SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., June 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Common Sense, the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, today announced the newest summer films to be awarded the Common Sense Seal. These four films bring to twelve the total number of films that have received the Common Sense Seal since it was launched in 2014 to recognize new releases that meet Common Sense Media's highest standard for great family entertainment based on overall quality as well as worthwhile themes and positive messages and role models for kids and families.
"Watching movies -- whether at home or in a theater -- can be a great way for families to spend time together, but it can be a challenge to find movies that are appropriate for kids and have whole-family appeal," said Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense. "We launched the Common Sense Seal to recognize new films that families can feel good about and, in the process, to catalyze Hollywood to create even more quality options that are guaranteed to engage, entertain, and inspire kids and families alike."
Summer blockbuster season is typically aimed at kids and teens, with superhero flicks or toy-themed movies leading the pack. This summer's Common Sense Seal recipients have a wider range of themes, such as:
- Walt Disney Studios' Inside Out: In theaters June 19, this Pixar animation is a heartfelt, engaging, endlessly inventive adventure with strong themes of friendship and acceptance, helping kids and parents navigate the powerful emotions that come with growing up;
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment's An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success: Released via Blu-ray combo pack and DVD on June 23, this tale of an ambitious young would-be baker promotes girls as smart, headstrong leaders who are driven and fun;
- New Line Cinema's Batkid Begins: In theaters June 26 from Warner Bros. Entertainment, this is a heartwarming, positive documentary that highlights the power of social media for good, and it's packed with excellent messages and role models; and
- Film Movement's Belle and Sebastian: Available on DVD on July 7, this is a beautiful, heartfelt historical film about the courageous adventures of a young boy and his giant sheepdog that has wonderful role models and strong positive messages about protecting the weak and fighting for one's beliefs. The film is currently available via VOD/streaming.
The Common Sense Seal considers all movies (theatrical releases and direct-to-DVD and streaming titles) released after October 2014. Films that earn the Seal must meet Common Sense Media's quality rating of 4 or 5 stars, in combination with other factors including having positive themes, messages, and role models. The Seal selections are determined by the Common Sense Media team of seasoned movie reviewers, editors, and child-development experts, based on the proven rubric deployed across more than 6,000 movie titles since Common Sense Media's founding in 2003.
A full list of recipients and their reviews can be found at www.commonsense.org/seal.
A comprehensive list of Common Sense Media's reviews of all this year's high-profile summer movies aimed at kids and families can be found at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/kids-summer-movie-guide-2015.
About Common Sense Media's Movie Ratings
Common Sense Media rates and reviews movies based on two factors: age-appropriateness and quality. We rely on developmental guidelines culled from some of the nation's leading authorities to determine what content is appropriate for which ages. Common Sense Media movie reviews feature a content grid that evaluates specific elements of each movie, including messages, role models, violence/scariness, sex, language, consumerism, and substance use. We know every family and every child is different, but all families need information to make great media choices. Common Sense Media movie reviews include suggested discussion points for families, providing an opportunity for parents to talk about themes and issues that arise and to convey their own views and values. Common Sense Media movie ratings and reviews are available on our website, through our mobile app, and through our distribution partners. Our unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and are not influenced by the content creators or by our funders.
About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families and educators thrive in a world of media and technology. We rate, educate, and advocate on behalf of kids, families, and schools. Common Sense Media, which facilitates the consumer website, offers the world's largest and most trusted library of age-based ratings and reviews of all types of content targeted at kids, and our research-based curriculum and tools are used in over 90,000 U.S. schools. For more information, go to www.commonsense.org.