Parents' Guide for the latest movies

Trippin’

What it’s about:
Greg (Deon Richmond) daydreams his senior year of high school away instead of figuring out what he should do with his life.

Will kids want to watch it?:
Maybe. It’s being marketed as a lively urban comedy with a hip soundtrack.

MPAA Rating:
R

Sex/Nudity:
A woman bares her breasts for Greg in one of his many sexual dreams.

Drugs/Alcohol:
Students drink; Greg’s buddy gets involved with a drug dealer.

Violence/Scariness:
Greg is threatened with knives and guns; lots of shooting in a Terminator-like fantasy.

Objectional words/phrases:
More than 100

What’s good about it:
Greg ultimately finishes his college applications and gets accepted.

What’s not so good:
That Terminator-like fantasy couldn’t come at a worse time.

Appropriate ages:
16 and up

Star Wars: Episode 1

What it’s about:
Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are sent to help Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) and meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) in the process.

Will kids want to watch it?:
Duh. It’s chockful of Jedi duels, epic space battles, and broad, kid-friendly comedy.

MPAA Rating:
PG

Sex/Nudity:
None

Drugs/Alcohol:
None

Violence/Scariness:
The Jedi and their charges are in constant peril; much bloodless combat carnage

Objectional words/phrases:
None

What’s good about it:
Amidala is a strong female ruler; thanks to the efforts of a child, good prevails.

What’s not so good:
Some of the aliens’ accents offensively echo those of Jamaicans, Arabs, and Asians.

Appropriate ages:
7 and up

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What it’s about:
A star-studded cast (Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Kline, Calista Flockhart, Rupert Everett) takes on the Bard’s classic comedy about foolish mortals, mismatched lovers, and fairies.

Will kids want to watch it?:
No. They’re more likely to consider this glittery production much ado about nothing.

MPAA Rating:
PG-13

Sex/Nudity:
Glimpses of male backsides and nymphs’ breasts; couples frolic under the covers.

Drugs/Alcohol:
Glasses and bottles are raised.

Violence/Scariness:
None

Objectional words/phrases:
None

What’s good about it:
The language of Shakespeare beats that of most other movies.

What’s not so good:
Helena begs Demetrius to treat her like a dog.

Appropriate ages:
13 and up

The Mummy

What it’s about:
While searching for ancient Egyptian treasure, a group of explorers (led by Brendan Fraser) accidentally revive a long-dormant evil creature.

Will kids want to watch it?:
Yes. They’ll get wrapped up in this two-hour F/X spectacle.

MPAA Rating:
PG-13

Sex/Nudity:
The pharaoh’s scantily clad mistress

Drugs/Alcohol:
Some drinking

Violence/Scariness:
Dozens are killed by swords and guns; the Mummy is a slimy walking corpse; scarabs get under the skin.

Objectional words/phrases:
About 13

What’s good about it:
Librarian Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) is bright, brave, and unflappable.

What’s not so good:
The negative Arab stereotyping

Appropriate ages:
10 and up

Election

What it’s about:
Teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) tries to prevent annoying overachiever Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) from becoming student-council president.

Will kids want to watch it?:
Yes. Commercials are running 24/7 on MTV, which produced this sharp satire.

MPAA Rating:
R

Sex/Nudity:
A girl performs oral sex; Jim has extramarital sex.

Drugs/Alcohol:
Students drink beer and smoke pot.

Violence/Scariness:
McAllister gets stung on his eyelid by a bee.

Objectional words/phrases:
About 30

What’s good about it:
Characters are ultimately held accountable for their devious actions.

What’s not so good:
The teachers’ behavior is even more juvenile than the students’.

Appropriate ages:
15 and up