The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Away From Her (Lionsgate)
Poignant story about a husband (Gordon Pinsent) coping with his wife's (Julie Christie) gradual decline from Alzheimer's disease, and his separation from her when she enters an assisted-living facility where she forms an emotional attachment to another patient (Michael Murphy). The luminous Christie in one of her finest performances makes an unavoidably downbeat film watchable, and writer-director Sarah Polley provides an uncompromising view of a situation that will no doubt resonate deeply with many, though the husband's brief affair with the wife (Olympia Dukakis) of the other patient is morally problematic, even under these tragic circumstances. Some rough expletives, a character's past infidelity and an adulterous affair. (A-III, PG-13)
Kickin' It Old Skool (Yari)
During a school dance contest in 1986, a 5-year-old break dancer does a wrong move, ends up in a coma, and 20 years later, he wakes up as a man (Jamie Kennedy) still thinking he is a child. Harv Glazer directs with an inconsistent tone, going from sentimental to silly slapstick in a flash, and all the actors mug shamelessly, save for the dry wit of Michael Rosenbaum. Suggestive dancing, drinking, brief male rear nudity, a comic scene of cross-dressing, numerous scatological gags, a brief reference to Internet pornography, one use of the f-word, frequent crude and crass language, an instance of profanity and mild sexual banter. (A-III, PG-13)
Lucky You (Warner Bros.)
Mellow love story set in Las Vegas about an ace poker player (an especially good Eric Bana) who puts his randy ways behind him when he meets a decent young woman (Drew Barrymore) who gently encourages him to come to terms with his estranged father (Robert Duvall), also a poker champ. Director and co-writer Curtis Hanson gets appealing performances from his cast, but the emphasis is largely on the game (familiarity a plus) with several poker champs playing cameo roles, and though there are hardly any sex, violence or language concerns, and the values espoused -- honesty, fidelity, forgiveness, filial devotion and good sportsmanship -- are commendable (gambling notwithstanding), the result is only mildly involving. Acceptable for older teens. A couple of instances of crude language, an implied premarital encounter, brief sexual references and innuendo, and brief mild violence. (A-III, PG-13)
Spider-Man 3 (Columbia)
Excellent second sequel has Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), on the verge of proposing marriage to girlfriend Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) while Peter's friend-turned-nemesis Harry (James Franco) recovers from an amnesia-inducing accident which temporarily erases their enmity, though Peter's increasingly prideful behavior and two formidable villains, Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace), set the stage for trouble. Director and co-writer Sam Raimi mixes the expected action sequences (impressive digital effects) with a well-acted, very human story imbued with a strong moral focus resulting in a fine and surprisingly moving -- if somewhat overlong -- action film, with solid themes of good versus evil, forgiveness and redemption. Acceptable for older teens. Intense action violence, a couple of crass words, suicide reference, mild innuendo and a suggestive dance. (A-III, PG-13)
Waitress (Fox Searchlight)
A young woman (Keri Russell) with a talent for baking delicious pies finds the strength to deal with her unhappy marriage in this sweet-and-savory independent comedy. Writer, director and co-star Adrienne Shelly -- who died under tragic circumstances months prior to the movie's premiere at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival -- balances tart humor and mature themes with likeable characters and an affirmation of the joy of motherhood. Brief glimpse of partially nude pregnant women, groping, sexual innuendo including a condom reference, an instance of spousal abuse, some crass language and one use of rough language. (A-III, PG-13)
-- CNS 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.
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