http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoer?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFamily Filmgoeren-us1514020http://www.washingtonpost.comhttp://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gifhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6938-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6938-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT Perhaps it was the solemn responsibility of being the first feature film ever granted permission to use the interior of the United Nations in New York as a key location, but "The Interpreter" translates into a surprisingly ponderous thriller. Teens fascinated by world affairs will find much to chew on, but thrills aren't the main course in this overwritten tale of a U.N. interpreter (Nicole Kidman) who overhears an assassination plot and the Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) who tries to discern whether she's trustworthy. Director Sydney Pollack seems more interested in the quiet, earnest (and occasionally interminable) moments when the characters speak about the mission of the U.N. and the strife in developing African countries. The "thrills" feel like afterthoughts and a strong performance by Penn as a widower burying his grief in work (while Kidman seems stiff and mannered) can't carry the film over its endless talk and bumpy plot holes.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6939-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6939-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "The Game of Their Lives" (PG). Interesting, fact-based sports tale, badly flawed by clumsy writing, directing, painfully earnest, even jingoistic tone, about American soccer team (recruited among amateur club players from St. Louis's Italian neighborhood, East Coast and one Haitian immigrant) that went to Brazil in 1950 to compete in the World Cup and, against all odds, beat the top-rated British team; told in flashback by an aging newspaperman (Patrick Stewart; Terry Kinney as his younger self); exciting match against Brits, followed by touching present-day closer with D.C. United team honoring men of the 1950 team. Mild profanity, ethnic slurs; crude languge; harrowing plane trip; cigars, beer.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53135-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53135-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT In this better-than-workmanlike remake of the 1979 horror hit (and cautionary tale for home buyers), the characters most put at risk are children. And the risks they face are harrowing as they escalate -- verbal abuse, threats and an evermore demonically possessed, shotgun-toting stepfather. They also endure appearances by bloodied, bullet-riddled ghosts of murder and torture victims. That's enough to make "The Amityville Horror" unsuitable for high schoolers under 16. In addition, the movie includes blood-splattered flashbacks of a son slaughtering his family, including younger siblings. The children's deaths are not shown fully on camera but are strongly implied, and the bloody aftermath is shown. Other icky elements include the murder of a pet, swarming flies and maggots, a suicide theme, an explicit sexual situation with implied semi-nudity, teen drug use and profanity.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53136-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53136-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Robots" (PG). Delightful, witty, inventive computer-animated fable set in a robot world with Fiestaware colors, Rube Goldbergesque designs; young inventor Rodney Copperbottom (voice of Ewan McGregor) leads fellow robots (voices of Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Halle Berry, others) in nonviolent revolt against evil robotics executive (Greg Kinnear) who aims to eliminate spare parts and old robots, reversing policy of company founder Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Mild sexual innuendo about making robot babies; flatulence gags; robot pierced with screws wears "Got Screwed" sign; Aunt Fanny robot has huge derriere; hellish underground shop where old 'bots are melted down could scare youngest.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34097-2005Apr7.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34097-2005Apr7.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore light up the screen surprisingly well as co-stars in this amiable romantic comedy about Ben, a boyish schoolteacher, and Lindsey, an elegant female executive, who fall madly in love. They hit a snag, though, when Ben's all-consuming passion for the Boston Red Sox turns him into another person entirely during baseball season -- the sort who yells like an idiot into a TV camera in praise of his team. Teenagers who appreciate comedy in its subtler (but not too subtle) forms will grin. The movie contains occasional crude language and profanity, a funny/gross sequence about vomit, plenty of mild sexual innuendo (by today's PG-13 standards), and a few passionate kissing scenes leading up to merely implied sexual situations and morning-after cuddles. A possible unplanned pregnancy becomes a brief subplot. Flashbacks to Ben's childhood deal with his parents' divorce and his depression, cured by trips with an uncle to Boston's Fenway Park.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15798-2005Mar31.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15798-2005Mar31.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Beauty Shop" proves nearly as entertaining and audience-friendly as a female-focused spinoff of the "Barbershop" films. By now the concept seems a tad watered-down and sitcomish, but it is a pleasant enough diversion for high schoolers, with an amiable message about embracing diversity. Queen Latifah brings her tough-but-tender persona to the lead, softer than Ice Cube's in the earlier films, but similar. Stylists and customers in "Beauty Shop" talk a lot of trash, though, making the film iffy for middle schoolers. The dialogue includes strong sexual innuendo that occasionally goes beyond hinting and into explicit sexual slang and discussion of sex practices and sex organs. The script features occasional profanity and gay humor, some of it homophobic. Characters chat about breast implants and Botox injections, which some parents might not want teen girls to see glamorized. Drinking is also shown.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62992-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62992-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMTSandra Bullock is an eminently likable star with a gift for comedy. But even she, reprising her role as FBI agent Gracie Hart, can't save this ill-conceived sequel, whose feeble plot literally drains it of all reason to exist. Teen audiences may still get a giggle out of watching Bullock cut up and match wits and fists with a tiny but fearsome fellow agent with "anger management issues" played by Regina King. "Miss Congeniality 2" shows head-banging, crotch-kicking fights and nonlethal gunplay. Some parents may object to the film's use of physical violence as a comical way of settling disputes. The movie also contains sexual innuendo; stereotyped gay humor; jokes about tampons, cramps and fake breasts; and a crude remark about using Tasers on genitals.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62993-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62993-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Robots" (PG). Witty computer-animated fable set in a robot world with Fiestaware colors, Rube Goldbergesque design; inventor-hero Rodney Copperbottom (voice of Ewan McGregor) leads fellow robots (voices of Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Halle Berry, others) in uprising against evil executive (Greg Kinnear) who aims to eliminate spare parts and old robots so he can sell new models, reversing policy of company founder Mr. Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Occasional mild sexual innuendo about making robot babies; flatulence jokes; robot pierced with screws has "Got Screwed" sign; Aunt Fanny 'bot has huge derriere; hellish underworld Chop Shop, where old robots are melted down, could scare younger kids.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43665-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43665-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT Strong performances at the center of this ultra-sanitized family film will keep kids (mostly girls) 8 and older interested in "Ice Princess," even though its alleged high school juniors and seniors seem more like middle schoolers and its setting feels more like 1965 than 2005, laptop computers and digital cameras notwithstanding. This is really a teen saga for grade schoolers to enjoy. The film contains no strong language or crude humor. There's barely a hint of sexual innuendo in the story, a little flirting and a chaste kiss. The only elements in the film that could give very young children or their parents pause are unethical behaviors. The skaters in the film say destructive things or slam into one another before competitions. And some of their parents are scary -- ambitious stage moms crossed with haranguing Little League dads. Yikes!]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43666-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43666-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Robots" (PG). Delightful, witty computer-animated fable set in a robot world with Fiestaware colors, Rube Goldbergesque design; inventor-hero Rodney Copperbottom (voice of Ewan McGregor) leads fellow robots (voices of Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Halle Berry, others) in uprising against evil executive (Greg Kinnear) who aims to eliminate spare parts and old robots so he can sell new models, reversing policy of company founder Mr. Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Occasional mild sexual innuendo about making robot babies; flatulence jokes; robot pierced with screws has "Got Screwed" sign; Aunt Fanny 'bot has huge derriere; hellish underworld Chop Shop, where old robots are melted down, could briefly scare younger kids.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23684-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23684-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT A delightful computer-animated concoction that rivals "The Incredibles," this ingenious fable about a robot world, painted in Fiestaware colors and designed in Rube Goldbergesque style, should enchant kids 6 and older. The smart, funny script includes occasional mild sexual innuendo and crude humor: Baby robots come in a box and parents must assemble them, so someone remarks that "making the baby is the fun part." A robot with huge screws through it carries a sign, "Got Screwed." A nice 'bot named Aunt Fanny crashes into things with her wide derriere. There are toilet humor jokes about oil changes and flatulence. A hellish underworld called the Chop Shop, where old robots are melted down, could briefly scare younger kids.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23685-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23685-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "The Pacifier" (PG). Vin Diesel flexes his clumsy but willing comedy muscles in contrived but often amusing tale of a Navy SEAL sent to protect five kids after their dad, a scientist, is murdered; they don't want military rules and he knows no other way; Brad Garrett as nasty vice principal at kids' school, Lauren Graham as the nice principal. Poopy diaper humor, "boob" joke; mild profanity; school bullies; Nazi armband whose meaning is never explained at a kid's level; action sequences with bloodless gunplay, martial arts fights, explosions; kids briefly put in jeopardy; some parents may object to Hollywood's cutesy-fying of military culture.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4060-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4060-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMTIts contrived plot creaks and star Vin Diesel isn't very light on his feet, comedically speaking, yet "The Pacifier" has a few amusing moments, though it does rather cutesy-fy all things military. Kids 8 and older may get a charge out of watching a tough Navy SEAL try to guard five obstreperous kids. The children are grieving and angry because their dad, a government scientist at work on a secret military project, has been murdered, and they could be targets, too. They are not interested in wearing tracking devices or living under military discipline, but when their mother (Faith Ford) is called away, the kids -- two teens (Brittany Snow and Max Thieriot), a grade schooler (Morgan York), plus a toddler and an infant -- are stuck with the muscled Shane (Diesel). The nanny (Carol Kane) quits, the kids' macho vice principal (Brad Garrett) hates him and the principal (Lauren Graham) flirts with him, but Shane doesn't crack. He changes smelly diapers, helps troubled teens and gets in touch with his nurturing side while watching for killer spies. Aside from diaper humor, the film includes "boob" jokes, mild profanity, school bullies and a Nazi armband whose meaning (someone is in a production of "The Sound of Music") is never explained at a kid's level. Action sequences with bloodless gunplay, martial arts fighting and explosions briefly put kids in jeopardy.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4061-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4061-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Because of Winn-Dixie" (PG). Sweet, well-acted, leisurely told, bittersweet tale with spiritual dimension (based on Kate DiCamillo's book) about lonely girl (AnnaSophia Robb) living in a trailer park with her preacher dad (Jeff Daniels); her life changes when she adopts a stray pooch; the mutt tugs her into life-altering friendships with a librarian (Eva Marie Saint), a recluse (Cicely Tyson), a shy pet store manager (musician Dave Matthews); she learns why her mother left the family, about grown-ups with problems. One swear word; doggy-poop humor; gross, kid-type insults; upsetting scenes when officers try to grab Winn-Dixie, when he gets afraid of thunderstorms, when a surly man remarks he once shot a dog.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50175-2005Feb24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50175-2005Feb24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT There may be enough live-action slapstick and cartoonish, computer-animated craziness in "Son of the Mask" to coax occasional chuckles from bored kids 9 and older. Yet there is just no way around the fact that this is one tiresome, unfunny, uglified movie. Intended as a sequel to the technologically groundbreaking 1994 film "The Mask" (rated PG-13), this film again has human (and canine) characters morphing into goggle-eyed creatures and back. The absence of original star Jim Carrey is not the only problem. The underdeveloped story and sophomoric dialogue just emphasize that this is a movie mostly about effects.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50176-2005Feb24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50176-2005Feb24.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" (G). Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger and Eeyore venture into Heffalump Hollow to track the dreaded beast, while Baby Roo befriends a baby Heffalump and realizes their prejudices are silly, in charming Disney animated feature (68 minutes), with storybook visuals, leisurely pace, quiet humor that keep the tone, if not the Britishness, of A.A. Milne's Pooh stories, while inventing a new one; one too many nice songs by Carly Simon could cause fidgets. Tots may get nervous seeing dark Heffalump Hollow or when Roo falls into a hole and must be saved.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32468-2005Feb17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32468-2005Feb17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT A sweet story of a lonely little girl and the shaggy stray dog who teaches her how to make friends and bring happiness to others, "Because of Winn-Dixie" includes more real sadness and religious content than many mainstream films geared to children. It also unfolds a tad slowly for some fidget-prone kids. However, the movie (based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo) has many rewards -- a strong cast playing complicated, flawed, but likable adults; an adorable pooch; and an eccentric, small-Southern-town atmosphere that avoids many stereotypes. Credit director Wayne Wang for his light touch.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32469-2005Feb17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32469-2005Feb17.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviews/familyfilmgoerFri, 22 Apr 2005 4:28:29 GMT "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" (G). Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger and Eeyore venture into Heffalump Hollow to track the dreaded beast, while Baby Roo befriends a baby Heffalump and realizes their prejudices are silly, in charming Disney animated feature (68 minutes), with storybook visuals, leisurely pace, quiet humor that keep the tone, if not the Britishness, of A.A. Milne's Pooh stories, while inventing a new one; one too many nice songs by Carly Simon could cause fidgets. Tots may get nervous seeing dark Heffalump Hollow or when Roo falls into a hole and must be saved.]]>