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Film

Family Movie Guide

A guide to help parents decide which movies are suitable for children under 13.

By Steve Persall
Published March 15, 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.

The Ultimate Gift B-

(PG) - There's nothing objectionable here, but the "money can't buy happiness" theme may not captivate younger audiences.

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.

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.

Premonition D

(PG-13) - Sandra Bullock stars as a woman whose husband may be dead, or may not be yet. Violent content, disturbing images, profanity and mature themes of mortality could worry parents.

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 March 14, 2007, 10:22:37]