The Post-Gazette reviews movies from a family perspective:

'Hoot'

Rated: PG.

Best for: Elementary school children and up.

What you should know: This is a movie version of Carl Hiaasen's book about three young people trying to save endangered owls from South Florida developers.

Language: A few mild words are used.

Sexual situations and nudity: None.

Violence/scary situations: A bully starts to choke a boy on the school bus and he fights back, breaking his tormentor's nose. Golf balls bonk someone on the head. A dog bite lands someone in a hospital emergency room. A character is tied up and briefly held captive. Also, a runaway from military school is shown living on an abandoned boat.

Drug and alcohol use: None.

'Mission: Impossible III'

Rated: PG-13.

Best for: Teens and up.

What you should know: Tom Cruise returns in the third installment of the franchise, which earns its PG-13 for sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images and some sensuality.

Language: About a dozen curses or other harsh words are used.

Sexual situations and nudity: A married couple kiss and disrobe as a prelude to sex.

Violence/scary situations: You name it. Threats, torture, explosions, the exchange of gunfire or missiles, car crashes, kidnappings, ridiculously dangerous stunts and deaths.

Drug and alcohol use: Adults drink at parties or other celebrations.