Parents’ guide to movies

Published 5:00 am Friday, June 28, 2013

‘WHITE HOUSE DOWN’

Rating: PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action and violence including intense gunfire and explosions, some language and a brief sexual image

What it’s about: Terrorists attack the White House in an effort to kidnap the president, but a D.C. cop runs to the rescue.

The kid attractor factor: Channing Tatum saves Jamie Foxx, and lots of stuff blows up.

Good lessons / bad lessons: “Our country is stronger than one house.”

Violence: Lots and lots, with a high body count and one fairly bloody moment.

Language: Scattered snippets of profanity.

Sex: None.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: Not nearly as grim and gory as “Olympus Has Fallen,” with a generous helping of actual White House lore. OK for 13 and older.

‘THE HEAT’

Rating: R for pervasive language, strong crude content and some violence

What it’s about: A fussy by-the-book FBI agent teams with a rule-and-rights-violating slob of a Boston cop to bust up a drug ring.

The kid attractor factor: Sandra Bullock, a role model for makeup tips, and Melissa McCarthy, who teaches kids lots of new dirty words.

Good lessons / bad lessons: Admitting you don’t know it all can be humbling, and liberating.

Violence: Shootings, stabbings, beatings, explosions.

Language: Just filthy.

Sex: Discussed, crudely.

Drugs: Pot is smoked, vodka is gulped, harder drugs are glimpsed.

Parents’ advisory: McCarthy’s rep as the Queen of Crude gains credence here — pretty foul-mouthed, but harmless enough. Suitable for potty-mouthed 13-year-olds and older kids.

This guide, compiled by Orlando Sentinel film critic Roger Moore, is published here every Friday. It should be used with the MPAA rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included, along with R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance.

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