Parents’ guide to movies
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 22, 2013
“THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE”
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
What it’s about: Katniss and Peeta face the pressures of celebrity while the government worries so much about their growing influence that it wants them dead.
The kid attractor factor: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, great futuristic costumes, an action-packed third act.
Good lessons / bad lessons: “There’s always a flaw in ‘the system.’”
Violence: Summary executions, whippings, stabbings and lots of blood.
Language: Future folk still curse, occasionally.
Sex: Kissing, oddly chaste spend-the-night-together scenes.
Drugs: Drinks, libations.
Parents’ advisory: Like the first film, a very violent action picture that pushes the boundaries of PG-13. Suitable for 13-and-up.
“DELIVERY MAN”
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language.
What it’s about: An irresponsible 40ish guy learns he’s been the sperm donor daddy to hundreds of kids, and decides to secretly involve himself in their lives.
The kid attractor factor: Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders and hijinks you don’t normally see in a broad, low comedy.
Good lessons / bad lessons: It’s never too late to grow up and become a decent parent.
Violence: A little slap around.
Language: More than a little profanity.
Sex: Mostly about its after-effects.
Drugs: Pot is grown, joked about.
Parents’ advisory: Might want to limit this one to kids old enough to know what “sperm donor” means – suitable for 13-and-up.