Written and Directed by: Albert Brooks Starring: Albert Brooks, Sheetal Sheth, Jon Tenney, John Carroll Lynch Rated: PG-13 for drug content and brief strong language. Parental Notes: This film will go straight over all but the most politically astute teens’ heads. It’s not inappropriate for younger kids – there’s almost no violence and only a little drug and language content – but youngsters probably just won’t find it interesting.
Directed by: Susan Stroman Starring: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Farrell Rated:PG-13 for sexual humor and references Parental Notes: There’s plenty of vulgar humor here, which makes it somewhat inappropriate for youngsters. However, it’s still Mel Brooks: it’s sweet, funny, and lighthearted. Like “Spaceballs” and his other films, kids 12 and up will probably enjoy it, but unlike his other works, they’ll like it more if they’ve seen a few old musicals.
Directed by: Karyn Kusama Starring: Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Okonedo Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violence and sexual content. Parental Notes: Aeon Flux is a fairly standard PG-13 film. There’s little explicit sexual content and the violence is not particularly graphic.
Directed by: James Mangold Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick Rated: PG-13 for some language, thematic material and depiction of drug dependency. Parental Notes: This is a fairly standard PG-13; the subject matter and some of the language may not be appropriate for youngsters. There’s emotional abuse, death, drug use, and sex; they’re handled tactfully and not gratuitous, but they are still there.
Directed by: Mike Newell Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Brendan Gleeson, Robert Pattinson Rated: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images. Parental Notes: This is a darker film than the first three, and not as suitable for young children. There are frightening creatures, death-defying chases, and more than a few dark and frightening images. Children who easily handled the book should be fine, but the younger, more sensitive set may wind up with nightmares about skulls and evil wizards.
Written and Directed by: Joss Whedon Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Summer Glau, Sean Maher, Chiwetel Ejiofor Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references. Parental Notes: This film has some fairly intense moments but is probably fine for mature preteens and up.
Directed by: Louis Leterrier Starring: Jason Statham, Amber Valletta, Allesandro Gassman, Kate Nauta. Rated: PG-13 intense sequences of violent action, sexual content, partial nudity and brief language. Parental Notes: The violence here is mostly cartoonish, and the partial nudity consists of half a nipple, half a rear end, and a villainess who spends as much time as possible wearing nothing but her underwear. It walks a fine line as far as suitability for preteens, but teenagers should be fine.
Directed by: Terry Gilliam Starring: Heath Ledger, Matt Damon, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Stormare, Lena Headey, Monica Bellucci Rated: PG-13 for violence, frightening sequences and brief suggestive material. Parental Notes: This is a strong PG-13 — Terry Gilliam is known for including disturbing elements in his films and this is no exception. Viewers will encounter a pulverized kitten, a living corpse, a horse which swallows children, and plenty of grim fairy tale elements.
Directed by: Wes Craven Starring: Cillian Murphy, Rachel McAdams, Brian Cox Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence, and language. Parental Notes: This is a solid PG-13 thriller with action, suspense, and good-looking leads. There’s some violence, and while it’s not especially graphic, it is rather creepy in spots. “Red Eye” is probably fine for teens and mature preteens.
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar Starring: Sean Williams Scott, Johnny Knoxville, Willie Nelson, Jessica Simpson, Burt Reynolds Rated: PG-13 for sexual content, crude and drug-related humor, language and comic action violence. Parental Notes: Some parents may have concerns with the racial and sexual humor of the film, but overall it’s a fairly average PG-13 rating. Not too scary for preteens, but maybe too intense (or too racy) for kids under 10.