‘Jack the GIANT SLAYER’
Rating: PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief language.
What it’s about: A farm boy finds himself battling giants to rescue a princess thanks to his mishandling of some magic beans.
The kid attractor factor: Fee. Fie. Foe. And Fum. In this case, giants eating Englishmen.
Good lessons/ bad lessons: Truth can become legend. And “a princess is useless."
Violence: A very high body count — knife fights, giants chomping down people — very little blood, however.
Language: A couple of very mild oaths.
Sex: A fairy-tale smooch.
Drugs: None.
Parents’ advisory: Entirely too loud and violent for the very young, suitable for 8 and older.
‘DARK SKIES’
Rating: PG-13 for violence, terror throughout, sexual material, drug content and language — all involving teens.
What it’s about: A suburban family under financial stress finds itself under assault by aliens.
The kid attractor factor: Creepy aliens chasing children.
Good lessons/ bad lessons: There are things even your parents cannot protect you from.
Violence: Birds die by the thousands, suicide, aliens grab kids.
Language: Some profanity.
Sex: Teenage smooching and petting.
Drugs: Pot is shared by teens, wine is consumed by adults.
Parents’ advisory: Too intense for anyone younger than 10.