As the mother of two children, I know how important it is to have good information about what is – and isn't – appropriate for kids at the movies. And as the film critic for Kaboose, it's my job to make sure you have that information. I know you're busy and can't afford to give up two hours on a movie that offers nothing for you or your children.

Understanding the official film ratings

The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) ratings don't always give the full story. For example, both Shrek and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants are rated PG, yet the latter clearly deals with heavy coming-of-age issues like sex, death, and finding your place in the world. The PG rating for Shrek, however, comes from crude humor like flatulence and burping (which, like it or not, kids 10 and under seem to thrive on).

Kaboose reviews

My reviews tell you whether the movie contains profanity, nudity, sex, alcohol, drugs, or violence, and if so, the context of those elements. I tell you whether the movie carries a positive message for children or whether it's just plain good fun.

My reviews are also broken down by age group to let you know whether the movie is suitable for preschoolers, grade-schoolers, or tweens/teens – and why. If a movie isn't appropriate for, say, preschoolers, I offer some alternatives.

The Kaboose Rating System

Based on all of the above information, I give each movie a Kaboose Star Rating, as follows:

• 5 Stars: Amazing! Don’t miss it. A great way to spend a night with your family.
• 4 Stars: Above average and overall, pretty special. You’ll enjoy it and so will the kids.
• 3 Stars: Average. There’s nothing really wrong with this movie, but there’s nothing that right about it either. It probably won’t end up in your DVD collection, but it may be a worthwhile rental.
• 2 Stars: Below average. It may not be horrible, but it’s not really suitable for family viewing either.
• 1 Star: A bad movie and a general waste of time. Don’t bother.

Looking for a great family movie? Check out this month’s new releases.

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries.