Posted on: Friday, December 19, 2008
'Holidays' is a bit crude for a 'family' comedy
By Roger Moore
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
'NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS'
Rating: PG-13 for adult themes including sexual dialogue, and drug references.
What it's about: A Hispanic family, including a soldier from overseas, gathers for what may be its last Christmas together in their Chicago home.
The kid attractor factor: Feuding relatives are always good for a laugh, and children just love Luis Guzman.
Good lessons/bad lessons: There's no place like home for the holidays.
Violence: None.
Language: The odd bit of flirty-dirty talk.
Sex: Adult situations.
Drugs: Alcohol, and drug jokes.
Parents' advisory: Pretty mild for a PG-13, though still a little crude for a "family" holiday comedy.
'THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL'
Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi disaster images and violence.
What it's about: An alien arrives on Earth and proceeds to pass judgment on the human race.
The kid attractor factor: Science fiction, complete with elaborate effects and massive explosions.
Good lessons/bad lessons: It's never too late to mend your violent, polluting ways.
Violence: People are injured and killed.
Language: Disney clean.
Sex: None.
Drugs: None.
Parents' advisory: A family-friendly, end-of-the-world thriller, pretty mild-mannered for this day and age.
