Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins Directed by: Brett Ratner Rated: R for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality Parental Notes: Older teens who liked the other films in the series will enjoy “Red Dragon” but younger teens may find the suspense and violence too intense.
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader Directed by: Steven Shainberg Rated: R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language. Parental Notes: “Secretary” is not appropriate for younger teens but may provide an opportunity for parents and older teenagers to discuss alternate lifestyles.
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Goldie Hawn, Geoffrey Rush Directed by: Bob Dolman Rated: R for language, sexual content and some drug use. Parental Notes: the content of this film is probably inappropriate for younger teens, but older teenagers, particularly girls, will doubtless get a kick out of the idea that women their Mom’s age can still rock the house.
Starring: Robert DeNiro, James Franco, Frances McDormand, Eliza Dushku Rated: R for language, drug use and some violence. Parental Notes: The violence and drug use in this film are brief but powerful, and the overall tone of faint hope in the midst of despair may make it too intense for younger teens.
Starring: John Turturro, Clea DuVall, Alan Arkin, Matthew McConaughey Directed by: Jill Sprecher Rated: R for language and brief drug use. Notes for Parents: This is a film most pre-teens will find uninteresting, although it isn’t particularly inappropriate for them. Indeed, “Thirteen Conversations” would make a great starting point for a long discussion with a more philosophically minded teen.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hillary Swank Rated: R Notes for Parents: Although “Insomnia” has only a few moments of violence, its themes and intellectual suspense make it inappropriate for younger teens.
Directed by: Scott Kalvert Starring: Stephen Dorff, Brad Renfro, Fairuza Balk, Norman Reedus Rated: R for strong violence, language, some drug content, and brief sexuality Notes for Parents: “Deuces Wild” is aimed at the older teen and adult audience. The graphic violence and themes make it inappropriate for early teens and younger.
Starring: Michael Rosenbaum, Melissa Sagemiller, Barry Watson, Harland Williams Directed by: Wallace Wolodarsky Rated: R for nudity, sexual humor and situations, brief drug use, some violence. Notes for Parents: This is a gross-out comedy, and as such is appropriate and aimed at chiefly for older teens. Sexual situations, drug use, and various offensive jokes all play a large part and make the film inappropriate for most younger folks.
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.
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).