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  • Jonathan Wenk

    Bradley Cooper (as Rory Jansen) and Zoe Saldana (as Dora Jansen) star in "The Words"

  • Sarah Shatz / AP

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a scene from "Premium Rush."

  • Courtesy of LAIKA

    Courtney, Alvin, Mitch, Norman, and Neil in "Paranorman."

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Family Watch: Three movies suitable for teens and preteens

Published: Friday, Sep. 7, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 17TICKET
Last Modified: Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2012 - 9:25 am

THE WORDS

Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language and smoking

What it's about: A young writer finds fame and fortune by publishing another's novel as his own.

The kid attractor factor: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde are among its stars.

Good lessons, bad lessons: "Start taking responsibility for your life." And when you make a mistake, make it right.

Violence: None.

Language: A smattering of profanity.

Sex: Sexual situations.

Drugs: Alcohol and cigarettes.

Parents advisory: Any time your kids want to see a movie about reading and writing, that's a good thing. OK for 12-and-up.


PREMIUM RUSH

Rating: PG-13 for some violence, intense action sequences and language

What it's about: A gonzo bicycle messenger is chased by a crooked cop through the crowded streets of Manhattan.

The kid attractor factor: Attractive, muscular young people tearing through traffic in death-defying bike sprints.

Good lessons, bad lessons: "Stay awake, stay alive." And don't try this bike stuff at home.

Violence: Beatings, a shooting, and lots of bike accidents.

Language: A tiny bit of mild swearing, here and there.

Sex: Make-out sessions.

Drugs: None.

Parents advisory: As kid-friendly as thrillers get, this one is suitable for 11-and-up.


PARANORMAN

Rating: PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language

What it's about: A boy who hears and sees dead people is a town's only hope when witch trial victims return to life to terrorize the place.

The kid attractor factor: Stop-motion animation, a "Coraline"/ "Corpse Bride" scary sensibility.

Good lessons, bad lessons: Fear makes "stupid people do stupid things," like accuse others of witchcraft.

Violence: Some scary stuff involving witch trials and the dead returning to life.

Language: A couple of mildly off-color double entendres.

Sex: Sexual preference as a punch line.

Drugs: A few drunks show up.

Parents advisory: An edgy animated treat to anybody over the age of 8.

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