The following are movie reveiws of "The Big Bounce," "Monster," and "The Perfect Score."

These moviews recently were reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"The Big Bounce" (Warner Bros.)
Insipid caper comedy about a petty thief (Owen Wilson) who is lured by a well-connected judge (Morgan Freeman) and a sultry island seductress (Sara Foster) into robbing a wealthy Hawaiian real estate developer, but his payday turns sour when the scam leads to double-crossings and murder. The film is based on a pulp crime novel by Elmore Leonard and directed by George Armitage; pretty scenery is about all this black comedy has going for it, thanks to a script shakier than a hula-dancer's hips, flat-line performances that not even Leonard's sharp dialogue can resuscitate and a disconcerting assertion that crime not only pays, but pays quite well. A few sexual encounters with partial nudity, a casual attitude toward murder and larceny, an implied homosexual situation, recurring violence, some crude humor and language, as well as racial slurs. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting 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 are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"Monster" (Newmarket)
Fictionalized drama about real-life serial murderer Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron), executed in Florida in 2002 for the death of six men, and her dysfunctional love affair with a young lesbian (Christina Ricci). In sympathetically portraying Wuornos, first-time writer-director Patty Jenkins walks a fine line between telling a fact-based story and justifying her horrific acts by painting her as a victim, but this unexceptional film is really about Theron's exceptional performance, which captures both Wuornos' inner turmoil and outer mannerisms, packing 30 pounds onto her frame for the role. A few lesbian sexual encounters with partial nudity, recurring violence including a rape, stereotyping of conservative Christians, as well as pervasive rough and crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting 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.

"The Perfect Score" (Paramount)
Below-the-bell-curve teen heist comedy about six high school students (including Erika Christensen and Scarlett Johansson) who conspire to break into a SAT testing center and steal the answers to their upcoming college entrance exams and in the process transcend their differences on the road to self-discovery. While its attractive cast may click with some young viewers, director Brian Robbins' film won't score points with parents, who may find its casual attitude toward marijuana usage and morally ambiguous view of cheating more than a bit off-putting. An instance of rough language, as well as some crude language, sexual humor and innuendo and several drug references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

-- CNS