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
Ella Enchanted
(PG) - A fractured fairy tale based on Gail Carson Levine's popular novel. Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries) plays a girl escaping a spell with the help of ogres and elves. Mildly rude humor and a couple of minor profanities shouldn't concern parents much in such a sweet-natured but ill-conceived fantasy.
Home on the Range
(PG) - This Disney animated film is enjoyable if uninspired, a true "cartoon" for kids about heroic farm animals. Appropriate for all ages, it has little of the wink-wink innuendo that occasionally spices today's animated fare.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
13 Going on 30
(PG-13) - Jennifer Garner plays the magically matured version of a teenage girl. Puberty and sexual inexperience are the crux of much of the humor, making at least one parent squirm alongside her young daughter at a sneak preview screening. Brief drug references aren't anything to worry about, but the film's eventual message - that a young girl's dream isn't as important as the nerdy boy she left behind - is debatable.
The Alamo
(PG-13) - Intense battle sequences are reasons for the MPAA rating, although the historical context makes that violence less worrisome for parents. If nothing else, the story of underdog Texans sacrificing lives for liberty in 1836 is stirring and may inspire research of the event.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
(PG) - Lindsay Lohan plays a 15-year-old enduring the trauma of moving from New York City to the wilds of New Jersey. Brief profanity, lying to parents and drunkenness by a rock star idol.
Connie and Carla
(PG-13) - Nia Vardalos follows the success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding with a gender-bending comedy in the tradition of Some Like It Hot. She co-stars with Toni Collette as women escaping the mob by pretending to be female impersonators. The drag gags occasionally skirt stereotypes of gay and lesbian culture, but no worse than Will & Grace on TV. Mild profanity and bloodless mob violence. Suitable for ages 13 and over.
The Prince & Me
(PG) - A college student (Julia Stiles) falls in love with a classmate (Luke Mably), unaware that he's a Danish prince. Brief sex-related material and profanity.
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
(PG) - The creatures are creepier than 2002's original Scooby-Doo, creating Ghostbusters-style havoc that could induce nightmares in young viewers. Includes mild profanity and rude humor aimed at grownups who loved the cartoon series in the 1970s.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Hellboy
(PG-13) - A demon (Ron Perlman playing another beast) raised by Nazis is rescued by the Allies and uses his super powers for good. Loads of sci-fi action violence and frightening images that may disturb young viewers.
Walking Tall
(PG-13) - MPAA members missed the boat with this rating. This remake of a 1973 film is very violent, with bones smashing and automatic weapons blazing. The bad guys busted by the new sheriff (the Rock) run a casino featuring sexy private dancers and drug dealing, with a crystal meth lab operating elsewhere. Moderate profanity, sexuality and none of the inspirational drama of the original.
The Whole Ten Yards
(PG-13) - Sequel to 2000's The Whole Nine Yards, which was rated R for frontal nudity, harsh profanity and violence. A hit man (Bruce Willis) comes out of retirement to rescue the kidnapped wife of his former target (Matthew Perry). Sex, gunplay and naughty talk still figure into the comedy but have been toned down for wider audience appeal.
