HE GOT GAME
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The ball is in hoopster Jesus’ (Ray Allen) court when the governor offers leniency to his convict dad, Jake (Denzel Washington), if Jesus agrees to join a certain college team.
WILL KIDS WANT TO WATCH IT?
Yes. The lure of basketball and a Public Enemy soundtrack will hook teens into this Spike Lee joint.
MPAA RATING
R
SEX/NUDITY
Numerous topless women; Jesus has sex with two women at once.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Glimpses of people indulging in heroin, crack, and booze
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS
Gunfire; a pimp beats a prostitute; Jake pushes his wife, killing her; has a street fight.
OBJECTIONABLE WORDS/PHRASES
Into triple digits
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT
Jesus’ ability to resist temptation and do the right thing
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
The constant foul language, lurid sex scenes, and harsh depiction of women
APPROPRIATE AGES
15 and up
BULWORTH
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Suicidal senator Jay Billington Bulworth (Warren Beatty) takes on a hip-hop persona after meeting a young black woman (Halle Berry) during the final days of the ’96 California primary.
WILL KIDS WANT TO WATCH IT?
Possibly, if the rap-driven soundtrack’s success is any indicator; but the politics will bore them.
MPAA RATING
R
SEX/NUDITY
A painting of a bare-breasted woman; sex under the covers
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Bulworth smokes pot, guzzles liquor; cocaine use.
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS
A man is shot; little boys carry guns in the hood.
OBJECTIONABLE WORDS/PHRASES
More than 100
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT
Bulworth becomes a thought-provoking and honest, albeit wacky, politician.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
The movie is so over-the-top it ends up perpetuating many of the stereotypes it’s trying to erase.
APPROPRIATE AGES
15 and up
DEEP IMPACT
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The world prepares for the worst when a comet — found by a high school astronomer (Elijah Wood) and reported on by a wannabe TV anchor (Tea Leoni) — heads toward Earth.
WILL KIDS WANT TO WATCH IT?
Who can resist that trailer with a tidal wave threatening Manhattan?
MPAA RATING
PG-13
SEX/NUDITY
None
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Some drinking
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS
A chunk of the East Coast gets wiped out; an astronaut is lost in space; death by car crash.
OBJECTIONABLE WORDS/PHRASES
About three dozen
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT
Director Mimi Leder gives human concerns more screen time than special effects.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Director Mimi Leder gives human concerns more screen time than special effects.
APPROPRIATE AGES
10 and up
THE HORSE WHISPERER
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
After her daughter is emotionally and physically scarred by a riding accident, Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas) takes her and her horse to Tom Booker (Robert Redford) for some Western healing.
WILL KIDS WANT TO WATCH IT?
The combination love story/horse tale may prove irresistible to girls.
MPAA RATING
PG-13
SEX/NUDITY
None
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Wine is served; two-steppers drink beers.
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS
The accident critically injures Grace (Scarlett Johansson) and kills her friend.
OBJECTIONABLE WORDS/PHRASES
Eight
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT
The idea that healing — both emotional and physical — is a two-way street
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Control freak Annie doesn’t include Grace’s loving dad (Sam Neill) in any of her plans.
APPROPRIATE AGES
13 and up
QUEST FOR CAMELOT
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Kayley, the daughter of one of King Arthur’s most celebrated knights, tries to save the kingdom after evil Ruber steals the enchanted sword Excalibur.
WILL KIDS WANT TO WATCH IT?
Yes, they’ll want to check out the animated adventure behind all those fast-food tie-ins.
MPAA RATING
G
SEX/NUDITY
None
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
None
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS
The death of Kayley’s father; Ruber and his band of creepy creatures capture Kayley.
OBJECTIONABLE WORDS/PHRASES
None
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT
The heroes are a young woman and a blind man.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
The movie is little more than one long chase scene.
APPROPRIATE AGES
4 and up
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