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

Eragon (Fox 2000)
Reasonably diverting, if predictable, fantasy adventure for youngsters about a farm boy (Ed Speleers) who, after the death of his uncle, learns it's his destiny to become a dragon rider battling an evil king (John Malkovich) and his henchman (Robert Carlyle) in a mythical kingdom, all the while assisted by a retired dragon rider (Jeremy Irons). The script, based on a novel by Christopher Paolini, trots out every cliche known to this genre, but the special effects, especially involving the hero's majestic dragon (voice of Rachel Weisz) are well done. Director Stefan Fangmeier's film is well paced, and the violence, though noisy and chaotic, avoids overt gore, while there are no sex or language concerns. Action violence, magical hocus pocus. (A-II, PG)

The Good German (Warner Bros.)
Compelling, well-acted, if somewhat contrived, story of a U.S. war correspondent (George Clooney) who comes to Berlin to cover the Potsdam peace conference after World War II, and finds the German woman with whom he once had an affair (Cate Blanchett), who is now desperate to leave the country, as he attempts to solve the mystery of the murder of the opportunistic young corporal (Tobey Maguire) assigned to be his driver, eventually leading him to the woman's scientist husband whose expertise is sought by both the American and Russian occupiers. Director Steven Soderbergh has filmed this adaptation of Joseph Kanon's novel with the black-and-white trappings of postwar-era films, a distracting stunt that is nonetheless more successful than not, though the adult themes, sexual content and language are very much in the contemporary vein. Rough language and profanity, crude expressions, racial epithets, prostitution, a shadowy sexual encounter without nudity, adultery, rape discussion, violence, murder and a mild striptease. (A-III, R)

National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj (Bauer Martinez Entertainment)
Sophomoric sequel to 2002's "Van Wilder" with American college student Taj Mahal Badalandabad (played again by Kal Penn) continuing his academic and partying pursuits at a prestigious English university where he inspires a group of campus outcasts (Glenn Barry, Anthony Cozens, Steve Rathman and Holly Davidson) to take on some snooty bluebloods in a fraternal competition. Director Mort Nathan offers a witless syllabus of raunchy frat-house humor that depicts college life as little more than an opportunity for sex and booze. Pervasive vulgar sexual humor, crass sight gags, partial frontal nudity, much crude language and an instance of profanity. (O, R)

The Pursuit of Happyness (Columbia)
Feel-good tale based on the true story of a selfless medical supply salesman (an ever-appealing Will Smith) who, after his wife (Thandie Newton) walks out, raises his 5-year-old son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) on his own while pursuing a new career path as a stockbroker in an unpaid internship while enduring financial struggles, homelessness and other vicissitudes. A bit long and occasionally repetitive, but there's a lump-in-the-throat payoff, and director Gabriele Muccino's film scores high on the inspirational message scale, with Smith's character doing all he can to nurture his son under trying circumstances and projecting admirable decency throughout. A few instances of crude language and marital discord. (A-II, PG-13)

Unaccompanied Minors (Warner Bros.)
Yuletide clunker about an early teen (Dyllan Christopher) and his little sister (Dominique Saldana) separated while waylaid at an airport during a Christmas Eve blizzard, with the former recruiting several other stranded juveniles (Gina Mantegna, Tyler James Williams, Brett Kelly and Quinn Shephard) to reunite them, while evading the airport's Scrooge-like security chief (Lewis Black). Full of mayhem and slapstick silliness and capped with a contrived sentimental payoff, this inane comedy insults the intelligence of youngsters and will be a chore for grown-ups "accompanying" their minors. Some mildly crude language and humor, as well as divorce themes. (A-II, PG)

Venus (Miramax)
Mostly downbeat London-based story about an aging actor's (Peter O'Toole in top form) unhealthy obsession with the lower-class young woman (Jodie Whittaker) working as caregiver to his best friend (Leslie Phillips), a fellow thespian. Though director Roger Michell's film has a number of positive aspects and several tender moments, particularly those having to do with the actor's desire to educate and inspire the girl --- and there's a duly redemptive ending as well as accomplished performances by a fine English cast (Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Griffiths) --- the fetishistic nature of the central relationship, the high quotient of bad language, and overall grubby milieu push this into the objectionable category. Pervasive rough and crude language and profanity, alcohol and tobacco use, abortion reference, premarital sex, upper and rear female nudity, unpleasantly specific medical references and imagery, some violence. (O, R)

Office for Film & Broadcasting classifications: A-I -- general patronage; A-II -- adults and adolescents; A-III -- adults; L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling; O -- morally offensive.

MPAA ratings: G -- general audiences. All ages admitted; PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children; PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13; R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian; NC-17 -- no one 17 and under admitted.

--- CNS