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.

Available on DVD & VIDEO:

Gerald Mc Boing Boing

Gerald McBoing Boing is the story of a little boy who speaks only in sound effects and the adventures he has with his friends Jacob and Janine. It is based on the book by Dr. Seuss, and the television show airs on PBS stations across the country and is appropriate for all ages but children 6 and under will enjoy it most. ► more

Arthur

The children's books by Marc Brown come to life in Arthur. When 8-year-old Aardvark Arthur Read is not at home being hounded by his scene-stealing little sister D.W., he's finding educational misadventure at school with his pals. ► more

Anne of Avonlea

The adventures of Anne Shirley (Kim Braden) continue in L. M. Montgomery's beloved Anne of Avonlea.  The film adaptation of this classic tale is suitable for children 9 and up and is sure to please the whole family. It is brilliantly acted and tells an amazing story of love, loss, compassion and patience. It is a worthy addition to a family's film library. ► more

Brother Bear 2

With all the beauty of Mulan and the splendor of Pocahontas, Disney brings to DVD a superbly animated film worthy of the big screen.  Lovely to look at and with an engaging storyline, Brother Bear 2 is a fine follow-up to the original film, Brother Bear. ► more

Eight Below

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Disney's beloved classic tale of two dogs from opposite worlds continues in Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure.  This film, though enjoyable, is too dark for young children; it is recommended for children eight and up.

There is very little offensive content in Lady and the Tramp II, but the movie is too frightening for most young children.  The dog that repeatedly chases Scamp is vicious and huge, and on several occasions he almost catches the puppy.  In addition, Buster, suspicious of Scamp, tells him that he will be killed if he is related to the Tramp. ► more

Alf: Season 3 DVD Set

A new generation of fans is sure to fall in love with the huggable alien with the release of ALF Season 3 on DVD.  The four disk set includes the entire season and the option to watch introductions to each episode by ALF himself.  See what ALF does when he thinks the new neighbor is Elvis Presley!  Watch how ALF and Willie Tanner (Max Wright) handle a homeless man (David Ogden Stiers of M*A*S*H) who turns ALF into the Alien Task Force.  Follow along as Willie takes ALF to meet his cousin (an alien reported in a tabloid).  The ALF Season 3 DVD gives families the opportunity to just sit back and enjoy all of the romps, antics and laughs together! ► more

 High School Musical

The Electric Company

Created by the Children's Television Workshop, The Electric Company is a wonderful show that teaches literacy skills to children in elementary school.  Originally produced in the 1970s for children who had outgrown Sesame Street, it remains an entertaining and educational show that promotes the importance of reading in everyday life. ► more

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle is a beautiful and moving journey through life and love set in an enchanted land, which can be enjoyed by viewers eight and older.  Refreshingly void of offensive materials, this often humorous film interweaves messages such as the importance of friendship and love into an amazingly original story.

Madagascar Appropriate for children eight and up. There are a few instances of minor language, the most serious being "well, this sucks" by the penguins who discover Antarctica isn't all that it was made out to be. The word "hell" is spelled out once - Alex had created a giant "help" sign with palm trees but the "p" fell down and turned into an "l." "Shut up" is also used a few times, but there are no other instances of objectionable language. ► more

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Herbie Fully Loaded contains very little objectionable material. There is a little violence, but it always involves the cars. Trip sideswipes Herbie more than once (no one is injured), and whenever Herbie is angry or upset he wreaks minor havoc such as squirting someone with oil or hitting them with his hubcaps. There are also two romantic subplots, the first involving Maggie and Kevin, and the other with Herbie and a New Beetle. These attractions are innocent; there is only one short kiss in the movie, plus a warning from Maggie's father for Herbie to not come home late from his date with the New Beetle. Also, in the beginning, Maggie lies to her father about racing Herbie. She tells him that Max, an imaginary person, borrowed Herbie and raced it, but he eventually finds out and she looses his trust. However, this is eventually resolved, giving the audience a positive message about the power of telling the truth. Overall the infringements are minor, making Herbie Fully Loaded appropriate for all children seven and up. ► more 

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Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit - G

Since their debut in the 1989 short film A Grand Day Out, Nick Park's lovable claymation characters have been welcomed by audiences of all ages in Europe and America. They make their major movie debut in Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. This is the first full-length movie starring the enterprising, if somewhat absent-minded Wallace and his wise and loyal dog, Gromit.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a good-natured, funny story of two best-friends trying to fulfill their commitment to the townspeople while looking out for each other's well-being.

Questionable Content: The words "idiot" and "stupid" are used once.
Includes some intense scenes during the pursuit of the Were-Rabbit
Victor Quartermaine's bare buttocks are visible in a shadow when his pants are caught on a weathervane. ► more

The Greatest Game Ever Played - PG for some brief mild language

A movie that is both rich in historical accuracy as well as enormous talent has proven, yet again, that The Walt Disney Company is a master storyteller. Unveiling a piece of America's sports history could have been a laborious task but Disney makes it interesting and fun. One does not need to understand the lingo of golf to fully enjoy this fine film.

With lush turn-of-the-century sets and a close eye paid to detail, along with a movingly beautiful soundtrack, the film guides us along smoothly and seamlessly. We feel not only the excitement of the match but the pain of being poor in a time when status was something that one was born into and guarded with fierceness to keep the unworthy out and a young man's struggle to do what he loves the most and still keep peace with his father.

With only two swear words (damn and hell, each said only once) and a brief bar fight (seen in the background and only for a few seconds) the film has received a PG rating but is still suitable for families. There is no sex in the film in any form. ► more

Oliver Twist - PG-13 for disturbing images

Oliver Twist contains a wide array of actions and behaviors which could be found offensive. First of all, the word "damn" is used five times, generally in the context of "damn you" or "damn you all." Violence is a serious issue in several ways. The most minor being the pickpocket habits of Fagin and his group of boys. Several characters are beaten or attacked by others close to them. Several times a gun is present, and used to threaten Oliver into submission. Oliver is then shot in the arm by Bill for attempting to foil a break-in at his kind guardian Mr. Brownlows' house. This climaxes into Bill's death, an accidental hanging while trying to keep Oliver away from the police. Overall, Oliver Twist is appropriate for children twelve and older; if they can read the book, they can watch the movie. ► more

Corpse Bride - PG for some scary images and action, and brief mild language

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride is a beautiful yet macabre masterpiece which follows in the footsteps of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Filmed completely in stop-animation, with several musical numbers, it is the story of shy Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) and his misadventures in love.

The Corpse Bride is exactly what the title says she is - a murdered woman buried in her wedding dress. Her injuries are not shown; however she is in a state of decomposition. There is a song about the Corpse Bride's life and death which is reenacted in shadows upon the wall. Nothing graphic is shown, however her death - murder - is explained.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride is not a family movie, it is recommended for children twelve and older (unless you want to be up all night.) ► more

Valiant - G

Valiant is a welcome alternative to the fluffier fare that is usually offered as children's entertainment. While young children won't pick up on many of the historical references interspersed throughout the film (such as one to Hitler's vegetarianism) adults will, and it will make it all the more enjoyable. Children will find themselves identifying with plucky little Valiant and his quirky friends. Parents will appreciate that even though he proves that he is just as strong and brave as the biggest pigeon, Valiant still needs his mother and his friends, and what's more, they need him.

This film is recommended for children 9 years and older for intense pursuit sequences and mild cartoon violence. ► more

The Year of Yao - PG for mild language

In a world where professional basketball players are as likely to be in the news for their bad behavior off the court as for their performance on the court, one shining star stands apart. This is Yao Ming, the first Chinese athlete to play for the NBA. His story is captured in the new documentary, The Year of Yao. ► more

The Dukes of Hazzard

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, crude and drug-related humor, language and comic action violence.

The Dukes of Hazzard's title says it all: It's a film hazard and should be avoided at all costs by family audiences. Foul language is used frequently. Sexual content is implied throughout the film, particularly with Daisy's revealing outfits and flirtations. Violence is also an issue in this movie, with countless brawls and car chases.  We recommend that The Dukes of Hazzard should be avoided by all ages and at all costs.

Sky High

Action and Adventure are all part of every day life at Sky High, the one-of-a-kind high school where the children of superheroes go to fine-tune the gifts they've inherited until the day comes when they can take-up the family business of fighting crime.

Questionable content:

• Some intense action and scary villains might be upsetting to really young children

• The use of a ray gun that turns all of the young superheroes as well as Steve Stronghold and Josie Jetstream back into babies might be frightening to young children

• A scene where some boys shoot rays from their hands to touch the buttocks of a girl in a short skirt might be considered inappropriate even though the girl then turns around and freezes them.

• Some mild language is used such as the word "butt" as well as "idiot" and "shut up" ► more

Must Love Dogs MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content

Sarah (Diane Lane) is a kindergarten teacher/divorcé who has not come to terms with her failed marriage. To try and help her get back into the real world, her sisters (Elizabeth Perkins and Ali Hillis), along with her father (Christopher Plummer) and assorted friends and in-laws, attempt to set her up with men that they know. None of their suggestions are accepted and as a last resort, her sister Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) creates a profile for her on a web based dating service using the hook line of "Must Love Dogs."► more

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - PG for quirky situations, action, and mild language

Moments that may concern some parents involve the accidents that happen to four of the five children when they stubbornly ignore Willy Wonka's rules and advice.  Though none of the children are actually harmed by the events, and later return to their normal selves, the incidents may be disturbing to some younger or more sen