The Last Samurai

Tom Cruise stars in The Last Samurai as Captain Nathan Algren, a bitter Civil War hero who gets roped into fighting renegade Samurai in Japan. Katsumoto leads the Samurai warriors and captures Algren, but decides not to kill him. Engulfed in their culture, Algren gains new perspectives on warfare and life in general. The film teaches some good life lessons. Rated R for warfare, it isn't exactly for children, but a good parent might watch this film with a more mature teen and discuss the story and lessons from it. There is no nudity or really any reference to sexual promiscuity in this film, so it comes highly recommended for a family without young children.

Casanova

Casanova, while definitely not a movie for the kids, is definitely a good laugh and an enjoyable bit of artistry. Don't let the pig in a boat with women's legs sticking up throw you off. This flick is by no means another Charlotte's Web, thank God. Neither, believe it or not, is this flick a sex thrill. It's a story of finding true love, even in a true "player" (using today's terminology). A very sinful criminal, Casanova (Heath Ledger) tries out as many false identitied as he can possibly use to make an attempt at winning the heart of the fair - and betrothed - Francesca (Sienna Miller). He nearly seems to find success when his plot is uncovered and he decides to fess up to his true identity. What an uproar it causes! This film is rated R for the sexual overtones of the entire story.