The Catholic Post Recently released movies reviewed on basis of moral suitability

Recently released movies reviewed on basis of moral suitability

By: The Catholic Post - December 1, 2011 - Movie Review

The following movie reviews are supplied by Catholic News Service in conjunction with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Film and Broadcasting.

For full reviews of these films, as well as earlier releases, visit the CNS movie site here.

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The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight)

The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Spiritually bereft dark comedy in which, with his wife (Patricia Hastie) left brain-dead by an accident, a grieving Hawaii lawyer (George Clooney) and previously neglectful father is forced to deal with the impact of her loss on their two daughters (Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller) as well as with a family crisis involving the planned sale of a pristine beachfront property held in trust for generations.
Director and co-writer Alexander Payne’s astringent adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel is neither hostile to religion nor to people of faith. But belief of any sort is conspicuously absent as characters grapple with fundamental questions and emotions.
Mature themes, including end-of-life issues and adultery; frequent rough and crude language; and fleeting profanity.

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“My Week With Marilyn” (Weinstein)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

This behind-the-scenes look at the making of 1956’s “The Prince and the Showgirl” — one of Marilyn Monroe’s least successful films — offers a fascinating study of her tortured soul and of a clash of cultures in 1950s Britain.
The young assistant (Eddie Redmayne) to the movie’s distinguished director and leading man, Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh), is smitten by Monroe (Michelle Williams) and eager to protect her from the sniping establishment, who resent her beauty and lack of classical training. Monroe, on the other hand, is desperate to be taken seriously as an actress but hampered by her dependence on pills and alcohol. When the set becomes a battleground of titans, Monroe retreats to the country with her newfound friend in tow.
Directed by newcomer Simon Curtis, this screen version of Colin Clark’s 1995 memoir is, for the most part, surprisingly chaste and free of exploitative intent. Fleeting rear female nudity, brief adulterous kissing, a few profane expressions, some rough language.

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“Arthur Christmas” (Columbia)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

This mostly delightful 3-D animated comedy equips Santa Claus (voice of Jim Broadbent) with a stealth ship, GPS navigation and battalions of ninja-like elves to fulfill the mission of delivering 2 billion gifts each Christmas Eve. Santa’s ambitious elder son (voice of Hugh Laurie) runs the sophisticated global distribution network. Decidedly more low-tech is his younger brother (voice of James McAvoy) — the titular character — whose task is to answer, by hand, all the letters Santa receives from children.
When disaster strikes in the form of an undelivered present, Santa’s aged father (voice of Bill Nighy) joins forces with the junior sibling to come to the rescue, and the duo rockets off on one last mission.
Although it has absolutely nothing to do with the true meaning of the Nativity, first-time director Sarah Smith’s film does offer a good commentary on the commercialization of the holiday and the importance of family, loyalty and being faithful to one’s promise. Some rude humor and cartoonish thrills.

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“Hugo” (Paramount)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.

This family-oriented 3-D fable, set in 1930s Paris, follows the adventures of a 12-year-old orphan (Asa Butterfield) who lives in one of the capital’s great train stations. To avoid being shipped off to an orphanage by the merciless officer responsible for the terminal’s security (Sacha Baron Cohen), the mechanically gifted lad clandestinely carries on the work of the drunken uncle (Ray Winstone) in whose custody he was left, but who has since disappeared, by keeping all the clocks on the premises ticking. In his spare time, he struggles to repair a mysterious automaton he and his beloved father had been tinkering with before the latter’s death.
His search for the necessary spare parts brings him into contact with the embittered owner (Ben Kingsley) of a toy shop and with the merchant’s adopted daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz), a vivacious girl he swiftly befriends.
Adapted from Brian Selznick’s best-seller “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” director Martin Scorsese’s paean to the City of Lights, the human imagination and — via plot developments concerning the shopkeeper’s mysterious past — the pioneers of early cinema casts a charming spell. Only fleeting passages of dialogue touching on adult matters and some mild misbehavior hinder recommendation for all. A few mature references, occasional peril, some implicitly endorsed petty lawbreaking.

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“The Muppets” (Disney)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Jim Henson’s singing, dancing, wise-cracking puppets return to the big screen in an old-fashioned and genuinely funny film, which will appeal to nostalgic baby boomers even as it introduces a new generation to the decidedly low-tech felt figures for whom charm is a strong suit.
The story centers on a good-hearted small town guy (Jason Segel) and his brother (voice of Peter Linz) who, as it happens, is a Muppet. While on a trip to Los Angeles, the siblings — accompanied by the human brother’s girlfriend (Amy Adams) — stumble upon the designs of a wicked oil baron (Chris Cooper), who wants to tear down the derelict studios where “The Muppet Show” was once taped and drill for oil. Unless, that is, $10 million can be raised in just two days.
The gang locates Kermit the Frog (voice of Steve Whitmire) and persuades him to round up his former colleagues for a telethon. Under the direction of newcomer James Bobin, several catchy songs and exuberant dance numbers add to the fun for the entire family.

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“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1” (Summit)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

This fourth addition to the blockbuster gothic franchise opens with the nuptials of the ongoing tale’s iconic but ill-assorted central pair — courteous bloodsucker Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and mortal teen Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) — chronicles their problematic honeymoon in Brazil and follows the unexpected pregnancy that results from the trip. With Bella’s life endangered by having a baby vein-drainer in utero, the Cullen clan (led by Peter Facinelli and Elizabeth Reaser) debate what to do, while perennial third wheel Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) finds himself torn between his hopeless love for Bella and the laws of the vampire-hating werewolf pack to which he belongs.
Director Bill Condon’s adaptation of the first part of novelist Stephenie Meyer’s bestseller “Breaking Dawn” includes a sexual interlude, and some grisly ones, that make it unsuitable for youngsters, though mature viewers will recognize a strongly pro-life message being conveyed via the heroine’s unusual plight. Possibly acceptable for some mature adolescents. A scene of semi-graphic marital lovemaking, some gory images, abortion theme, several mild sexual references and jokes, a couple of crass expressions.

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“Happy Feet Two” (Warner Bros.)

Penguins are once again tap dancing at the bottom of the world in director and co-writer George Miller’s mostly family-friendly, 3-D animated sequel to his 2006 original.
The hero of that film (voice of Elijah Wood) has married his true love (voice of Alecia Moore aka Pink) and they have a cute-as-a-button son (voice of Ava Acres). But junior is “choreophobic,” as his dad once was, embarrassed by his two left fins and a distinct lack of rhythm.
Feeling misunderstood and unloved, the lad runs away, following a maverick adult penguin (voice of Robin Williams) to the latter’s homeland. There, he learns lessons in tolerance and perseverance from the colony’s leader (voice of Hank Azaria), which come in handy when father and son must join forces to save their native flock from disaster.
What the collaborative script lacks in originality is more than made up for by some stunning vistas, a few catchy tunes and an effective use of 3-D technology. A few intense action scenes, some mild innuendo and minimal potty humor.

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“J. Edgar” (Warner Bros.)

Clint Eastwood’s polished but taxing biographical drama recounts major events in the long public career of famed FBI director J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) and attempts to reconstruct his enigmatic personal life.
As scripted by Dustin Lance Black, the film informatively chronicles Hoover’s rise from obscure bureaucrat to power-besotted keeper of the nation’s secrets. Yet its exploration of the three main relationships in Hoover’s life, with his domineering mother (Judi Dench), his girlfriend-turned-secretary (Naomi Watts) and his number two at the bureau (Armie Hammer) — a man who was certainly Hoover’s daily companion over several decades and might have been his lover — feels sensationalized at times and will prove uncomfortable viewing even for mature audience members.
Brief intense but bloodless violence, a scene of semi-graphic adultery, homosexual and transvestite themes, a same-sex kiss, at least one use of profanity, a couple of rough terms.

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“Jack and Jill” (Columbia)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.

Half-witted comedy in which Adam Sandler plays both a successful Los Angeles advertising executive and his well-meaning but irksome, Bronx-based twin sister.
When Sis comes to town for her annual Thanksgiving visit, the ad man can hardly wait for her to leave again — until, that is, she artlessly wins the heart of Al Pacino (playing himself), whom he’s been trying to convince to appear in a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial.
Director Dennis Dugan’s grab-bag of potty humor, harsh slapstick and pop-culture gags is too crude for kids and too puerile for their elders. Much violent slapstick and gross scatological humor, brief implied nudity, some sexual jokes and adult references, at least one crass term.

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Tower Heist” (Universal)

The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Crude action-comedy in which, abetted by a petty thief (Eddie Murphy), the manager of a luxury Manhattan apartment building (Ben Stiller) and several of his colleagues plan a revenge caper against the Wall Street financier (Alan Alda) who looted their employee pension fund.
Rather than mine the topical premise in a genuinely crowd-pleasing fashion, director Brett Ratner and company underestimate their audience by relying on crass stereotypical humor and a steady stream of expletives. Amusing moments courtesy of a talented ensemble — also including Casey Affleck and Matthew Broderick — are thus squandered.
Some profanity, frequent crude and crass language, much sexual banter and innuendo, a suicide attempt, a scene glamorizing alcohol abuse.

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“A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” (Warner Bros.)

The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Consistently vulgar, intermittently loathsome comedy sequel in which reformed pothead Harold (John Cho) and unrepentant stoner Kumar (Kal Penn) go in quest of a replacement for the former’s family Christmas tree which the duo accidentally burned down.
In its largely vain pursuit of laughs, director Todd Strauss-Schulson’s insult to the season stoops not only to sexual excess but to anti-Catholic animus and even blasphemy by portraying pornographic images of lesbian nuns, pedophile priests chasing choirboys and a playboy version of Jesus accompanied by topless angels.
Sacrilegious humor, graphic nonmarital and aberrant sexual activity, full nudity, a benign view of drug use, about a half-dozen instances of profanity, pervasive rough and crude language.

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“Anonymous” (Columbia)

The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Director Roland Emmerich takes up the old but debunked conspiracy theory that William Shakespeare was a fraud, twisting history to suit a screenplay (by John Orloff) that is preposterous, lewd and farcical.
We meet the “real” author of Shakespeare’s works, Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), the 17th earl of Oxford, as a child prodigy, performing his “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the young Queen Elizabeth (Joely Richardson). Time passes, Edward writes dozens of manuscripts in secret, has an adulterous affair with the queen, and enlists playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) to stage his works. Enter unscrupulous — and illiterate — actor Will Shakespeare (Rafe Spall), who blackmails Edward and usurps his place in literary history.
Several incestuous and adulterous relationships, nongraphic premarital sexual activity, some bloody violence.

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“Immortals” (Relativity/Universal)

The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

The Greek gods on Mount Olympus watch nervously as the mortals down below go to war in director Tarsem Singh’s racy 3-D soap opera that borrows heavily from “200” (2006) and “Clash of the Titans” (2010) in plot and visual style.
Centuries have passed since the Olympians vanquished the Titans, bringing tranquility to Greece. But now an aggressive earthly king (Mickey Rourke) is on the march, vowing the destruction of humankind and “the end of the reign of gods.” To close the deal, he must find the Bow of Epirus, “a legendary weapon of unimaginable power,” which will allow him to free the Titans (who are in stasis) and become overlord of heaven and earth.
Because their code of conduct forbids interference in the affairs of mortals, Zeus (Luke Evans) and his fellow deities look to an ordinary peasant (Henry Cavill) to save the day. Unfortunately, the good-vs.-evil morality tale behind all this is overpowered — make that, pulverized — by persistent mayhem and bloodletting, much of it used for shock value, and not to advance the (rather thin) story.
Relentless violence with gore including scenes of torture, upper female and rear nudity, nongraphic premarital sex.

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“In Time” (Fox)

Though stylish, this sci-fi thriller fails to follow through on its chilling premise of a dystopian society in which everyone is genetically engineered to die at age 26 unless they can add more time to their biological clock. So time becomes the only currency.
After receiving a chronological windfall, a previously impoverished factory worker (Justin Timberlake) flees the ghetto and, together with a mogul’s daughter (Amanda Seyfried), attempts to redistribute wealth to the have-nots. Writer-director Andrew Niccol tries to distract the audience from analyzing the details of his intriguing scenario, but his film plays like a glossy fashion spread with a social conscience.
Nongraphic action violence, including gunplay, a suicide, a glimpse of rear female nudity, several nonmarital sexual situations, at least one instance each of profanity and rough language, several crude terms, some innuendo.

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“The Mighty Macs” (Freestyle)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

Feel-good sports drama, based on the true story of women’s basketball coach Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino). In 1972, at age 23, Rush took a job at Pennsylvania’s Immaculata College (now University) and built its team from scratch, eventually leading the “Macs” to the national championship. In the process, she and her lady dribblers inspired the nuns of the faculty, led by a formidable mother superior (Ellen Burstyn), to join forces and save the school from closing. Director Tim Chambers’ family-oriented movie offers lessons in friendship, teamwork, trust and perseverance.

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“The Big Year” (Fox 2000)

The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Warm-hearted seriocomedy in which a business tycoon (Steve Martin), a rudderless nuclear power plant worker (Jack Black) and a home contractor (Owen Wilson) vie to win the titular bird-watching competition by spotting the greatest number of different species over the course of a calendar year. As the builder obsessively tries to defend his seemingly insurmountable previous record, the executive and the slacker form an unlikely friendship as well as an alliance intended to best their sometimes unscrupulous rival.
Director David Frankel’s mostly agreeable film — inspired by Mark Obmascik’s book of the same name — affirms the primacy of family life and personal relationships over materialistic or ego-driven goals. Brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, possible cohabitation, a fertility treatment theme, adultery references, at least one use of profanity, an obscene gesture and a few crude and crass terms.

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“Johnny English Reborn” (Universal)

Elaborately constructed spy spoof — and cleaned-up sequel to the 2003 comedy “Johnny English” — in which Rowan Atkinson as the titular secret agent overcomes severe odds to discover who was responsible for the assassination of the president of Mozambique. Atkinson and director Oliver Parker put Johnny — a combination of Atkinson’s Mr. Bean and Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin of the “Naked Gun” franchise — through a series of droll set-pieces. One dubious, and dull, sight gag aside, they also eschew the less-than-family-friendly humor of the original. Some cartoonish violence, a single tasteless visual joke and fleeting mildly crass language.

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“The Three Musketeers” (Summit)

Alexandre Dumas’ classic costume epic of 17th-century swordsmanship, French patriotism and political treachery is updated with 3-D, slow-motion fighting and two anachronistic airships, one of which has a flamethrower. Director Paul W.S. Anderson downplays the politics to have Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson as Athos, Aramis and Porthos, respectively, joined by Logan Lerman as D’Artagnan, fighting mostly for the love of their women. Probably acceptable for mature adolescents. Fleeting crude and crass language, light sexual banter and highly stylized gun- and swordplay.

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“Paranormal Activity 3” (Paramount)

In 1988 California, a videographer (Chris Smith) records the ominous doings of a malevolent spirit that has taken up residence in the house he shares with his new wife (Lauren Bittner) and two stepdaughters (Chloe Csengery and Jessica Brown). Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman’s horror sequel follows a tried and true formula to deliver mostly gore-free jolts. But the satanic elements of the plot that eventually come to the fore will make many want to steer clear. Occult theme, brief harsh violence, drug use, some nongraphic marital lovemaking, a couple of uses of profanity, several sexual references, considerable rough and crude language.

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“Footloose” (Paramount)

The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

After a night of dirty dancing by five hard-drinking, drug-taking high school seniors from a small Southern town ends with a fatal car crash, one victim’s father (Dennis Quaid), the local Presbyterian minister, spearheads legislation to ban public dancing. But his daughter (Julianne Hough) supports an underground teen revolt, which gains steam with the arrival from Boston of a James Dean-like pouting rebel (Kenny Wormald). Director Craig Brewer’s remake of the 1984 film of the same title retains — and ramps up — the problematic message of the original, namely, that teenagers must disobey their parents, break all the rules and follow their dreams no matter the consequences.
Negative portrayal of religion; acceptance of teenage drinking, drug use, sexual activity and reckless driving; a brutal assault; and a few instances of crude and crass language.

Recently released movies reviewed on basis of moral suitability

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