‘Planet 51’

Rating: PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor.

What it’s about: A world enduring the do-wop black-and-white-TV global paranoia of its own “1950s” is visited by an alien — a NASA astronaut.

The kid attractor factor: Animation, a cute robot, a cute alien dog.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “If an alien came all this way, wouldn’t it be smart enough to come in peace?”

Violence: Gun play. And tank play.

Language: Quite clean.

Sex: A repeated anal “cork” joke, a penis joke.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: A “Shrek” writer scripted it, so there’s a hint of the naughty hanging around the edges of this kids-only cartoon.

‘The Blind Side’

Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

What it’s about: A big homeless kid is taken in by a wealthy family and finds that his place in the world might be on the football field.

The kid attractor factor: Teen angst, amped up by poverty and race.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Family” means always having your back, always covering their blind side.

Violence: Some, and there’s a lot of football, too.

Language: Pretty clean, considering.

Sex: “References.”

Drugs: Discussed, but not flaunted.

Parents’ advisory: This inspiring “Just do the right thing” family film based on a true story is suitable viewing for ages 10 and older.

‘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.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Rating: PG for scary sequences and images.

What it’s about: A bitter old miser learns to give his cash and himself to others after ghosts show him the consequences of his stinginess.

The kid attractor factor: Animation (motion-capture), a few gags and some very spooky ghosts.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Charity changes you and how others look at you — for the better.

Violence: A couple of deaths, some scary corpses and spirits.

Language: Humbug.

Sex: Not in this Dickens, oh no.

Drugs: Wine and beer are served.

Parents’ advisory: Not the warmest or funniest “Christmas Carol,” but a great introduction to the story for small children.

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.