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
Garfield: The Movie
(PG) - Briefly rude language nudges this movie beyond the G-rated level. Otherwise, it's what parents and children expect from a live-action version of a cartoon favorite.
Shrek 2
(PG) The sequel is funnier and livelier than the 2001 original. Much of the humor is multigenerational, with a few flatulence jokes and mild cartoon violence, but nothing for parents to fret about.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
The Day After Tomorrow
(PG-13) - The end of the world is near in Roland Emmerich's latest disaster flick. That prospect may upset young moviegoers. Catastrophes that include a tidal wave swamping Manhattan, polar shifts and gang tornadoes create a lot of destruction without much time focused on casualties. Possible nightmare potential for impressionable viewers.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
(PG) - As the bespectacled wizard matures, so do movie adaptations of J.K. Rowling's novels. The third film depicts a more rebellious Harry, with family issues that young viewers may not entirely understand. The film also contains a stronger child-in-peril factor than before, with an escaped murderer (Gary Oldman) stalking Harry. Beasts include an unusual breed of werewolf, a demon dog and the ghostly Dementors, which could inspire nightmares. Recommended for ages 10 and older.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Breakin' All the Rules
(PG-13) - A jilted author (Jamie Foxx) writes a guide to breaking up relationships, escalating the battle of the sexes. The MPAA rating results from sexual material and profanity.
The Chronicles of Riddick
(PG-13) - Vin Diesel's science fiction adventure was previously rated R and was trimmed to a more profitable PG-13 standard. There's still enough loud, intense violence and profanity to make parents wary.
Mean Girls
(PG-13) - High school campus comedy starring Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday) as an outcast student. The MPAA singled out "teen partying" as a reason for the rating, along with sexual content and profanity.
Raising Helen
(PG-13) - Winning chemistry between Kate Hudson and John Corbett saves Garry Marshall's movie. Mature themes include the sudden deaths of both parents and lessons learned by the partying aunt (Hudson) chosen to raise the orphans. Brief subtexts of teen sexuality. Mild profanity and religion-themed comedy.
The Stepford Wives
(PG-13) - Children can't fully appreciate a dark satire of male oppression and absurdly feminine makeovers. Parents won't appreciate their children hearing so much discussion of sexual issues that need explaining. Moderate profanity and mild frights are included.
Van Helsing
(PG-13) - Hugh Jackman (X-Men) plays a fearless vampire hunter who must also contend with Frankenstein's monster and Wolfman. The monsters are portrayed as vicious sorts in computer-enhanced detail that will be nightmare material for some young children. Violence is relentless and grisly, and sexual tension between Jackman and Kate Beckinsale is strong.
