Directed by: Gore Verbinski Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, Bill Nighy, Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport, Naomie Harris Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images. Parental Notes: This is definitely PG-13 — there are plenty of scary parts, including one fellow who gets suffocated by tentacles wrapped around his face and shoved into his mouth and nose. However, the combat violence isn’t terribly graphic and it’s more chaotic than anything. Most teens and preteens should be fine, it’s the youngsters you will want to think about before taking.
Written and Directed by: Matt Maiellaro, Dave Willis Starring: Dana Snyder, Dave Willis,Carey Means, Andy Merrill, Mike Schatz, Matt Maiellaro Rated: Rated R for crude and sexual humor, violent images and language. Parental Notes: This isn’t really a kids film. If you let your kids watch Aqua Teen, though, you might as well let them see the film, as it’s basically the same in terms of content.
Written and Directed by: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino Starring: Rose McGowan, Kurt Russell, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Michael Biehn, Marley Shelton, Rated: R for strong graphic bloody violence and gore, pervasive language, some sexuality, nudity and drug use. Parental Notes: This is not a kids movie. It’s packed with graphic, over-the-top violence of all sorts, from zombies’ heads exploding to people being ripped apart in car accidents. Think “Kill Bill” but without the swords.
Directed by: Kevin Munroe Starring: James Arnold Taylor, Mitchell Winfield, Mikey Kelley, Nolan North, Mako, Sarah Michelle Gellar Rated: PG for animated action violence, some scary cartoon images and mild language. Parental Notes: This is a solid kids movie. Some very young children may find the martial arts action a bit too much, but there is no gore and the “language” in the rating notes is very mild.
Directed by: Zack Snyder Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Rodrigo Santoro Rated: R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity. Parental Notes: This is a hugely over-the-top film with oodles of graphic violence and one fairly intense sex scene. It’s all very cartoonish, though, so it may be just fine for some teens.
Directed by: Katja von Garnier Starring: Agnes Bruckner, Hugh Dancy, Olivier Martinez Rated: PG-13 for violence/terror, some sexuality and substance abuse. Parental Notes: This is a fair PG-13 movie. The substance abuse consists of drinking absinthe. The violence is not overly graphic (you can tell what is happening, but it’s not gratuitous).
Written and Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Starring: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú Rated: R for graphic violence and some language. Parental Notes: This is not a kid’s movie. The casual, graphic violence will be too extreme for youngsters, and the philosophical content will likely bore them.
Directed by: Luc Besson Starring: Freddie Highmore, Madonna, Jimmy Fallon, Mia Farrow Rated: PG Parental Notes: This is a fairly innocuous kids movie. It has some flaws and very little character development, but should be entertaining for kids who just want to see a new fantasy Adults may want to skip it.
Directed by: Shawn Levy Starring: Ben Stiller, Carla Guigino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs Rated: PG for mild action, language and brief rude humor. Parental Notes: While some very young kids may find the rampaging T-Rex and other displays too frightening, this should be just fine for most kids.