Parents' guide to new movies

'Alice in Wonderland'

Rating: PG for fantasy action/violence involving scary images and situations, and for a smoking caterpillar.

What it's about: An about-to-marry Alice falls back down the rabbit hole where much has transpired since her first meeting with The Mad Hatter.

The kid attractor factor: Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, "Alice in Wonderland" in 3D.

Good lessons/bad lessons: "When in doubt, remain silent." "All the best people are ... bonkers."

Violence: "Off with their heads!"

Language: Disney clean.

Sex: None.

Drugs: A smoking caterpillar.

Parents' advisory: Not a literal "Alice," so don't expect to do your book report based on it. But this "Shrek"-like 3D spin on the tale is still suitable for all ages.

'The Ghost Writer'

Rating: PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference.

What it's about: A hack writer takes a job ghost-writing a former politician's memoirs and finds himself trapped in a deadly thriller.

The kid attractor factor: Ewan McGregor.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Politics is a sometimes deadly game.

Violence: Yes.

Language: A lot of profanity was cut out, though if you can read lips, you still get the drift.

Sex: Yes.

Drugs: A "drug" reference and lots of alcohol abuse.

Parents' advisory: A thriller that tries to shed a few of its "adult" trappings, it's still not for 12-and-under.