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Film

Family Movie Guide

By STEVE PERSALL
Published December 8, 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

(G) Nothing offensive in this computer-animated Disney production. Mild action violence, but not as intense as The Incredibles.

(PG) - A few crude jokes among members of a large family are the only offenses, unless you count the casting of Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo in roles originated by Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball in the 1968 original.

(PG) - Siblings follow a board game into outer space adventures that aren't as exciting as the premise suggests. The sci-fi action is tame by video game standards, and a few crude remarks among kin won't offend many parents, who will appreciate a late message for everyone to like each other.

SUITABLE, WITH RESERVATIONS

(PG) - Fans of C.S. Lewis' book will be more patient than others with the film version's understated fantasy for most of the running time. The final 40 minutes boasts exciting computer-generated creatures, although they could be nightmare material for young viewers. The violence level is higher than most PG-rated films, but bloodless. Religious themes in the subplot of a messianic lion (voice of Liam Neeson) may concern some parents.

(PG-13) - The first Harry Potter movie to earn a PG-13 rating, chiefly for scary images involving Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), fire-breathing dragons and an underwater sequence that features creatures and possible drowning. A few rude remarks sneak into the dialogue, as well as brief, mild sexual references. Parents of children ages 8 and younger should exercise caution.

(PG) - Adolescent girls will appreciate Jane Austen's knack for creating plucky, romantic 18th century heroines more than boys will, and any child under age 10 will likely be bored. Keira Knightley wearing a corset again may attract youth market interest, but this isn't Pirates of the Caribbean.

NOT SUITABLE

(PG-13) - Academy Award winner Charlize Theron plays a futuristic assassin whose sexual encounters and violent profession may not be appropriate for young viewers.

(PG) Although the profanity is minor and there's no sex or violence in George Clooney's film, the fact-based drama is rife with mature political themes that can make younger viewers impatient. The black-and-white cinematography and lack of physical action won't help. Save this fine film for teenagers seeking a civics lesson.

(PG-13) - Pop singer Usher will draw young moviegoers, although the sexual content, violence and profanity cited by the MPAA's rating may concern parents.

(PG-13) - A formerly overweight man (Ryan Reynolds) woos a woman who rejected him in high school. Pervasive sexual content, crude humor and profanity.

(PG-13) - The popular Broadway musical includes numerous mature themes, including homosexuality, an exotic dancer (Rosario Dawson) hooked on heroin, a cross-dresser (Wilson Jermaine Heredia) and several HIV-positive characters. Profanity, sexual situations, brief violence.

(PG-13) - This by-the-numbers biography of music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) contains strong profanity, drug and alcohol addiction and mature themes that include adultery. The 136-minute running time may make children antsy.

[Last modified December 7, 2005, 11:01:06]