The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Hannibal Rising (MGM)
Bland and brutal prequel to "Silence of the Lambs" that charts serial killer Hannibal Lecter's origins from his boyhood (played by Aaron Thomas) in Nazi-occupied Lithuania through early adulthood (played by Gaspard Ulliel), tracing his descent from traumatized youth -- having witnessed an unspeakable wartime crime involving his little sister -- to sadistic fiend who tracks down and kills the men responsible (including Rhys Ifans). Director Peter Weber's adaptation of Thomas Harris' fourth Lecter novel eschews psychological suspense for a more exploitative standard revenge formula without ever delving into the complexities of Hannibal's character or exploring the nature of evil, while its attempt to position its deranged protagonist, by pitting him against ex-Nazi-thugs, as a hero of sorts is troubling. Much bloody and sadistic violence, revenge themes with vigilante justice, grisly images including a decapitation, suggested cannibalism, some crude sexual references and a few instances of rough language. (O, R)
The Last Sin Eater (Fox Faith)
Engaging if rather colorless adaptation of Francine Rivers' novel set in 19th-century Appalachia about a guilt-ridden girl (Liana Liberato) who, blaming herself for her younger sister's death, seeks out a mysterious mountain man (Peter Wingfield) alleged to be able to take upon himself the sins of others. Learning that Jesus is the only source of forgiveness after her meeting with a Bible-preaching stranger (Henry Thomas), she helps rid the community of its collective guilt with the help of the son (Soren Fulton) of an abusive father (Stewart Finlay-McLennan). Director Michael Landon Jr.'s film is short on period atmosphere but holds your interest despite plot improbabilities. The performances are above-average for this genre, especially the two youngsters and Louise Fletcher as a wise woman who knows something of the community's mysterious past, and along with some decent plot twists, there are fine Christian messages about redemption, reconciliation and renewal. Some nongraphic violence, murder and domestic abuse. (A-II, PG)
The Lives of Others (Das Leben Der Anderen) (Sony Classics)
Gripping German political thriller set in the East Berlin of 1984 -- five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall -- in which a hard-bitten interrogator for the secret police (Ulrich Muhe) wiretaps the apartment of a celebrated playwright (Sebastian Koch) and his actress companion (Martina Gedeck), and discovers his own humanity in the process. Writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, making an auspicious feature film debut, has crafted a suspenseful and profoundly moving story that, besides bringing to life the ambience of pre-glasnost Germany, vividly demonstrates the transformative power of art while elucidating the conflict between ideology and conscience. A modern classic. Subtitles. Some sexual encounters, one involving a prostitute, with rear and partial nudity; a premarital relationship; innuendo; a few crude words; drug addiction; and suicide. (A-III, R)
Norbit (DreamWorks)
Mild-mannered nebbish (a sweet Eddie Murphy), raised in the Golden Wonton Restaurant Orphanage by an eccentric-but-caring Asian man (also Murphy), is later browbeaten into marrying an abusive and monstrously large battle-axe (Murphy again), but reunites with his childhood sweetheart (Thandie Newton) who comes back to town engaged to an unscrupulous con artist (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Director Brian Robbins -- working from a script co-written by Murphy -- keeps the fitfully amusing gags coming, and Murphy's versatility is undeniably impressive but the script often sags, and vulgarity is rampant. How much compensation one finds in the heart beneath the bawdiness will depend on a willingness to look beyond the flagged elements listed below that in less skillful hands would be even more offensive. Much low humor including some brief irreverence, crude language and expressions and some profanity, farcical adultery, brief rear male nudity, suggestive costuming, two "ex-pimp" characters, innuendo and some ethnic stereotyping. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. The Office for Film & Broadcasting classifications of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops rates movies on the basis of moral suitability. The classifications are: 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.
The Motion Picture Association of America ratings are: 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.
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