This feature is intended to help parents learn about movies their children are seeing or might want to see.
Disney’s PG-rated “Rocket Man” is aimed at viewers 3 feet high. The silly comedy may send its goofball hero to Mars, but its jokes are strictly Earth-y.
Hero Fred Z. Randall (standup comic Harland Williams) is a bumbling nerd but not a bad guy. The geeky software designer turned unlikely astronaut is sweet, considerate and winning.
The premise is ridiculous, the laughs lowbrow and the acting hammy, but at least the space chimp is treated with respect. Ulysses (real name Raven) may be the only cast member to emerge with dignity.
The rating comes from language, base humor and thematic material. For starters, there’s a kick in the crotch, a laxative gag and a flatulence sequence.
“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.
“Dirty Dancing” (PG-13) — In this funny, touching musical/love story set in the Catskills in 1963, a bright, middle-class, 17-year-old falls for a hunky dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks. The rating is for language and a lot of sensual dancing.
“The Edge” (R) — A wealthy, intellectual billionaire (Anthony Hopkins) and a photographer (Alec Baldwin) become stranded in the wilds of Alaska. Hopkins and Baldwin are perfect in roles that pit man against nature and ultimately man against man. Beautiful scenery, but leave the kids at home: Strong language and intense scenes involving a bear mauling a man may produce nightmares.
“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.
“The Game” (R) — A compelling, dark thriller starring Michael Douglas, who finds himself trapped in an elaborate game that tries to destroy his life. Bad language, bloody violence, a suicide attempt and other elements make it best for adults only.
“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 movie could rival and maybe even surpass “Hercules” as the favorite kid flick of the summer. Parents will enjoy it too. 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. This is one of the best movie depictions of a woman undergoing military training. 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. He’s so dippy he’s hilarious. The rest of the action and the star-studded cameos by Sinbad and Shaquille O’Neal don’t amount to much.
“Hercules” (G) — Disney’s 35th big-screen ‘toon plays like a breeze after the pretensions 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) — This movie 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.
“Julian Po” (PG-13) — Young people won’t find much to enjoy in this weak effort at absurdity in a small town, but that’s not because it will go over their heads. Adults will dislike it for the same reasons: Christian Slater’s stiff acting and the director’s bumpkin stereotyping.
“Jungle 2 Jungle” (PG) — Tim Allen stars in this remake of the recent French bomb “Little Indian, Big City,” but he displays none of the charm of his previous film work (“The Santa Clause” and “Toy Story”) or his hit TV series, “Home Improvement.” In “Jungle,” Allen brings the 13-year-old son he never knew he had from a South American jungle village to New York.
“Kiss the Girls” (R) — Morgan Freeman is a forensic psychologist called to North Carolina after his niece disappears and is feared to be the eighth victim of a serial killer. Violence, language and sex-themed dialogue make this movie about women being kidnapped, abused and murdered best for adults.
“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.” 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.
“The Matchmaker” (R) — An old-fashioned love story full of modern-day charm and romance in which Janeane Garofalo travels to Ireland to locate information about Irish relatives for the senator who is her boss, in hopes that it will help him win votes. She arrives in town at the same time the local matchmaker is holding a festival for singles, and finds a match of her own.
“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.
“Mondo” (Unrated, but contains PG elements) — This tale of a 10-year-old gypsy boy who brings joy to the slums of Nice has strong, mystical charm. But the locale’s harshness is definitely not glossed over.
“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.
“Nothing to Lose” (R) — Tim Robbins is an advertising executive who discovers his wife (Kelly Preston) is having an affair with his boss, flees home, drives aimlessly through town, gets lost and is confronted by a fast-talking carjacker (Martin Lawrence). This begins a series of events that make this movie an unusual buddy/road-trip picture. Strong language, mild violence and some nudity.
“The Peacemaker” (R) — Terrorists steal nuclear weapons that are on a Russian train 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. With high-profile stars Nicole Kidman and George Clooney, an intriguing plot, clever dialogue and characters with personality, this high-tech action-adventure is one long roller-coaster ride.
“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.
“Seven Years in Tibet” (PG-13) — Young viewers interested in world politics and exotic locales, as well as Brad Pitt fans, will respond to this saga of a despicable Nazi who finds redemption through the young Dalai Lama. But younger audience members may think it seems like the titular seven years.
“Soul Food” (R) — Three sisters (Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox, Nia Long) learn how to keep a family together when a crisis erupts involving their mother (Irma P. Hall). Aside from adult issues (infidelity, job loss, etc.), there is an abundance of adult language and graphic sex scenes.
“Spawn” (PG-13) — Todd McFarlane’s dark anti-hero steps up to the big screen for live-action adventure, building on successful comic books and animated TV incarnations. The movie is toned down to get the PG-13 rating, but it still has a lot of violence that may not be suitable for younger children.
“Steel” (PG-13) — Seen “Spawn” or “Batman”? The amply violent “Steel” feels diluted by comparison. Lovable goof Shaquille O’Neal plays military scientist John Henry, who adopts the alter ego of “Steel” when the new weaponry he creates falls into the wrong hands. Although Steel avoids vulgarity, it sends confusing messages about 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.
“The Swan Princess: Escape From Castle Mountain” (G) — Kids who liked the original Swan Princess (1994) might like to follow up on the characters, but the intricacies of Odette and Derek’s married life won’t thrill them. Newcomers to the series might want to opt for the video of the first one instead.
“U-Turn” (R) — A black comedy in which Sean Penn is a small-time gambler headed for Las Vegas. When his car breaks down in an Arizona desert town, he encounters a strange mechanic (Billy Bob Thornton) and other unusual characters that wreak havoc on his life. Adult language, bloody violence, sexual situations and killing.
