The following are brief movie reviews of "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," "The Passion of the Christ," "The Return," and "Twisted."

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

"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" (Touchstone)
Fun but formulaic adolescent soap opera about an eccentric 16-year-old (Lindsay Lohan) transplanted by her single mom from New York City to suburban New Jersey where she becomes easy prey for her new high school's reigning queen of mean (Megan Fox). Directed by Sara Sugarman, the film probes the perils of pubescence with charm and warmth, touching on questions of conformity, peer approval, and maintaining one's self-identity, and at times is laced with a kids-know-better-than-parents bias, but overall imparts a positive message about dreaming boldly and believing in oneself. Thematic elements and brief, mildly crass expressions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

"The Passion of the Christ" (Newmarket)
Unflinching dramatization of the final agonizing hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ (Jim Caviezel), from the garden of Gethsemane to his crucifixion and resurrection, intercut with flashbacks to his childhood and public ministry. Although the film's brutality poignantly conveys the depth of Christ's love by showing him freely enduring such extreme agony for the redemption of all sinners, the graphic nature of the raw visuals is played to diminishing returns. Following the basic outline of the Gospel Passion narratives, director Mel Gibson embroiders his interpretive retelling of Scripture with extrabiblical sources as well as his own imagination, to craft an at times profoundly moving movie which succeeds in stripping Christ's sacrificial suffering of its Sunday school sugar-coating. While it is the film's assertion that responsibility for Christ's torture and death rests squarely with the Roman authorities, and away from the collective Jewish populace, the movie presents a historically skewed depiction of the Temple elite's sway with their imperial overlords. Subtitles. Gory scenes of torture and crucifixion, a suicide and some frightening images. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

"The Return" (Kino International)
Melancholy Russian production about a terse father (Konstantin Lavronenko) who suddenly returns to his family after an unexplained absence of 12 years, taking his young sons (Ivan Dobronravov and Vladimir Garin) on an apparent fishing trip that takes a dramatic turn when the boys object to his callous treatment. The gloom of director Andrey Zvyagintsev's odd, thriller-like tale is offset by intriguing character studies of the trio, nuanced performances and an unexpected finale. Subtitles. Contentious family relationships and a couple of crass expressions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

"Twisted" (Paramount)
Abysmally bad thriller about a newly promoted homicide detective (Ashley Judd) with a tortured past who becomes the prime suspect in a serial murder case she is investigating with her partner (Andy Garcia). Director Philip Kaufman unskillfully navigates a minefield of ridiculous cop cliches and laughable dialogue to craft one of the funniest movies in recent memory; the only problem is it's not supposed to be a comedy. Several sexual encounters with fleeting rear nudity, recurring images of crime scene gore, some brief violence, as well as frequent 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.

-- CNS