Stars: Tom Cruise, Max von Sydow, Samantha Morton, Colin Farrell Directed by: Steven Spielberg Rated: PG-13 for violence, brief language, some sexuality and drug content. Parental Notes: This film contains some scenes that children and younger teens will likely find far too intense to watch, in particular a scene in which a character’s eyes are removed surgically (mostly off-screen).
Starring: John Turturro, Clea DuVall, Alan Arkin, Matthew McConaughey Directed by: Jill Sprecher Rated: R for language and brief drug use. Notes for Parents: This is a film most pre-teens will find uninteresting, although it isn’t particularly inappropriate for them. Indeed, “Thirteen Conversations” would make a great starting point for a long discussion with a more philosophically minded teen.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hillary Swank Rated: R Notes for Parents: Although “Insomnia” has only a few moments of violence, its themes and intellectual suspense make it inappropriate for younger teens.
Directed by: George Lucas Stars: Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee Rated: PG for action/violence Notes for Parents: Like the other Star Wars films, this is a kid-friendly action flick. Although younger children might find the aliens too frightening and the action sequences too intense, older kids and teens will probably like it.
Directed by: Scott Kalvert Starring: Stephen Dorff, Brad Renfro, Fairuza Balk, Norman Reedus Rated: R for strong violence, language, some drug content, and brief sexuality Notes for Parents: “Deuces Wild” is aimed at the older teen and adult audience. The graphic violence and themes make it inappropriate for early teens and younger.
Director: Sam Raimi Stars: Tobey McGuire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst Rated: PG-13 (stylized violence and action) Notes for Parents: “Spider-man” is filled with mostly cartoonish violence and thrills, but there are several moments which may be too intense for youngsters. It’s chiefly appropriate for mature pre-teens and teens.
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Leonor Varela, Ron Perlman, Danny John-Jules, Luke Goss Rated: R for strong pervasive violence, language, some drug use and sexual content. Parental Notes: The pervasive violence of “Blade II” makes it unsuitable for all but older teens with a thing for horror-action films.
Directed by: Danny DeVito Starring: Edward Norton, Robin Williams, Danny DeVito, Catherine Keener Rated: R for profanity, violent humor, sexual situations Parental Notes: This is a film for older teens and adults. It is aimed at adults, and the sexual and violent humor make it inappropriate for younger people.
Directed By: Chuck Russell Starring: Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”), Steven Brand, Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan, Grant Heslov Rated: PG-13 for violence and some sensuality Parental Notes: This is a film appropriate for most teenagers. The violence is not overly graphic.
Rated: R for violence and intense situations Directed By: Bill Paxton Starring: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matthew O’Leary, Jeremy Sumpter Parental Notes: Although “Frailty” is not extremely gory, its intensity and subject matter make it appropriate for older teens. There are a few sequences with somewhat graphic violence and numerous horrifying situations.