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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 13, 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. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.
Monsters, Inc. A
(G) -- Pixar Animation Studios works the same computer wonders with bedtime creatures as it did before with toys and bugs. John Goodman and Billy Crystal give voice to cuddly monsters whose job is to scare children at bedtime. The film, however, should help youngsters overcome those fears rather than increase them. Nothing objectionable. A few jokes aimed at parents may leave young minds puzzled.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone A
(PG) -- J.K. Rowling's enormously popular novel is a magical movie, although some of the supernatural creatures and creepy settings are nightmare material for very young viewers. Minor fantasy violence and the off-screen murder of Harry's parents are included. Two mildly crude words dot the screenplay. Themes of witchcraft that alarm some parents are outweighed by the story's positive child empowerment and the moral that goodness rules.
(PG) -- Contains mild profanity and some crude humor that shouldn't bother the intended audience, fans of 'N Sync. Two of the group's singers, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, make their movie debuts in this lightweight romantic comedy.
(PG-13) -- Teen favorites James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek), Ashton Kutcher (That '70s Show) and Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That) play cowboy games with a passing resemblance to historical fact. Wild West violence such as gunplay and dynamite explosions and a few discouraging, profane words; and the creative skies are cloudy all day.
Behind Enemy Lines C+
(PG-13) -- Owen Wilson (Shanghai Noon) stars as a U.S. spy plane pilot downed by Bosnian military forces, with Gene Hackman as the gruff veteran organizing a rescue. Moderately bloody wartime violence and several harsh profanities.
(PG-13) -- Martin Lawrence's brash, occasionally risque comedy stylings can make some parents blush. This fantasy about an amusement park worker mysteriously thrown back to 14th century England contains medieval violence, crude and sexual humor and moderate profanity.
(PG-13) -- John Travolta plays a divorced father who suspects that his former wife's new husband is a murderer. Just what stepparents need: a movie to make children distrust them. The film includes violence, profanity and intense scenes sometimes including child endangerment for cheap drama.
(PG-13) -- Remake of the 1960 Rat Pack caper with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon stepping in for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Moderate profanity including one f-word and an obscene gesture. Two scenes of strip club sensuality, mild violence and a generally amoral attitude.