In “Brokedown Palace” Alice (Claire Danes) and Darlene (Kate Beckinsale) are best friends and tell their parents they’re going to Hawaii for a graduation trip, but they actually go to Thailand because they’ve heard it’s cheaper to travel there. They fall in with a fast-talking, friendly Australian, who persuades them to go to Hong Kong, and the next thing they know, they are arrested for drug smuggling. They are jailed, sentenced to 33 years for a crime they did not commit, and have to rely on Darlene’s father and a local attorney (Bill Pullman) to get them out.
The situations the girls find themselves in aren’t graphic or rude, just brutal, depressing and bleak, with an emotional twist in the end that makes for an interesting and thought-provoking movie. But the film has strong language and adult issues about being caught with drugs (one scene shows Danes smoking pot). Older teens will appreciate the well-made story of two friends in peril, but children 13 and under might be confused by the legal predicaments. Regardless, all kids will see that drugs (not to mention lying to parents) are bad and crime doesn’t pay.
“American Pie” (R) — is a brazen coming-of-age comedy about four high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. Along the way each discovers some surprising qualities about himself and his views on romance, love, life and, of course, sex. This is one of those movies older teens and 20-something’s will appreciate because they can relate to the high school mentality and the exaggerated sexual themes. The movie contains an abundance of foul language, sexual references, innuendo, dialogue about body parts and some nudity.
“The Blair Witch Project” (R) — In this pseudo-documentary, a trio of film students head to the woods to make a thesis documentary on witch sightings in Blair, Md. As they get deeper into the woods, they get lost and film their terrifying efforts to get back to civilization. “Blair Witch” is a throwback to films that use the audience’s own fears, rather than gore, to build suspense. Though there’s only a smattering of profanity and only one shot of a bloody object, “Blair Witch” can be quite scary for younger viewers.
“Bowfinger” (PG-13) — Kids who loved Eddie Murphy in “Doctor Dolittle” and “The Nutty Professor” should be warned that “Bowfinger” is a different sort of animal. There are good-sized helping of sex along with the sharp satire, and one of the movie’s funniest moments involves the character running across a crowded Los Angeles freeway. Don’t try that at home, kids.
“Big Daddy” (PG-13) — Adam Sandler is the living embodiment of the PG-13 rating. Just think of his movies as crude-humor workout tapes. In this film he gives growing up a try, but parents needn’t worry about anything such as adult sexuality looming — a good-night kiss is as close as Sandler’s Sonny Koufax gets. Breast jokes abound, however, and wait until you hear this movie’s idea of perfect parenting.
“Deep Blue Sea” (R) — This is a standard critters-on-the rampage flick that features genetically altered sharks munching the scientists who created them. Because of the colorful language and the grievous bodily harm inflicted on humans by the sharks, this movie is best for mature audiences looking for a scare.
“Dick” (PG-13) — If you see this film, it helps to have a passing knowledge of Watergate, and let’s face it, most younger kids probably don’t. Some marijuana-related humor and half-brained usage of the film’s double-entendre title might give parents pause. Otherwise, “Dick” can be cute and funny, especially for teen girls. Just don’t expect a thorough history lesson.
“Drop Dead Gorgeous” (PG-13) — Funny, sharp-clawed satire about ambitious mothers and daughters entering a small-town teen queen pageant will find plenty of fans among teens. Some of the jokes involving alcoholics and dirty old men push the envelope.
“The Haunting” (PG-13) — This movie will give parents headaches and their kids nightmares. It’s filled with the ghosts of dead children, ominous furniture with sharp claws and strange nocturnal noises. Not only is it somewhat scary for grown-ups, but young kids may be truly spooked.
“Inspector Gadget” (PG) — In this genial family film, Matthew Broderick plays John Brown, a naive security guard who is transformed into a super sleuth with 14,000 useful devices at his disposal. This is one summer movie you can take the kids to with no worries — and adults may enjoy the film’s witty asides.
“Lake Placid” (R) — Though this film is campy, has cheesy computer animation, a weak script and a weaker plot, it is a reasonably enjoyable monster movie. The film concerns a sarcastic female paleontologist (Bridget Fonda) who joins an investigative team that’s hunting a hungry 30-foot crocodile in a Maine lake.
“Limbo” (R) — John Sayles’ powerful new film features a well-traveled folk-rock singer and a brooding fisherman with whom she becomes involved. When they find themselves castaways along with her teenage daughter on a remote Alaskan island, the movie becomes both a suspense thriller and a sorrowful meditation on survivalism, civilization and the ties that bind. Inappropriate for children.
“The Iron Giant” (PG) — The title character is big, tough and eats tractors and train tracks in one mighty crunch. But this animated film, inspired by Ted Hughes’ children’s book, actually takes a powerful stand against violence. Through his friendship with a 9-year-old boy, the giant robot learns that just because he was designed as a weapon, he doesn’t have to be one.
“Muppets in Space” (G) — Young sci-fi fans should revel in the witty “Muppets From Space,” a spoof of “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Men in Black” and “Close Encounters.” Adults may also appreciate the sweet message at the heart of the story. The story revolves around Gonzo the Great, who discovers that his roots lie in outer space. There is a mostly harmless scene of guns being waved about. But the blue guy with the multicolored furry friends also learns that love, ultimately, is what defines a family.
“My Life So Far” (PG-13) — Picturesque coming-of-age tale in 1927 Scotland hinges on a father and his 10-year-old son becoming rivals for an uncle’s young French fiance.
“Mystery Men” (PG-13) — Frenzied, brainless superhero send-up features a flatulent crime fighter. Sadly, gas passing passes for humor these days, especially in PG-13 movies. Some minor violence and general weirdness, but the message — stick together and be yourself — is actually a winner.
“Notting Hill” (PG-13) — The film tells the story of a mild-mannered English book merchant (Hugh Grant) whose life is turned upside down when a famous American movie star (Julia Roberts) walks into his shop. They fall in love, but there are complications along the way, like her boyfriend (Alec Baldwin). This one has all the earmarks of a great date flick. Parents should know it contains a few naughty words and does not take a tsk-tsk attitude toward premarital sex.
“Runaway Bride” (PG) — This is a romantic comedy for adults and teens who get a kick out of the potent chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The slow pace and adult themes (fear of commitment, Roberts’ public humiliation over bolting from weddings) may make it too boring and slow for younger kids.
“The Sixth Sense” (PG-13) — Older teens may enjoy this chilling ghost story-psychological drama, but scenes of children suffering and appearing as ghosts will likely upset youngsters.
“South Park” (R) — Though adults might find it humorous because they will understand the underlying themes and message of hypocrisy, this is a movie young people should avoid. The vulgar language, racial slurs, a raunchy sexual situation and the irreverent approach toward God, man and anything or anyone else that moves, simply outweigh the comedic.
“The Thomas Crown Affair” (R) — This glossy heist film is definitely for grown-ups only. Crown (Pierce Brosnan) is a self-made billionaire who enjoys the quest for money, art and women. Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is the insurance investigator on his trail. The heist sequences are fascinating and the story is involving, but there’s plenty of lust on display also, and at one point Russo bares all.
“The Winslow Boy” (G) — Terence Rattigan’s play about the 1910 schoolboy’s trial that created a furor in England has been artfully pared to its essentials in this stately and deliberate adaptation. In the film, the family of a cadet accused of theft is quietly staggered by the consequences of that accusation.
