Directed by: Ron Howard Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Matthew McFayden, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon Rated: R for some language Parental Notes: Most youngsters will probably be bored by this talk-heavy film, though there’s little objectionable here — very little violence (some footage of American involvement in Vietnam and Cambodia) and even less sexual content. Teens with interest in politics should definitely check it out, though — ideally with their parents. This film would make a great starting point for a discussion of the ramifications of Watergate.
Directed by: Olivier Megaton Starring: Jason Statham, Natalya Rudakova, François Berléand, Robert Knepper Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some sexual content and drug material. Parental Notes: This is a pretty standard PG-13 film. The violence is cartoonish and not particularly bloody, the sexual content is mild, and the drug material consists of a couple unnamed pills and some vodka.
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke Starring: Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, Billy Burke Rated: PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality. Parental Notes: The scene of sensuality is pretty mild, it’s a makeout session cut off by Edward’s fear he is about to lose control and bite Bella. The violence is brief and not graphic or particularly realistic.
Directed by: Marc Forster Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Almaric, Judi Dench Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content. Parental Notes: This is a solid PG-13. The sexual content is not graphic and the violence, while pervasive, is not gory or gratuitous.
Written and Directed by: Kevin Smith Starring: Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Traci Lords, Jason Mewes, Craig Robinson Rated: R on appeal for strong crude sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity and pervasive language. Parental Notes: This is a film about a group of people making a pornographic movie. It contains frank discussions of sex, lots of graphic nudity, and some very, very dirty humor. It was re-edited to receive an R rating instead of the original NC-17.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore Rated: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language. Parental Notes: This is a film aimed squarely at adults. There is some nastiness involving missing and murdered children which, while not graphic, renders the film unsuitable for youngsters — but children of that age would probably find the movie boring anyway.
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor Starring: Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich Rated: R for strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content. Parental Notes: This film deserves its rating. The violence is nasty and dark, and while it’s not always graphic on screen, we’re given enough to have vivid images in our minds.
Directed by: Ed Harris Starring: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger Rated: R for some violence and language. Parental Notes: This is a very mild R, and I suspect it got that rating because of a sequence in which two naked people are seen from a distance, from behind, rather than because of a few instances of swearing and a couple of brief gunfights. Should be fine for mature preteens and teenagers.
Directed by: D.J. Caruso Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Chiklis Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language. Parental Notes: This is a pretty violent film and the killing of hundreds of police officers and civilians is taken very lightly. None of the violence is graphic, however — there’s very little blood or particular nastiness about it.
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.