, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A guide to movies from a family perspective:

"Quantum of Solace"

-- Rated: PG-13.

-- Suitable for: Mature teens and older.

"The Lone Ranger 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition"

"Who was that Masked Man?" Here's a hint: "Hi-yo Silver, away!"

Westerns don't get more iconic than "The Lone Ranger," and this 12-disc box set ($120, Entertainment Rights) is just another chapter in a legend that rode out of 1930s radio and never looked back.

A guide to movies from a family perspective:

"Max Payne"

Rated: PG-13.

Suitable for: Teens and up.

What you should know: Mark Wahlberg stars in this movie based on a video game. He's Max Payne, a cop still trying to solve the murders of his wife and child and caught up in a bizarre series of puzzling new deaths.

"Futurama: Bender's Game"

If you go:

Giverny, France

The Claude Monet house and gardens are at 84 Rue Claude Monet in Giverny. Telephone is 33 2 32 51 28 21. Web site is foundation-monet.com. It is open April 1 to Oct. 31. The water lilies bloom at the end of June.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Closed Mondays.

A guide to movies from a family perspective:

"Max Payne"

Rated: PG-13.

Suitable for: Teens and up.

What you should know: Mark Wahlberg stars in this movie based on a video game. He's Max Payne, a cop still trying to solve the murders of his wife and child and caught up in a bizarre series of puzzling new deaths.

Spice substitutes

There's always a chance you'll need a particular spice but won't have the time to run to the grocery store.

Here is a list of substitutions from The Spice Hunter (spicehunter.com).

Cardamom -- ginger

Cinnamon -- nutmeg

Cloves -- cinnamon or nutmeg

Cumin -- chili powder

Recipes:

GROUND BEEF COCOA CHILI

(Tested by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

1 pound ground beef

1 cup chopped onions

2 tablespoons McCormick Gourmet cocoa chile blend

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Mexican oregano leaves

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

A guide to movies from a family perspective:

"City of Ember"

-- Rated: PG.

-- Suitable for: 9- or 10-year-olds and up.

Getting there: Niederman Family Farm is 22 miles north of Cincinnati at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road, Hamilton, Ohio. For directions, go to www.niedermanfamilyfarm.com/paintball.htm.