This feature is intended to help parents learn about movies their children might want to see.
`Wrongfully Accused” (PG-13) is a perfect film for anyone who appreciates a stupid plot and lots of bathroom humor.
Superstar violinist Ryan Harrison (Leslie Nielsen) is at the height of his career when he meets wealthy socialite (Kelly Le Brock), who lures him into a bad situation when her husband (Michael York) is shot. Harrison is convicted of the crime but escapes and becomes a fugitive. A relentless U.S. marshal (Richard Crenna) pursues him, determined to bring him in.
Nielsen has created his own niche in the satire market — “Airplane,” “The Naked Gun,” “Spy Hard” — but this one isn’t as good or funny. It’s full of stupid jokes and sexual innuendo.
“Air Bud: Golden Receiver” (G) — The only offensive matter here is the plummet of “Saturday Night Live” veteran Nora Dunn’s career. She’s reduced to playing a Russian circus maven who kidnaps neighborhood animals. That aside, kids 10 and under should get a big kick out of the golden retriever who plays football. A subplot about remarriage and a child’s acceptance of a new parental figure is handled nicely as well.
“The Avengers” (PG-13) — This film doesn’t work as nostalgia, adventure or comedy. There’s nothing to interest young kids. It seems twice as long as its relatively brief running time, and any sexual innuendo will go over the heads of most youngsters.
“BASEketball” (R) — Friends Cooper and Remer (“South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone) invent a game that combines basketball, baseball and volleyball. Rude, crude remarks are in every scene and bodily functions are repeatedly depicted or implied.
“Blade” (R) — Wesley Snipes is Blade, a modern-day vampire hunter who teams with Kris Kristofferson to rid the world of an elite vampire society. Blade’s mother was bitten when he was in her womb, but Blade survived and possesses vampire strength and powers along with a human heart and determination to seek revenge. This is a graphic, gory, dark movie.
“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. Most high school kids will relate to several funny scenes and scenarios.
“City of Angels” (PG-13) — This fantasy contains the romantic quality that made “Titanic” a big hit with teens. A doctor (Meg Ryan) and an angel (Nicolas Cage) fall in love with poignant results. Younger kids may well be bored.
“Clockwatchers” (PG-13) — Teenage girls will get a kick out of the antics of this comedy about four temp workers starring Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey, Toni Collette and Alanna Ubach. As a bonus, they might learn a lesson about the value of striving for a full-time job.
“Dance With Me” (PG) — Singer-actress Vanessa L. Williams and Latin pop star Chayanne star in director Randa Haines’ entertaining yet predictable tale of characters at a run-down Houston dance studio.
“Dr. Dolittle” (PG-13) — It’s hard to understand what prompted this 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. There is sexual innuendo and some rough language, but this is a warm, funny movie that children and adults can enjoy.
“Ever After” (PG-13) — A hodgepodge that combines the legend of Cinderella, the occasional harshness of the Brothers Grimm and heavy-handed political messages, this probably will appeal more to teens than to younger viewers.
“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. 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. “Godzilla” most likely won’t scare older kids. The fire-breathing dragon does enormous damage to Manhattan landmarks, but the movie doesn’t dwell on human casualties.
“Halloween: H20” (R) — Twenty years have passed and babysitter Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) has grown up. She is a single mother of a teenage son, a teacher and headmistress at a remote private school. When Halloween rolls around, she decides to stay at the school, and encounters her worst nightmare, her thought-to-be-dead brother Michael (Chris Durand).
“How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (R) — Stella (Angela Bassett) takes a vacation to Jamaica and discovers a young man half her age (Taye Diggs) who falls in love with her. Whoopi Goldberg also stars. Adult themes and lots of offensive language make this one teens and kids should miss.
“The Last Days of Disco” (R) — Filmmaker Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) looks at the young and the restless and the hip and the privileged in the early ’80s whose social lives revolve around a Manhattan disco. Adult language, drug use and nudity.
“Lethal Weapon 4” (R) — Riggs and Murtaugh (Mel Gibson, Danny Glover) handle an unusual case involving immigrant smuggling and a counterfeit ring. Adult language, graphic fight scenes, gruesome deaths and lots of explosions make this suitable only for adults and very mature teens.
“Madeline” (PG) — Reading a “Madeline” book with your child will enhance seeing this movie. Fans will best appreciate the way director Daisy von Scherler Mayer re-creates the world of “12 little girls in two straight lines.”
“Mafia” (PG-13) — This mob-movie spoof has a couple of scenes that might have warranted an “R” without the laughs. The toilet humor is another issue altogether; it’s more inane than offensive. But the scene in which Jay Mohr shoots two gangsters in the head — re-enacting the toilet stall scene from “The Godfather” — is nearly as violent as the original.
“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.
“Napoleon” (G) — A cross between “Homeward Bound” and “The Wizard of Oz,” “Napoleon” is a charming story of a golden retriever puppy who runs away to fulfill his dreams in the wild. Director Mario Andreacchio brings wit and breathtaking scenery of the Australian bush.
“The Parent Trap” (PG) — Lindsay Lohan does a terrific job as the twins who plot to get their divorced parents back together. And Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson as the parents are so nice, you wonder why they couldn’t work things out in the first place.
“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. 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. It’s an OK teen dating flick, but nothing they’ll want to see repeatedly. The rating is for language and sexual innuendo.
“Small Soldiers” (PG-13) — Young children may enjoy the spectacle of toy action figures going into combat, but the film has some scary moments. The script’s pop culture references and old movie homages will fly over the heads of some youngsters, but teens should enjoy the movie.
“Snake Eyes” (R) — Rick Santoro (Nicolas Cage) is an Atlantic City police detective who joins his old friend, Navy officer Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise), to watch the fights at a new hotel. When the U.S. secretary of defense is assassinated in the audience during the fight, the fans become the suspects. Language and some violence make this film inappropriate for younger audiences.
“The Truman Show” (PG) — Older teens 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.
“There’s Something About Mary” (R) — Ben Stiller plays a lovable nerd named Ted whom Mary (Cameron Diaz) asks to the senior prom. But a catastrophe prevents Ted not only from going to the prom with Mary but also from following up on his romantic interest in her. Years later, Ted hires a private investigator (Matt Dillon) to find Mary. The adult story, rude scenes and raunchy dialogue make this film unsuitable for children or young teens.
“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. But the big-screen version may not be suitable for younger children.
