Where the Wild Things Are

Rating: PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language.

What its about: A little boy invents his own imaginary forest world, which he visits in his wolf-suit PJs.

The kid attractor factor: Its one of the most beloved childrens books of recent history. And here, Wild Things come to life.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Tantrums, being selfish and only caring about yourself hurt the feelings of parents and wild things.

Violence: Mildly scary bits of monster mashing.

Language: The H-word. Once.

Sex: Not a hint of it.

Drugs: Mom and her date have some wine.

Parents advisory: This slow-footed, downbeat adaptation doesnt appear to be aimed at kids rather at adults looking for deeper meaning in a favorite childhood book.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Rating: PG for brief mild language.

What its about: An inventor saves his dying town with a gadget that makes food rain from the sky. But is that a good thing?

The kid attractor factor: In-your-face slapstick, goofy characters and general wackiness all presented at a frenetic pace.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Smart is never lame. Encourage your kids and they might surprise you.

Violence: Some menacing situations.

Language: Quite mild, considering the stuff thats falling from the sky.

Sex: Even Anna Faris is drawn very PG, in this case.

Drugs: None.

Parents advisory: Good messages, laughs aimed both at kids and over their heads, this should play to everyone 4 and older.

Couples Retreat

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language.

What its about: Troubled couples go for a healing resort vacation.

The kid attractor factor: Vince, Faizon, Jason, Kristen Bell, frat-boy humor.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Even happy couples need to be reminded of why theyre together.

Violence: A punch is thrown.

Language: Some profanity.

Sex: Bumping and grinding and a not-quite happy ending.

Drugs: Alcohol is served.

Parents advisory: This was edited down from an R rating, so the raw stuff you see in the TV commercials is missing.

The Invention of Lying

Rating: PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference.

What its about: A world that knows only truth meets its first fibber in this comic satire.

The kid attractor factor: Jennifer Garner, Ricky Gervais, edgy British wit.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Little white lies, fibs and exaggerations make the world go round.

Violence: Someone dies.

Language: A bit of profanity.

Sex: Discussed.

Drugs: Wine, one drug joke.

Parents advisory: If theyre old enough to know what satire is, your teens may get something out of this.

Whip It

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content including crude dialogue, language and drug material.

What its about: A Texas teen who joins a roller derby team.

The kid attractor factor: Cute Ellen Page, cute boys, high school rebellion and roller derby.

Good lessons/bad lessons: If at first you dont fit in, look around, find your tribe.

Violence: Its roller derby.

Language: PG-13 profanity.

Sex: Dating, sexual situations.

Drugs: Drug material, including booze and cigarettes.

Parents advisory: A teen movie in the Juno mold.