‘Big Miracle’
Rating: PG for language.
What it’s about: A family of whales stranded under the Alaskan ice becomes an international cause in this tale, “inspired by the true story.”
The kid attractor factor: It’s a feel-good movie about whales, and a boy who sort of narrates it.
Good lessons/bad lessons: People are rarely all right or all wrong. Everybody has a soft spot, everybody has an ax to grind.
Violence: Whales face death.
Language: A few mild moments of profanity.
Sex: Relationship stuff is kept in the background.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: Nicely pitched as appropriate for the whole family and kids of all ages.
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‘Chronicle’
Rating: PG-13 for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking.
What it’s about: Three teens acquire superpowers, and decide to use them for revenge, boozing it up and chasing girls.
The kid attractor factor: Teens behaving badly on an epic scale.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Emotional problems are just magnified when you gain superpowers.
Violence: Quite a bit of it — bullying, child abuse, with lots of blood.
Language: Mild bits of profanity.
Sex: Sexual situations.
Drugs: Alcohol is consumed.
Parents’ advisory: Some of the language, violence and substance abuse are pretty rough and the sexual situations too frank for younger kids. OK for 13 or older.
— By Roger Moore
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
