‘Astro Boy’

Rating: PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

What it’s about: A scientist creates an indestructible robot version of his son after the boy dies.

The kid attractor factor: An animated boy with rockets for legs.

Good lessons/bad lessons: All that garbage from our disposable culture is going to end up somewhere.

Violence: Quite a bit — a child is vaporized and robot brawling is a plot element.

Language: Disney clean.

Sex: None, though Astro Boy does like his South Beach shorts.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: The pop culture references will be over the heads of the very young but it’s harmless animated action fare.

‘Where the Wild Things Are’

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

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

The kid attractor factor: It’s one of the most beloved children’s 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 doesn’t 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 it’s 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 that’s 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.

‘The Invention of Lying’

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

What it’s about: A world that knows only “truth” meets its first fibber in this comic satire.

The kid attractor factor: J ennifer 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 they’re 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 it’s 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 don’t fit in, look around, “find your tribe.”

Violence: It’s 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.

The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment value or educational value for older children with parental guidance. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.