Written and Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Rachel Weisz, Hugh Jackman, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language. (edited for re-rating; originally R) Parental notes: This is a reasonable PG-13 film, but because of its philosophical nature it will likely not appeal to preteens.
Directed by: Liam Lynch Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Jason Reed Rated: R for pervasive language, sexual content and drug use. Parental Notes: This is an over-the-top film full of foul language and heavy metal insanity. A head explodes on screen, a main character uses his erection as a tool, and there is plenty of sexually-themed profanity and pot smoking.
Directed by: Martin Campbell Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity. Parental Notes: That this movie is rated PG-13 highlights the idiocy of the MPAA. The torture scene involves a man’s genitals being beaten with a large rope while he screams in agony. This is not appropriate for youngsters.
Directed by: Mark Forster Starring: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman Rated: PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity. Parental Notes: This is an interesting, thought-provoking film which teens and preteens may well find fascinating. It is a solid PG-13, which makes it unsuitable for youngsters.
Written and Directed by: Jim Jarmusch Starring: Tom Waits, Roberto Benigni, John Lurie Rated: R Parental Notes: This film includes a dollop of violence, quite a bit of swearing, some nudity, and plenty of unsavory characters, and thus is probably not suitable for youngsters.
Adapted/Directed by: Ryan Murphy Starring: Annette Benning, Brian Cox, Joseph Cross, Joseph Fiennes, Alec Baldwin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Evan Rachel Wood, Jill Clayburgh Rated: R for strong language and elements of sexuality, violence and substance abuse. Parental Notes: This isn’t a terribly strong R, but it does deserve the rating. It’s not graphic but the emotional violence makes it unsuitable for youngsters.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, David Bowie Rated: PG-13 for violence and disturbing images. Parental Notes: This is not a film for youngsters — they will likely be both confused and frightened. Teens with an interest in magic and in films that have plenty of plot twists will probably enjoy it.
Written and Directed by: Barry Levinson Starring: Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Lewis Black, Jeff Goldblum Rated: PG-13 for language including some crude sexual references, drug related material, and brief violence. Parental Notes: This is a fairly innocuous film for teens and mature preteens, but youngsters may be frightened by the thriller plot line.
Directed by:Martin Scorsese Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin Rated: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material. Parental Notes: There’s violence and language aplenty here, as well as drug content and some sex. The violence is frequently cruel and brutal, as well as graphic. This is not a movie for youngsters at all.
Directed by: Todd Phillips Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Matt Walsh, Horatio Sanz, Todd Louiso Rated: PG-13 for language, crude and sexual content, and some violence. Parental Notes: This is a safe movie for teens and mature preteens, though offhand mentions of rape may make it inappropriate for some.