The Post-Gazette reviews movies from a family perspective:

'The Sentinel'

Rated: PG-13.

Best for: Mature teens and older moviegoers.

What you should know: Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Eva Longoria play Secret Service agents caught in a probe of a reported plot to assassinate the president of the United States.

Language: Some stiff profanity is sprinkled throughout.

Sexual situations and nudity: A couple having an illicit affair share passionate embraces and kisses.

Violence/scary situations: The movie opens with doctored footage of the assassination attempt on President Reagan. Throughout the movie, roughly a dozen people are shot and killed, shootouts take place in a variety of locations including a shopping mall, and a shoulder-fired missile hits its intended target with fiery results.

Alcohol and drug use: A character is offered a glass of whiskey.

'American Dreamz'

Rated: PG-13.

Best for: Mature tweens and above.

What you should know: Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore and Dennis Quaid star in this satire of an "American Idol" type show, fame, politics and even terrorism.

Language: One use of the f-word and other less offensive terms.

Sexual situations and nudity: A man and woman kiss, and we hear about a sexual coupling that happens behind closed doors.

Violence/scary situations: Terrorists hatch a plot to kill the president of the United States and a deadly explosion happens off camera, but it's all played for laughs.

Alcohol and drug use: A scene is set in a bar filled with patrons.