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.

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Movies New in Theaters

showing: drama
bad_lieutenant_port_of_call_new_orleans.jpg
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (an unofficial remake of 1992's Bad Lieutenant), is far too dark and depraved for kids, even most teens. It centers on a post-Katrina New Orleans police lieutenant/junkie (Nicolas Cage) who ... read more

No Kids
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
4
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The Blind Side (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this formulaic but uplifting family sports drama -- which is based on the true story of football player Michael Oher -- centers on messages about inclusion, the benefits of hard work, and the importance of family. That said, it ... read more

Age 12+
The Blind Side
3
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The Messenger (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Messenger is an intense but thoughtful drama about a wounded Iraq War veteran who's been assigned the very difficult task of informing people of their loved ones' deaths. It's a grim subject that certainly won't appeal to ... read more

Age 17+
The Messenger
4
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Uncertainty (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this indie movie -- part thriller, part drama -- may prove too offbeat and experimental for teens, even though it stars (500) Days of Summer's Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It asks some big questions about family and relationships but ... read more

Age 15+
Uncertainty
2
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Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this powerful indie drama based on the novel Push by Sapphire is a harsh, raw depiction of a Harlem teen’s brutal life that may be too intense for many viewers, even older teens. The main character is abused in every way imaginable ... read more

Age 17+
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
4
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Motherhood (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Uma Thurman dramedy offers a fairly unvarnished look at parenthood that will appeal much more to moms and dads (who will be able to relate to the subject matter) than to their kids. Teens who do opt in will find some humor in ... read more

Age 15+
Motherhood
3
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Amelia (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this biopic about iconic female pilot Amelia Earhart (played by Oscar winner Hilary Swank) has a strong female role model for preteen girls and older. Although the film addresses Earhart's tumultuous personal life (including issues ... read more

Age 11+
Amelia
3
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New York, I Love You (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this collection of shorts about living in New York City -- whose large ensemble cast includes Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman, Blake Lively, and many more -- runs the gamut from sweet to seductive to sexually (at least ... read more

Age 16+
New York, I Love You
3
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Free Style (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that coming-of-age sports drama Free Style is grittier than what tweens and teens who "met" star Corbin Bleu through the hit High School Musical movies might expect. Although there’s little swearing ("dumba--" is as ... read more

Age 11+
Free Style
2
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An Education (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this smart 1960s-set drama written by popular author Nick Hornby explores a teenager's efforts to define her future, which includes making a mess of her well-laid plans -- most notably by becoming involved in a relationship with a ... read more

Age 14+
An Education
4
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The Boys Are Back (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Boys Are Back is a moving drama about profound loss experienced by both adults and children -- subject matter that could easily overwhelm younger kids and tweens. A mother’s death is depicted onscreen, as is her family's ... read more

Age 13+
The Boys Are Back
4
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Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this indie relationship drama directed by The Office star John Krasinski based on the story collection Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace is aimed at adults. The subject matter can feel very heavy, and the ... read more

Age 16+
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
3
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The Burning Plain (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this movie focuses on an adulterous relationship and the devastation it causes to its many victims. There are several scenes of frank sexuality, including passionate foreplay, suggested intercourse, and nudity (bare female breasts, ... read more

Age 17+
The Burning Plain
3
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Love Happens (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this romantic dramedy centers on the topic of grief (and moving past it). There are plenty of tearful references to how characters' loved ones died, so teens dealing with loss or other separation-related issues may find the movie ... read more

Age 14+
Love Happens
2
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Bright Star (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this moving period romance is tame on the surface -- there's virtually no violence, sex, strong language or other iffy content -- but it has an undercurrent of sexual longing fueled by social barriers that complicate the characters' ... read more

Age 12+
Bright Star
4
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Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

Parent need to know that this dramedy based on a play by Tyler Perry is both gritty and righteous. Although, like Perry's other films, it ends on a decidedly optimistic (if unsurprising) note, the main character is an iffy role model ... read more

Age 14+
Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself
2
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The Time Traveler's Wife (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tearjerker, though romantic, may prove too gloomy for tweens and younger teens. The central couple shares a powerful love, but their relationship is constantly tested, sometimes to the breaking point, and there are few moments ... read more

Age 15+
The Time Traveler's Wife
2
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Adam (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that, despite the marketing campaign, this romantic film about the unusual but deeply compassionate relationship between a man with a high-functioning form of autism and his new neighbor is more dramatic than comedic. There are frank ... read more

Age 13+
Adam
3
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Public Enemies (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this 1930s-set crime drama starring Johnny Depp as infamous bank robber John Dillinger is full of very realistic violence that some will find hard to take. Gun battles are frequent and intense, and characters suffer gory wounds and ... read more

Age 15+
Public Enemies
4
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Little Ashes (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this drama stars Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson, it's a mature film for mature audiences. It deals with sexual exploration and suppressed homosexual behavior in a restrictive society, and scenes depict intercourse, ... read more

Age 16+
Little Ashes
4
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The Last Mistress (2008, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that teens probably won't be clamoring to see this this mature, subtitled drama. It's plenty lusty (including fairly graphic sex scenes with partial and near-full nudity) and doesn't shy away from examining what lies behind obsessive ... read more

No Kids
The Last Mistress
2
more new in theater

New on DVD

showing: drama
my_sisters_keeper_DVD.jpg
My Sister's Keeper (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tearjerking drama explores some heavy themes that younger audiences may find difficult to process without guidance. A teenager is terminally ill, and her march to the end is painful: She vomits after chemo, her hair ... read more

Age 14+
My Sister's Keeper
3
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Away We Go (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that older teens may be intrigued by this indie drama because of star John Krasinski and writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. Its unvarnished look at different types of parenting, though exaggerated for cinematic effect, hits home and ... read more

Age 15+
Away We Go
3
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Lymelife (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this intense indie drama perfectly captures the chaos of adolescence, from the body changes that teens experience to their struggle to grasp both the concept and reality of love. That said, it deals with mature themes, including ... read more

Age 16+
Lymelife
4
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Next Day Air (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that although the trailers for this movie make it seem like a comic caper, it's actually a violent film that earns its R rating. There's a huge stand-off where all the major players shoot at each other -- and most of them die. Scenes also ... read more

Age 16+
Next Day Air
2
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The Soloist (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this stirring drama about friendship and the beauty of music depicts mental illness in a realistic light, neither overdramatizing nor underemphasizing it. Scenes that take place in L.A.'s gritty areas include some skirmishes and ... read more

Age 13+
The Soloist
4
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Two Lovers (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this indie drama stars Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow but is not a teen-oriented romance. The movie covers several mature themes like alienation, unrequited love, suicidal tendencies, and how parents relate to their adult ... read more

Age 16+
Two Lovers
1
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Phoebe in Wonderland (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that although children figure prominently in this fantasy-tinged drama, it deals with themes that are too mature for tweens and younger kids. The young characters exhibit some aggressive behavior -- including spitting, shoving, and ... read more

Age 13+
Phoebe in Wonderland
3
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Crossing Over (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this mature drama isn't likely to be on most teens' must-see lists. In the same vein as Traffic and Crash, it attempts to capture the complex nature of immigration to America (both legal and illegal), with desperate characters doing ... read more

Age 16+
Crossing Over
2
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Gran Torino (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this drama is about a prejudiced character coming to know and accept people of another race, it's loaded with racial invective and harsh racist language aimed at a broad spectrum of groups. Star Clint Eastwood's character ... read more

Age 16+
Gran Torino
3
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Revolutionary Road (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this 1950s-set adult drama deals with themes that are probably too intense for younger teens. It explores a marriage on the brink of destruction, which can be painful to watch, and tackles subjects like infidelity, gender roles, ... read more

Age 16+
Revolutionary Road
3
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Defiance (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this war movie isn't for kids. There are many fierce battles and violently graphic killings, as well as executions of unarmed citizens. Other images include hand-to-hand combat, mob beatings, point-blank shootings, and barbaric, ... read more

Age 16+
Defiance
3
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Forever Strong (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this bad-boy-makes-good-on-the-team drama includes scenes of alcohol- and drug-fueled partying, and consequences (one fatality) occur because of drunken driving. There is some blood in the roughhouse rugby action. A juvenile prison ... read more

Age 11+
Forever Strong
3
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Taking Chance (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this somber film traces the journey of Private Chance Phelps, from his death in battle in Iraq, to a military mortuary in the United States, and finally to his hometown where he is buried. It also follows Lt. Col. Mike Strobl, who ... read more

Age 14+
Taking Chance
4
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this moving, memorable film is a compelling exploration of life, death, and the enduring power of love. Despite such weighty subjects, older teens -- whose interest may initially be piqued by star Brad Pitt -- will likely find it ... read more

Age 13+
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4
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Last Chance Harvey (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sweet romance about middle-aged lovers deals with some mature themes -- family dysfunction, for starters -- in a low-key way that likely won't lure too many younger viewers. But those who do see it, especially older teens, will ... read more

Age 14+
Last Chance Harvey
3
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The Wrestler (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this critically acclaimed indie drama is a strong, brilliant, fierce film -- for adults only. The acting, direction, and writing are of Oscar caliber, but there's extensive nudity, unflinching violence, drinking, drug use/abuse, and ... read more

No Kids
The Wrestler
5
frost nixon dvd.jpg
Frost/Nixon (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that although kids may not be clamoring to see this talky, fairly intense political thriller, it serves as an informative introduction for teens (and adults) who want to know more about Watergate and how it brought down a sitting ... read more

Age 14+
Frost/Nixon
3
notorious dvd.jpg
Notorious (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this movie about a real life rapper whose life was full of drugs, sex, and ultimately lethal violence. Because the movie is well made and exciting, kids might feel it glamorizes his way of life. The gritty-but-moving biopic takes an ... read more

Age 16+
Notorious
3
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The Reader (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this mature drama revolves around the sexual relationship between a 15-year-old boy and a much older woman. There are extensive sex scenes, full-frontal nudity, and a real, raw sense of sensuality throughout the first half of the ... read more

Age 17+
The Reader
3
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Dark Matter (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that teens aren't likely to be clamoring to see this mature indie drama -- though if they do, its focus on the pressures of academia are likely to give them a lot to think about. A fictional take on a real-life tragedy, it includes mass ... read more

Age 16+
Dark Matter
4
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Not Easily Broken (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this well-meaning but inconsistent dramedy has lots of heart and a worthwhile message: Figure out what matters most, make life meaningful, and keep the faith. But some themes -- including infidelity, husband-and-wife power struggles, ... read more

Age 15+
Not Easily Broken
2
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