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Film

Family Movie Guide

By STEVE PERSALL
Published July 20, 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

Cars B+

(G) - Disney and Pixar animators turn their imaginations loose on NASCAR culture, resulting in dazzling images and humor a notch below Over the Hedge. A few lightly crude jokes won't bother parents.

SUITABLE, WITH RESERVATIONS

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest A-

(PG-13) - Scary sea creatures and intense action sequences could induce nightmares in some children. Johnny Depp's portrayal of Capt. Jack Sparrow has sobered a bit, but there's still plenty of rum abuse.

A Prairie Home Companion A

(PG-13) - A few naughty jokes from singing cowboys and a handful of rude words won't offend. However, the old-fashioned music and values of Garrison Keillor's homespun radio-show-turned-movie may not interest young viewers.

An Inconvenient Truth A-

(PG) - Former Vice President Al Gore warns viewers against the dangers of global warming. Nothing objectionable, unless your political views are really working to find something. However, children probably won't be entertained.

Monster House B-

(PG) - Beware of this animated film's scary images and sounds that could induce nightmares. Crude humor and mild violence are par for the PG ratings course.

Superman Returns B-

(PG-13) - Just try keeping children away from this one. The Man of Steel still espouses positive values, even in the midst of action violence that earned the MPAA rating. A few mature themes pass faster than a speeding bullet.

Wordplay B

(PG) - Crossword puzzle fans have the best chance to enjoy this documentary that features New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz and competitors in a national tournament. Brief profanity.

NOT SUITABLE

Click A-

(PG-13) - Adam Sandler's supernatural comedy contains the crude humor, profanity, sexually charged jokes and drug references that made him a star.

The Devil Wears Prada B

(PG-13) - A stylish comedy of ill manners isn't likely to keep children entertained. The film's frequent profanity, brief sensuality and mature, backbiting themes are suitable only for adults.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift C+

(PG-13) - More reckless examples set for future automobile drivers, plus violence, profanity and sexual content.

Lady in the Water C-

(PG-13) - M. Night Shyamalan's movie is touted as "bedtime story" but the frightening images and monster-riddled plot may keep children awake all night.

Little Man F

(PG-13) - A new adoptive father (Shawn Wayans) mistakes an extremely short criminal (Marlon Wayans) for his son. Pervasive crude and sexual humor, profanity and drug references.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

A jealous superhero (Uma Thurman) torments her former lover (Luke Wilson) and his new companion (Anna Faris). The MPAA rating is due to sexual content, crude humor, profanity and brief nudity.

You, Me and Dupree C

(PG-13) - Owen Wilson goes from wedding crasher to marriage intruder in a comedy that features sexual content, brief nudity, crude humor, profanity and a drug reference, enough to make parents wary of taking along children.

[Last modified July 19, 2006, 12:19:51]