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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.

RECOMMENDED

Bugs! A

(G) - What's better than IMAX-sized entertainment? IMAX with superior 3-D optical effects making Spy Kids 3D: Game Over seem like looking through a soft drink bottle. Dame Judi Dench narrates a 40-minute documentary about insect life cycles. Mild peril for a butterfly, and a few creepy moments when the bugs appear to be right in front of your face.

Finding Nemo A

(G) - The newest Pixar animated film will be as thrilling for children and entertaining for adults as the studio's previous hits, Toy Story and its sequel and Monsters, Inc. The story of a father clown fish (voice by Albert Brooks) searching the seas for his lost son contains a few moments of peril that may briefly frighten kids, but overall the movie is good, clean, and smart, fun.

Freaky Friday B-

(PG) - Disney's remake of a 1976 comedy about mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter (Lindsay Lohan) mystically switching identities is swell for the entire family, with only a few rude one-liners and mild thematic elements.

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas C

(PG) - Swashbuckling action violence abounds, and some sea creatures are momentarily scary, but the most objectionable aspect of DreamWorks' animated feature is its reliance upon creaky 2-D animation that looks dull these days. Brief sensuality, a few crude jokes and a comical glimpse of Sinbad's butt.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS

Hulk B

(PG-13) - Hulk is a moodier Marvel Comics hero, and Ang Lee's approach to Oedipal psychodrama may disturb (or bore) young viewers. Otherwise, the PG-13 rating results from the green monster's science-fiction violence, disturbing images of his transformation and brief partial nudity when his alter ego, Dr. Bruce Banner (Eric Bana), grows out of his clothes.

Johnny English

(PG) - Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) spoofs the James Bond genre, complete with milder versions of the comic nudity, crude humor and occasional vulgarities of the Austin Powers trilogy that already did the job.

(PG-13) - Plenty of action violence and sensuality when the sexy video-game hero gets a live-action makeover with Oscar winner Angelina Jolie. If parents don't mind their children playing the game, they probably won't mind the grown-up material in the movie.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen C-

(PG-13) - A close call for recommendation, since the graphic action violence and creepy special effects associated with vampires, Dorian Gray, the Invisible Man and Mr. Hyde could be too intense for younger viewers. The project also lacks kid appeal, with graybeard Sean Connery leading a band of crimefighters from literary classics. Recommended for viewers older than 13 who might be inspired to read those novels.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl A-

(PG-13) - Another popular Disney theme-park attraction becomes a full-blown movie, with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom doing battle with ghostly buccaneers. This is Walt Disney Pictures' first film release with a PG-13 rating, mostly because of macabre special effects and swashbuckling violence.

Seabiscuit A

(PG-13) - This fact-based story of a horse, its owner (Jeff Bridges), trainer (Chris Cooper) and jockey (Tobey Maguire) finding redemption during the Great Depression should inspire moviegoers. The MPAA rating arises from moderate profanity, sexual situations in a Tijuana brothel and sports-related violence. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over F

(PG) - Normally this would be easily recommended for all ages with its video-game-style action and mildly perilous situations. But filmmaker Robert Rodriguez also uses 3-D special effects that aren't special, and the overall effect is a headache. The only positive result would be if parents made children buy their own tickets for a lesson in getting ripped off.

Uptown GirlsC-

(PG-13) - A close call considering the MPAA rating is due to "sexual content and language," plus hyperprecocious young actor Dakota Fanning isn't always a positive role model for children learning to behave and talk back to adults. Recommended for ages 13 and older who may appreciate Brittany Murphy's starring role.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Grind

(PG-13) - The enduring appeal of skateboarding provides an excuse for just another teen comedy packed with antiauthoritarian attitude, crude humor, sexual content and profanity. All that, plus skating tricks that parents may not want their children to try at home.

How to Deal D

(PG-13) - Pop idol Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember) is maturing on screen and her audience demographics should, too. This film, based on two novels by Sarah Dessen, casts Moore as a romantically confused teen dealing with divorced parents, her best friend's sexual issues and her sister's fiance. The film also contains profanity and drug references. Recommended for ages 15 and older.

S.W.A.T. C

(PG-13) - This updating of the 1970's television series rounds out the loudest summer movie season in memory with more explosions and gunfire. Some violence is graphic, but mostly it's a sensory assault. Moderate profanity (hey, it stars Samuel L. Jackson), including an f-word. Brief sexual references.