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Parents Television Council - Because Our Children Are Watching

Parents Television Council Reviews

Reviews for Parents

PTC entertainment reviews provide parents with information concerning current entertainment offerings, including recommended ages suitable for a particular film and specific information about the content of sex, violence and profanity.  Television, DVD and film reviews are all carefully evaluated using the stringent guidelines established many years ago by the PTC (see ETS for more information). You can trust PTC entertainment reviews to guide you through the process of selecting appropriate entertainment for you and your family. Armed with the information contained in PTC reviews parents can be the final arbiter of what they or their family sees.

Featured Movies

NEW IN THEATRES:

Horton Hears a Who

 

Release Date: March 14, 2008

MPAA rating: G

Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

 

Based on the classic children’s book by Dr. Seuss, the animated children’s film Horton Hears a Who tells the story of an elephant named Horton who hears voices in a tiny speck. The speck turns out to be a minute world with inhabitants, but Horton’s community does not believe he is telling the truth. Horton, who is “faithful 100%,” must find a safe place for the speck so that it is not destroyed. The mayor of Whoville (voiced by Steve Carell) gains his citizens’ support once they realize that their world is in danger, and they all work together to help Horton prove they exist. ► more

Penelope
Review by Parent Previews


Release date: February 29, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language.

Because she was born with the nose of a pig, Penelope's parents (Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant) have kept her in seclusion. It is a reversible curse - on condition of finding a man who will love her despite her face. However, as the young woman (Christina Ricci) begins looking for a suitor, she discovers most people in the real world are quick to judge by appearances. ► more

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Review by Parent Previews


Release date: February 14, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements.

When the Grace family is bequeathed the estate of their Great-Uncle Spiderwick, they inherit a lot more than just a ramshackle house in the country. Amongst the bric-a-brac young Jared (Freddie Highmore) finds a sealed book that reveals a world of mysterious, magical creatures -- not all of whom are friendly. ► more

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Release Date: January 11, 2008
MPAA rating: G
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

Elliot, Sedgewick, and George are cabin boys waiting and busing tables at a pirate-themed dinner theater, but they dream of turning their lives around and becoming the stars of the show. After a disastrous audition, they are kicked-out on the street. Jobless and ashamed of their failure, they discover a mysterious blinking orb that transports them to another world where pirates rule the seas. There they discover Princess Eloise, whose evil pirate uncle has kidnapped her brother and plans to seize the throne from her kind and benevolent father. Eloise explains that the mysterious orb is a help seeker designed by her father to find heroes to help her find her brother and save the kingdom. Elliot, Sedgewick, and George learn to face their fears and discover that anyone can be a hero -- if you do what you know is right. ► more

The Great Debaters
Review by Parent Previews


Release date: December 25, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality

The Great Debaters is based on a true story of Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington), a Texas professor who encourages his African-American students to believe they can take on the world. In 1935, he puts together and coaches a debate team, hoping they can compete against Harvard University in an upcoming championship. ► more

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Review by Parent Previews


Release date: December 25, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action/violence, some language and smoking

When Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) finds an unusual, egg-shaped rock along the shore of the loch, he thinks the discovery can be his little secret. But big trouble emerges after a mysterious, rapidly growing creature hatches out of Angus's treasure. ► more

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Release date: December 21, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG for some violence and action
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Yellow

A missing page from John Wilkes Booth's diary seems to link Benjamin Franklin Gates' great- grandfather to a plot to assassinate President Lincoln. Ben sets out on a journey to clear his family's name, all while trying to keep one step ahead of Mitch Wilkinson, a treasure hunter in search of the legendary City of Gold. ► more

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Release Date: December 14, 2007
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for some mild rude humor
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a very clean and family friendly movie, however, a few language and sexual innuendo concerns have kept if from receiving our Seal of Approval. The words "loser," "stupid," and "sucks" are used several times as well as a taunt from one of the Chipmunks to "kiss my furry cheeks." In one scene Alvin screams "holy nuts" and in another he tells Dave that a girl "wanted him" (sexually is implied). Finally, during a photoshoot a photographer says to the brothers "make love to the camera," and "spank the booty."

Aside from these issues Alvin and the Chipmunks is a cute and uplifting story about the importance and value of togetherness and family. The entire family can enjoy this film. ► more

I Am Legend

Release Date: December 14, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Red  

The action-horror thriller I Am Legend, featuring Will Smith, is Hollywood's third attempt at filming the identically-titled horror novel by Richard Matheson. (The previous attempts were 1964's The Last Man on Earth, starring Vincent Price, and 1971's The Omega Man, with Charlton Heston.) However, this version is much darker, more violent and far more frightening than either of its predecessors. Because of its intensely frightening atmosphere and extreme violence, the Parents Television Council does not recommend I Am Legend for viewers under 14. ► more

The Golden Compass
Review by Parent Previews

Release date: December 7, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence

After Lyra Belaqua (Dakota Blue Richards) overhears a secret conversation about a special dust believed to have extraordinary powers, she finds herself thrown into the middle of a battle over the control of the magical material. The young girl discovers new allies and unexpected foes as she tries to navigate through dangerous, parallel universes with the help of a truth-revealing Golden Compass. ► more

Enchanted

Review by Parent Previews

 

Release date: November 21, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG for some scary images and mild innuendo.

Happily ever after seems like only a fairytale for Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) when an evil queen (Susan Sarandon) banishes her from a perfect animated world and casts her into the live-action reality of New York City. Ill-prepared to cope in this un-Enchanted land, Giselle finds a friend in a divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) while she waits for a handsome prince (James Marrsden) to come to her rescue. ► more

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Release date: November 16, 2007
MPAA Rating: G
PTC Rating: Green

Mr. Magorium not only owns a Wonder Emporium, filled with colorful and magical toys, but he touches the lives of everyone around him. He has lived for over 200 years and has had many wonderful experiences. However, he reveals that his time in this world is running out. Before he goes, he seeks to pass the store on to Molly Mahoney as well as help three of his closest friends find true happiness. ► more

Fred Claus

Release date: November 9, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and some rude humor. 
Recommended age: 10+
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Yellow

Fred Claus tells the story of Santa Claus' brother Fred, who has lived his whole life in the shadow of his younger brother Nicholas, a.k.a. Santa Claus. As a child Fred's mother constantly told Fred she wished he could be more like his brother. Fred was not a bad child, but he grew to resent Nicholas and as adults the brothers go their separate ways, one becoming a saint and the other a swindler. ► more

Bee Movie

Review by Parent Previews

 

Release date: November 2, 2007 

MPAA Rating: PG for mild suggestive humor.

 

In this CG animation, Barry B. Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld), a lowly member of the bee community, is really bugged when he discovers human beings have been stealing and eating their honey. Unable to get this bee out of his bonnet, he decides to sue mankind for these crimes. ► more

Martian Child

Review by Parent Previews

 

Release date: November 2, 2007 

MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements and mild language.

 

Recently widowed, a sci-fi author named David (John Cusack) adopts a young boy (Bobby Coleman) who claims he comes from Mars. Whether truth or fiction, as the two lonely souls spend more time together, thier relationship opens up a whole new world.► more

Sydney White

Review by Parent Previews

 

Release date: September 21, 2007 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language, sexual humor and partying.

 

In this renovated fairytale, a collage student named Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) joins forces with seven misfit males, and sets out to makeover the campus's prejudices and bullying practices. But her plan to paint the world right threatens to unseat a reigning sorority queen (Sara Paxton) --and that's something the evil witch will not take sitting down. ► more

Mr. Bean's Holiday

 

Release date: August 24th, 2007 

MPAA Rating: G

Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

 

In Mr. Bean’s Holiday, Mr. Bean has had the good fortune to win a trip to France, as well as a video camera to chronicle his vacation. Ever a fan of life’s simpler pleasures, Mr. Bean bypasses the halls of the Louvre and the splendor of Paris to achieve the simple goal of going to the beach in Cannes. When confusion at a train station leaves him responsible for reuniting a young Russian boy named Stepan with his father, Mr. Bean is forced to improvise his way through one scrape after another. Train tickets are lost, wallets are left behind and a little boy gets very, very hungry, prompting a moving opera performance that audiences won’t soon forget. ► more

Daddy Day Camp

 

Release Date: August 8, 2007

MPAA rating: PG for mild bodily humor and language

Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Yellow 

 

A sequel to the Eddie Murphy film Daddy Day Care, Daddy Day Camp explores the relationship between fathers and sons and sportsmanship. Charlie Hinton and his best friend Phil run a successful day-care business. They decide to expand when they learn that the camp they attended as children is for sale. Due to the excessive toilet humor, “comedic” violence, and strong language, the Parents Television Council does not recommend this movie for children under the age of 10. ► more

Underdog

 

Release Date: August 3, 2007

MPAA rating: PG for rude humor, mild language and action

Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

 

Underdog is a live-action motion picture based on the popular cartoon series of the same name.  A former police dog acquires super-powers through the malicious experiments of mad scientist Simon Bar-Sinister.  When the dog escapes, he is taken-in by Dan Unger, an ex-police officer who thinks that his son, Jack, could benefit from having a dog.  Dan names the dog Shoeshine since he enjoys licking his shoes. ► more

The Simpsons Movie

 

Release date: July 27, 2007

MPAA Rated: PG-13

Traffic Light Rating: Red

 

After 18 years on prime-time television, The Simpsons makes its debut on the big screen. The Simpsons Movie is much like the television series with the exception of some improved graphics. The popular Simpsons characters contribute to a satirical plot involving religion, fatherhood, and the environment.  When Homer Simpson mindlessly pollutes the town’s lake, the federal government quarantines the entire city. Homer is a disappointment to his family and friends and spends the rest of the movie seeking forgiveness and saving the town from an evil government authority. ► more

No Reservations

Review by Parent Previews

 

Release date: July 27, 2007

MPAA Rated: PG

 

No Reservations depicts the life of a busy NYC chef, Kate, whose world is changed dramatically both personally and professionally. At home, her sister is killed in a car accident-leaving Kate’s elementary school-aged niece, Zoë, in her care. Zoë is understandably sad, depressed, and lonely after her mother’s death and Kate is inexperienced raising kids. At the restaurant where she is head chef, Kate feels a competitive and romantic reaction when a new chef, Nick, joins the staff. Before Nick and Zoë enter Kate’s life, she is a regimented, uptight person with a narrow world view. As she softens her heart toward them, Kate finds her life getting happier while it gets more complicated. ► more

Hairspray

Review by Parent Previews

Release date: July 20, 2007

MPAA Rated: PG

 

Adapted from the hit Broadway musical, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a chubby high-schooler who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins show.  When one of the regular dancers on the program steps down, Tracy jumps at the opportunity to take her place. Unfortunately, the woman in charge of deciding who will fill the empty space is Velma Von Tussle, a woman whose main interests are keeping the television station she manages from being integrated, and seeing the career of her own daughter Amber advanced.  ► more