It’s hard to understand what prompted “Dr. Dolittle’s” PG-13 rating. The official explanation of “crude language and humor” is a bit of an overstatement, and while Eddie Murphy’s presence usually guarantees a foul-mouthed frenzy, “Dr. Dolittle” is more teddy bear than tiger when it comes to profanity.
Yes, there is a small measure of sexual innuendo and some rough language, but this is a warm, funny movie that, for once, both children and adults can enjoy. On top of that, it delivers an important message (be yourself, love yourself) in a genuine, heartfelt way that’s neither insulting nor annoying.
“Almost Heroes” (PG-13) — Matthew Perry and the late Chris Farley play American frontiersmen who set out to beat Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Coast. They assemble a bumbling group of misfits and encounter much calamity along the way.
“The Big One” (PG-13) — Documentarian Michael Moore follows himself on a book tour. Older teens might like the anti-establishment humor, but this is really one for adults.
“Black Dog” (PG-13) — Jack Crews (Patrick Swayze) is a trucker who is sentenced to prison after a fatal accident. After serving two years, he is released. To show his wife and daughter he can provide for them, he takes a job driving illicit cargo and confronts gun runners, the FBI and his own personal demons. Adult language and violence.
“The Borrowers” (PG) — If you’re looking for effects-loaded comedy-adventure for all the family, then this is your film. It’s a loose, action-packed adaptation of the beloved children’s classic. There are charming visuals, but there’s also crude humor and scenes of mild peril to the tiny “borrowers.”
“Bulworth” (R) — In the midst of a California primary, Sen. Jay Bulworth (Warren Beatty) has a nervous breakdown and arranges his own suicide by hiring a hit man to kill him. With the weight of life off his shoulders, he takes to the campaign trail and speaks what’s on his mind, discovering in the process that speaking the truth is liberating. Offensive language and adult issues make this inappropriate for anyone under 16.
“Can’t Hardly Wait” (PG-13) — William (Charlie Korso) and his nerd friends want revenge against their high school classmates, so he plans to sabotage their graduation party. The plan backfires and everyone ends up having a good time. There are several funny scenes and scenarios with which most high school kids will relate.
“Clockwatchers” (PG-13) — Toni Collette (“Muriel’s Wedding”) joins office temps Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow and Alanna Ubach as they struggle to find happiness in dreary, boring office work. This is a story for mature teens who can sit through a slow story to find a positive message.
“Dancer, Texas Pop. 81” (PG) — Delightfully sweet, clean family comedy about four high school seniors who vowed as kids to leave their tiny hometown at graduation. Only some language kept this funny, poignant portrait of small-town Texas life from a G rating.
“Deep Impact” (PG-13) — This is the most optimistic movie possible about the impending end of the world. With a comet about to wipe out much of Earth, there’s no looting and surprisingly little panic. Young audiences should definitely relate to the teen science whiz played by Elijah Wood, whose character is among the first to recognize that a comet is approaching. But some young viewers may get restless, wanting more action and less talk.
“Dirty Work” (PG-13) — Laughless comedy starring an insufferably smug Norm Macdonald, the comic who was booted from his slot as “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live.” MacDonald plays an allegedly charming prankster who launches a revenge-for-hire business. Adult language.
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (R) — Terry Gilliam’s version of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 book about his drug-drenched visit to Las Vegas has a brilliant first hour and an excessive second one. Johnny Depp gives an amazing, uncompromised performance as Thompson. Adult language, violence and extensive drug use make this film inappropriate for children and teens.
“Godzilla” (PG-13) — The king of all lizards is back, and probably its most receptive audiences will be among young viewers. The fire-breathing dragon does enormous damage to Manhattan landmarks, but the movie doesn’t dwell on human casualties.
“Gone With the Wind” (G) — While the 1939 epic’s 222-minute length may make preteens restless, audiences should realize that if they’ve seen “GWTW” only on the small screen, they haven’t really seen it.
“Meet the Deedles” (PG) — A child’s enjoyment of this film will be directly related to his love of flatulence jokes. The messages of this film are: Good surfing is more important than schooling; the stupid (but cute) guy gets the girl.
“Mulan” (G) — Aspiring young artists will enjoy this animation, which first seems deceptively simple but takes on a rich detail that reflects the film’s Chinese setting. The story centers on a spirited young woman who poses as a soldier so her aging father won’t be enlisted to fight the Huns. Eddie Murphy provides the voice of Mulan’s sidekick, a friendly dragon.
“The Newton Boys” (PG-13) — This is a story about family loyalty, romance and the death of the Old West code. It’s a film rich in history and filled with action, adventure and plenty of laughs. However, since it does revolve around bank robbers, the movie contains scenes of drinking, shootings (nothing graphic and no deaths) and implied womanizing (no nudity or sexual situations). Teenagers and adults will find it interesting, but the adult themes and slower pace may not be suitable for the younger crowd.
“Paulie” (PG) — This is a genuinely clever movie about a parrot, Paulie, who converses more gracefully than most humans. Paulie’s flair for sophisticated phrasing makes the movie something more than a kid’s flick. The bird becomes separated from his loving owner, a 5-year-old girl with a speech infirmity. But the parrot has a fear of flying, so in order to rejoin his owner, he must trek on foot from New Jersey to Los Angeles.
“Quest for Camelot” (G) — Young kids who see this film may get spooked by the death of the heroine’s father as well as by some of the scary special effects. (An evil knight’s magic potion makes weapons grow on humans and beasts.) But ages 6 and up should enjoy this tale of a spunky young woman who teams up with a blind young man to win the magical sword Excalibur from an evil ex-knight and save Camelot for King Arthur.
“Six Days, Seven Nights” (PG-13) — Harrison Ford plays the pilot of a sputtering, ramshackle aircraft. Unfortunately, the movie is in much the same shape as the plane. The sarcastic banter between Ford and co-star Anne Heche makes it an OK teen dating flick, but it’s far from the type of movie they’ll want to see repeatedly. The rating is for language and sexual innuendo.
“Sliding Doors” (PG-13) — Fresh, entertaining comedy turns on the difference a few moments can make in the life of a young English woman (Gwyneth Paltrow). Some heavy breathing, language and a lot of chat about fidelity and sex make this more appropriate for older teens and adults.
“Tarzan and the Lost City” (PG) — The latest apeman update will please kids who like their jungle sagas uncluttered. There’s an occasional intense action scene that could frighten the very young.
“The Truman Show” (PG) — Older teens, many of whom may know what it’s like to be held captive by television, should respond happily to this film. Preteen audiences, expecting the usual Jim Carrey slapstick carnival, could grow restless. Carrey plays Truman Burbank, who slowly realizes that his entire life has been recorded for a television show.
“Wide Awake” (PG) — Joseph Cross plays a bright 5th-grader on a search for God after the death of his grandfather. His Catholic school is at the center of his quest, in which he ultimately finds answers to questions about himself, his friends, his teachers and girls. The story is charming and funny, and he moments between the boy and his ailing grandfather are touching.
“The X-Files” (PG-13) — America’s favorite conspiracy fest makes a solid leap to the big screen. Smart story, new wrinkles and some ready-for-multiplex visuals should make it a winner with both die-hard fans and newcomers looking to see what all the fuss is about. But the big-screen version features more gore and violence than the TV show, and may not be suitable for younger children.
