MOVIE AND MUSIC GUIDE

Have you ever wondered if a movie is appropriate to take young people to? Check out http://www.screenit.com. An excellent resource for youth workers and parents! This site provides current reviews on movies, videos and music. Read more about them below:

WHO WE ARE -We are a small (2 person), husband and wife team who provide these reviews. We're not affiliated with any political, social or religious group thus assuring that we'll provide unbiased reviews. By doing so, we allow parents and others to decide whether a movie/video/CD is appropriate for them and/or their kids based on THEIR values.

WHAT WE DO - Screen It! was created to give parents a way to access the content of popular entertainment their kids are exposed to. It is not intended as censorship. Rather, it is designed to allow Hollywood and Record Labels to continue to produce movies, videos and music while informing parents of the content in them. Some people argue over the moral quality of films while others want to ban certain albums that contain material that particularly offends them.

That is censorship, and it's not right for others to decide what you or your children can see. That decision lies with you. Until now, however, there was no way for parents to find out about the content of movies, videos, or music. For movies, the MPAA rating (G, PG, etc...) is a start, but offers just a one line, generalized description of the "offending" material. A few newsletters here and there offer a little more information, but are usually biased or are lacking in detailed content listings.

That's why we created Screen It!. An unbiased, easy to use, yet heavily detailed and complete look at popular entertainment your kids might see, rent, or buy. And this applies to kids from one to seventeen. We offer detailed content listing in many categories for every movie, video and album we review. Each category is then assigned a rating that summarizes the quantity and degree of the content.

RATINGS - Every category is assigned a rating that summarizes the quantity and/or the "quality" of the content. Obviously this is somewhat of an objective practice and should be used as a quick guideline or summary of the content. You are advised to always examine the content listing to determine whether there's something present that you may object to.

MOVIE/VIDEO REVIEW INFO - Each review will display the title, the year of initial release, the main actors/actresses and the movie/video's MPAA rating. Following that is our exclusive content table. It contains fifteen categories of content found in the movie/video and how each has been rated. Each category heading in the table is linked to the complete scene by scene listing of that category. Clicking on the category headings will toggle you back and forth between the table and the listings. Alternately, you can scroll through the listings as they appear.

Below the table you'll find several helpful listings:
Quick Take - A one line description of the story.
Plot - A more detailed look at the plot.
Will Kids Want to See it? - What might draw kids to a film.
Why the MPAA Rated it - The actual stated reasons of the MPAA for giving a title its rating. Cast As Role Models - This explains whether the main characters would be good or bad role models for kids. Cast, Crew & Technical Info - Information made available by the folks at the Internet Movie Database. How Others Rated This Movie - Summary of how popular or unpopular a movie/video is provided by the Internet Movie Database based on Internet users who have cast their votes on that particular title. Our Take - What we thought of the movie (without considering the objectionable content). Our Word to Parents - A summary that hi-lights the "bad stuff" in the movie/video.

MOVIE/VIDEO REVIEW CATEGORIES

ALCOHOL/DRUGS - Any consumption or presence of alcohol or drugs and their effects is noted. BLOOD/GORE - Many kids are scared by (and adults sickened by) the sight of blood or gore. We include these and any other disgusting scenes here. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE - Children will often mimic behavior/attitudes they witness on the screen. We list dishonorable, contemptible, ill-tempered and other such behavior. FRIGHTENING/TENSE SCENES - Although horror films are usually associated with this category, kids are often scared by scenes found in PG and even G rated films. Such scenes are noted here. GUNS/WEAPONS - This category includes the use and effects of any guns or other weapons (knives, bombs, etc...). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR - Here you'll find irritating or dangerous behavior and dialogue that kids may imitate. Things ranging from playing with electrical wiring to performing karate moves to using phrases such as "shut up," "idiot," and "butt head" will be noted. Actions listed in other categories (such as drinking or smoking) will not be listed here. JUMP SCENES - Usually associated with horror/suspense movies, this category includes any scene from any genre (such as a person suddenly being grabbed) that will make you and/or your child jump. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) - Suspenseful movie scenes are usually more suspenseful due to the use of tense music. We'll include any such music here. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) - Movies aimed toward teens usually contain popular music. We'll note any objectionable material in any of the songs. PROFANITY - Even PG films are often filled with words or phrases you'd rather your kids not hear. You'll find a detailed listing of all profane words uttered in the movie/video. SEX/NUDITY - This category lists any scenes that show nudity or are of a sexual/sensual nature. SMOKING - Any scenes where characters smoke (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) are noted. TENSE FAMILY SCENES - Children are often upset from scenes that show or imply family problems. We list any such scenes or discussion of family bickering, fights or upheavals (such as divorce). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT - Often a film will contain scenes or subject material that you may want to discuss with your children. You'll find such material in this category. VIOLENCE - Any scenes of violence -- hitting, kicking, stabbing, shooting, exploding, and every other possible act of harming people, animals, or property is listed.

Similar information is available for music reviews.