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Film

Family Movie Guide

A guide for parents when choosing which movies are suitbale for their children.

By STEVE PERSALL
Published January 25, 2007

Suitable for families

Arthur and the Invisibles C-

(PG) - Animated import from France starring Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland) as a boy drawn into a fantasy world. Mild peril.

Charlotte's Web B

(G) - The classic book gets a Babe-style adaptation to screen. Briefly crude humor; sad mortality themes are mildly presented.

Happily N'Ever After B-

(PG) - Fairy tales get another Shrek-style shredding when a commoner (voice of Sarah Michelle Gellar) falls in love with a charmless prince. Mild action and crude humor.

Happy Feet C+

(PG) - A tone-deaf penguin (voice of Elijah Wood) uses tap-dancing skills to attract a mate. Mild peril and occasionally rude humor.

Night at the Museum C

(PG) - Kids will enjoy watching Ben Stiller chased by museum exhibits that come to life after closing time. A few scary images, such as a T. rex skeleton.

Suitable, with reservations

Freedom Writers C

(PG-13) - Based on the true story of an inner city teacher (Hilary Swank) who inspires students to overcome cultural bias through creative writing. Profanity, brief violence and mature themes of adolescence, including gangs, broken homes and intolerance.

Stomp the Yard B

(PG-13) - Hip-hop enthusiasts can find positive messages in this drama, set on an African-American college campus where fraternity membership can lead to a bright future. Brief violence sends an inner-city youth (Columbus Short) there. Profanity and brief sexual situations.

We Are Marshall B-

(PG-13) - Fact-based story of a college football program revived after an airplane crash. Mature themes, abundant grief and profanity.

Not suitable

Blood and Chocolate

(PG-13) - A teen werewolf (Agnes Bruckner) is torn between killing humans and loving one (Hugh Dancy). Includes intense violence, sexual situations and substance abuse.

Catch and Release C+

(PG-13) - A young woman (Jennifer Garner) finds love after the death of her longtime boyfriend. The MPAA rating is due to sexual content, profanity and brief drug abuse.

Code Name: The Cleaner

(PG-13)- Raucous comedian Cedric the Entertainer poses as a government spy. The MPAA rating is the result of "sexual content, crude humor and some violence."

Dreamgirls B

(PG-13) - This lively adaptation of the Broadway musical smash has mature themes, including sexual situations, profanity, and drug and alcohol abuse.

[Last modified January 24, 2007, 12:24:58]