The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Disturbia (Paramount)
Reasonably suspenseful thriller in the tradition of Hitchcock's "Rear Window" about a teen (Shia LaBeouf) --- under house arrest after an emotional outburst stemming from his dad's death --- who begins to spy on the neighbors, eventually suspecting one (David Morse) of being a serial killer. Director D.J. Caruso handles his serial-killer theme with relative restraint, with the emphasis squarely on suspense. Some violence including two murders, an image of a corpse and some discreet shots of other dead bodies, a disturbing car accident, some crude and crass language and profanity, skimpy costuming, underage drinking, suggestive dancing, brief suggestions of infidelity and underage viewing of pornography. (A-III, PG-13)
Pathfinder (Fox)
Relentlessly violent tale about a shipwrecked Viking lad taken in and raised by a Native American tribe, until 15 years later when now as an adult he sets out, virtually single-handedly, to exact revenge on returning Vikings who have slaughtered his adopted tribe and are bent on killing every other tribe in their path so as to lay claim to the land. Director Marcus Nispel's video gamelike movie eschews character development as well as narrative logic in a drawn-out series of brutal beheadings, impalements and eviscerations that overwhelm the intriguing premise of the legendary Norsemen arriving on American shores many centuries before Columbus. Excessive violence and gore. (O, R)
Perfect Stranger (Revolution)
Trashy, utterly nonsensical thriller about an investigative reporter (Halle Berry) who, with the help of a sleazy computer-savvy colleague (Giovanni Ribisi), sets out to expose the big-shot advertising executive (Bruce Willis) who may have murdered her childhood friend after an adulterous affair. The ill-conceived script --- peppered with so many gratuitous uses of the f-word it's almost risible --- strains credulity at every turn, and most of the seamy sexual elements have little dramatic justification, though we'll credit director James Foley with bringing some visual flair. Nonstop rough and crude language and some profanity, heavy sexual content including a graphic premarital encounter without nudity, brief pornographic images, adultery, child abuse, some violent encounters including a bloody stabbing and a bludgeoning, and a gruesome morgue image. (O, R)
Private Fears in Public Places (IFC First Take)
Master French filmmaker Alain Resnais' superb adaptation of British playwright Alan Ayckbourn's bittersweet comedy about six lonely characters: a real estate agent, his lovelorn sister, his religiously minded secretary (Sabine Azema), a widowed bartender, an alcoholic ex-military man and his frustrated girlfriend. A humorous stage piece with a serious undertone here becomes a breathtaking study of loneliness and alienation thanks to sensitive performances, evocative music and rich production design. Though Azema's character has proclivities wildly at odds with her pious demeanor, her imperfections pointedly represent the human flaws in all of us, while her faith is shown to be completely genuine. Subtitles. Brief suggestion of pornographic images, some rough and crude language, alcohol use, some domestic discord, premarital situations and implied sexual activity. (A-III, no MPAA rating)
Year of the Dog (Paramount Vantage)
Quirky tale --- by turns, wryly amusing, sad and thought-provoking --- about a lonely office worker (Molly Shannon) whose beloved beagle dies suddenly, prompting her to reevaluate her priorities as she interacts with her hunting-obsessed neighbor (John C. Reilly), an animal rights activist (Peter Sarsgaard), her paranoid boss (Josh Pais), best friend-officemate (Regina King), and upscale brother (Tom McCarthy) and sister-in-law (Laura Dern). Writer-director Mike White's low-keyed comedy avoids the predictable as it explores the validity of its heroine's increasing obsession with dogs and animal rights; performances are finely etched and a compassionate worldview informs the whole film. Brief innuendo and sexual banter and mild profanity. (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.
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