‘Conviction’

Rating: R for language and some violent images.

What it’s about: A working-class woman resolves to go to college, then law school, get a degree and find a way to get her brother out of prison.

The kid attractor factor: An uplifting story about a brother and sister whose bond is stronger than any “system” that keeps them apart.

Good lessons/bad lessons: A good education will set you — or a relative — free.

Violence: Mostly crime-scene photos, a prison meltdown or two.

Language: More profanity than is necessary, though convicts and those struggling to get them freed have reason to cuss.

Sex: A lowlife lover and a couple of loose women talk about their time together.

Drugs: A boozy bar scene or two.

Parents’ advisory: This is rated R almost entirely for language. If your kids are 14 and older and can survive a few “F-bombs,” this is suitable for them.

‘Paranormal Activity 2’

Rating: R for some language and brief violent material.

What it’s about: A family copes with supernatural assaults from an unseen demon, evidence of which is on their home surveillance cameras.

The kid attractor factor: Ghostly goings-on, scares without blood, a cute teen under threat.

Good lessons/bad lessons: What good is a home surveillance system if you don’t believe the frightening truth it is showing you?

Violence: Yes, though not that graphic.

Language: Some profanity, some of it by teens.

Sex: Bubble baths, innuendo, teen flirting.

Drugs: Alcohol, here and there.

Parents’ advisory: As horror movies go, this is milder than most and seems unworthy of an R. OK for 14 and older.

‘Hereafter’

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements including disturbing disaster and accident images, and for brief strong language.

What it’s about: People who have lost loved ones or have been through near-death experiences are drawn to a man who can actually talk to the dead — reluctantly.

The kid attractor factor: Matt Damon, an epic tsunami and visions of the afterlife.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Go to the light. Or don’t, if you want to hang around to tell the tale.

Violence: A vivid drowning, a deadly car accident.

Language: Bits of profanity.

Sex: Flirtation, rather overt.

Drugs: Wine is consumed.

Parents’ advisory: A bit over the heads of small children, but perhaps of some comfort to tweens and teens. OK for 10 and older.

‘Secretariat’

Rating: PG for brief mild language.

What it’s about: In the early ’70s, a woman breaks into the elite ranks of America’s horse breeders with that one-in-a-million thoroughbred, Secretariat.

The kid attractor factor: Horses, horse racing and that wacky John Malkovich.

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Run your race.”

Violence: None.

Language: Disney clean.

Sex: None.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: Not as sentimental, sweet or funny as “Seabiscuit” but still family-friendly and suitable for all ages.

‘Life As We Know It’

Rating: PG-13 for sexual material, language and some drug content

What it’s about: A couple of mismatched friends of the family are forced to raise an infant — and get along as they do it.

The kid attractor factor: Diaper jokes, inept parenting gags

Good lessons/bad lessons: “Having somebody help you doesn’t mean you failed.”

Violence: Pratfalls.

Language: Some profanity.

Sex: Approached, considered, discussed.

Drugs: Pot brownies, for those who like to bake and be baked.

Parents’ advisory: Probably over the heads of 10-and-olders, the language and pot gags make it a 13-and-over romantic comedy.

‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’hoole

Rating: PG for some sequences of scary action.

What it’s about: Heroic owls are summoned to save victim owls from the predations of evil, enslaving owls.

The kid attractor factor: It’s based on a popular series of novels about cute but fearsome birds that battle for the soul of the owl worlds.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Jealousy and resentment cloud your ability to see right from wrong.

Violence: Owl fights, owl brainwashing.

Language: Profanity-free Australian accents.

Sex: Not a hint.

Drugs: None.

Parents’ advisory: This dense children’s fantasy may test the patience of very young moviegoers. Suitable for 8 and older.

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.