family fare

Assessments from a parent's perspective of recent releases:

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'

Rated PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence.

Translation: Humans and animals injured, mistreated and killed in graphic images.

Recommendation: High school ages to adults.

Family discussion: What mistakes were made despite good intentions? How does this film build on and contradict the earlier "Planet of the Apes" titles?

If you like this, try: The previous "Apes" movies and the documentary "Project Nim."

'Cowboys & Aliens'

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of Western and science-fiction action and …