Want to take the family to the movies this week?

World-Herald theater reviewer Bob Fischbach sums up what's showing, what's appropriate and whether it's your worth money - or time.

A Christmas Carol (PG) Director Robert Zemeckis' motion-capture animation drains some of the life from facial expressions, but this family-friendly story starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge -- and as all three ghosts -- is a big seller.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG) Not quite fantastic, this stop-motion animated movie based on Roald Dahl's classic children's book is still full of goofy fun, mayhem and high spirits. Farmers unleash mechanized wrath on the animal kingdom after Mr. Fox steals one too many chickens. Contains a bit of slang humor, smoking.

Old Dogs (PG) A fairly harmless story of 50-something bachelor buddies who learn late about fatherhood and child-rearing. It's not very funny for adults, but tweeners will probably like its silly pratfalls, even though the adults (Robin Williams, John Travolta) do all the acting up.

Planet 51 (PG) Cute animated movie for small fry, about how an astronaut lands on a planet only to discover it inhabited by frightened aliens stuck in the 1950s. But the older your kids are, the less likely they'll be satisfied by this one. A bit of bathroom humor, but pretty tame.

The Blind Side (PG-13) Teens and parents should be able to see this inspirational story together, everyone leaving with a smile on their face. A warm-hearted Southern belle (Sandra Bullock) takes in an indigent black teen, who goes on to become a football star. Based on a true story. Contains one brief violent scene in a drug dealer's den.

An Education (PG-13) A good movie for moms and dads who want to have a discussion with their teenage daughters about the risks of becoming sexually active, the value of a good education and the sometimes predatory nature of older men. The well-acted, well-written story, set in 1962 London, stars Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (PG-13) Teen and preteen girls, and some of their mothers, are flocking to this vampire and werewolf tale. But it's a bad script, with lots of dull screen time and a terrible example to young girls about relationships with guys. OK, it's just fantasy, but the subliminal messages aren't good.

2012 (PG-13) Digital effects of tidal waves, volcanic eruptions and massive destruction are undeniably entertaining, but don't forget millions are dying. And this is no "Titanic" when it comes to story. False sentiment and too many last-minute saves make this an eye-roller. Plus, at 2 hours and 37 minutes, it goes on way too long.

Ninja Assassin, Paranormal Activity, Pirate Radio, The Hangover, Law Abiding Citizen, The Men Who Stare at Goats and Brothers: They're all rated R, moms. Not stuff your kids should be seeing unsupervised, or without discussion afterward about the sex, drugs and violence in them.

Everybody's Fine (PG-13) Robert De Niro is terrific as a dad who makes surprise visits to his adult kids. But most teens will probably be bored by this quiet film about family relationships, communication and honesty.

Brothers, The Messenger, Transylmania, Paris: None of these are kid stuff, parents. The first two are intense pictures about war trauma, the third is crude and lewd, and the last includes sexual freedoms not appropriate for teens.