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By STEVE PERSALL
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2000
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 Adventures of Rocky And Bullwinkle B
(PG) No sex or nudity, and no violence that anyone can take seriously in this funny, nostalgic movie. Only one very mild profanity and a couple of rude comments. Children may not understand all of the cultural references skewered with puns and sight gags. This is for grown-ups, too.
(G) Why should parents cross the road? To get to the multiplex with their children to see this delightful movie. Doomed chickens stage a great escape -- much like those old World War II concentration camp movies -- with Mel Gibson voicing a heroic rooster. No profanity, sexual jokes or nudity, just every pun imaginable. Violence is mild slapstick with a dash of Indiana Jones tension along the way.
(Not rated, probably G) Spaceflight is a grabber for children, and this IMAX documentary blends textbook knowledge and zero-gravity stunts into a decent documentary. No profanity, nudity, sex or violence. Running only 40 minutes, the film and the massive IMAX exhibition process don't have time to lose children's attention.
(G) Nothing objectionable here, unless parents are suspicious about the Pokemon toys and games phenomenon. No sex, profanity or nudity. Violence is Saturday morning cartoon material, with power rays that stun but never kill and a few explosions. Children older than 10 probably won't be interested.
(G) Nothing at all for parents to worry about as Thomas the reliable tank engine leaps from books and television to the big screen. The film is aimed at preschoolers but is charming enough for all ages. It's tame and low-tech compared to other films in the computer animation age, with a fun performance by Alec Baldwin as Mr. Conductor.
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps B
(PG-13) Eddie Murphy is a lovelorn biology professor hanging out with his wacko family and battling his evil alter ego in this funny and sweet-natured but often rude and crude sequel to the 1996 hit. Murphy makes remarkable transformations, playing the title character and five other Klumps. The limited violence is slapstick, and there's no nudity, but the sexual innuendoes and bodily function references are relentless. Not appropriate for those under 10.
(PG-13) Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner strike a blow for senior citizens as world-saving astronauts. Appeal is limited for youngsters beyond the third-act special effects. Moderate profanity, including one pantomimed f-word. Mild violence. Sutherland's character brings sexual humor to the mix. Comical rear nudity from the four sagging stars.
(PG-13) The long-awaited movie version of Marvel Comics' most popular franchise contains several bone-crunching fight scenes, impalings and a few nasty, rapidly healed wounds. Some sights are nightmare material. No profanity, sex or nudity, although Rebecca Romijn-Stamos' costume lacks modesty. Mature themes include psychological scars of the Holocaust, adolescence and dealing with mutant alienation.