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America's Port

(Rated NR, Reality TV, Starring Thom Beers, Where to watch: National Geographic Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Compelling docu sheds light on L.A.'s busy harbor.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The executive director of the port is pushing to clean up the environment around the port. As a woman in an influential position, she has the potential to be a strong female role model.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Lots of talk about the potentially deadly nature of the work; some photos of a dead body recovered from underwater.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some older photos show people smoking and a child with a man's pipe in his mouth.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About America's Port

Parents need to know that this compelling documentary series about the port of Los Angeles includes a lot of talk about people getting killed and very real potential danger, though little actual peril is shown. At least one episode features police photos of a dead body recovered from under the marina, but they're not particularly gross or upsetting. Some old photos show people smoking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how documentaries are made and how long it actually takes to get enough footage to make this kind of series. How does editing affect viewers' perception of what's taking place, and when? How are music and effects used to make things more suspenseful? Do you notice that as much in documentary/reality shows and movies than in fictional dramas? Why do you think that is?
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