People We Meet on Vacation (PG-13)
Age 13+
Book-based romance with sex, language and drinking.
An adaptation of Emily Henry’s 2021 novel, this rom-com follows longtime friends (Emily Bader and Tom Blyth) who take an annual trip together. It’s milder than the source material, but you can still expect language such as “f—,” “s—” and “a–.” There’s also flirting, kissing, sexy dancing, skinny-dipping (bare bottoms and naked men covering their privates) and sex (no intimate parts shown). Dialogue mentions oral sex, pregnancy, condoms and slang terms for sex. Young adults get drunk, smoke a joint and mention meth, and one falls asleep after taking a beta-blocker. The film posits that the best relationships are based on a solid friendship. (109 minutes)
Available on Netflix.
Marty Supreme (R)
Age 15+
Superb acting in mature sports drama about a charming hustler.
Writer-director Josh Safdie’s 1950s-set sports drama follows an ambitious table tennis player (Timothée Chalamet) as he strives for international acclaim. Expect frequent strong language, including “f—,” “motherf—-r,” “s—” and “goddamn,” as well as racial and antisemitic slurs and a shocking Holocaust-related joke (told by the Jewish protagonist). Brief sex scenes between Marty and married partners (Odessa A’zion and Gwyneth Paltrow) have thrusting, moaning, partial nudity and implied oral sex. Adults drink alcohol at social events. There’s more violence than you might expect for a movie about a table tennis player, including threats against a pregnant woman, domestic abuse, a deadly shootout, a stabbing and public humiliation involving spanking. (150 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Anaconda (PG-13)
Age 13+
Lightweight but funny meta-remake of killer snake movie.
This meta-comedy tracks an attempt by two friends (Paul Rudd and Jack Black) to remake the 1997 cult classic “Anaconda” — only to face attacks by a real giant snake. In addition to humans being snatched or devoured, violence includes shootings, headbutts, a snake getting torn apart by a propeller, characters being knocked out and a wounded face slamming against a window. A character thought to be dead is used as a distraction, with a dead boar duct-taped to his head and a dead squirrel inserted into his mouth. Characters flirt, and there’s dialogue about cheating. Language includes a use of “f—,” plus “s—,” “a–hole,” “b—-,” “goddamn,” “hell,” “Jesus,” “Christ,” “oh my God” and “damn.” A supporting character has substance abuse problems, there’s frequent social drinking (sometimes to excess), and characters get high on prescription pills. (100 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Song Sung Blue (PG-13)
Age 13+
Heartfelt love story has Neil Diamond songs and mature themes.
This musical drama adapts the same-named 2008 documentary about Mike and Claire Sardina (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson), a Milwaukee couple who started a popular Neil Diamond tribute band. It tackles mature themes such as substance use disorder, teen pregnancy, financial struggles, health care issues and the dynamics of blended families. Infrequent violence includes a brief, somewhat comedic bar brawl, along with two medical emergencies, one of which leads to a limb difference. (Spoiler alert: A major character dies.) Romance is largely modest and sweet, with kissing and affectionate touching — though there are a couple of implied sex scenes. One character’s reliance on painkillers develops into an addiction. Teens share a joint, and while language isn’t constant, expect to hear one use of “f—,” plus “s—,” “son of a b—-,” “goddamn,” “crap” and “screw.” The movie encourages viewers to pursue their artistic dreams, especially when they’re supported by a loving partner, family and friends. (131 minutes)
Available in theaters.
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