The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Dead Silence (Universal)
Mechanical, relatively mayhem-free horror movie about a man (Jamie Ashen) who returns to his hometown seeking answers to his wife's murder. Director James Wan teases a bit of mystery out of an ordinary plot concerning the revenge of a female ventriloquist and her collection of dolls, but the film proves long on buildup and short on genuine frights. Some crass language, violence, bloody images and dead bodies. (A-III, R)
The Last Mimzy (New Line)
Mostly engaging science-fiction fantasy about a young brother and sister who find a mysterious box filled with strange objects (including the titular toy rabbit) sent from the future that gradually sets them on a path that will save humanity, while their parents (Joely Richardson and Timothy Hutton) and science teacher (Rainn Wilson) marvel at the kids' newly found intelligence as well as the strange cosmic happenings that start to occur. New Line Cinema founder Bob Shaye returns to his filmmaking roots for the first time since 1990 and proves a capable director, though the narrative --- adapted from Lewis Padgett's short story --- is an odd blend of New Age mysticism and Eastern mumbo jumbo --- albeit with an admirable pro-environment message --- but will hold the interest of kids and even their parents. A single use of a crude word, some mildly crass expressions, mild innuendo and an implied premarital situation. (A-II, PG)
Pride (Lionsgate)
Inspirational true-life tale, circa 1971, about a coach (Terrence Howard) who forms a swim team at a dilapidated Philadelphia community house, demonstrating to the African-American youths that, despite the poverty and crime around them, they can compete with privileged teens both in the pool and in the world. The emotion-tugging efficiency of director Sunu Gonera, a veteran of Coca-Cola and Nike commercials, serves this period piece well, briskly hitting all its marks about hope, teamwork, believing in oneself and overcoming adversity. A small amount of crude and crass language (including two instances of the n-word), a couple of scuffles and some vague threats of violence. (A-II, PG)
Reign Over Me (Columbia)
Singularly offbeat, albeit poignantly etched, buddy film about a successful dentist (Don Cheadle) who meets up with and tries to rehabilitate his college roommate (Adam Sandler), once a dentist himself and now sadly childlike, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his wife and children perishing Sept. 11, 2001, and in the process comes to terms with some of his own emotional issues. Writer/director Mike Binder's drama is well-intentioned, and Sandler pulls off a difficult part with distinction, but the script is paradoxically original yet formulaic with often implausible character motivation, though the 9/11 theme and Sandler's heart-wrenching character tug at the emotions. Pervasive rough and crude language and occasional profanity, some forthright and crass sexual discussion, and emotional outbursts. (L, R)
Shooter (Paramount)
Satisfying conspiracy thriller that plays like a Tom Clancy "Rambo," with Mark Wahlberg as an ex-U.S. Army sniper framed by government bigwig Danny Glover for an attempted presidential assassination that killed a foreign bishop instead. Director Antoine Fuqua, who knows his way around guns 'n' ammo from "Training Day" and "Tears of the Sun," keeps the grimly photographed action brisk and believable, and the plot twists mostly convincing. Some rough and crude language, much military violence with bloodshed, a scene of anonymous soldiers immolated by napalm, two scenes of torture aftermath, and a woman in partial states of undress, though no nudity. (A-III, R)
TMNT (Warner Bros.)
Computer-animated feature revives the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise, as four brothers set out to defeat a villain poised to unleash 13 monsters on New York. Writer-director Kevin Munroe navigates a rather overly complicated plot with aplomb, successfully balancing action and humor while enforcing the values of solidarity and atonement. Cartoon-level combat and swordplay, a subtle acceptance of a premarital living situation, two instances of belching and some disrespectful banter, and a mild instance of profanity. (A-II, PG)
Tortilla Heaven (Archangel Entertainment)
Well-meaning misfire about wacky complications and a mysterious stranger in a devout Southwestern hamlet when the image of Jesus manifests itself on a tortilla. The ensemble comedy-drama by first-time feature director Judy Hecht Dumontet, who also co-wrote the script, finds curmudgeonly nonbeliever Isidor Navarro (Jose Zuniga), owner of the Tortilla Heaven restaurant in a tiny New Mexican town, caught between a miracle and Mammon as his friends, family, the mayor and the local priest (all played by a remarkably high-profile cast of Latino actors including George Lopez, Alexis Cruz, Elpidia Carrillo, Irene Bedard, Geno Silva, Marcelo Tubert and Ana Ortiz, who is on TV's "Ugly Betty") try to cash in on pilgrimage tourism with the help of a shady dealmaker (an excellent Miguel Sandoval). The film contains the occasional crude epithet and mild profanity, rear nudity, some sexual humor and a lightly irreverent end gag. (A-III, PG-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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