‘THE HUNGER GAMES’

Rating: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images — all involving teens

What it’s about: In a grim future, teens are randomly selected for a televised fight-to-the-death.

The kid attractor factor: A wildly popular series of young adult science-fiction books comes to the big screen

Good lessons/ bad lessons: “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”

Violence: Neck-snappings, stabbings, slashings, some of them reasonably graphic.

Language: Profanity has apparently been banned in the future.

Sex: The flicker of young love is suggested, quite chaste though.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: This is sci-fi that skews pretty young, and the rating reflects that. Too violent for 11 and younger though.

‘OCTOBER BABY’

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material.

What it’s about: A college girl learns she’s the survivor of an abortion and takes a trip to find her reluctant birth mother.

The kid attractor factor: Attractive, unknown college-age actresses and actors on a road trip.

Good lessons/ bad lessons: “What’s so wrong with not having a wild side?” “Life isn’t always black and white.”

Violence: A graphic description of what can go wrong in an abortion.

Language: Faith-based films rarely have profanity.

Sex: None.

Drugs: One character has a New Orleans hangover.

Parents’ advisory: The pace and adult subject matter rule out younger viewers; suitable for 13 and older.

‘21 JUMP STREET’

Rating: R, for crude and sexual content, drinking and some violence.

What it’s about: Two young cops are shipped back to high school to infiltrate a drug gang.

The kid attractor factor: Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, misbehaving in high school.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “You never know what you can’t achieve until you don’t achieve it.”

Violence: A hail of bullets here and there, some punches.

Language: Lots of profanity.

Sex: One brief blast of nudity.

Drugs: Drug use and teen drinking.

Parents’ advisory: OK for 17 and older.

This guide, compiled by Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel film critic Roger Moore, should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance.