TV & Movies

Movie Mom: ‘Moana,’ ‘Loving,’ ‘Allied’

Information for parents deciding which movies are best for kids ages 2 to 18:

“Moana”

Why it’s rated PG: Action-style peril and violence with some disturbing images, sad (offscreen) deaths, brief schoolyard language, brief potty humor.

Minimum age: 7.

Family discussion: Why didn’t the ocean return the heart itself? What did Moana learn from Maui’s story about his parents?

If you like this, try: “Brave” and “Mulan” — and try navigating without GPS.

“Loving”

Why it’s rated PG-13: Depiction of historic racism with some offensive epithets.

Minimum age: Middle school.

Family discussion: If you could take a case to the Supreme Court, what would it be? What do we learn about the Lovings from seeing them with their families?

If you like this, try: The documentary “The Loving Story.”

“Allied”

Why it’s rated R: Wartime violence, extended peril, characters injured and killed, graphic childbirth scene, some disturbing images, very strong language, suicide, sexual references and situations, nudity, drinking, smoking, drugs.

Minimum age: Mature teens.

Family discussion: What makes a good spy? Can you trust someone whose job is lying?

If you like this, try: “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”

Find Nell Minow’s reviews at Beliefnet on moviemom.com. Email: moviemom@moviemom.com.

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Movie Mom: ‘Moana,’ ‘Loving,’ ‘Allied’."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER