LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW! * What It's About: Now that their children can speak for themselves, Mollie and James Ubriacco (Kirstie Alley and John Travolta) add two dogs (voiced by Danny DeVito and Diane Keaton) to the family. * Will Kids Want to Watch It? Although they'll love the dogs' scenes, you'll have to entertain them with popcorn and soda during all the adult talk about extramarital affairs, romance, and silicone implants. * MPAA: PG-13. *Sex/ Nudity: Mostly innuendo; James' boss, Samantha, attempts to seduce him. * Drugs/Alcohol: Mollie's mom (Olympia Dukakis) has a holiday drink; champagne is ordered at a restaurant. * Violence/Scariness: Some scenes involving wolves may scare young kids. * Objectionable Words/Phrases: Five. * Mature Themes: Dogs are loyal protectors; don't take your eyes off the road while driving. * Appropriate Ages: 8 and up.
MRS. DOUBTFIRE u What It's About: To be with his kids, divorced dad Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) transforms himself into a nanny named Mrs. Doubtfire and is hired by his ex-wife (Sally Field). * Will Kids Want to Watch It? No doubt about it. Williams is a riot, and his lovable character is supercalifragilistic. * MPAA: PG-13. * Sex/Nudity: None. * Drugs/Alcohol: Daniel and his boss (Robert Prosky) have a few rounds; Mrs. Doubtfire loses her teeth in her chardonnay, then belches after a beer. u Violence/Scariness: None. u Objectionable Words/ Phrases: About 20. u Mature Themes: Parents need their kids as much as kids need their parents; just because parents don't love each other anymore doesn't mean they don't keep loving their children. u Appropriate Ages: 8 and up.
PHILADELPHIA u What It's About: Young hotshot lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), represented by attorney Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), sues his former firm for firing him because he has AIDS. * Will Kids Want to Watch It? Yes, thanks to director Jonathan Demme's expert handling of a difficult subject, powerhouse performances (including those of Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward, and Mary Steenburgen), and an eclectic soundtrack with new songs by Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. This is an important film that has the potential to teach compassion while dispelling many of the myths about AIDS, and should be shown to all junior high and high school students. * MPAA: PG- 13. * Sex/Nudity: Some bare male backsides at a health club. * Drugs/Alcohol: Drinking at a party. u Violence/Scariness: The film documents the ravages of AIDS. u Objectionable Words/ Phrases: About 25. * Mature Theme: Victims of AIDS also become victims of prejudice. * Appropriate Ages: 12 and up.
SCHINDLER'S LIST * What It's About: The true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a Nazi party member who saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust. * Will Kids Want to Watch It? They will because Steven Spielberg directed it, but be warned: Although older children should see it for its important history lesson, this is a deadly serious, three-hour film that is intense and disturbing to watch. * MPAA: R. u Sex/Nudity: Jews in a concentration camp are forced to strip; couples are shown in bed. * Drugs/ Alcohol: Drinking during Nazi parties. u Violence/Scariness: Vivid depictions of the atrocities of the Holocaust (Nazis randomly shoot victims at close range; prisoners are forced to extract gold from the teeth of the dead; bodies are thrown into mass graves). * Objectionable Words/Phrases: About 15. * Mature Theme: "Who saves one life, saves the world." * Appropriate Ages: 13 and up.
