Directed by: J. J. Abrams Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Eric Bana Rated: PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content. Parental Notes: This is the first Star Trek film to be rated PG-13, and it’s a deserved rating. Parts of this film will likely be too intense for sensitive youngsters, but the violence isn’t particularly graphic.
Directed by: Gavin Hood Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins, Ryan Reynolds Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity. Parental Notes: This is a fairly average PG-13. The violence is mostly cartoonish rather than graphically bloody.
Directed by: Joe Wright Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use and language. Parental Notes: This is a thoughtful film, and occasionally disturbing. It’s aimed at mature viewers, so while it doesn’t contain much in the way of disturbing content, youngsters will likely find it boring.
Written and Directed by: John Patrick Shanley Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams Rated: PG-13 for thematic material. Parental Notes: Although there’s nothing on screen that might be problematic for young viewers, the subject matter (doubts about whether a priest is assaulting schoolboys) and the overall style of the film are inappropriate for youngsters.
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: 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: Chris Carter Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly Rated: PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material.
Directed by: Peter Berg Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language. Parental Notes: This film had to work hard to get its PG-13 rating rather than an R. This is pretty edgy stuff for its rating, and is likely not appropriate for youngsters. You’ve got hands being chopped off, gunfights, beatings — all without too much in the way of spurting blood or disgusting sound effects, but still likely to be inappropriate for some kids.
Directed by: Peter Segal Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp Rated: PG-13 for some rude humor, action violence and language. Parental Notes: This is a pretty soft PG-13. There’s a shot of Mr. Carell with the seat of his pants torn off and some rather cartoony violence, and that’s about it.
Directed by: Louis Leterrier Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images, and brief suggestive content. Parental Notes: This is a pretty straightforward super-hero movie. Youngsters may find some sequences too intense, but there’s very little blood. The most intense violence is between the Hulk and an equally unreal creature.