In “For Love of the Game” (PG-13), Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) is a pitcher who finds out before an important game that his shoulder is going out, his girlfriend (Kelly Preston) is leaving him, his team has been sold and he will be traded after 20 years on the team.
Director Sam Raimi (“A Simple Plan”) shoots a different kind of baseball story that involves only one game, but the play-by-play, scene-by-scene action captures the essence of the sport, from the inner thoughts of the pitcher on the mound to the emotional support of the team. Costner brings his usual simple-man persona to his character, making him believable and human, which in turn, makes him attractive to women and likable to men. Costner is able to portray what a professional athlete is all about and we see the trappings of success (and its effects on a relationship) played out in flashbacks that reflect how self-centered, focused and challenging the pro-athlete lifestyle really is. Preston is charming as a single mom coping with a career and a teenage daughter. The script is well-written, intertwining the world of baseball with a relationship that uses realistic dialogue. This movie is perfect for older teens who love baseball — and good character drama.
“American Pie” (R) — is a brazen coming-of-age comedy about four high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. Along the way each discovers some surprising qualities about himself and his views on romance, love, life and, of course, sex. This is one of those movies older teens and 20-something’s will appreciate because they can relate to the high school mentality and the exaggerated sexual themes. The movie contains an abundance of foul language, sexual references, innuendo, dialogue about body parts and some nudity.
“An Ideal Husband” (PG-13) — A likable but diluted screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1895 comedy of politics and Victorian morality with wonderfully lavish settings.
“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (PG-13) — This entire film is one big playground of sex and sexual innuendo. In this sequel to 1997’s “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” Powers (Mike Myers), the very hip and groovy spy, returns to the ’60s to get his virility back from Dr. Evil (also played by Myers). Myers is hilarious.
“The Blair Witch Project” (R) — In this pseudo-documentary, a trio of film students head to the woods to make a thesis documentary on witch sightings in Blair, Md. They get lost and film their terrifying efforts to get back to civilization. “Blair Witch” is a throwback to films that use the audience’s own fears to build suspense. Though there’s only a smattering of profanity and only one shot of a bloody object, “Blair Witch” can be quite scary for younger viewers.
“Bowfinger” (PG-13) — Kids who loved Eddie Murphy in “Doctor Dolittle” and “The Nutty Professor” should be warned that “Bowfinger” is a different sort of animal. There are good-sized helpings of sex along with the sharp satire, and one of the movie’s funniest moments involves the character running across a crowded Los Angeles freeway. Don’t try that at home, kids.
“Brokedown Palace” (PG-13) — The story of two teenage girls languishing in a Thai prison after being framed for drug smuggling is a glum affair, but it features a compelling depiction of two friends in trouble.
“Chill Factor” (R) — In this buddy-action movie, Skeet Ulrich and Cuba Gooding Jr. have to get a chemical weapon named Elvis to a fort 90 miles away and keep it out of the hands of a demented and vengeful former military man. The movie relies on lots of explosions, chase scenes, car crashes, a high body count to distract the audience from a mindless and cliche-ridden script.
“A Dog of Flanders” (PG) — Director Kevin Brodie’s tender adaptation of Marie Louise de la Ramee’s classic children’s book, which deals with the “family” created by a boy, his dog and his grandfather, should delight filmgoers of all ages with its skilled exploration of love and the power of dreams.
“Dudley Do-Right” (PG) — If you liked “George of the Jungle” you’ll probably enjoy this one too. The comedy is Mel Brooks style, with an announcer, corny dialogue, campy acting and costumes, elaborate musical numbers, silly jokes and a flatulent horse. Kids 6-12 will enjoy the simple story and goofy calamities the characters get into.
“The Haunting” (PG-13) — This movie will give parents headaches and their kids nightmares. It’s filled with the ghosts of dead children, ominous furniture with sharp claws and strange nocturnal noises. It is somewhat scary for grown-ups, but young kids may be truly spooked.
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“In Too Deep” (R) — Considering that this story of the streets and gang life features a lot of violence as well as scenes of drug use and sex, it’s not appropriate for kids.
“Inspector Gadget” (PG) — In this genial family film, Matthew Broderick plays John Brown, a naive security guard who is transformed into a super sleuth with 14,000 useful devices at his disposal. This is one summer movie you can take the kids to with no worries — and adults may enjoy the film’s witty asides.
“Lake Placid” (R) — Though this film is campy, has cheesy computer animation, a weak script and a weaker plot, it is a reasonably enjoyable monster movie. The film concerns a sarcastic female paleontologist (Bridget Fonda) who joins an investigative team that’s hunting a hungry 30-foot crocodile in a Maine lake.
“The Iron Giant” (PG) — The title character is big, tough and eats tractors and train tracks in one mighty crunch. But this animated film, inspired by Ted Hughes’ children’s book, actually takes a powerful stand against violence. Through his friendship with a 9-year-old boy, the giant robot learns that just because he was designed as a weapon, he doesn’t have to be one.
“Mickey Blue Eyes” (PG-13) — A proper Englishman inadvertently gets involved with the mob. This screwball comedy has brief profanity, some violence and a bit of sensuality.
“Muppets From Space” (G) — Young sci-fi fans should revel in the witty “Muppets From Space,” a spoof of “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Men in Black” and “Close Encounters.” Adults may also appreciate the sweet message at the heart of the story. The story revolves around Gonzo the Great, who discovers that his roots lie in outer space. There is a mostly harmless scene of guns being waved about. But the blue guy with the multicolored furry friends also learns that love, ultimately, is what defines a family.
“The Muse” (PG-13) — Older teens, particularly those who are film fanatics, will enjoy the movie’s inside-Hollywood wit, but its leisurely pace makes it dubious fare for younger viewers.
“Mystery Men” (PG-13) — Frenzied, brainless superhero send-up features a flatulent crime fighter. Sadly, gas passing passes for humor these days, especially in PG-13 movies. Some minor violence and general weirdness, but the message — stick together and be yourself — is actually a winner.
“Notting Hill” (PG-13) — The film tells the story of a mild-mannered English book merchant (Hugh Grant) whose life is turned upside down when a famous American movie star (Julia Roberts) walks into his shop. They fall in love, but there are complications along the way, like her boyfriend (Alec Baldwin). This one has all the earmarks of a great date flick. Parents should know it contains a few naughty words and does not take a tsk-tsk attitude toward premarital sex.
“Outside Providence” (R) — Tim “Dunph” Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy), the lead character in this comedy, is sent by his dad (Alec Baldwin) to a prep school, where he manages to grow up — a little. Though the script, by the Farrelly brothers of “There’s Something About Mary” fame, is shaky at times, the characters are charming and realistic, but overall, the themes and activities are too graphic for young viewers.
“The Red Violin” (Not rated) — The film follows the colorful 300-plus-year journey of a priceless violin from its construction in an Italian workshop to a contemporary auction in Montreal.
“Runaway Bride” (PG) — This is a romantic comedy for adults and teens who get a kick out of the potent chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The slow pace and adult themes (fear of commitment, Roberts’ public humiliation over bolting from weddings) may make it too boring and slow for younger kids.
“The Sixth Sense” (PG-13) — Older teens may enjoy this chilling ghost story-psychological drama, but scenes of children suffering and appearing as ghosts will likely upset youngsters.
“South Park” (R) — Though adults might find it humorous because they will understand the underlying themes and message of hypocrisy, this is a movie young people should avoid. The vulgar language, racial slurs, a raunchy sexual situation and the irreverent approach toward God, man and anything or anyone else that moves, simply outweigh the comedic.
“Stigmata” (R) — Frankie (Patricia Arquette) starts to exhibit the signs of the stigmata and bleeds from her hands, back, feet and forehead. A priest (Gabriel Byrne) comes to examine her and soon he discovers a bigger secret. This movie isn’t suitable for teens and is likely to offend religious people.
“Stir of Echoes” (R) — Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a telephone lineman bored with the routine of his life who is hypnotized at a party by his sister-in-law and then starts seeing a horrible vision of violence that won’t go away. Heed the R rating and spare your older kids and young teens from seeing this movie.
“Tarzan”(G) — Disney’s animated Tarzan confidently surfs through Africa’s immense rain forest, gliding barefoot on never-ending, moss-covered tree limbs. His feet never fail him. His movie doesn’t either. Kids will no doubt lap up this movie, which is a little scary and a lot funny.
“Teaching Mrs. Tingle” (PG-13) — Originally “Killing Mrs. Tingle” (retitled after Columbine), this mean-spirited film is about three teens who tie a sadistic high school teacher to her bed in an effort to change her mind about an unjust accusation. It has violence, language, sex and some teen drinking.
“The Thirteenth Warrior” (R) — Ahmed ibn Fahdlan (Antonio Banderas), who’s banished from his Mideastern homeland and travels north to join up with a band of Vikings, who are at war with a mystical enemy. The R rating will probably keep out the teenage-boy audience that would want to see this movie, but the actor’s adult fans will enjoy this entertaining adventure.
“The Thomas Crown Affair” (R) — This glossy heist film is definitely for grown-ups only. Crown (Pierce Brosnan) is a self-made billionaire who enjoys the quest for money, art and women. Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is the insurance investigator on his trail. The heist sequences are fascinating and the story is involving, but there’s plenty of lust on display also, and at one point Russo bares all.