'BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE'

Rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use.

What it’s about: Thirty-six years after the bio-exorcist and the Deetz family charmed audiences, Beetlejuice and Lydia are back to close some doors and settle some scores.

The kid attractor ...Read more

CHICAGO — Ever since Chuck Blatt got divorced 14 years ago, he’s established a routine with his daughters — visits and dinners on Wednesdays, Fridays and every other weekend. But this year, it started to significantly change when both women went away to college, his youngest for her freshman year at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. ...Read more

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent letters to more than 5,000 retailers and distributors asking them to stop selling unauthorized flavored tobacco products in the state. Those products include flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches that have not been authorized for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“For decades now...Read more

The former Republican vice preThe former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin took to X this week to vent about past treatment of her 16-year-old son, Trig Palin, who was a very young child when Palin was picked to run alongside John McCain in 2008. “The lies, conspiracy theories, death-wishes and death threats against him that ...Read more

'1992'

Rated R for violence and pervasive language.

What it’s about: A former gang member interrupts a daring heist during the chaos of the L.A. riots in 1992.

The kid attractor factor: Not much, this is more of an action/crime film.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Family is more important than money.

Violence: Some extreme bloody violence, ...Read more

'BLINK TWICE'

Rated R for strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references.

What it’s about: A young woman and her friend go to an island with a group of wealthy men and find themselves in a dangerous and mysterious situation.

The kid attractor factor: Not much, this is a horror/thriller

...Read more

'ALIEN: ROMULUS'

Rated R for bloody violent content and language.

What it’s about: This seventh "Alien" movie, taking place after the events of "Alien," follows a crew of youths who come upon the xenomorphs while scavenging for equipment on the ship.

The kid attractor factor: This is more of an adult-oriented horror/sci-fi thriller

Good ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- For more than a decade, visitors say the Children's Garden at Elysian Park was a shady showcase for indigenous plants, with dense stands of mature native trees and shrubs lining the paths of the grounds just west of Grace E. Simon Lodge and creating a cool, restful places to walk, play and learn.

Then, in late June, all that lush...Read more

'IT ENDS WITH US'

Rated PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content and some strong language.

What it’s about: A romantic melodrama about a woman who falls into an abusive relationship and seeks solace with her first love.

The kid attractor factor: This is more of an adult drama and story about intimate partner violence.

Good lessons/bad ...Read more

SEATTLE — What do you know about Seattle’s teen dance ordinance?

Maybe you read that the TDO is a reason Redmond’s Old Fire House was once an unlikely music hot spot. Maybe you’ve heard a “Footloose” joke or two, about the dark years when Seattle kept kids out of dance clubs. Or maybe you haven’t heard of it at all.

If that’s ...Read more

'HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON'

Rated PG for mild action and thematic elements.

What it’s about: An adaptation of the Crockett Jensen children's book about a boy and his crayon — now an adult navigating the real world.

The kid attractor factor: I suppose this is for kids, despite mostly starring adults with adult problems (bad job, ...Read more

It’s been a few decades since Jonathan Knight was a true new kid on the block, but he remains a loyal member of the group New Kids of the Block, which remains alive and well in 2024.

“I’m still a kid at heart,” said 55-year-old Knight in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I always feel like a kid. Sometimes after ...Read more

'DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE'

Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references.

What it’s about: Irascible potty-mouthed superhero Deadpool teams up with stoic Wolverine in a farewell salute to 20th Century Fox's Marvel era (as produced by Disney).

The kid attractor factor: Teens will definitely be drawn to ...Read more

CHICAGO -- Kevin Dekkinga’s son was going to elementary school and the family faced a decision: buy a second car, or buy a new cargo bike.

His son would attend a Chicago Public Schools magnet school in a different neighborhood. His wife worked in the suburbs. And with CPS facing a bus driver shortage after the pandemic that left school bus ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Kristen Dang’s tenuously planned child-care schedule is in full summer swing — a costly, worry-inducing logistical feat that has tested her maternal prowess. And she considers herself among the fortunate.

She nabbed a coveted six weeks of camp for her soon-to-be 9-year-old son, Brady, at the Reseda Recreation Center. Back in...Read more

'TWISTERS'

Rated PG-13 for intense action and peril, some language and injury images.

What it’s about: A group of scientists and storm chasers tangle with tornadoes in Oklahoma during a busy outbreak of storms.

The kid attractor factor: Kids and teens might be drawn to the action/action and thrills.

Good lessons/bad lessons: You can't lets...Read more

'LONGLEGS'

Rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images and some language.

What it’s about: A young female FBI agent tracks down a mysterious serial killer.

The kid attractor factor: This is a creepy and terrifying horror thriller — not much appeal for kids.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Sometimes the answers we seek are within.

Violence:...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The two Sanford, Florida, students used crayons to draw self portraits, then turned their artwork over to Crayola, the famous art-supply company, which 20 years ago was collecting kids’ drawings to display in galleries across the country.

“I hope one day to be in an art gallery or in a famous museum,” wrote Emily, then a ...Read more

'DESPICABLE ME 4'

Rated PG for action and rude humor.

What it’s about: Supervillain Gru and family have to go into witness protection after a threat from a rival. Wacky high jinks ensue.

The kid attractor factor: It's animated and it features Minions.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Try to find the root of the problem before things spiral out of...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Parents are bombarded with a dizzying list of orders when it comes to screen time and young children: No screens for babies under 18 months. Limit screens to one hour for children under 5. Only "high-quality" programming. No fast-paced apps. Don't use screens to calm a fussy child. "Co-view" with your kid to interact while ...Read more