‘Shutter Island’

Rating: R for disturbing violent content, language and some nudity.

What it’s about: Feds investigate a mental hospital for the criminally insane where everyone seems to have a secret.

The kid attractor factor: Leonardo DiCaprio, playing a WWII vet who is now a federal marshal.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Today’s humane treatment of the insane may not always be viewed that way.

Violence: Yes, some of it nightmarish in nature.

Language: Profanity.

Sex: Partial nudity.

Drugs: Drugs are sometimes administered in mental hospitals, and cigarettes are smoked.

Parents’ advisory: Sort of a horror thriller from a director known for violence, this isn’t for anyone younger than 15.

‘The Blind Side’

Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

What it’s about: A big homeless kid is taken in by a wealthy family and finds that his place in the world might be on the football field.

The kid attractor factor: Teen angst, amped up by poverty and race.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Family” means always having your back, always covering their blind side.

Violence: Some, and there’s a lot of football, too.

Language: Pretty clean. considering

Sex: “References.”

Drugs: Discussed, but not flaunted.

Parents’ advisory: This inspiring “Just do the right thing” family film based on a true story is suitable viewing for ages 10 and older.

‘The Book of Eli’

Rating: R for some brutal violence and language.

What it’s about: A loner wanders a post-nuclear world, guarding a book.

The kid attractor factor: Denzel and Doomsday. Kids love ’em both.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Books and their big ideas can be used to inspire or enslave.

Violence: Quite a bit, mostly stylized. Occasionally graphic.

Language: Half a dozen F-bombs.

Sex: Hinted at, avoided.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: Entirely too violent for those 10 and younger.

‘The Lovely Bones’

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving disturbing violent content and images, and some language.

What it’s about: A murdered teen narrates the tale of her death and her family’s life after it.

The kid attractor factor: It’s about kids, and it’s by fantasy director Peter Jackson (“King Kong” and “Lord of the Rings”).

Good lessons/bad lessons: “You’re not supposed to look back. You’re supposed to go forward.”

Violence: A girl is lured on camera, and murdered off camera.

Language: Some profanity.

Sex: Young romance, and the crime itself has a sexual nature.

Drugs: Alcohol and cigarettes.

Parents’ advisory: Entirely too creepy and intense for very young children, and kids younger than 12 might be bored by this after-life thriller and fairy tale.

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.