This feature is intended to help parents learn about movies their children might want to see.
In “Lost & Found” (PG-13), burnt-out restaurant owner David Spade decides he needs to find a wife. So he looks in his own apartment complex. His new neighbor (Sophie Marceau) is a French musician (with a cute dog) who’s looking to find a new life and career in America. Just when the two are hitting it off, her old boyfriend from France (Patrick Bruel) shows up, and they both compete for her affection.
This film allows Spade to spout one-liners to a beautiful woman while walking through his part. If you’re a fan of his sarcastic wit, you’ll enjoy his character.
As in “There’s Something About Mary” and “EDtv,” a pet gets abused, becomes the main focus of the story and gets all the laughs. In this case, a mutt is fed junk food, goes for a spin in a dryer, continually gets lost and gets thrown around by Spade.
A weak script, dumb stunts, gross scenes and bathroom humor rule this out as a family film.
“Affliction” (R) — Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) plays the only police officer in a small New Hampshire town. When a mysterious hunting accident occurs, Wade is suspicious of friends and business contacts. At the same time he’s trying to solve the crime, he’s also plotting to marry his girlfriend, gain custody of his estranged daughter and attempt to rebuild his relationship with his dad. This is a depressing story about the far-reaching effects of parental abuse. In addition to abusive behavior, adult language and violence make it inappropriate for teens or younger children.
“Analyze This” (R) — A funny adult comedy with strong language, suggestive sexual situations and adult themes kids and younger teens might not understand. Teens who are fans of Lisa Kudrow will want to see it, but there’s too much adult material for them.
“Doug’s 1st Movie” (G) — When Doug Funnie discovers there’s a monster in polluted Lucky Duck Lake, he conspires with his best pal to expose the truth. In the process, he discovers unethical behavior by one of Bluffington’s leading citizens. This animated film is a charming story about those awkward preteen years and trying to be cool and fit in with your peers. Children ages 4 to 12 will appreciate it most.
“EDtv” (PG-13) — A TV executive gets an idea to have a TV crew follow someone around for a month and televise that person’s life 24 hours a day. Ed (Matthew McConaughey), a video store clerk who has no ambition other than to be a nice guy, is selected after his brother sees the opportunity he and Ed can gain from Ed’s being a celebrity.
“Forces of Nature” (PG-13) — Older teens may enjoy this romantic opposites-attract comedy about an uptight man and a liberating woman. Cautious parents should note that the film contains an abundance of sex-oriented talk.
“Go” (R) — This is a brash 24-hour romp that puts its teen characters through a “Pulp Fiction”-style scenario with overlapping events from three perspectives. Each viewpoint is full of plot twists and events, including a raucous, hedonistic road trip to Las Vegas (complete with sex, violence and car chases), a weird holiday dinner and a wild party. The well-written script is full of engaging dialogue, in-your-face slang and youthful attitude that’s funny and highly entertaining, but it’s not a movie about, or for, teens. The material is too adult for teens and too edgy for most adults.
“The King and I” (G) — The brilliant colors, vivid villains, funny sidekicks and fuzzy animals may make kids nibble at this film. But the exquisitely sung classic Rodgers and Hammerstein score should reel them in to this tale of a teacher who gets and gives some unexpected lessons when she comes to Siam to tutor the children of the king.
“The Last Days” (PG-13) — If your kids don’t realize the gravity of the Holocaust, “The Last Days” could be an invaluable experience for those willing to talk about it afterward. The Oscar-nominated documentary doesn’t cover the entire period, but the story of five Hungarian Jewish survivors is both inspirational and educational. The graphic depictions are fleeting and never the emphasis of the film, but they’re still not for the squeamish.
“Life” (R) — It’s Harlem in the 1930s, and Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are put together (because of their petty crimes) to drive a truckload of hooch for a crime lord. After they deliver, they celebrate — and end up being blamed for a murder they didn’t commit. They both are sentenced to life on a Mississippi prison farm, and the rest of the movie is about how they continually try to survive and escape.
“The Matrix” (R) — Keanu Reeves plays Neo, a computer buff who searches for a mysterious underworld called The Matrix. Fantastic special effects combine with a mind-boggling story to create a fast-paced adventure.
“The Mod Squad” (R) — Three juvenile delinquents are given a shot at redeeming themselves by going undercover at a club where the police suspect teen prostitution is taking place. The script is weak and predictable, the dialogue cryptic. If it weren’t for the strong language and a brief sexual situation, this could have been made for TV.
“The Out-of-Towners” (PG-13) — Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn play Everycouple in this remake of the 1970 comedy. The movie deals with the couple’s mishaps when they arrive in New York, and anyone who has dealt with the pressures of travel can relate. The film contains ample sexual innuendo, and there’s a scene of (unwitting) drug use.
“Pushing Tin” (R) — John Cusack plays a New York City air traffic controller who loves the intensity of his job and thrives on the rush he gets from it. An unusual story about people who hold the fate of hundreds of lives on their screens every day. Lots of strong language and crass remarks.
“The Rugrats Movie” (G) — Kids, particularly those expecting a new sibling, should get a kick out of the first feature effort from the remarkable Rugrats franchise that’s already a hit on television, stage and local lunchboxes. Amid the wisecracks, perpetual 1-year-old Tommy Pickles learns to like his new brother, Dil — after getting lost in a jungle surrounded by circus monkeys.
“10 Things I Hate About You” (PG-13) — A popular teen wants to go out with boys, but her dad forbids it until her older sister dates — a safe bet because the older sister is an ill-tempered shrew whose sharp tongue and quick wit keep most people at a distance. This is a witty, well-acted, well-written romantic high school love story based on “The Taming of the Shrew” that far surpasses the other high school movies out there.
“200 Cigarettes” (R) — Can’t think of too many people 17 or older who will want to see a movie about immature teens whose sole purpose is to get drunk or have sex by midnight. The characters are shallow and cliched, and there’s a lot of smoking, drinking, drug use and immature behavior. There’s no redeeming quality to focus on, so save your money. Lots of offensive language.
“Varsity Blues” (R) — In a small Texas town where high school football is all that matters, Mox (James Van Der Beek of “Dawson’s Creek”) becomes the star quarterback (after a teammate is injured) for the Coyotes and proves his team can finish the season their way despite their hard-driving coach. Adult themes and offensive language.
