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Face it. There's nothing like a good movie. Whether seen in a cool, dark theater or on the small-screen in the basement, films are fun. They teach, entertain, and even trouble us … and our children as well.

Whether good or bad, some level of learning occurs whenever a child sits down to watch a movie. What's a parent's responsibility in monitoring the movies? Previewing every movie your youngster sees is neither practical nor possible. But you can talk to your kids after the flick and set the record straight.

Even the best films sometimes sprinkle bad ingredients in with the good. Our 3-year-old likes to point to the screen with the question: "Bad guy?" She wants to understand what she's seeing as much as we do. As family film critic, if you think something is good, so will your kids. Pointing out problems helps children develop discernment no matter how young they are.

Often the overall message of a film is appealing but something doesn't feel quite right. We can't put our finger on it because we've become so accustomed to mixed messages in movies that we barely blink. It doesn't have to be that way. Keep your eyes open for the five following red flags. With practice you'll uncover some of the ways that films manipulate us and our kids.

When your child repeats words or expressions heard on screen you know a film has made an impression. From grocery store to discount house, we hear language that makes us cringe. We're shocked when adults make vile comments unashamedly in front of their kids and ours. But we do the same thing when we allow them to watch films full of sexual innuendo or shocking language. Children are dry sponges who sop up what they see and hear.

If they plop down in front of the wrong film, we can expect them to pick up everything from bizarre fashion tips, to obscene language, to stinky attitudes. Talk to your preschooler about good words and bad words. If possible, judicially fast forward or altogether avoid films filled with foul phrases.

Real families have messy closets, muddy children, and sometimes get upset with each other. Films, however, push the point too far, rarely presenting young families in a positive light. The reason is simple. Screenwriters create conflict to keep the story rolling. Hollywood dares to define caring parents and respectful kids as boring.

Children like to see exciting things happen to children—things that could never happen in real life. So do we. But be wary when parents are presented as fools and control freaks who won't let children have any fun.

Parents have a specific purpose: nurturing their children. Loving rules and realistic limits show we treasure our kids and care about how they are perceived by others.

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