Current films are reviewed each week to provide parents a guide to decide what may be appropriate to younger viewers.
ALEX CROSS
Rating: PG-13 for violence including disturbing images, sexual content, language, drug references and nudity
What it's about: A psychological profiler faces his ugliest, most dangerous and most personal case, chasing a psychotic assassin.
The kid-attractor factor: Cops-and-killer thriller, and Tyler Perry as an action hero
Good lessons, bad lessons: When the chips are down, old friends will pull you through.
Violence: Plentiful, with blood, dismemberment and torture
Language: Just enough profanity for a PG-13
Sex: More explicit than your average PG-13
Drugs: Yes
Parents advisory: No way this deserves just a PG-13 – very violent, and jokey about the violence. Suitable for 16-and-up.
ARGO
Rating: R for language and some violent images
What it's about: A CIA agent uses Hollywood contacts to set up a fake movie that will free Americans in hiding in Iran.
The kid-attractor factor: Ben Affleck re-creates a little- known piece of American history.
Good lessons, bad lessons: When you need somebody to tell a big lie and make it seem real, call Hollywood.
Violence: Nonbloody torture scenes, summary executions
Language: Some profanity
Sex: None
Drugs: Lots and lots of smoking
Parents advisory: There's little justification for this R rating. Suitable for 13-and-up.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA
Rating: PG for some rude humor, action and scary images
What it's about: An over- protective Dracula tries to keep his vampire daughter out of the clutches of a cute human boy who visits their hotel for monsters.
The kid-attractor factor:It's animated, it's got vampires, toilet jokes and teens flirting, and it's in 3D.
Good lessons, bad lessons: If they're old enough to make their own choices, you need to let them make their own choices.
Violence: Corpses, cadavers and zombies, oh my
Language: The occasional toilet or gas-passing gag
Sex: None
Drugs: None at all
Parents advisory: The cleanest Adam Sandler movie in history. Suitable for all ages.
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