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Film

Family Movie Guide

A look at current movies and their suitabiliy for children.

By STEVE PERSALL
Published February 1, 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.

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.

Not suitable

Because I Said So D

(PG-13) - Pushy mother (Diane Keaton) and romantically-challenged daughter (Mandy Moore) live and share intimate details of sexuality with profanity and partial nudity.

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.

Dreamgirls B

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

The Messengers

(PG-13) - Another fright flick featuring disturbing violence, profanity and creepy children with dark family secrets, so the nightmare quotient is high for young viewers.

[Last modified January 31, 2007, 10:04:28]