In “The Peacemaker” (R), terrorists steal from a Russian train nuclear weapons headed for dismantling under a disarmament agreement. Then they stage a train wreck and nuclear blast to make it look as if all the weapons were destroyed. Dr. Julia Kelly (Nicole Kidman), a nuclear scientist and acting head of the White House Nuclear Smuggling Group, realizes the train wreck was a ruse. She teams with an intelligence officer played by George Clooney to track down the key terrorist before he can unleash destruction on the West.
With an intriguing plot, clever dialogue and characters with personality, this high-tech action-adventure is one long roller-coaster ride. But the nature of a terrorist story requires an element of intensity and bloody violence, so this movie isn’t for younger children.
“Air Bud” (PG) — Air Bud, the lighthearted story of a boy and his hoops-shooting dog, should be a hit with children and parents alike. The basketball scenes are loads of fun. There’s little here to set off parental alarms.
“Contact” (PG) — The story of an astronomer who hears signals from a life form in a distant star will intrigue young viewers fascinated with science and space exploration. But its deliberate pacing will derail some audiences.
“Cop Land” (R) — Sylvester Stallone plays Freddy, a sheriff in a New Jersey suburb full of tough New York City cops who witnesses some unscrupulous behavior. He soon resorts to taking the law into his own hands.
“Event Horizon” (R) — In the year 2047, a rescue mission sets out to find a space vessel named Event Horizon that disappeared seven years earlier. When rescue crew members board the ship, they find that the crew is dead and a strange presence inhabits the ship. Language, gruesome violence, scenes of sadistic torture and nudity make this film best for adults only.
“Excess Baggage” (PG-13) — Alicia Silverstone plays a poor little rich girl who fakes her own abduction. But the troubled first film from her own First Kiss production company can’t decide if it wants to be a dark or a light comedy. Besides a listless script, there’s violence, booze-guzzling and sex-related talk. For die-hard Silverstone fans only.
“Free Willy 3” (PG) — Kids get to see their own kind make good in this whale of a sequel. While the plot is a tad thin, the characters manage to express anger and frustration without profanity, and the violence is held to a bare minimum.
“George of the Jungle” (PG) — It’s not a comic masterpiece, but it’s a broad and funny live-action update of the animated television show. The rating is for some mild expletives and bathroom humor.
“G.I. Jane” (R) — Navy Intelligence officer Lt. Jordan O’Neil (Demi Moore) is recruited by Sen. Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft) as a test case to train for the Navy SEALs. Adult situations, dialogue and action make it for mature audiences only.
“Good Burger” (PG) — Teenage comedy duo Kenan and Kel must save their burger joint from going out of business when threatened by evil competitors across the street. As the obtuse Ed, Kel is the real draw for kids.
“Hercules” (G) — Disney’s 35th big-screen ‘toon plays like a breeze after the pretentions of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and the self-conscious sincerity of “Pocahontas.” The movie plays fast and loose with Greek mythology, and the score lacks a song of evergreen appeal, but its popularity is assured.
“Hoodlum” (R) — 1930s Harlem hoodlum Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) returns from prison to find gangster Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth) trying to take over the area’s numbers racket. When Johnson joins up with Lucky Luciano (Andy Garcia), a turf battle with Schultz erupts that costs the lives of Johnson’s closest friends and the woman he loves (Vanessa Williams). Lots of offensive language.
“In & Out” (PG-13) — Should increase teen tolerance of gay lifestyles, although preteen audiences might be bored. The film contains sexuality and saucy dialogue, but its overall tone celebrates humanity. And everyone should enjoy Kevin Kline’s performance.
“Kull the Conqueror” (PG-13) — Kevin Sorbo has his first starring role on the big screen, but he’s best known for his TV series, “Hercules: The Legendary Journey.” Officially, the rating is for fantasy-action violence and sensuality. There’s profanity, fighting and sex. Its cartoonlike mayhem probably won’t faze older kids, but it’s much too violent for small fry. Adults will appreciate the sly humor.
“L.A. Confidential” (R) — A dark tale of corruption, seduction, mystery, glamor and turmoil in 1950s Los Angeles. The focus is the police department, and it centers on an investigation into a massacre that killed several people, including a cop. Violence, language, an implied rape.
“Leave it to Beaver” (PG) — Not as charming as the original TV show, this film focuses on how far a kid will go to curry his dad’s favor to get a new bicycle. Young kids will love sweet little Beaver, while older youngsters should relate to Wally. But there’s unnecessary fun made of obese Larry Mondello.
“Masterminds” (PG-13) — Whiz kid comes to the rescue when a security expert holds a school full of students hostage. It might be fun for some kids to watch a teenager outwit dopey grownups, but the movie is basically just another lame action exercise. The rating is for language and suggested endangerment of children.
“Men in Black” (PG-13) — Young moviegoers, as well as older ones, should have a blast at this movie. The only disappointed viewers will be those who expect exhilarating outer-space scenes. The film contains comic-book-style violence, a few fleeting moments of gore and occasionally feisty language.
“Money Talks” (R) — A con man gets caught in the act by a TV newsman and is sent to prison. When the bus transporting him blows up, he escapes, turning to the newsman for protection. Adult humor and situations.
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (PG-13) — Audiences of all ages and genders should enjoy at least parts of this comedy. Julia Roberts plays a mean-spirited writer trying to break up her friend’s wedding.
“Picture Perfect” (PG-13) — Die-hard “Friends” fans will comprise the most appreciative audience for this often listless comedy about a career-driven woman (Jennifer Aniston) who invents a fiance. The film contains some language and mild sexual innuendo.
“Pippi Longstocking” (G) — Adults won’t be able to sit through this cartoon version of the Swedish kiddie classic. Little kids may like some of the slapstick action, but since they won’t be able to make any sense of the weak plot, they will probably tune out as well.
“A Simple Wish” (PG-13) — This splashy comedy wannabe falls into the “in-between” stages and never rises above the cracks. In trying to please grownups, it strives for a sophisticated satirical approach that’s not sharp enough for adults and will bore and bewilder young viewers.
“Spawn” (PG-13) — Todd McFarlane’s dark anti-hero steps up to the big screen for live-action adventure. The movie is toned down to get the PG-13 rating, but it still has a lot of violence.
“A Thousand Acres” (R) — Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer play sisters who inherit their father’s (Jason Robards) farm and then are faced with his accusations that they tried to steal it from him. The dissension and betrayal of family members reveals incest, abuse, alcoholism and adultery.
