capsule movie reviews

Dec. 21, 2006)
reviewed by the Office for Film Broadcasting of the U.S.

Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Charming live-action adaptation of E.B.

White's beloved children's classic talking animals (voiced by Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese and Robert Redford, among others), and the fancy web work of a sage spider, Charlotte (voiced by Julia Roberts). Hewing closely to the book, director story and its simple, timeless themes of friendship and the bittersweet cycle of life. Some mildly crude humor.

The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.

Reasonably diverting, if predictable, fantasy adventure for youngsters about a farm boy (Ed Speleers) who, after the death of his uncle, learns Malkovich) and his henchman (Robert Carlyle) in a mythical kingdom, all the while assisted by a retired dragon rider (Jeremy Irons). The script, based on a novel by Christopher Paolini, trots out every cliche known to this genre, but the special effects, especially involving the hero's majestic dragon (voice of Rachel Weisz) are well done. Director Stefan Fangmeier's film is well paced, and the violence, though noisy and chaotic, avoids overt gore, while there are no sex or language concerns.

Action violence, magical hocus pocus. The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

Some material may not be suitable for children.
Compelling, well-acted, if somewhat contrived, story of a U.S.

war correspondent after World War II, and finds the German woman with whom he once had an affair (Cate Blanchett), who is now desperate to leave the country, as corporal (Tobey Maguire) assigned to be his driver, eventually leading the American and Russian occupiers. Director Steven Soderbergh has filmed of postwar-era films, a distracting stunt that is nonetheless more successful than not, though the adult themes, sexual content and language are very much in the contemporary vein. Rough language and profanity, crude expressions, adultery, rape discussion, violence, murder and a mild striptease.

The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. over Christmas, leading to the former falling in love with a film composer Nancy Meyers elicits heartfelt performances from all, and there's a strong affirmation of family and concern for the elderly, though some of today's permissive attitude, but not overt sexual content, is inherent in the script. Some rough and crude words, implied premarital relationships, light innuendo and banter, a chaste bedroom scene and mild domestic violence.

adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

(an ever-appealing Will Smith) who, after his wife (Thandie Newton) walks out, raises his 5-year-old son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) on his own while enduring financial struggles, homelessness and other vicissitudes. A bit long and occasionally repetitive, but there's a lump-in-the-throat payoff, and director Gabriele Muccino's film scores high on the inspirational message scale, with Smith's character doing all he can to nurture his son under trying circumstances and projecting admirable decency throughout. A few instances of crude language and marital discord.

The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

luminous Nicole Kidman), circa 1958, on the verge of transformation from pictorial chronicler of societal pariahs and those with physical abnormalities. Jr.), a mysterious figure covered with voluminous hair from head to toe, who unleashes her inhibitions and her artistic vision, and with whom she enters into a mostly platonic, but sensually charged, relationship.

Director Alice in Wonderland for this absorbing allegory which, if viewed in that light, tempers some of the undeniably problematic elements which will severely limit its appeal to Catholic audiences, and necessitate the restrictive classification. Full-frontal nudity, a sexual encounter suicide, some instances of profanity, rough language and crude expressions, mortuary image of dead woman, alcohol and fleeting drug use. The USCCB The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Finney). He decides to sell the property, only to fall for the charms daughter.

The film represents a laid-back change of pace for both Crowe and director Ridley Scott, but though old-fashioned romantic comedy is all too rare the often lame humor and workaday script, adapted from Peter Mayle's book, make for indifferent viewing. Frequent conversational expletives and some profanity, a nongraphic premarital encounter, some crass humor and innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification notwithstanding, the action is bleak and brutish, compounded by the script's nihilism and morally problematic ending, which undermines whatever writer-director David Ayer may be trying to say about the culture of violence, including its desensitizing effect, especially on those in combat.

Pervasive rough and crude language and profanity, intense and graphic violence, some disturbing images, a mercy killing, drug content and a suggested sexual encounter. offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
seasonal duties, while a jealous Jack Frost (Martin Short) tries to usurp up the red suit. The movie's sweet message about the importance of family and the power of love, unfortunately, comes wrapped in a slapdash script clumsily directed by Michael Lembeck, who, in rightly criticizing the crass commercialization of Christmas, forwards a secular view of the holiday that ignores its religious underpinning.

Brief mildly rude humor and a minor divorce theme. The USCCB Office for Film Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences.

All ages admitted.
only he can hear, which turns out to belong to a famous reclusive author and that predicts what will happen to him, including his death. By turns sentimental, funny and, in the end, modestly profound, director Marc Forster's existential farce touches on issues of fate and free will, while imparting a wonderful message that the little moments -- the smiles, hugs and small of our daily living are what give life its meaning.

An implied sexual encounter, brief locker-room rear nudity, a jarring traffic accident and one use of the f-word, as well as a couple of crude expressions and an instance of profanity. 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.