Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Jason Mantzoukas star in a scene from the movie "The House." The Catholic News Service classification is O -- morally offensive. (CNS/Warner Bros.)

By Catholic News Service

Dim-witted, cash strapped parents (Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler) of a college-age daughter (Ryan Simpkins) team with a friend (Jason Mantzoukas) to start an illegal casino in his house so they can pay for her tuition. But their scheme spirals down into a series of bad decisions and gruesome events.

Director Andrew Jay Cohen, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brendan O’Brien, has produced a sloppy, illogical, cringe-inducing time-waster. A lengthy gory sequence, frequent rough and crude language.

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.

Click here for full reviews of this and other current movies by Catholic News Service.