The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Namesake (Fox Searchlight)
Superb, beautifully acted over-the-years saga about Indian newlyweds (Tabu and Irrfan Khan) who emigrate to New York to start their life, and the joys and vicissitudes which follow, including the son (Kal Penn) who grows away from them. Director Mira Nair's adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri's acclaimed novel holds your interest right up to its two-hankie conclusion, and though there are a few uses of the "s" word, and some low-keyed bedroom scenes with brief rear nudity in one of them, this is highly recommendable for upper teens and up, for its poignant affirmation of family, respect for one's parents, and embracing one's heritage with pride. Partially subtitled. A few crude words, brief teenage drug use, brief sexual encounters --- a couple without nudity, one a premarital situation with rear nudity --- adultery, fleeting images of dead and injured after a train wreck. (A-III, PG-13)
300 (Warner Bros.)
Noisy, testosterone-charged telling of the legendary battle between ancient Sparta's meager 300 soldiers led by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) against the vast Persian army headed by the fearsome Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), while Sparta's queen (Lena Headey) futilely attempts to sway a corrupt politician (Dominic West) to bolster her husband's troops. With Frank Miller's graphic novel as a springboard, director and co-writer Zack Snyder takes a highly stylized approach --- most of the film is shot in sepia tones, with the impossibly buffed soldiers facing off against digitalized weapons, creatures, and seemingly thousands of Persians --- soon grows tiresome, though the pervasive battlefield violence is somewhat tempered by the often artful cinematography. Much slow-motion fighting with bloodshed, impalings, and decapitations, an adulterous episode with an implied rough sexual encounter, brief upper female and rear nudity, innuendo, some exotic dancing with a lesbian kiss during a brief orgy sequence, skimpy male attire throughout. (L, R)
The Ultimate Gift (Fox Faith)
Modern-day parable about a self-absorbed young man (Drew Fuller) who, to inherit his tycoon grandfather's (James Garner) fortune, must first accomplish a series of tasks intended to teach him significant life lessons. His learning curve is accelerated by a plucky, terminally ill girl (Abigail Breslin) and her single mom (Ali Hillis), whose gift of friendship provides the catalyst for his eventual transformation. Director Michael O. Sajbel's heartfelt adaptation of Jim Stovall's novel avoids excessive sentimentality as it imparts positive messages about gratitude, forgiveness, family and altruism that overcome its uneven script and some average performances. Mature thematic elements, some brief violence and a few instances of crude language. (A-II, PG)
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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