Sense and Sensibility (PG)
Age 10+
Mild suspense and emotional moments in fresh Jane Austen adaptation.
This film adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1811 novel — about two sisters navigating life and love — centers on society’s preoccupation with marrying for money and status. There’s a kiss on the lips, and a character is naked in the bath; her back and knees are shown. Occasional language includes “God” as an exclamation. There’s mild suspense, including a pistol duel, a person being dragged by their jacket and a serious illness. Characters mourn the loss of a patriarch and endure other emotional distress. People drink alcohol with dinner and at celebrations, and one character is shown drunk. (131 minutes)
Available in theaters.
VisionQuest (TV-14)
Age 14+
Witty, moving MCU superhero saga has sci-fi violence.
The android Vision (Paul Bettany) searches for meaning while evading an assassin in this Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries. Expect moving themes about the power of family support and the need for human connection (even if those ideas can be overshadowed by the mystery and violence). People shoot futuristic weapons, though faceless henchpeople are usually the ones killed. Deaths often involve screaming and falling; in a few instances, there’s a spray of blood. Characters discuss romantic love and make crude jokes. Language includes “a–hole,” “bulls—” and “b—–d.” There’s drinking, but no one acts drunk. (Eight episodes)
Available on Disney+.
Sacrifice (R)
Age 15+
Violence and language in offbeat, occasionally funny thriller.
This satirical dystopian thriller centers on an environmental charity event that’s hijacked by an eco-cult. Characters are kidnapped, threatened, shot, stabbed, dismembered and burned alive, and children in the wild disembowel a goat. People are thrown (or throw themselves) to their deaths, and some are forced to drink a potion that seems to cause hallucinations. A man admits he’s in love with his sister. Language includes “f—,” “s—,” “b—-,” “bada–” and “p—y,” and a woman hurls insults in Spanish. (103 minutes)
Available on Netflix.
Whalefall (PG-13)
Age 14+
Intense survival thriller is a whale of a father-son tale.
This intense survival thriller follows Jay (Austin Abrams), a 19-year-old who is swallowed by a sperm whale while looking for the body of his father, experienced diver Mitt (Josh Brolin). The film is less scary than terrifyingly fascinating, but it’s definitely not for the claustrophobic. Flashbacks show that Jay and Mitt loved each other but couldn’t communicate effectively. Trapped inside the beast, Jay must draw on his father’s lessons to survive; he gets squeezed and mangled along the way, with blood and graphic injury. A character also dies by suicide, and one person threatens another with a knife. Adults drink wine and beer. Language includes a single use of “f—ing,” plus “s—,” “a–hole” and “hell.” (106 minutes)
Available in theaters.
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