‘MAMA’

Rating: PG-13, for violence and terror, some disturbing images and thematic elements.

What it’s about: A young couple takes in two children, raised in the wild. But raised by what?

The kid attractor factor: Kids in jeopardy, ghosts.

Good lessons/ bad lessons: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.”

Violence: Yes, on the edge of graphic.

Language: A hint of profanity, but some of it quite harsh.

Sex: Kissing.

Drugs: Suggested.

Parents’ advisory: A genuinely creepy ghost story, entirely too adult and intense for the very young. Suitable for ages 12 and older.

‘GANGSTER SQUAD’

Rating: R for strong violence and language.

What it’s about: When the mob threatens to take over Los Angeles in the late 1940s, cops take the law into their own hands to stop it.

The kid attractor factor: Gangsters, coppers, machine guns, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Violence: Graphic stabbings, shootings and dismemberings.

Language: Pervasive profanity.

Sex: Emma Stone, attempted rape, prostitution.

Drugs: Heroin is bought and sold, booze and cigarettes are consumed.

Parents’ advisory: A semi-jokey treatment of a gang war that’s a very hard R when it comes to violence. OK for 15 and older.

‘A HAUNTED HOUSE’

Rating: R, for crude and sexual content, language and some drug use.

What it’s about: A “Paranormal Activity” spoof in which the couple chased by a demon cope in comical ways.

The kid attractor factor: Frights, and rude and raunchy stuff, played for laughs.

Good lessons/ bad lessons: The usual “black people in scary movies vs. white people in scary movies” observations.

Violence: Some.

Language: Lots and lots of profanity.

Sex: Oh yes, simulated in all manner of ways.

Drugs: Pot is consumed.

Parents’ advisory: If they’re old enough to see the movies this spoofs, “Haunted” won’t hurt them — OK for ages 13 and older.

This guide, compiled by Orlando Sentinel film critic Roger Moore, is published here every Friday. It should 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.