Directed by: Iain Softley Starring: Brendan Fraser, Eliza Hope Bennett, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, Rafi Gavron Rated: PG for fantasy adventure action, some scary moments, and brief language Parental Notes: Very young children may find the end sequence, which features a giant monster made of ash clouds and fire, too frightening, but kids who can enjoy the first few Harry Potter movies will be right at home.
Directed By: Edward Zwick Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Jodhi May Rated: R for violence and language. Parental Notes: The violence here is not romanticized or glorified, it is simply there, and given that this is a film about World War II, there is plenty of it. There’s also a shot of a mass grave filled with the dead. This is not a movie for youngsters or the faint of heart, but it would serve as a wonderful jumping-off point for discussions with mature teenagers.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood Starring: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her Rated: R for language throughout, and some violence. Parental Notes: This is not a film aimed at children. Mature teens may enjoy it, but youngsters should stay home. The violence is not glorified and excessive, but it’s not comfortably cartoonish either.
Written and Directed by: John Patrick Shanley Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams Rated: PG-13 for thematic material. Parental Notes: Although there’s nothing on screen that might be problematic for young viewers, the subject matter (doubts about whether a priest is assaulting schoolboys) and the overall style of the film are inappropriate for youngsters.