‘Alpha and Omega’

Rating: PG for rude humor and some mild action.

What it’s about: An alpha wolf is transported to a new wilderness with a nonalpha wolf with an idea that they will repopulate the park, which will never do.

The kid attractor factor: Cute canines have adventures and make a few “mating” jokes.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Class differences can be overcome when “puppy love” is involved.

Violence: Dogfights.

Language: Disney clean.

Sex: Mating jokes, but vague ones.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: Harmless and kid-friendly in every way.

‘Easy A’

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material

What it’s about: A teenager invents a promiscuous reputation for herself to fit in and uses that rep to help others become more visible in high school.

The kid attractor factor: It’s “Glee” without the singing — sassy, sexually curious kids learn hard life lessons in the crucible of high school.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Infamy” is not the same thing as “fame.”

Violence: None to speak of.

Language: Some profanity.

Sex: Basically, that’s the subject here.

Drugs: References, materials.

Parents’ advisory: The subject matter should give parents of kids 13 and younger a pause. Its frankness makes it more appropriate for older teens.

‘Flipped’

Rating: PG for language and some thematic material.

What it’s about: Tweens meet and don’t quite click as a couple, or even as friends.

The kid attractor factor: Kids have the lead roles, and the story is told from their points of view.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Tests of character often start out as simple tests of friendship.

Violence: None.

Language: A couple of profanities.

Sex: No. This is more about the innocence of seeking that first kiss.

Drugs: Adults have a few too many highballs.

Parents’ advisory: The warm, sentimental period piece may click more with grandparents than with kids, but it’s the perfect movie to take the grandkids to. OK for those 8 years and older.

‘Machete’

Rating: R for strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity

What it’s about: An illegal immigrant on the run from drug lords finds himself hunted by people on both sides of the border.

The kid attractor factor: It’s pure exploitation, with over-the-top violence, sex and gore. Think “Piranha” without the fish or the 3D.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Some folks stirring up the immigration debate might be doing it for political or racial reasons.

Violence: Almost constant, much of it involving hacking bodies with a big blade

Language: Profanity.

Sex: Lots of nudity, no explicit sex scenes

Drugs: Surprisingly, none

Parents’ advisory: This aims at older teens who can get into R-rated movies, and if they’re old enough to get the joke, it won’t scar them for life.

‘Going the Distance’

Rating: R for sexual content including dialogue, language, some drug use and brief nudity.

What it’s about: A young couple, kept apart by the tough job market, struggle to make a long-distance romance work.

The kid attractor factor : Drew and Justin. Justin and Drew.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Long-distance romances can’t last forever.

Violence: None.

Language: A lot of profanity

Sex: Yes, just explicit enough to count.

Drugs: Pot — and alcohol.

Parents’ advisory: These two aren’t teens anymore. It’s an adult romance with juvenile touches.

‘Nanny McPhee Returns’

Rating: PG for rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements.

What it’s about: Another dysfunctional family calls on the services of the real “Super Nanny,” Nanny McPhee.

The kid attractor factor: Kids behaving badly, then getting what’s coming to them.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Don’t fight. Share. Help each other. Be brave. Have faith.”

Violence: Kids brawling, menacing thugs, a German bomb.

Language: A lot of talk about “poo” and cow patties and such.

Sex: Nary a whit, despite the presence of Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Drugs: None

Parents’ advisory: If your kids have worn out the “Nanny McPhee” DVD, this is for them. A fairy tale that’s suitable for all ages.

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.