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Family movie guide

By STEVE PERSALL
Published October 19, 2006

Suitable for families

Facing the Giants B (PG) - A h igh school football coach turns losers into winners through Christian faith. Mature themes include religious discussions.

Flicka A (PG) - A few rude words don't detract from the timeless appeal of a teenager (Alison Lohman) taming a wild horse.

Open Season B (PG) - A c uddly grizzly bear (voice of Martin Lawrence) and ditzy deer (Ashton Kutcher) aren't prepared for wilderness life. A few crude jokes won't trouble many parents.

Suitable, with reservations

Gridiron Gang B+ (PG-13) - Fact-based tales of juvenile delinquents behind bars learning lessons from football. The story contains gang violence, profanity and mature themes , but can show how lives are changed through discipline.

The Guardian B - (PG-13) - A U.S. Coast Guard veteran (Kevin Costner) trains a troubled recruit (Ashton Kutcher), then must rescue him. Profanity and perilous situations may be too intense for small children. Teenagers may find romanticized inspiration to duty .

Fearless (PG-13) - Martial arts violence comes with inspirational messages in a biography of a Chinese fighting legend (Jet Li). S ubtitles can turn off children . Recommended for 13 and older.

Marie Antoinette C - (PG-13) - MTV meets Masterpiece Theat r e , but not as giddily as it should. Kirs t e n Dunst plays the teen queen as a girl who just wants to have fun. Brief rear nudity, sexual innuendo and sexuality suiting the decadent era.

One Night with the King (PG) - The biblical tale of a Jewish girl (Tiffany Dupont) who becomes Esther, Queen of Persia , and saves her race from extermination contains violence, sensuality and mature themes.

Not suitable

Employee of the Month C (PG-13) - Pop music star Jessica Simpson is a teen favorite but not always a good role model. Co-star Dane Cook is a raunchy stand-up comedian by trade. Put them together in a movie that contains crude and sexual humor plus profanity , and parents should be concerned.

The Grudge 2 ( PG-13) - More horror aimed at young viewers. This time Amber Tamblyn ( Joan of Arcadia ) faces a curse spreading murderous rage like the plague. The MPAA rating is based on disturbing images, terror and violence, mature themes of child endangerment and sensuality.

The Illusionist (PG-13) - Children may enjoy the occasional magic tricks, b ut a romance with murderous undertones set in 1900 Vienna isn't likely to hold their attention. The MPAA rating results from sexual situations and brief violence.

Man of the Year D + ( PG-13) - Robin Williams stars as a political satirist running for president. The MPAA rating reflects profanity , crude sexual references, drug - related material and brief violence .

The Marine ( PG-13) - World Wrestling Entertainment champion John Cena makes his movie debut with more graphically fake violence than he performs in the ring. The movie also contains profanity and sensuality.

The Prestige C - (PG-13) - Much like The Illusionist, the appeal of Hugh Jackman (the X-Men flicks), Scarlett Johansson and Christian Bale (Batman Begins) will draw teenagers. The serpentine period drama may not hold their attention. Violence, disturbing images.

School for Scoundrels C- (PG-13) - Billy Bob Thornton tones down his misanthropic Bad Santa behavior. There are still enough sexual innuendoes, raunchy insults and profanities (including an f-word) to make parents wary.

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.

[Last modified October 18, 2006, 21:21:41]