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Film

Family Movie Guide

Films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly list, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance.

By Steve Persall
Published March 1, 2007

Suitable for families

Bridge to Terabithia B+

(PG) - The popular children's book about adolescent friends creating a fantasy world should please young viewers. The story includes episodes of schoolyard bullying and fantasy peril, plus briefly rude language and mature themes of mortality.

Suitable, with reservations

The Astronaut Farmer B-

(PG) - Billy Bob Thornton stars as a retired NASA employee building a rocket ship in his barn. Includes mild peril and profanity, but heartland values and feel-good moments make this suitable for adolescents and older.

Music and Lyrics D+

A washed-up pop singer (Hugh Grant) teams with a younger woman (Drew Barrymore) to compose songs, and falls in love. Mild sexual references and profanity.

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

Amazing Grace

(PG) - Children aren't likely to be captivated by this historical epic of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce. Mature themes involving slavery, mild profanity.

Breach C

(PG-13) - Children won't have much interest in a fact-based drama about government security leaks. The PG-13 rating results from violence, sexual content and profanity.

Daddy's Little Girls

(PG-13) - A successful lawyer (Gabrielle Union) falls in love with a single father (Idris Elba) of three children whose ex-wife interferes. Heartwarming moments are tinged with profanity, drug and sexual content, domestic violence and mature themes of parental discord that could upset children.

Ghost Rider D

(PG-13) - Nicolas Cage stars as a stunt motorcyclist selling his soul to become a fiery vigilante against Satan's forces. Horror violence, disturbing images and occult themes may be too intense for children.

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.

Norbit D

(PG-13) - Eddie Murphy's new comedy was originally rated R, then slightly trimmed for a tamer rating. There's still enough crude and sexual humor, racial and physical stereotyping, profanity and brief nudity to make some parents cautious.

Wild Hogs D

(PG-13) - Lame attempts at comedy including repeated gay-bashing jokes and crude sexual innuendoes make this unsuitable for children, not to mention the moderate profanity and brief violence.

[Last modified February 28, 2007, 10:07:02]