Directed by: Richard Linklater Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear, Sammi Kraft, Brandon Craggs, Timmy Deters, K.C. Harris, Tyler Patrick Jones Rated: PG-13 for rude behavior, language throughout, some sexuality and thematic elements Parental Notes: This film deserves its PG-13 rating; although it features kids in the 10-13 set as characters, the foul language and rude behavior may be a bit much for some parents to consider this appropriate for their own kids. That said, the underlying messages of the film are good and most kids have heard all this language before.
Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Missi Pyle, Deep Roy, Annasophia Robb, Julia Winter, Jordan Fry, Philip Wiegratz Rated: PG for quirky situations, action and mild language. Parental Notes: Although some of the events may unsettle very young children, this is overall a great kids’ movie. It’s a morality tale, where the good are rewarded and the bad are punished, and it’s quirky enough to keep that predictability from making it dull. Even better, there’s plenty here to make it worth seeing for parents too.
Directed by: Tim Story Starring: Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffud, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Julian McMahon Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content. Parental Notes: This is a fairly standard comic-book movie. It’s not too gory, and there’s little in the way of sexually suggestive content. While the action scenes may be too intense for youngsters, it’s mostly harmless.
Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin Rated: PG-13 for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images. Parental Notes: This is a reasonably strong PG-13 film. Although it isn’t terribly graphic, there are several disturbing scenes including one of mob violence and numerous shots of dead bodies at a distance. Youngsters may find it too intense.