Family Watch: Violence tests the PG-13 rating for ‘Hunger Games’

Current films are reviewed each week to provide parents a guide to decide what may be appropriate to younger viewers

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language

What it’s about: Katniss and Peeta face the pressures of celebrity while the government worries so much about their growing influence that it wants them dead.

The kid attractor factor: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, great futuristic costumes, an action-packed third act.

Good lessons / bad lessons: “There’s always a flaw in ‘the system.’ ”

Violence: Summary executions, whippings, stabbings and lots of blood.

Language: Future folk still curse, occasionally.

Sex: Kissing, oddly chaste spend-the-night-together scenes.

Drugs: Drinks, libations.

Parents’ advisory: Like the first film, a very violent action picture that pushes the boundaries of PG-13. Suitable for 13-and-up.

DELIVERY MAN

Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language

What it’s about: An irresponsible 40ish guy learns he’s been the sperm donor daddy to hundreds of kids, and decides to secretly involve himself in their lives.

The kid attractor factor: Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders and high jinks you don’t normally see in a broad, low comedy.

Good lessons / bad lessons: It’s never too late to grow up and become a decent parent.

Violence: A little slap around.

Language: More than a little profanity.

Sex: Mostly about its aftereffects.

Drugs: Pot is grown, joked about.

Parents’ advisory: Might want to limit this one to kids old enough to know what “sperm donor” means – suitable for 13-and-up.