The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D (Dimension)

Entertaining family fantasy about a picked-on 10-year-old (Cayden Boyd) with a fertile imagination who finds himself recruited by the superheroes he created in his daydreams -- Shark Boy (Taylor Lautner) and Lava Girl (Taylor Dooley) -- and blasts off on a mission to save a distant world from the sinister machinations of Mr. Electric (George Lopez). Directed by Robert Rodriguez from characters created by his 10-year-old son, this kid-friendly film is full of whimsical visuals but the gimmicky 3-D effects distract from what is otherwise a genial tale about the importance of imagination and fostering creativity. Some light comic book violence and mildly rude humor. (A-III, PG)

Apres Vous (After You) (Paramount Classics)

Affecting and funny French comedy about a do-gooder (Daniel Auteuil) who rescues a suicidal sad sack (Jose Garcia) who's been dumped by his girlfriend (Sandrine Kiberlain), and attempts to secretly bring the couple back together, but finds himself falling in love with her instead. Director Pierre Salvadori's film, with perfectly judged performances, gets off to a leisurely start, but as the story builds so do the plot complications and the laughs, buttressed by good Samaritan messages about caring, generosity, friendship and kindness. Subtitles. Sporadic rough and crude words, mild profanity, some sexual banter, casual premarital relationships. (A-III, R)

Batman Begins (Warner Bros.)

Dark and brooding prequel that explains how Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) became the costumed crimefighter and reveals the "hidden years," detailing his training as a member of a clandestine order of ninja-like vigilantes, leading up to his donning the cape and cowl to become Gotham City's self-appointed guardian. Director Christopher Nolan goes for a more gritty "reality-based" approach, focusing on the psychological dimension of Bruce/Batman's inner conflict rather than comic-book heroics. Intense action violence, some frightening images and mature thematic elements, as well as a few crude expressions and an instance of profanity. (A-III, PG-13)

Bewitched (Columbia)

Amiable retread of the 1960s sitcom, as a washed-up movie actor (Will Ferrell) decides to revive the series (and his career), casting an unknown (Nicole Kidman) to play his wife, not realizing she's an actual witch, leading to romantic complications. Writer-director Nora Ephron's comedy is more pleasantly amusing than outright hilarious, but the mercurial Kidman is a total delight, Ferrell has some bright moments, and there are felicitous turns by Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine and Carole Shelley, as well as a positive message about honesty and friendship. Some crude expressions, sexual humor and innuendo, cartoonish witchcraft elements and partial blurred nudity make this best for adults and perhaps older adolescents. (A-III, PG-13)

Deep Blue (Miramax)

Visually spectacular nature documentary which explores Earth's final frontier, the ocean, from its wave-tossed surface teeming with myriad marine life to its unfathomable depths, revealing both its sublime beauty and indiscriminate cruelty. Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Andy Byatt and narrated by Pierce Brosnan, this awe-inspiring tour through liquid space, with its breathtaking, up-close, underwater photography (culled from the BBC series "The Blue Planet"), is highly emotional and imparts a deeper appreciation for the wonders of God's creation. Some disturbing predatory images. (AII, G)

Herbie: Fully Loaded (Disney)

Cheerful family comedy which finds the magical Volkswagen Beetle rescued from the scrapheap to help a plucky speedster (Lindsay Lohan) realize her dream of being a stock car racer, when she rides the love bug to victory against a slimy NASCAR champ (Matt Dillon) and saves her widower dad's (Michael Keaton) struggling racing team. Directed by Angela Robinson, the film manages to capture the freewheeling slapstick fun and blithe charm of the earlier films, while imparting a lighthearted message about friendship, loyalty, honesty and the bonds of family, which packs enough heart under its hood to make for a satisfyingly entertaining ride. (A-I, G)

The Honeymooners (Paramount)

Ho-hum updating of the classic Jackie Gleason 1950s' television series with Cedric the Entertainer as Ralph Kramden, the New York bus driver, Mike Epps as Ed Norton, his sewer-working friend, and Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall as their long-suffering wives, in a contrived story about Ralph and Ed entering a mutt in a dog race to earn money to buy a suburban house for their wives, after Ralph squanders their savings on an antique subway train. John Schultz's film bears little resemblance to the much-loved series in either tone or laugh quotient, and without Gleason or sidekick Art Carney, there's little point to the endeavor. Some mild profanity, crass expressions, fleeting irreverence, crude humor and innuendo. (A-II, PG-13)

Howl's Moving Castle (Disney)

Marvelous, hugely imaginative Japanese animated feature based on a popular novel by Diana Wynne Jones about a young girl (voiced by Emily Mortimer) transformed into an old lady (Jean Simmons) by a witch's curse (Lauren Bacall) who becomes the housekeeper to a handsome, but reclusive, wizard (Christian Bale) and his apprentice (Josh Hutcherson) and fire demon (Billy Crystal). Hayao Miyazaki's utterly absorbing film works so well on many levels that it can be equally appreciated by children and adults, and imparts beautiful messages about taking a moral stand, respect for the elderly, forgiveness and the senselessness of war. Subtitles in Japanese version. Battle scenes, some frightening images for very young children. (A-II, PG)

March of the Penguins (Warner Independent)

Exceptional nature documentary which details the annual mating migrations of emperor penguins in Antarctica, during which they endure treacherous treks across inhospitable terrain, facing sub-zero temperatures and starvation to ensure the survival of the species. Beautifully directed by Luc Jacquet and narrated by Morgan Freeman, the captivating film is as emotionally gripping as it is visually spectacular, and imparts a heart-warming message about the enduring power of love. A brief predatory image and some sad moments. (A-I, G)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (20th Century Fox)

Excessively violent -- not to mention dull and unfunny -- action comedy about a couple (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) living an ordinary suburban life, each -- unbeknownst to the other -- a hired assassin working for rival organizations, and who, upon learning the truth, stop at nothing to try and kill each other. Director Doug Liman's stylized but unstylish action film is a trashy glorification of violence and ugly brutality, only fitfully watchable thanks to the attractiveness of its stars, whose onscreen chemistry is practically nil. The witless script hasn't even a smidgen of reality to ground the improbable proceedings, making for an unusually distasteful film. Relentless violence, cold-blooded murders, profanity, crude language, sexual situations and banter, suggestive costuming, implied premarital sex. (O, PG-13)

The Perfect Man (Universal)

Breezy but forgettable romantic comedy about a high school student (Hilary Duff) who, tired of being uprooted every time her lovelorn, single mom (Heather Locklear) gets her heart broken, invents an imaginary suitor for her -- writing secret admirer e-mails and sending her flowers -- based on the romance advice of a charming restaurateur (Chris Noth) with predictable complications. Directed by Mark Rosman, the film, despite a sweet pro-family message, is pretty much fluff and is weighed down by an anemic script that not even Duff's buoyant charm can keep afloat. Some mildly suggestive content and thematic elements. (A-II, PG)

--CNS