NEW THIS WEEK
‘Superbad’
Rating: R for pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, drinking, some drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image — all involving teens.
What it’s about: Teens go through assorted irresponsible adventures on the last day of high school.
The Kid Attractor Factor: See above.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Too many bad lessons to count, starting with the pursuit of alcohol and working their way through the ratings system.
Violence: A punch or two, gunplay.
Language: Profoundly profane, the foulest-mouthed characters of the summer.
Sex: Discussed in detail, with an emphasis on its more unsavory aspects.
Drugs: Alcohol is abused, cops drink and drive.
Parents’ advisory: Worth including here because this is the one kids will be talking about as they return to school, if you let yours sneak into it. Take the R-rating seriously.
PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED
‘An Arctic Tale’
Rating: G.
What it’s about: A polar bear cub and a walrus pup are followed from birth to maturity in this nature documentary.
The Kid Attractor Factor: Very cute animals in their natural habitat.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Nature is cruel, the planet is warming and we’d better do something about it.
Violence: Eat-or-be-eaten moments are mostly off-camera.
Language: Disney clean.
Sex: None.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: A “March of the Penguins” aimed at a younger audience, adults may find the cloying tone a bit much, but 10-and-unders should dig it.
‘Bratz’
Rating: PG for thematic elements.
What it’s about: Teenage clothes horses learn keeping friends is more important than joining cliques when they enter a new high school.
The Kid Attractor Factor: The Bratz dolls have been a huge hit, inspiring cartoons, DVDs and the like.
Good lessons/bad lessons: We are all more than just one narrow interest, so you should never limit yourself to a clique with one interest.
Violence: A food fight for the ages.
Language: Disney clean.
Sex: Provocative dancing, clothing.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: Far more harmless than one would fear.
‘Stardust’
Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence and some risque humor.
What it’s about: A star falls and a boy promises it to his fickle girlfriend, only to discover the star is, herself, pretty cute.
The Kid Attractor Factor: A quick-witted fantasy for those in the process of outgrowing Harry Potter.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Your fantasy love may keep you from seeing the real thing, right under your nose. And even in alternate universes, safe sex is a must.
Violence: More than you’d like, as assorted princes are killed off.
Language: Very clean.
Sex: An unplanned pregnancy.
Drugs: Potions and ale.
Parents’ advisory: This whimsical fantasy has “a movie for the whole family” all over it, despite the PG-13.
‘Underdog’
Rating: PG for rude humor, mild language and action.
What it’s about: A beagle is genetically altered into a super hero, foiling the mad scientist and his henchman.
The Kid Attractor Factor: A talking dog who does amazing feats of stretch and speed.
Good lessons/bad lessons: None to speak of.
Violence: Slapstick.
Language: Disney PG clean.
Sex: Innocent flirtation, even among the dogs.
Drugs: Formulas, injected.
Parents’ advisory: Harmless enough, but bears little resemblance to the original cartoon.
