Which movies are fun for the whole family and which ones are treats just for you? Find out!
In theaters now:
Our Idiot Brother
Short Story:
After being dumped by his girlfriend, idealistic hippie Ned (Paul Rudd) crashes with -- and hilariously disrupts the lives of -- each of his three sisters: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), a career-driven journalist on the verge of her big break; Liz (Emily Mortimer), a devoted family woman so caught up in being the perfect mom that she doesn't notice that her marraige is falling apart; and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel), a bisexual hipster whose cheating ways are threatening to ruin her relationship with her girlfriend Cindy (Rashida Jones).
What They're Saying:
"While too overtly modest to be a comedy game-changer, it is almost sufficiently feisty and entertaining to render the term 'a Sundance movie' something less than dread-inspiring." -- MSN Movies
"It's refreshing, this late in the summer, to find a hot weather comedy that doesn't hate its characters and embed them in scatology and sexual impossibilities." -- Chicago Sun-Times
Good for Kids?
This comedy is rated R for sexual content and language, but adults should take time to enjoy one last laugh before the back-to-school mayhem begins.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Short Story:
Co-written by horror maestro Guillermo del Toro and based on the 1973 TV movie of the same name, the film follows architect Alex Hurst (Guy Pearce) his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) and Alex's daughter Sally (Bailee Madison), who set out to restore a Gothic mansion in the hopes of selling it. But when Sally gives in to voices asking her to free them from the sealed fireplace in the basement, she unleashes a herd of goblin-like monsters intent on destroying her family.
What They're Saying:
"If the grand finale isn't as resonantly scary as the original's, maybe that's just because, try though we might, we're no longer impressionable kids." -- Village Voice
"It's a plodding, derivative gothic potboiler: The Shining meets Coraline, with a touch of Gremlins played (boringly) straight." -- Entertainment Weekly
Good for Kids?
With an R rating, Common Sense Media recommends this horror film for teens ages 16 and above. Although there is far more suspense than actual gore, there are a few sequences of intense violence and death. Click to read the full Common Sense review!
Colombiana
Short Story:
After witnessing the murder of her parents, Catelya (Zoe Saldana) grows up to be an assasin. Working for her uncle as a trained professional killer, she spends her free time on a mission to find -- and kill -- those responsible for her parent's death.
What They're Saying:
"For the most part, it's all big and silly, but at least it's enjoyably staged and crafted." -- Associated Press
"Colombiana may not be the brainiest of actioners, but one of the merits of producer Luc Besson's latest brainchild is that fanboys worldwide will come away with a scrap of horticultural knowledge as well as a pretty good time." -- Variety
Good for Kids?
This revenge-driven action thriller promises to be a bit too violent for little ones. Rated PG-13, Common Sense Media tells parents to expect "plenty of edgy violence, with heavy gun use, physical fighting, and death." Click to read the full Common Sense review!
In case you missed:
One Day
Short Story:
On July 15, 1988, polar opposites Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) meet and begin a friendship that lasts a lifetime. Em is a working-class girl looking to improve the world and Dex is a wealthy charmer living the bachelor lifestyle. The film checks in with the pair every July 15 for 20 years, showing how their friendship grows and evolves into the love of a lifetime.
What They're Saying:
"It's a frustrating film, never light enough on its feet to be cute, never heartfelt enough to achieve 'You had me at Hello.'" -- Orlando Sentinel
"In a season of movies dumb and dumber, One Day has style, freshness and witty bantering dialogue." -- Chicago Sun-Times
Good For Kids?
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and partial nudity, this is a flick for mature teenagers and adults. Hire a babysitter if you are in the mood for a romantic drama featuring two hot young actors.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
Short Story:
Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) seems to have the perfect life: a new baby, two step kids (Rowan Chanchard and Mason Cook) and a famous TV reporter husband (Joel McHale). But Marissa is a retired secret agent -- and, when the evil TimeKeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the world, she has to leap back into action. With a new Spy Kid division open, Marissa's stepchildren Rebecca and Cecil get help from some familar spies Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) as they try to save the planet. As an added bonus, it's in 4-D -- which means it uses "Aromascope" so you can smell what's going on in the movie.
What They're Saying:
This movie has yet to be reviewed.
Good for Kids?
The fourth installment in the Spy Kids franchise is perfect for kids looking for adventure with their favorite family of spies. Common Sense Media says: "Kids who were fans of the first films may have aged out of the target audience by now, but even tweens and kids who aren't familiar with the earlier movies will want to check out a flick that stars kids as action heroes." Click to read the full Common Sense review!
Conan the Barbarian
Short Story:
Jason Momoa of Game of Thrones fame steps into the role of the sword-weilding barbarian that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, though filmmakers promise a new take on the saga. When his father is murdered and his village destroyed, Conan sets out on a quest for vengeance -- and ends up defending the great nations of Hyboria from witches and monsters who mean to conquer them.
What They're Saying:
"Here's a movie that's simultaneously lavishly violent and numbing, visually ornate and undistinguished, epic and shallow, relentlessly noisy and tone-deaf, workmanlike and unfilling." -- Entertainment Weekly
"Both truer to the vision of its character's creator, Robert E. Howard, and more satisfyingly pulpy than the 1982 movie incarnation." -- Village Voice
Good For Kids?
Common Sense Media reminds parents that this is a take on the Conan story inspired by the 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Rated R for strong, bloody violence and some nudity, this one isn't kid-friendly in the slightest. Click to read the full Common Sense review!
Fright Night
Short Story:
Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) has it all: He's popular and dating one of the hottest girls in school, but trouble arrives when a mysterious man named Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. Everyone seems to think Jerry is a great guy, including Charlie's mom (Toni Collette) -- but, as the trailer reveals, Jerry is actually a bloodthirsty vampire who's been killing kids in the area.
What They're Saying:
"This decent remake of the '80s vampire favorite should satiate horror fans." -- Hollywood Reporter
"At least this new version stays true to its origins by having a bit of cheeky fun, and the way it contemporizes the story is really rather clever." -- Associated Press
Good for Kids?
Rated R for bloody horror violence, it's best to hire a babysitter if you plan to see this reimagining of the 1985 cult favorite. Perfect for scary-movie fans, the film has recieved stellar reviews from the critics and should not be missed!
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/our-idiot-brother-dont-be-afraid-dark-colombiana-reviews/1-a-376323
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