The last weekend of summer – and there’s not much to recommend in the way of family films. So along with the two big flicks that opened this week, we’ve found a few golden-oldies still playing on the big screen, plus a couple of good videos for a rainy day.
RECOMMENDED, WITH RESERVATIONS
“THE HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME” (R): This fourth, deeply tedious “Highlander” film about ageless warriors who can only be killed by beheading, and who have rich memories of various historical eras, unites cast members of the spinoff TV series.
Adrian Paul stars as the protege of original Highlander Christopher Lambert. The confused, illogical plot has something to do with an evil villain’s desire for vengeance and/or world domination, but is really an excuse for a series of sword duels.
Language: Mild profanity.
Sex: Two brief sex scenes involving a married couple. You see her naked back and buttocks.
Violence: Stabbings, slashings, beheadings and kung fu fights. Explosions and lightning coursing through human bodies could frighten small children.
Audience: Mature teens might enjoy this.
– Jonathan Foreman
NOT RECOMMENDED
“WHIPPED” (R): A vulgar sex comedy starring Amanda Peet, who played the ditsy dental assistant and hitwoman-wannabe from “The Whole Nine Yards.”
This time, she’s dating three best buddies (played by newcomers Brian Van Holt, Jonathan Abrahams and Zorie Barber) who like to think of themselves as “scammers,” pickup artists who woo, win and dump members of the opposite sex – then boast about it.
Peet teaches them that both sexes can play this game – but that’s a lesson few parents will want to share with their kids.
Language: Ample profanity and a lot of lewd sex talk.
Sex: Naked breasts and male behinds, plus threesomes.
Violence: A few tussles.
Audience: Not even for adults.
AND DON’T FORGET . . .
“CHICKEN RUN” (G): Mel Gibson voices a rooster in this animated story about chickens trapped in a coop yearning to be free. (What parent doesn’t feel like that every once in a while?) A G-rated joy for all.
“DINOSAUR” (PG): So your kid was psyched to see “Dinosaur” – but you thought it was too violent so you skipped it. Let’s discuss: If your kid can watch the Discovery Channel and see Shamu gobbling baby seals, he can probably handle Disney’s animated tale about a mismatched group of dinosaurs trying to attain Eden well before extinction.
VIDEOS WORTH VIEWING
“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”: Many think this 1965 Julie Andrews musical is the best family movie ever. Filled with fabulous songs, children of every age, a love story and evil Nazis, this is a movie that has something for everyone – and not a single swear word. Now available with Spanish subtitles.
“THE TIGGER MOVIE”: This bittersweet comedy about Tigger coming to terms with being an orphan, albeit one with devoted friends, is great precisely because the filmmakers didn’t try to update or soup up the wonderful world of Pooh and his friends. It’s a joy for the whole family.