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By STEVE PERSALL
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 1, 2001
The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only 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. Films are categorized as "recommended" for family viewing, "recommended with reservations" and "not recommended" for family viewing, with a description of content that led to that categorization. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.
The Emperor's New Groove B-
(G) Nothing offensive in this uninspired Disney animated throwaway. David Spade and John Goodman lend their voices to a South American fantasy that feels like a home video release waiting to happen, but small children will be moderately entertained.
(PG) Dr. Seuss' popular children's book becomes a live-action showcase for Jim Carrey. The story is intact, albeit crammed into the final 20 minutes. The rest of the movie is frantic eye candy that should keep youngsters entertained. Nothing objectionable except a couple of mildly crude jokes and the exploitation of a literary icon.
Antitrust C
(PG-13) Computer programmer (Ryan Phillippe) learns that his boss (Tim Robbins) uses deadly measures to eliminate business competition. Phillippe is a favorite of the younger set, and this film is reportedly less offensive than his R-rated Cruel Intentions and The Way of the Gun. Moderate violence and profanity.
(PG-13) Tom Hanks stars as a workaholic stranded on a deserted island after an airplane crash. Robert Zemeckis' film traces his primal survival and emotional return home with pacing that may not satisfy younger viewers. This isn't a cutesy-pie Robinson Crusoe tale. Mild profanity, no nudity or sex, but Hanks wears a skimpy loincloth. No violence, although the air disaster and natural perils are perhaps too intense for children.
(PG-13) No profanity or nudity in Ang Lee's exciting martial arts epic, and sex is limited to post-coital cuddling. The violence factor should be considered by parents for its volume, rather than graphic intensity. Fists, feet and weapons fly constantly, although without much blood or grisly sound effects. The plot's strong female characters and accent of honor could be inspirational. However, a long running time and English subtitles could frustrate younger viewers.
(PG-13) Playboy executive (Nicolas Cage) gets a glimpse of what life could have been, thanks to a spiritual guide (Don Cheadle). Moderate profanity and discussion of mature themes. Mild sexuality; brief, discreetly concealed nudity. Children probably aren't as interested in midlife crises as their parents are.
(PG-13) Young African-American private school student (Rob Brown) discovers that a reclusive white author (Sean Connery) lives in his Bronx neighborhood. Both outcasts help each other cope with a world outside their own. Moderate profanity and rude-speak. No nudity, sex or violence. Some positive ideas about the importance of literacy sneak through the melodrama. Recommended for 13 and older.
(PG-13) Sandra Bullock plays an FBI agent going undercover as a beauty pageant contestant. Moderate profanity and gender-baiting remarks. Violence includes an introductory shootout and bomb threats. No nudity, but anatomical references are common. Recommended for 13 and older.
(PG-13) Escaped convicts (including George Clooney) become country music stars on the lam in this Depression-era comedy from the Coen brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski). Moderate profanity. No nudity or sex, although temptation is discussed. Violence is limited to gunfire that misses its targets and a clubbing by a bully (John Goodman). Mature themes include spoofs of the Ku Klux Klan. Recommended for 13 and older.
(PG-13) The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 is revisited with admirable detail. History buffs can appreciate the intelligent debates among President John F. Kennedy and his advisers, but the film is too wordy and slow-paced for younger tastes. Profanity is fairly mild. No sex or nudity, and violence is minor and bloodless. Mature themes include the potential end of humanity through nuclear war.
(PG-13) Initially mismatched couple (Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey) find romance between wisecracks in a fluffy comedy. Lopez dresses more conservatively than her Grammy Awards attire, yet there's no way of concealing her sensuality, or McConaughey's sex appeal, for that matter. No nudity, but several sexy interludes and punch lines. Moderate profanity, no violence.
All the Pretty Horses B
(PG-13) Not much action here to interest children, despite the cowboy motif. Matt Damon plays a Texas wrangler falling in love and in trouble in Mexico. Mild tough talk. A glimpse of nudity during a sensual scene with Damon and Penelope Cruz. Violence is a constant companion on the trail, including two brutal stabbing attacks in prison and a gunfight. Too slow for young viewers.
(PG) This paper-thin slice of Italian life won't keep children interested, or many adults, for that matter. It's a loud, treacly family drama about four sisters and the men in their lives, written and performed on the level of a bad TV movie. Mature themes include divorce, death and mental retardation. A handful of mild profanities and veiled jokes about a possibly gay ballet teacher are the only objectionable parts. Unless you count the time wasted by watching the show.
(PG-13) Even with English dialogue, Lasse Hallstrom's film has the earmarks of a foreign film, and not many youngsters are interested in those. Juliette Binoche plays a stranger opening a candy shop in a French village. Her treats tempt villagers during Lent, so religion is a key theme. No nudity, but the candy inspires sensual feelings. Violence includes a scene of domestic abuse. Mild profanity.
(PG-13) Plenty of marijuana and alcohol abuse, close calls with strippers and general disrespect for authority.
Handsome guy (Freddie Prinze Jr.) seems to be a perfect match for a lonely woman (Monica Potter), except that he may be a professional killer. The rating is due to strong profanity, crude humor and sexual situations.
(PG-13) White girl (Julia Stiles) moves to Chicago and impresses everyone with her hip-hop dance moves, especially an African-American boy (Sean Patrick Thomas). Their interracial romance is one of several mature themes. The MPAA also noted the film's violence, sexual content, profanity and drug references in explaining its rating decision.
(PG-13) Mel Gibson stars as a man bestowed with the power to read the minds of women, and most of their thoughts are about sex. One scene features Gibson and co-star Marisa Tomei feigning post-coital pleasure. Others include discussions of orgasms, penis envy and Nick's childhood among Las Vegas showgirls. Helen Hunt also stars. No violence, which may be a first for a Gibson flick. No nudity and only a smattering of profanity.