Along Came Polly

Originally written for The Milpitas Post Directed by: John Hamburg Starring: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing Rated: PG-13 for sexual content, language, crude humor and some drug references. Parental Notes: There’s plenty of toilet humor here, but not much else objectionable for the preteen or teen set.

Big Fish

Originally written for The Milpitas Post Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard Rated: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference. Parental Notes: This is a good film for almost any age, although young children may find parts of it too intense.

Along Came Polly

Directed by: John Hamburg Starring: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing Rated: PG-13 for sexual content, language, crude humor and some drug references. Parental Notes: There’s plenty of toilet humor here, but not much else objectionable for the preteen or teen set.

Paycheck

Originally written for The Milpitas Post Directed by: John Woo Starring: Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman, Aaron Eckhart, Paul Giamatti Rated: PG-13 for intense action violence and brief language Parental Notes: This is a solid sci-fi thriller, and may be too intense for youngsters. There are plenty of action sequences, and while not bloody they are certainly intense.

Big Fish

Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard Rated: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference. Parental Notes: This is a good film for almost any age, although young children may find parts of it too intense.

Something’s Gotta Give

Written and Directed by: Nancy Meyers Starring: Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Amanda Peet, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand Rated: PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and strong language Parental Notes: youngsters probably won’t get this movie, but it might be educational for teens to see that older people really do have feelings and can fall in love. Mature teens with a good sense of humor will probably enjoy it, even if they can’t identify with most of the characters.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Directed by: Peter Jackson Starring: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Andy Serkis, and a cast of thousands. Rated: Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. Parental Notes: Teens and preteens who enjoyed the previous films will definitely want to see this final installment. Many children may find the battle sequences too intense, for while they aren’t particularly gory they are visually and audibly overwhelming at times.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Starring: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany Directed by: Peter Weir Rated: PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language. Parental Notes: Youngsters may find the battle sequences and medical procedures shown in the film too intense; there is plenty of attention to realism here. Teens looking for some brains with their brawn will likely enjoy it.

Runaway Jury

Directed by: Gary Fleder Starring: John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman Rated: PG-13 for violence, language and thematic elements. Parental Notes: This is a standard Grisham thriller, appropriate for all teens and mature pre-teens. The violence is not particularly gory but youngsters may find it a bit intense.

School of Rock

Directed by: Richard Linklater Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Joey Gaydos, Kevin Clark. Rated: PG-13 for some rude humor and drug references. Parental Notes: As other reviewers have noted, this movie does not deserve a PG-13 rating. There is some rude humor and drug references, but this is a movie kids will love, especially if they like rock music.