Family guide to new movie releases

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 30, 2015

“Strange Magic”

Rating: PG for some action and scary images.

What it’s about: Fairies and elves fight off goblins with love and vintage love songs in this George Lucas-backed cartoon.

The kid-attractor factor: It’s an animated fantasy with “Star Wars” story elements and sing-along pop hits ranging from Elvis to Lady Gaga.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Song or no song, “There’s no shortcut to love.”

Violence: Yes, fairies fighting goblins.

Language: Disney clean.

Sex: Love potions, smooching and such.

Drugs: Not so much as a hint.

Parents’ advisory: Nothing terribly offensive turns up in this Disney-released LucasFilm cartoon. OK for all ages.

“Black or White”

Rating: PG-13 on appeal for brief strong language, thematic material involving drug use and drinking and for a fight.

What it’s about: A grandmother and grandfather from two different sides of the family, and from two races, go to court to fight over custody of a little girl.

The kid-attractor factor: Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, a kid having more sense than some of the adults around her.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Even judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin is a tricky notion in a politically correct era.

Violence: A nasty, bloody fight.

Language: Some profanity.

Sex: Barely discussed.

Drugs: A major theme, as an alcoholic and a crack addict partake in their addictions.

Parents’ advisory: Too adult for small kids who just won’t follow it, but OK for 13-and-up.

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