Parents’ guide to movies

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 23, 2016

Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey stars as dapper koala Buster Moon and writer/director Garth jennings voices elderly lizard Miss Crawly in the event film “Sing.”(Submitted photo)

‘SING’

Rating: PG for some rude humor and mild peril.

What it’s about: Think of it as “Zootopia Idol” — an animated comedy about a city filled with walking, talking, singing animals, who put on an American Idol-style singing competition.

The kid-attractor factor: Well, the animated cuddly animals, and the soundtrack filled with pop hits.

Good lessons/bad lessons: When you hit bottom, the only way to go is up. Unleash your voice, come together and celebrate and share your talents.

Violence: A scene of peril where a building is destroyed in a flood and crumbles, a robbery heist and getaway.

Language: None

Sexuality: Do twerking bunnies count?

Drugs: None

Parents advisory: Appropriate musical fun for kids of all ages.

‘WHY HIM?’

Rating: R for strong language and sexual material throughout.

What it’s about: Cultures clash when a Michigan family travels to California to meet their daughter’s new boyfriend — a Silicon Valley tech mogul.

The kid-attractor factor: The raunchy, broad family comedy, as well as star James Franco, will attract teen audiences.

Good lessons/bad lessons: If you accept people for who and how they are with honest and open communication, it’s possible to bridge any cultural divide.

Violence: Laird (Franco) engages in combat and parkour training with his concierge and best friend Gustav; there is one massive, dangerous mishap with a moose sculpture.

Language: One of the sources of contention between Laird and the family is his constant swearing and use of the F-word, as well as his TMI attitude about their sex life.

Sexuality: Frequent and frank discussions of sex, a view of Laird’s naked rear, animal genitals, implied but not graphic sex scenes between Laird and Stephanie.

Drugs: Drinking and marijuana use, a scene where Stephanie’s mother gets high.

Parents advisory: Definitely too sexually mature for kids, OK for older teens.

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