Family fare: Movie reviews for parents

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Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams star in "The Vow."

Updated: March 18, 2012 8:07AM

Assessments from a parent’s perspective of recently released movies:

‘The Secret World of Arrietty’

Rated G

Translation: Moments of peril; an ill child discusses the possibility that he might not survive surgery.

Recommendation: Ages 7 to adults.

Family discussion: What do Shawn and Arrietty learn from each other? How is “borrowing” different from stealing? How do Pod and Homily reveal their different ways of looking at the world?

If you like this, try: “The Indian in the Cupboard,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and the Borrowers books by Mary Norton.

‘This Means War’

Rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, some violence and action, and for language.

Translation: Action violence and peril, with gunfire, chases and explosions. Sexual humor (sometimes crude) and non-explicit situations. Strong language.

Recommendation: Mature teens to adults.

Family discussion: How did Lauren’s professional background affect the way she evaluated FDR and Tuck? Which man was more honest with her?

If you like this, try: The film version of “Get Smart.”

‘The Vow’

Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, sexual content, partial nudity and some language.

Translation: Language (s-word). Sexual references. Adultery and male rear nudity. Alcohol use. Car accident with injuries.

Recommendation: High school ages to adults.

Family discussion: Why was Paige afraid to remember her life with Leo? What does the statement “I wanted to earn it” mean?

If you like this, try: “The Notebook” and “Dear John.”

‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’

Rated PG for some mild adventure action and brief mild language.

Translation: Characters in peril; minor injuries. Icky and scary-looking animals. Some jump-out-at-you surprises. Some potty humor, brief schoolyard language.

Recommendation: Ages 8 to adults.

Family discussion: How many different styles of parenting were portrayed?

If you like this, try: “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and the books by Jules Verne.

‘Safe House’

Rated R for strong violence and some language.

Translation: Brief strong language (s-word, f-word in song lyric). Brief sexual reference. Pervasive brutal and often graphic violence: guns, car chases /crashes, hand-to-hand combat, torture, with many characters injured and killed.

Recommendation: Mature teens to adults.

Family discussion: How were Tobin and Matt alike?

If you like this, try: The “Bourne” movies and “Three Days of the Condor.”

Nell Minow is the film critic for the website beliefnet.com.