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Film

Family Movie Guide

By STEVE PERSALL
Published September 29, 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) - Tim Burton's version of the classic children's tale is slightly darker than the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder without being nightmarish. Nothing objectionable except a few mature references in Willy Wonka's ramblings and a distinct lack of magic.

(PG) - Nothing objectionable and plenty inspirational about the fact-based story of Frances Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf), a surprising 20-year-old contender in the 1913 U.S. Open golf tournament. Brief profanity.

SUITABLE, WITH RESERVATIONS

(PG) - Many children loved Tim Burton's macabre sense of humor in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This stop-motion animation effort includes scarier images of decomposed bodies and icky action, so viewers younger than 10 may require parental reassurance before bedtime.

(PG-13) - Jodie Foster plays a mother whose daughter disappears on an airliner, if the girl was alive upon departure in the first place. That perilous theme could upset children, and the violence and tension level is definitely geared for grownups.

(PG-13) - Reese Witherspoon's popularity with young moviegoers after the Legally Blonde movies is set. But this isn't a comedy about love after death, like Ghost. It's a situation echoing the Terri Schiavo case, playing it for cheap laughs and tasteless romance. Sensitive viewers are forewarned. Brief profanity, sexual references.

(PG-13) - Roman Polanski's version of Charles Dickens' novel tones down the child abuse and exploitation angle, making Fagin (Ben Kingsley) and Bill Sykes (Jamie Foreman) nicer chaps than they should be. It's still too dry for young viewers, but a decent "crib sheet" to interest students in the book.

(PG-13) - Solid thriller that holds its adult material to reasonable levels while proving that movies can tell nifty stories in less than 90 minutes. Some profanity and third-act violence, but nothing overly objectionable.

(PG-13) - Young viewers will be attracted by the youthful cast, including pop singer Bow Wow, and the roller-skating angle. But the nostalgic 1970s setting, including songs from the era, may be too quaint for their tastes. The film includes crude language, sexual suggestiveness and brief drug references.

(PG-13) - The big-screen adaptation of the failed TV series Firefly contains intense sci-fi action violence and a few sexual references.

NOT SUITABLE

(PG-13) - The rating for this teen slasher flick is due to "violence, terror, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a brief drug reference." Makes you wonder what the ratings board won't allow children to view.

(PG-13) - The popular 1970s television series gets a much racier makeover. Jessica Simpson's skimpy wardrobe and sexy attitude can make parents blush, along with crude jokes, drug humor, profanity and action violence, mostly car chases. Stick to the TV reruns on Country Music Television.

(PG-13) - The supernatural frights are in The Exorcist's league, practically guaranteeing nightmares for sensitive children. The film's equal concentration on courtroom theatrics won't interest many young viewers. Moderate profanity and mature theological themes.

(PG-13) - Paul Walker and Jessica Alba's MTV credibility makes this appealing to young viewers. However, the MPAA rating is due to intense action violence, drug material, sexual content and profanity, not to mention all that skimpy swimwear.

(PG-13) - If Samuel L. Jackson's in a movie, there will probably be profanity. If Eugene Levy's in a movie, some jokes will be crude or sexual. Toss in the usual violence for a buddy crime movie, and parents should exercise caution.

(PG-13) - Not much childish interest in a drama focused on college mathematics and eroding sanity, even with its youthful stars, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal. Brief sensuality and drug content, plus moderate profanity, makes this strictly for adults.

(PG-13) - Nothing here to interest children. Peter Falk and Paul Reiser play father and son on a road trip of self-discovery. Moderate profanity including the f-word, several conversations about sexual matters, brief violence and a medical crisis that could be upsetting.

(PG-13) - Intense violence, occasional sexual content, partial nudity and moderate profanity make this action flick unsuitable for children.

(PG-13) - Slow-moving tale about grownup problems that won't interest many children. Violence is mild, although a domestic abuse subtext may make it resonate with some young viewers. Moderate profanity.

[Last modified September 28, 2005, 10:06:07]