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Letter to the editor

Film

Family Movie Guide

By STEVE PERSALL
Published June 9, 2005

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.

SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES

(PG) - Soccer moms and dads can feel fairly comfortable taking children to Will Ferrell's comedy. The PG rating is the result of a few crude jokes, mild profanity and a subplot about a man's dysfunctional relationship with his father.

(PG) - A few mild profanities and crude jokes (mostly flatulence and poop gags) earned the MPAA rating, along with a few thematic elements of peril and abandonment.

(PG) - The MPAA rating is due to mild action violence and few crude remarks. Nothing else objectionable in Robert Rodriguez's film, unless you count its lousy 3-D effects giving everything a pinkish-gray tint, with only minimal depth. Children shouldn't make this their first 3-D experience, or they may never try it again.

SUITABLE, WITH RESERVATIONS

(PG-13) - The true-life story of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), who raised American spirits during the Great Depression, can be inspirational to young viewers. Director Ron Howard's slow pacing may also turn them off. A few profanities are used, plus boxing ring violence.

(PG) - Douglas Adams' science fiction satire may sail over the heads of anyone who hasn't read the book, watched the BBC miniseries or heard the radio show. The rating is for action violence and brief profanity, though nothing to worry parents.

(Not rated, probably G) - The percussion dance troupe Stomp goes around the world to show cultures making "music" from ordinary tools and traditional instruments. Children with percussion or geographic interests may enjoy this IMAX film. Otherwise, it's simply a noisy travelogue.

(PG) - Ann Brashares' popular novel for girls becomes a movie for anyone with an open heart. The summer escapades of four best friends (Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively) revolves around mature themes such as mortality, divorce, sexual experimentation and social alienation, handling each with good taste. A few mild profanities and brief sensuality shouldn't concern many parents.

(PG-13) - The final chapter of the Skywalker family saga is the first to be rated stronger than PG by the MPAA. There are a few good reasons, especially in the final hour when Anakin (Hayden Christensen) turns completely to the Dark Side of the Force. A suggested mass murder of children may worry parents, and there are more severed limbs and heads of androids and humans than in previous episodes. Anakin's gruesome condition, which leads to his Darth Vader transformation, is a bit scary. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

NOT SUITABLE

(PG-13) - The updated version of the classic TV sitcom is racier than Jackie Gleason would ever allow, with numerous crude jokes and sexual innuendoes.

(PG-13) - Proof that the MPAA has relaxed its standards. Violence, jokes and profanities that earned an R rating for Burt Reynolds' 1974 prison football comedy are mostly repeated, and children can buy a ticket. Toss in several sexually charged jokes and a few drug references, and parents should be cautioned.

(PG-13) - The popularity of skateboarding makes this fact-based dramatization of the sport's grungy roots appealing to young viewers. Parents should be aware that these teenage daredevils in the 1970s had bad habits, including drug and alcohol abuse, profanity and sexual desires. No nudity, however, and violence is limited to a few thrown punches. The film makes heroes of juvenile delinquents, with noteworthy consequences.

(PG-13) - Crude, cruel humor, alcoholism, sexual references and profanity (including a 12-letter epithet stopped two syllables from completion) led to the MPAA rating. Jennifer Lopez's young fans may not mind, but their parents, who are closer to co-star Jane Fonda's generation, likely will.

[Last modified June 8, 2005, 10:18:05]