Current films are reviewed each week to provide parents a guide to decide what may be appropriate to younger viewers.
LINCOLN
Rating: PG-13 for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage and brief strong language
What it's about: Abraham Lincoln and his fractious Cabinet try to rally congressional support for an amendment to end slavery.
The kid-attractor factor: A valuable history lesson about the messiness of government and a very human portrait of a sainted president
Good lessons/bad lessons: In politics, even the noblest ideals have their detractors.
Violence: Some gruesome Civil War combat
Language: A scattering of period-appropriate profanity, racial slurs.
Sex: None
Drugs: None
Parents' advisory: Even if their school isn't assigning this, there's a lot to be said for rounding the kids up and letting them absorb a little Civil War history – suitable for 10-and-up.
A LATE QUARTET
Rating: R for language and some sexuality
What it's about: Members of a famous string quartet face the illness and retirement of their oldest member with scheming, power grabs and betrayals.
The kid-attractor factor: Christopher Walken plays it straight for once.
Good lessons/bad lessons: It takes more than just ego – cooperation – to make beautiful music together.
Violence: None
Language: Even classical musicians curse
Sex: Suggested, flirted with
Drugs: None
Parents' advisory: A hard sell to any child not into string music, it's suitable for 13-and-up.
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