Family movie guide

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

By Steve Persall, Times Film Critic
Published January 17, 2008

Suitable for families

Alvin and the Chipmunks: C+
(PG) - Those rowdy rodents get the computer-animation treatment, like Garfield, with Jason Lee as their best human buddy. Brief rude humor that is common in family films these days.

Enchanted: A-
(PG) - A cartoon princess (Amy Adams) is banished to real-life Manhattan in a clever sendup of Disney's animated legacy. Some scary images and mild innuendo.

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: B-
(PG) - A Scottish lad discovers an egg that hatches an adorable sea creature. Mild action and child peril, brief crude language and smoking.

Suitable for families, with reservations

The Great Debaters: B
(PG-13) - This fact-based story of a small African-American college's debate team that takes a stand for racial equality is inspiring. Mature themes, occasionally coarse language and brief sexuality make it appropriate for teenagers and older.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
(PG) - A treasure hunter (Nicolas Cage) searches for clues to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. This sequel to 2004's National Treasure contains comparable action violence.

Not suitable

27 Dresses
(PG-13) - A perpetual bridesmaid (Katherine Heigl) hopes to beat her younger sister to the altar. Profanity, sexual innuendo and adult content.

Beowulf: B
(PG-13) - Medieval violence, a frightening dragon and a nearly nude Angelina Jolie make this computer-animated adventure questionable for kids.

The Bucket List: B
(PG-13) - Terminally ill cancer patients (Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman) share a whirlwind last fling in Rob Reiner's dramedy. The premise and pacing won't appeal to children, while profanity and sexual references are inappropriate for them.

Cassandra's Dream
(PG-13) - Woody Allen's cinematic style doesn't have much kid appeal. This crime drama also includes brief violence and sexual material.

Cloverfield
(PG-13) - Violence, terror and disturbing images make this monster movie a likely nightmare inducer for children.

First Sunday
(PG-13) - Petty crooks (Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan) plot to rob their neighborhood church. Profanity, sexual references and drug content taint an eventually uplifting message.

I Am Legend: B-
(PG-13) - The last human (maybe) on Earth (Will Smith) has inhuman company: a race of cannibal zombies. Intense action sequences, animal cruelty and a grim scenario may frighten young children.

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
(PG-13) - Another violent video game gets the big screen treatment. The MPAA rating is the result of "intense battle sequences."

Juno: A
(PG-13) - Jason's Reitman's comedy about a pregnant teenager skirts R-rating territory with sexual situations, mature themes, profanity and crude humor. However, its sweetness will make it a cult favorite of teenagers, so parents should be ready to discuss.

The Kite Runner: B+
(PG-13) - A child's rape in pre-Taliban Afghanistan ends an idyllic friendship and begins a personal and political drama that spans decades. Violence and mature themes.

Mad Money: C+
(PG-13) - Federal reserve employees (Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes) steal money slated to be destroyed. Aside from the amoral theme, profanity, sexual content and drug references make this inappropriate for children.

P.S. I Love You
(PG-13) - Children won't be interested in the story of a widow (Hilary Swank) whose husband left behind recorded messages with advice to start over. Profanity, sexual references, brief nudity.

Starting Out in the Evening: B
(PG-13) - A reclusive, aging author (Frank Langella) is coaxed out of his solitary life by a college student (Lauren Ambrose). Sexual content, profanity, brief nudity.

[Last modified January 16, 2008, 13:19:30]