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Film

Family Movie Guide

A look at what's showing in the theaters.

By STEVE PERSALL
Published May 11, 2006

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

Akeelah and the Bee A

(PG) - Children will be inspired by the story of an inner-city girl (Keke Palmer) struggling to reach the National Spelling Bee finals. Brief rude language, and a lingering warm feeling.

Hoot B-

(PG) - A teenager (Logan Lerman) moves from Montana to Florida, where he protects a parliament of endangered owls. For that he faces mild bullying and hears crude language, earning the MPAA rating.

Ice Age: The Meltdown B

(PG) - The sequel to Ice Age (2002) contains mildly crude language and innuendo that shouldn't offend many parents.

The Wild C-

(G) - Nothing objectionable about Disney's latest animated comedy, except it looks a lot like DreamWorks' 2005 hit, Madagascar.

SUITABLE, WITH RESERVATIONS

Goal! The Dream Begins C

(PG) - The story of an underprivileged Mexican-American immigrant becoming an international soccer star includes mild profanity, brief sexual situations and alcohol abuse.

Just My Luck D-

(PG-13) - Lindsay Lohan stars as a Manhatan princess spoiled by good fortune, whose luck and life are magically changed when she meets an unlucky man. The MPAA rating is due to comedic sexual references.

Poseidon C+

(PG-13) - This remake of the 1972 disaster flick classic The Poseidon Adventure contains extended sequences of intense disaster peril and a few profanities under pressure.

RV C-

(PG) - Robin Williams plays a father dragging his family on a summer vacation in a recreational vehicle. Crude humor, sexual innuendo and profanity makes this questionable for small children.

Stick It C

(PG-13) - A gymnastics coach (Jeff Bridges) allows an athlete (Missy Peregrym) who fled the sport to return, causing friction with teammates. Crude and profane language, comparable to the cheerleader comedy Bring It On.

NOT SUITABLE

An American Haunting

(PG-13) - Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek co-star in an 18th century ghost story featuring the intense terror sequences modern filmmaking allows. Mature themes include incest and sexual abuse.

The Benchwarmers

(PG-13) - Slacker pals (David Spade, Rob Schneider, Jon Heder) boost their egos by playing baseball against Little Leaguers. The rating is due to "crude and suggestive humor, and for language."

Mission: Impossible III B+

(PG-13) - Tom Cruise's spy thriller continues the series' emphasis on intense action violence, plus a measure of profanity and sensuality.

Scary Movie 4

(PG-13) - After three irreverent films packed with crude, sexual and violent gags, parents know what to expect from this one.

The Sentinel B

(PG-13) - Political thrillers generally don't excite children, although Kiefer Sutherland's popularity on television's 24 may help. The presidential assassination conspiracy earned its rating with intense action violence, profanity and one scene of sensual behavior.

[Last modified May 10, 2006, 11:54:15]