Posted on: Friday, August 29, 2008
Family fare
By Roger Moore
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
'THE LONGSHOTS'
Rating: PG for some thematic elements, mild language and brief rude humor.
What it's about: A middle-school loner comes out of her shell when her uncle teaches her to play football and she becomes quarterback of the local Pop Warner league team.
The kid attractor factor: A plucky heroine played by Keke Palmer, and football.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Good sportsmanship counts, and don't let what "everybody says" keep you from trying new things.
Violence: Football isn't for sissies.
Language: Pretty mild, but the odd off-color word sneaks in.
Sex: None.
Drugs: Budweiser in a plain brown wrapper.
Parents' advisory: Surprisingly family-friendly, with lots of positive messages about expectations, sexism and sportsmanship.
'THE ROCKER'
Rating: PG-13 for drug and sexual references, nudity and language.
What it's about: Has-been drummer gets a second chance at fame when his teenage nephew's band hires him to sit in.
The kid attractor factor: Rainn Wilson, Teddy Geiger, Emma Stone, jangly pop and a naked drummer.
Good lessons/bad lessons: It's never too late to make your mark, or grow up.
Violence: Not really.
Language: Some profanity.
Sex: Rainn in his birthday suit, played for laughs.
Drugs: Joked about, and alcohol is consumed.
Parents' advisory: Pretty kid-friendly for a big Hollywood comedy these days, with positive messages in between the irresponsible "party like a rock star" examples.
