Current films are reviewed each week to provide parents a guide to decide what may be appropriate to younger viewers.
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
Rating: PG for thematic elements and some mildly scary action
What it's about: The "Guardians of Childhood," a.k.a. Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc., struggle to keep the boogeyman from ruining childhood.
The kid attractor factor: It's animated and it has Santa, elves and a holiday theme (sort of).
Good lessons/ bad lessons: Belief in magic and the supernatural is an important part of childhood.
Violence: Stylized, animated, some chilling effects
Language: A DreamWorks movie that is Disney clean.
Sex:None
Drugs: None
Parents' advisory: Kids who read "The Guardians of Childhood" book may get more out of this than kids, and adults, who didn't. Suitable for all ages.
TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN – PART 2
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sensuality and partial nudity
What it's about: Bella's half-vampire baby is growing up, and that has the other vampires nervous.
The kid attractor factor: Those teen vampires Bella and Edward have settled down and started a family. And have to fight to protect it.
Good lessons/ bad lessons: Even hardened enemies can be reasoned with, if they see the consequences of their stubbornness.
Violence: More than the other "Twilight" movies. Vampires, wolves and humans die.
Language: A scattering of mild profanity
Sex: Nothing very graphic, though there is some skin.
Drugs: None
Parents' advisory: If they've seen the earlier "Twilights," this one won't hurt them. Suitable for 13-and-up.
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.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Roger Moore
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.