Movie ratings that actually work

 

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HUH? WHAT IS THIS?

We enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for them or their children, according to their own criteria. Unlike the MPAA we do not assign an inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE & PROFANITY on a scale of 0 to 10. We also explain in detail why a film rates high or low in a specific category, and we include instances of SUBSTANCE USE, a list of DISCUSSION TOPICS that may elicit questions from kids and MESSAGES the film conveys. Again, unlike the MPAA, we do not make age-specific recommendations. Since our system is based on objective standards, not the viewer's age or the artistic merits of a film, we enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for their children according to their own criteria. As we never tire pointing out, we make no judgments about what is good or bad or anything else. We do not "condemn," "critique" or "criticize" movies. And we don't "praise" or "recommend" movies either...

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NEW REVIEWS - 


Defiance - 4.8.5

WWII film based on the true story of a family of brothers (Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay) who created a community for escaped Jews deep in a Belarusian forest... [2:17 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Revolutionary Road - 7.5.6

Drama set in the 1950s: A newly married couple (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) embark on their new life, with high expectations: They are welcomed to their new neighborhood... [1:59 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Last Chance Harvey - 3.1.4

A divorced composer of commercial jingles (Dustin Hoffman) travels to London to attend his daughter's wedding, and upon arrival he realizes just how much he has missed by not being... [1:39 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


the listings continue below...


NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 7.6.5

Adapted from the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about the life of a man (Brad Pitt) who ages in reverse: He is born as an old man and as he grows he becomes a boy and then an infant... [2:47 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


Marley & Me - 5.4.4

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a young married couple that moves to Florida to find the perfect jobs in the perfect climate. While pursuing their dreams, they don't feel totally ready... [2:03 - PG]

[complete content analysis]


Valkyrie - 1.7.5

Based on a true story: During WWII a Nazi officer (Tom Cruise) comes to realize that his ideas about the future of Germany and how war is waged are completely dissimilar to the military... [2:00 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


The Spirit - 4.8.4

Based on Will Eisner's graphic novel, Gabriel Macht stars as The Spirit, a masked vigilante who fakes his own death in order to fight crime -- and especially a ruthless arch villain called The Octopus... [1:48 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


Bedtime Stories - 3.3.2

Adam Sandler stars as a maintenance man who dreams of managing a five-star resort hotel, that was built on the site of his father's far more modest hotel. When he has to take care of his young... [1:39 - PG]

[complete content analysis]


Slumdog Millionaire - 5.7.5

A young man who's lived all his life in the slums of Mumbai is on the verge of winning millions in India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Also with Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan.. [2:00 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Nothing But the Truth - 6.6.7

A journalist (Kate Beckinsale) reveals a C.I.A. agent's identity and is imprisoned when she refuses to disclose her source. Also with Alan Alda, Vera Farmiga, Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer... [1:47 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Yes Man - 6.4.5

Jim Carrey stars as a man who finds no joy in life after his wife dumps him. To change his mood he enrolls in a self-help group called "Yes Man" and agrees to say "Yes" to everything... [1:44 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


Tale of Despereaux - 1.3.1

A small mouse named Despereaux (voiced of Matthew Broderick) does not fit in with his family and community because he is not afraid of things that cause automatic panic among... [1:34 - G]

[complete content analysis]


Seven Pounds - 6.6.4

Will Smith stars as a man who's unable to deal with the death of the woman he loved and comes to terms with his pain by donating his organs to people who are struggling under... [2:03 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


The Wrestler - 8.7.8

After suffering a heart attack, an aging professional wrestler (Mickey Rourke) must come to terms with the fact that he'll have to stop wrestling or he will die. Also with Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood... [1:45 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Wendy and Lucy - 1.2.6

A young woman (Michelle Williams) and her dog become stranded in Oregon while driving to Alaska to seek a better life. Also with Will Patton, Will Oldham, John Robinson, Wally Dalton... [1:20 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Gran Torino - 4.7.10

A racist Korean War Veteran (Clint Eastwood) befriends and protects his Asian-American neighbors after intervening in a gang-related fight. Also with Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her... [1:56 - R]

[complete content analysis]


The Day the Earth Stood Still - 1.6.2

Remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic: a representative of an alien and far superior civilization visits the Earth to determine whether humanity is capable of changing its aggressive nature.... [1:50 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


Doubt - 3.3.4

Drama taking place in the early 1960s: Meryl Streep stars as a rather severe nun in a Catholic school, who prides herself on being feared by the students. She sets her sights on the apparently... [1:44 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


Nothing Like the Holidays - 5.4.4

All of the members of the Rodriguez family are coming home for the holidays: Returning from California and New York, and as far away as Iraq, each member comes with his or her own... [1:39 - PG-13]

[complete content analysis]


The Reader - 9.4.2

Kate Winslet stars as a woman in post World War II Germany, who finds a sick young man (David Kross) in the entrance to her apartment, takes him in and they begin a passionate relationship.... [2:02 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Cadillac Records - 7.5.10

Based on a true story: Adrien Brody stars as Leonard Chess, the man who started the Chess Records label and recorded such artists as Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Etta James... [1:48 - R]

[complete content analysis]


Nobel Son - 8.7.7

Black comedy with Alan Rickman as a womanizing professor who wins the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. However, his gloating is short-lived when he and his wife (Mary Steenburgen) learn... [1:15 - R]

[complete content analysis]


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