Handpicked by Our Editors

Matilda
Age 8+
5

Matilda

Why We Recommend It

Clever Matilda handles bullying kids and berating adults with fantastical solutions that bend slightly dark and surreal.

Read our full review
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Movies New in Theaters

showing: comedy
old_dogs.jpg
Old Dogs (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this family comedy from the director of Wild Hogs promises lots of sight gags and physical humor, usually at the expense of stars Robin Williams and John Travolta. Williams plays an older bachelor who discovers that he has spirited ... read more

Old Dogs
boat_that_rocked_ver8.jpg
Pirate Radio (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that, though Pirate Radio is about rebellion of every stripe, it's ultimately a good-natured film filled with good-hearted characters who will appeal to mature teens (as well as parents who cherish rock 'n' roll). The movie's events are ... read more

Age 16+
Pirate Radio
3
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Gentlemen Broncos (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this comedy from the folks behind Napoleon Dynamite -- which co-stars Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement -- is pretty light on sexuality and swearing (particularly for a PG-13 movie), it's quite uncomfortable to watch. ... read more

Age 12+
Gentlemen Broncos
1
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The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this offbeat war comedy based on the same-named book by Jon Ronson could be a magnet for teens intrigued by both the loopy humor and stars George Clooney and Ewan McGregor. Drug use -- presented in a humorous context -- plays a key ... read more

Age 15+
The Men Who Stare at Goats
3
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Couples Retreat (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau was originally rated R for sexual content and language, but the MPAA lowered the rating to PG-13 after an appeal. But there's no shortage of sexual innuendo remaining, as well as ... read more

Age 15+
Couples Retreat
3
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Adventures of Power (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tedious Napoleon Dynamite wannabe has some comedic violence (including beatings and martial arts), some kissing and suggestive talk, and a bit of strong language (including words like "p---y" and "ass"). ... read more

Age 13+
Adventures of Power
1
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St. Trinian's (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this British boarding-school comedy will probably appeal most to teens who enjoy quirky and/or independent films -- though they won't find any positive role models or messages here. Although it's all played for laughs, the students ... read more

Age 13+
St. Trinian's
3
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Whip It (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this coming-of-age sports dramedy -- which stars Juno's Ellen Page and was directed by perennial teen fave Drew Barrymore -- offers empowering messages for girls, especially those with unconventional interests/hobbies. Although the ... read more

Age 13+
Whip It
3
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The Invention of Lying (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Invention of Lying is, like most of star Ricky Gervais' humor, irreverent and edgy (though also thought provoking). Nothing is sacred -- including religion (in the movie, the concept of God, aka "The Man in the Sky," is ... read more

Age 14+
The Invention of Lying
3
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A Serious Man (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that the Coen brothers' A Serious Man features extensive use of marijuana (in some cases by pre-teen boys) and lots of profanity (from "f--k" and "s--t" on down the line). There's some sexual material as well (a ... read more

Age 16+
A Serious Man
4
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The Informant! (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this engaging Steven Soderbergh comedy received an R rating principally for language. The actual subject matter -- corporate misdeeds -- may only appeal to teens, however, because it stars Matt Damon. The movie is based on a true ... read more

Age 15+
The Informant!
4
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All About Steve (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this offbeat comedy includes some sexual content (Sandra Bullock strips down to her bra, and Bradley Cooper is shirtless in the film's one love scene), as well as humorous but continuous references to sex, dating, and unrequited, ... read more

Age 14+
All About Steve
2
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Extract (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this lukewarm workplace comedy from Mike Judge (of King of the Hill and Office Space fame) includes a good bit of talk about sex, but no actual sex scenes or nudity (though many of the male characters do their share of leering at ... read more

Age 15+
Extract
2
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Taking Woodstock (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this R-rated Ang Lee dramedy about the backstory behind the famous Woodstock festival is quite accurate in depicting the time period and the event itself -- in other words, there's plenty of drug use (pot, acid, etc.), nudity, and ... read more

Age 15+
Taking Woodstock
3
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Post Grad (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this lighthearted Alexis Bledel comedy is on the milder side for a PG-13 -- expect some swearing (including a few "s--t"s and one "f--k") and some social drinking, making out, and discussion of an STD. But ... read more

Age 13+
Post Grad
3
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World's Greatest Dad (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that World's Greatest Dad is a very dark comedy about a father who inadvertently profits from his teenage son's accidental death. There's strong language (words like "f--k" and "s--t" are said in nearly every scene), ... read more

Age 16+
World's Greatest Dad
3
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Bandslam (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this music-filled high school flick stars tween favorites Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka, so expect interest from kids familiar with their Disney projects. Although it's rated PG and doesn't have any drinking/smoking, violence, ... read more

Age 10+
Bandslam
4
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Julie & Julia (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this dramedy is ultimately upbeat, it isn't all sugary sweet. The protagonists -- strong female characters played by Amy Adams and Meryl Streep -- both undergo identity crises of sorts and must grapple with all that entails, ... read more

Age 13+
Julie & Julia
3
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Paper Heart (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this semi-scripted, semi-documentary-style movie co-starring Juno's Michael Cera focuses on a young actress' search for the meaning of love. There's not much sexuality, since the focus is on romantic love, but there are a couple of ... read more

Age 13+
Paper Heart
3
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Cold Souls (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this indie comedy about the soul transplant business is imaginative, it probably won't have much appeal for kids or young teens. It's grown-up material, and the humor comes from taking our culture's incessant soul-searching ... read more

Age 15+
Cold Souls
3
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Funny People (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that director Judd Apatow's latest comedy is loaded with the strong language (from "f--k" to "p---y" and then some), adult behavior, and sexualized material (including lots of penis jokes and one scene with naked ... read more

Age 16+
Funny People
4
more new in theater

New on DVD

showing: comedy
Expired.jpg
Expired (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this mature indie dramedy revolves around a tentative, troubled romance between adults and probably won't have too much appeal for kids, or even many teens. It's fairly explicit about sex, with one main character using Internet ... read more

Age 16+
Expired
3
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Bruno (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this mockumentary from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is even edgier and more sexually explicit than his previous outing, Borat. It's full of intentionally shocking material, including a startling amount of nudity (both male and female ... read more

No Kids
Bruno
3
uglytruth.jpg
The Ugly Truth (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this R-rated comedy is much crasser than star Katherine Heigl's last romcom, 27 Dresses. It's heavy on sexual references and scenarios (Jell-O wrestling, vibrating underwear, etc.) and light on sweetness. The characters are ... read more

Age 15+
The Ugly Truth
2
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The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this raunchy comedy is packed with over-the-top, crude language and sexual jokes/innuendo from beginning to end. No bodily function is left unreported; no serious issue is safe from the lowest forms of humor. Expect a constant stream ... read more

Age 16+
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
3
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Spread (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this mature Ashton Kutcher dramedy is an interesting take on beautiful L.A. and all its associated ugliness -- but it's definitely not for kids. Expect lots of fairly graphic sex scenes (including naked breasts and buttocks), some ... read more

No Kids
Spread
2
my_one_nad_only.jpeg
My One and Only (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this 1950s-set comedy starring Renee Zellweger is fairly light and frothy in tone, it takes on mature themes like adultery, single parenthood, and divorce's effects on children. In addition to plenty of irresponsible ... read more

Age 14+
My One and Only
3
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I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a review of the movie shown in theaters and not the unrated version with an alternate ending available on DVD.Parents also need to know that this deplorable teen comedy targets teens especially since it stars Heroes ... read more

Age 14+
I Love You, Beth Cooper
1
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Whatever Works (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tepid Woody Allen comedy tackles mature themes like threesomes, homosexual relationships, and infidelity, though there's little actual nudity or explicit sexual content. The main character tries to commit suicide (played ... read more

Age 15+
Whatever Works
2
Nothingliketheholidays.jpg
Nothing Like the Holidays (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that, like most contemporary holiday movies, this film features a large, loud, "dysfunctional" family dealing with lots of issues. One son has just come back from Iraq and could have post-traumatic stress, another has a Jewish ... read more

Age 13+
Nothing Like the Holidays
3
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Snow 2: Brain Freeze (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sequel to Snow is as family-friendly as the original movie -- and slightly less bland to boot. A former big game hunter plays the meanie. Santa is depicted not only as real but all too human, and his zany antics and pratfalls ... read more

Age 5+
Snow 2: Brain Freeze
3
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The Proposal (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this charming romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds has a much talked-about scene in which the leads, both naked, accidentally crash into and fall down on top of each other. But since it's rated PG-13, all that's ... read more

Age 14+
The Proposal
4
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Dance Flick (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this lowbrow comedy is much raunchier than the teen-friendly dance movies it's spoofing. There's lots of gross-out humor, including a character's head literally going up his butt, a fat man squashing a thinner man in a dance battle, ... read more

Age 14+
Dance Flick
2
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My Life in Ruins (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this romcom probably isn't on most kids' radar, with the exception of teen girls who love romantic films. Sexuality includes discussions about the main character's sex life, some kissing, and a brief post-coital shot of a ... read more

Age 13+
My Life in Ruins
3
ImagineThat_DVD_Front.jpg
Imagine That (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Eddie Murphy father-daughter comedy is aimed squarely at families, so expect your kids to be interested. The good news is that it's mostly tame and family-friendly, except for a few exclamations like "crap" and ... read more

Age 6+
Imagine That
3
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Year One (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this farcical romp through the Book of Genesis -- which was originally rated R but got edited down to an edgy PG-13 -- is full of slapstick violence, crude sexual material, strong language (including "f--k"), and ... read more

Age 14+
Year One
2
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Management (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this indie romcom probably won't have much appeal for kids, even many teens. A note of melancholy runs through it, and its themes -- romantic and professional boredom -- are fairly mature, though the film does have interesting things ... read more

Age 16+
Management
2
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Observe and Report (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that while this dark, disturbing comedy may be funny, it's very different from star Seth Rogen's other R-rated raunchfests. It has all of the language, strong sexual content (including full-frontal male nudity), drinking, and drug use of ... read more

No Kids
Observe and Report
4
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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this predictable romantic comedy about a shameless womanizer who ultimately sees the error of his ways has plenty of innuendo and discussion about sex, though there's more talk than action. Expect to see deep kissing, some groping, ... read more

Age 14+
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
2
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Easy Virtue (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this play-based period comedy might not seem to be standard fare for teens at first glance, but its two leads -- Jessica Biel of 7th Heaven and Prince Caspian's Ben Barnes -- may be a draw. The film tackles some mature themes, mainly ... read more

Age 14+
Easy Virtue
3
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Nature of the Beast (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this suspenseful made-for-TV movie includes occasionally bloody violence and multiple scenes of gun use. Frightening werewolves hunt and attack humans, biting them to pass along the curse or, in one case, devouring them altogether ... read more

Age 13+
Nature of the Beast
3
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I'll Believe You (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sci-fi movie contains some mild language like "bastard" and "goddamn," but otherwise has very little iffy content. That said, the movie is not oriented toward kids or teens. read more

Age 9+
I'll Believe You
2
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