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
Teen movies may push boundaries, but they're great conversation starters.

Teens are notoriously private. But movies can offer you a rare window into their lives. They'll be much more comfortable talking about sex, drinking, and risky behavior when they're discussing an actor or character -- rather than themselves.

When you can't control what your kids see, you can start a conversation. Check out the “families can talk about” section in our reviews. We offer suggestions that can lead to great talks.

Movie Reviews

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Movies New in Theaters for Teenagers (ages 15-17)

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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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Broken Embraces (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this drama -- like Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's other movies -- is a complex, engrossing story with themes that are too mature for even most older teens, including infidelity and spousal abuse. Expect frank sexual discussion ... read more

No Kids
Broken Embraces
3
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Red Cliff (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that director John Woo's rousing battle epic based on Chinese history definitely has plenty of violence (spraying blood, martial arts, etc.) and other war-related themes, as well as one notable sex scene. But there are also strong ... read more

Age 15+
Red Cliff
5
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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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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
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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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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
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Saw VI (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this "torture porn" film, like all of the movies in the Saw series, revolves around cruelty, gore, and diabolical deathtraps -- all smothered in horrific make-up and special effects. A person is injected with acid until ... read more

No Kids
Saw VI
2
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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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Law Abiding Citizen (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that Law Abiding Citizen contains several scenes of extremely bloody violence -- in addition to the home invasion/robbery/attempted rape/murder sequence that it begins with, there's a brutal stabbing and a horrifying torture scene in ... read more

No Kids
Law Abiding Citizen
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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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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Zombieland (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that, in keeping with its title, Zombieland is full of zombie violence, whether it's the zombies dispatching humans or being dispatched themselves. Although much of the mayhem is played for laughs and the film's overall tone is ... read more

Age 16+
Zombieland
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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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Pandorum (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that the intense violence in this dark, scary sci-fi movie is apparent in every scene, even if it's not specifically presented in terms of fighting or gore (though there's plenty of those, too). There's a constant, unrelenting feel of ... read more

No Kids
Pandorum
3
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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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Paranormal Activity (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that Paranormal Activity is a real chill-up-the-spine movie that's bound to induce nightmares in plenty of young moviegoers -- even though, as with The Blair Witch Project, the big buzz around the movie (and the prospect of testing their ... read more

Age 16+
Paranormal Activity
4
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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
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Jennifer's Body (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that while teens will be clamoring to see this darkly funny horror movie -- which stars Transformers' Megan Fox and was written by Juno's Diablo Cody -- it's full of gory demonic violence, sex (including partial nudity, same-sex kissing, ... read more

Age 16+
Jennifer's Body
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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
more new in theater

New on DVD for Teenagers (ages 15-17)

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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
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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
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The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this action-packed remake of the gritty, same-named 1970s thriller is intense and violent and not meant for young kids. The fast-paced story is accompanied by heaping doses of realistic, bloody (expect lots of gunplay ... and ... read more

Age 16+
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
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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
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Orphan (2009, Rated R)
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 gory horror movie centers on extremely violent, sexual acts carried ... read more

Age 16+
Orphan
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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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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
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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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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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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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Crank: High Voltage (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this gory, envelope-pushing sequel to Crank is packed with grotesque, bloody, how-do-we-top-this? moments of extraordinary violence, conducted with a smirking, smug sense of bad-boy provocation. It ends up feeling a lot like the ... read more

No Kids
Crank: High Voltage
1
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Sunshine Cleaning (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this dramedy, in addition to taking on mature themes like suicide and infidelity, is quite gory. The many post-death scenes include disturbing shots of things like pools of blood on ceilings, floors, and walls; human flesh awaiting ... read more

Age 15+
Sunshine Cleaning
3
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Adventureland (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a review of the R-rated comedy that came out in theaters and not the unrated version available on DVD. From the director of Superbad, which stars Twilight's Kristen Stewart, this will definitely appeal to teens. It's not ... read more

Age 15+
Adventureland
3
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The Last House on the Left (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this gory remake of the 1972 exploitation horror "classic" is absolutely not for kids (or anyone with a weak stomach), whether you watch the unrated version available on DVD or the theatrical version reviewed here. It's a ... read more

No Kids
The Last House on the Left
4
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I Love You, Man (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this hard-R "bromantic" comedy starring Judd Apatow regulars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, is loaded with strong language ("f--k" is just the beginning), graphic discussions about sex, heavy drinking, and generally ... read more

Age 16+
I Love You, Man
3
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Mutant Chronicles (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a review of the movie in theaters and not the Director's Cut that's available on DVD. This violent sci-fi action movie is bloody, gory, and grim. A man kills a wounded comrade in arms at point-blank range; skulls are ... read more

No Kids
Mutant Chronicles
1
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Miss March (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a review of the rated R version that was in theaters, not the unrated version available on DVD. Although this raunchy buddy comedy may appeal to younger teens and perhaps some mature tweens used to ribald humor, there's no ... read more

Age 16+
Miss March
1
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Watchmen (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this non-animated adaptation of the beloved cult graphic novel isn't just another superhero story and is absolutely not for kids. Even the director has said that he purposely made the movie intensely gory to make a point about the ... read more

Age 16+
Watchmen
3
more new on DVD

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