“THE DARK TOWER”

Rating: PG-13 for thematic material including sequences of gun violence and action.

What it’s about: The Man in Black is kidnapping children to use their brain power to destroy the Dark Tower, which keeps darkness out of the universe. Jake and the Gunslinger must stop him.

The kid attractor factor: The horror/action genre mashup will be intriguing to teen audiences.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Trust yourself and your own powers, but rely on others for help too. Trust your instincts.

Violence: Lots of gun violence, shooting, and sequences of fighting and fantasy violence (tree demons, house demons, flying glass), earthquakes, explosions, etc.

Language: Some swearing.

Sexuality: None

Drugs: None

Parents advisory: While this is fine for teens, it’s too dark, scary and violent for kids.

“KIDNAP”

Rating:R for violence and peril.

What it’s about: A woman goes after a pair of kidnappers after they abduct her son from the fair.

The kid attractor factor: Some teen audiences may be interested in the action-thriller genre, as well as star Halle Berry.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Never underestimate the power of a protective mama bear.

Violence: Harrowing car chases and crashes, shooting, drowning, fighting and other scenes of violence and death.

Language: Some language but not persistent throughout.

Sexuality: None.

Drugs: None.

Parents advisory: Too scary and violent for younger kids, OK for teens.

This guide, compiled by Tribune News Service film critics, is published here every Saturday. It can 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.