Ice Age

Rated: PG Director: Carlos Saldanha and Chris Wedge Starring: Raymond Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Jack Black Parental Notes: This film contains Roadrunner-and-Coyote style violence in small doses, and several intense sequences which might upset younger children.

Hart’s War

Directed by: Gregory Hoblit Starring: Colin Farrel, Marcel Iures, Bruce Willis, Terrence Dashon Howard, Cole Hauser Rated: R Parental Notes: Although “Hart’s War” isn’t particularly violent for a war film, it does have a number of disturbing images (corpses frozen in the snow, Nazi interrogation, etc) that make it unsuitable for younger teens.

Queen of the Damned

Starring: Stuart Townsend, Aaliyah, Vincent Perez, Paul McGann, Lena Olin Directed by: Michael Rymer Rated: R for vampire violence Parental Notes: “Queen of the Damned” has few redeeming features, but its value as eye candy may appeal to older teens. Younger teens will probably be put off by the violence (Akasha tears a vampire’s heart out and eats it, among other things).

Rollerball

Starring: Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Jean Reno, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Rated: PG-13 (violence, nudity) Notes for Parents: “Rollerball” is a film aimed at teenagers, but the unpleasant tone of the violence near the end may make it worrisome to parents of younger teens.

Harry Potter v. The Lord of the Rings

Ponderings for Parents: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is an excellent film for anyone elementary school age or older. It’s frightening enough that children younger than six or seven will probably find the flying sequences and numerous scenes of physical danger too intense. “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” is a film for teens and above. The intense, although not overly gory, battle sequences may be too much for younger viewers.