‘Nine’
Rating: PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence and brief incidental language and smoking.
What it’s about: A legendary Italian filmmaker flees to a spa to hide from his wife, his mistress and writer’s block. But the women of his life haunt his dreams.
The Kid Attractor Factor: Singing and swinging, ’60s dancing.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Burn the candle at both ends, and you’re going to get scorched.
Violence: None.
Language: A little profanity.
Sex: Bumping and grinding.
Drugs: Cigarettes.
Parents’ advisory: More challenging than the light musicals that have been recent hits, this one is sure to confuse the 12-and-younger set.
‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel’
Rating: PG for some mild rude humor.
What it’s about: Alvin and his brothers cope with fame, school and the allure of girl chipmunks.
The Kid Attractor Factor: Chipmunks who sing, ride toy motorcycles and crack jokes.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Keep your word. Stick up for family. Never trust an agent.
Violence: Slapstick stuff, one good shot to the crotch.
Language: Chipmunk clean.
Sex: Chipmunk goo-goo eyes.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: Kids love their talking critters.
‘Sherlock Holmes’
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.
What it’s about: The world’s greatest detective tries to prevent a murderous cult from carrying out a coup in 19th century London.
The Kid Attractor Factor: Robert Downey Jr., the once and future “Iron Man,” is Holmes.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Observation and “data data data” back up every informed decision.
Violence: Deaths, some pretty brutal bare-knuckle brawling, the works.
Language: Pretty close to spotless.
Sex: Coyly suggested with near-nudity.
Drugs: Holmes’ drug habit is hinted at but never in the foreground.
Parents’ advisory: Not the traditional way of approaching Holmes — this one emphasizes brawn over brains. Too violent for younger children, but OK for 12 and up.
‘The Young Victoria’
Rating: PG, for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence and brief incidental language and smoking.
What it’s about: The royal teen becomes queen, learns on the job and finds a husband in this intimate screen biography.
The Kid Attractor Factor: A rebellious teenager gets even with mom.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Love can find a way into even an arranged courtship.
Violence: A shooting.
Language: So clean Victoria herself would approve.
Sex: Suggested.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: Entirely too historical and talky for younger children, though teens and tweens into history or princess romances might enjoy it.
