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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 29, 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 Last Mimzy B-

(PG) - This science fiction yarn contains mild endangerment of children and brief profanity that won't bother parents. However, the convoluted plot could strain young viewers' attention spans.

Meet the Robinsons

(G) - This mild science fiction adventure that won't lead to nightmares or memories, compared to other Disney animated classics. Nothing offensive.

TMNT D+

(PG) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return with animated martial arts mayhem that children shouldn't try at home. The animated action, brief rudeness and mildly frightening images won't disturb many parents.

Suitable, with reservations

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.

Pride C+

(PG) - An inspirational story of inner city youths trading gang life for swimming medals, based on a true story. However, the violence, profanity and racial epithets may be too harsh for preteen viewers.

Not suitable

Blades of Glory B+

(PG-13) - Will Ferrell is popular with young moviegoers but parents are informed that his brand of crude and sexual humor laced with profanity, drug references and comical violence isn't role model material.

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.

The Namesake A-

(PG-13) - Preteen viewers won't be enchanted by Mira Nair's graceful, poetic family drama spanning generations and continents. However, Kal Penn's youthful appeal could draw teenagers. Sexual situations, profanity and brief drug content won't offend many.

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 28, 2007, 10:13:16]