, occasional bursts of violence and a bit of sexual heat, plus the mature plot, make this a dubious choice for children.
Hollywood Ending
(PG-13) -- Children typically don't have much interest in Woody Allen movies, but it's PG-13, so just in case: Allen's latest comedy about a hypochondriac filmmaker in love contains drug references, sexual material and profanity.
Life or Something Like It
(PG-13) -- Angelina Jolie plays an ambitious TV reporter in a film that can't decide if it's a romantic comedy or serious drama. Nothing here to entertain children, just grownup angst. Moderate profanity, sexual situations and brief violence.
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