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Family Film Guide: 'City of Ember,' 'The Express,' 'The Duchess'
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Post-Gazette reviews movies from a family perspective:
'City of Ember'

Rated: PG.

Suitable for: 9- or 10-year-olds and up.

What you should know: This is based on the popular young adult book about the post-apocalyptic underground City of Ember, which was given a 200-year life span and has run out of time. It's up to two teens to try to save their world -- or discover the old one up above.

Language: Nothing objectionable.

Sexual situations and nudity: None.

Violence/scary situations: A very frightening giant mole pursues and terrifies the kids as they go about their rescue mission. Also potentially scary are periodic blackouts and the unknown horrors thereof.

Drug or alcohol use: None.


'The Express'

Rated: PG.

Suitable for: School-age children and up.

What you should know: This is based on the real-life story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. He's played by Rob Brown, with Dennis Quaid as his football coach at Syracuse University.

Language: In addition to racist language, at least a dozen mild expletives or profanities.

Sexual situations and nudity: Brief canoodling and kissing.

Violence/scary situations: Lots, much of it racially charged, on and off the field. The scariest turn is Davis' diagnosis of leukemia and his death.

Drug or alcohol use: Some drinking by adults.


'The Duchess'

Rated: PG-13.

Suitable for: Teens and older moviegoers.

What you should know: Keira Knightley, Dominic Cooper (from "Mamma Mia!") and Ralph Fiennes star in this real-life story about the Duchess of Devonshire, an ancestor of Princess Di who was just a teen when she married. She was a fashion icon and political force in addition to the subject of much gossip.

Language: A harsher form of darn here and there.

Sexual situations and nudity: There is some brief nudity, a man sexually forces himself on a woman and lovemaking -- passionate and passionless -- is dramatized. Also, a man installs his mistress at the home he shares with his wife and children.

Violence/scary situations: In addition to the sexual assault and emotionally wrenching scenes, a woman's wig catches on fire.

Drug or alcohol use: Adults drink and sometimes get drunk after drinking much wine or other alcohol.

First published on October 10, 2008 at 12:00 am