Directed by: Jon Avnet Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent, Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg Rated: R for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use. Parental Notes: This is a pretty solid R rating. Not for youngsters, though teens and mature preteens may be fine.
Written and Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen Starring: Frances McDormand, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, Elizabeth Marvel Rated: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.
Directed by: Mathieu Kassovitz Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language, and some sexuality. Parental Notes: This is a fairly standard PG-13 film, likely inappropriate for young children but fine for preteens and older.
Written and Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Natalie Martinez Rated: R for strong violence and language. Parental Notes: This is a big, bad, nasty action movie, and not suitable for youngsters. Teens will probably dig it if they like mindless violence, but the R rating is well-deserved.
Coming Up In FilmGot a film event you want listed? Email Ealasaid with details. AUGUST 2008 * August 21 8:30pm, National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Milpitas Civic Center Plaza, Free Admission. * August 22 at Camera 7, August 23 at Camera 12: Midnight Movie Madness, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” See www.cameracinemas.com for ticket information. * August 29 at Camera 7, August 30 at Camera 12: Midnight Movie Madness, “The Big Lebowski” See www.cameracinemas.com for ticket information. SEPTEMBER 2008 * September 22 6:00pm, The Metropolitan Opera’s opening night gala, broadcast live at local theaters. See www.fathomevents.com for details. Directed by: Ben Stiller Starring:: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. Rated: :R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material. Parental Notes:: This is not a kids’ movie. It’s a totally over-the-top comedy aimed at movie-savvy adults and includes plenty of vulgarity, violence, stupidity, and other inappropriateness.
Directed by: Chris Carter Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly Rated: PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material.
Directed by: Rob Cohen Starring: Brendan Frasier, John Hannah, Maria Bello, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Isabella Leong, Luke Ford Rated: PG-13 for adventure action and violence. Parental Notes: The violence here is mostly cartoonish, offscreen, or against undead characters. This film is lighthearted and probably fine for preteens and kids who aren’t afraid of mummies, zombies, or similar monsters.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhardt, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace. Parental Notes: This is a pretty hard PG-13 — I’d call it a borderline R. The makeup effects, psychotic characters, and thoroughly dark story make the film unsuitable for most youngsters.
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor Rated: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language. Parental Notes: The violence is pretty much all comic-book stuff, and if your youngsters aren’t too scared of monsters, they should be fine seeing this. But there are some freaky-looking creatures here, so little kids who find monsters terrifying should definitely stay home.
Directed by: Peter Berg Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language. Parental Notes: This film had to work hard to get its PG-13 rating rather than an R. This is pretty edgy stuff for its rating, and is likely not appropriate for youngsters. You’ve got hands being chopped off, gunfights, beatings — all without too much in the way of spurting blood or disgusting sound effects, but still likely to be inappropriate for some kids.