The Lovely Bones (Rated PG 13)

This is a truly frightening film, but one that parents should seriously consider seeing with their teens. The story shows how easily and quickly a child (or teen) can be abducted and lost. Based on the book by Alice Sebold, the film shows a 14-year-old girl, Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), secretly stalked and then entrapped by a neighbor. From Susie's viewpoint this all happens quickly, but we find that her murderer, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci), has been planning this capture much longer—even documenting his plans in a scrapbook.

The story is narrated, as it is in the novel, by the deceased Susie as she watches her family go through the torment of not knowing what has happened to their beautiful daughter. As in many cases, the family becomes unglued and separated by the stress of their child's disappearance. 

Director Peter Jackson has taken this intense story and produced a riveting film which has the audience on the edge of their seats for the full length of the performance. This film is rated PG 13 since the violence is only implied. The assault and murder are not shown, but there is no doubt about what has occurred. There are several extremely scary scenes, including one in which Susie's little sister ventures into Harvey's house, and another in which Harvey attempts to lure a teen into his car.

Unfortunately predators like this exist in the real world, too. They easily could be in our own neighborhoods watching our children. Although many teens feel nothing bad or dangerous could ever happen to them, the message in this film could help them be more careful in their daily choices.

The Spy Next Door (Rated PG)

Jackie Chan is an amazing action star—a real athlete of the screen. His stunt work has been incredible, and his physical comedy astounding. However, Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer's latest storyline seems to indicate that the days of high kicks and running up walls may have passed. Their screenplay, starring Jackie Chan as Bob Ho, a former spy who falls in love with his neighbor, a single mom with three children, is so predictable that there isn't much for the actors to work with, the audience to think about, or for Chan to use as a transitional vehicle toward other types of films. That said, Chan does do several tricks that would be unattainable for almost all people in their mid-50s.

The movie has a couple of situations with guns that may seem threatening to very young viewers and a couple of "fun looking" stunts older dare-devils may want to try (and parents certainly will want to discourage—like Chan's unique way of quickly descending an escalator or leaping onto a roof). But unfortunately the stunts in this film are only echoes of Chan's earlier films, and even his charisma is not enough to "make" this film. 

Tooth Fairy (Rated PG)

If you are happy with your child believing in a traditional-style Tooth Fairy, you may want to preview this film before taking them: Lowell Ganz and Babloo Mandel's screenplay presents a rather unusual method of tooth exchange. 

Derek Thompson (Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson) is a hockey player who doesn't shy away from violent play on the ice—in fact he is jokingly called "The Tooth Fairy" since opposing team members tend to lose teeth when he checks them. Off the ice he has trouble not "checking" children's hopes and dreams with cynical remarks he shares once too often. He is summoned to "court" where a very proper, winged fairy judge (Julie Andrews) tries him for destroying children's hopes and dreams and sentences him to two weeks of community service as a tooth fairy—complete with wings and satin outfits.

Derek, who has a relationship with a single mom (Ashley Judd) and her children, slowly learns through his "new job" how to encourage and support children's ambitions. He also recaptures some of his own forgotten goals. The situations he faces while trying to juggle dating, playing hockey and being on-call to collect teeth present some comic moments and outrageous gags. Billy Crystal's role of Tooth Fairy Supply Officer is very funny; his comedic timing is spot-on. The special effects are well placed and help move the storyline along as the audience sees this macho man change into a soft hearted, caring person who believes in dreams.

The Princess and the Frog (Rated G)

The Walt Disney Animation Studios and director/writers Ron Clements and John Musker have produced a beautiful, classic fairy tale. The film has a traditionally animated 2D look, which is wonderfully simple and emphasizes the story. The graphics echo Disney greats such as Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp and the outstandingly beautiful Bambi. Randy Newman's wonderful songs are just the icing on the cake! Could this be headed for Broadway?

The action is set in the New Orleans French Quarter in the 1920s. Serious, hard working Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and rich, often silly, Charlotte La Bouff (Jennifer Cody) are friends who have grown up together. As adults they meet Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) who has come to the United States to find a wife of means. The plot gets a bit complicated when the Prince meets a voodoo magician and is changed into a frog. Frogs can be turned back into humans by a single kiss, but when Tiana is finally convinced to kiss Naveen, she is turned into a frog instead! The remainder of the film deals with finding a way to reverse the spell and live happily ever after – which of course happens.

Along the way we encounter some outstanding personalities: Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), a trumpet playing alligator; Ray (Jim Cummings) a Cajun firefly who is in love with a star he believes to be another firefly; and Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) a good voodoo priestess who is helpful to this pair of cute frogs.

This film is rated "G," but there are several frightening scenes which may upset younger viewers. There is a "Shadow Man," Dr. Facilier (Keith David), who has "friends from the other side"—meaning evil spirits. They are all really spooky. Later in the story is he is dragged by demons into what appears to be Hell. A gravestone appears with his face engraved upon it. Also, the cute little lightning bug, Ray, dies during the story, but that is handled with loving care by the greats of the Disney workshop.

Judy Russell teaches music and performing arts at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School.