Movie Reviews
NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“Annapolis” (Touchstone)
Diverting but derivative drama about a scrappy shipyard worker (an appealing James Franco) who, after being accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, must prove his mettle while training for the school’s boxing tournament against his no-nonsense drill instructor (Tyrese Gibson). Though director Justin Lin’s adrenalized climax achieves its desired, rousing effect, this retread of “An Officer and a Gentleman” is hollow and formulaic. Brutal boxing sequences, an attempted suicide, some sexually crude language and humor, as well as 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.
“End of the Spear” (Every Tribe Entertainment)
Inspiring true story about a group of American missionaries in the Amazon in 1956, and the native tribe with whom they are trying to make contact, whose lives are changed by tragedy when tribal warriors kill five of the foreigners. It is told through the eyes of the son of one of the martyred men (Chad Allen) and a volatile tribesman (Louie Leonardo) who took part in the massacre. Despite its tepid telling, director Jim Hanon’s visually lovely and earnest film is a stirring testament to the power of faith and forgiveness to reconcile and heal. Some scenes of violence, including several spearings, limiting its suitability to older adolescents and up. 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.
“Big Momma’s House 2” (20th Century Fox)
Stale sequel to the 2000 comedy in which FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) while posing as a plus-size nanny to investigate a software designer tagged with compromising national security, winds up bringing the suspected man’s family closer together. Directed by John Whitesell, this only fitfully funny and unnecessarily crude second helping rehashes much of the original’s forced slapstick humor, with the perfunctory plot an afterthought to Lawrence’ sassy shtick. Comic violence, some gun waving and an implied shooting, some crude and sexual humor and innuendo, a brief drug reference, age-inappropriate suggestive dance moves involving young children, scattered crass expressions. 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.
“Tristan & Isolde” (20th Century Fox)
Occasionally stirring but mostly somber retelling of the classic, star-crossed love story set in the 6th century, about an English knight (James Franco) and his Irish lover (Sophia Myles) who is promised in marriage to his liege (Rufus Sewell). The lovers must choose between passion and duty, with the peace of their warring peoples hanging in the balance. Despite nice photography, attractive leads and the enduring themes of love, loss and honor, director Kevin Reynolds’ tale of tragic romance is weighed down by Franco’s brooding and humorless performance. Intense battle violence, including severed limbs, a hanging, several sexual situations with suggested nudity, and themes of adultery. 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.
“Nanny McPhee” (Universal)
Enjoyable tale of a magical nanny (Emma Thompson) who comes to the aid of seven, out-of-control children and their befuddled widower father (Colin Firth), a mortician, and the servant (Kelly MacDonald) who loves him from afar. Director Kirk Jones, working from a screenplay by Thompson based on the “Nurse Matilda” books, has derivative overtones of “Mary Poppins” and other children’s fare, but the sweet story is touching, well acted by a solid British cast — including Angela Lansbury, Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton — and the almost fairy-tale ambience is successfully sustained, with solid moral messages about the primacy of family and the inherent goodness of people. Some innuendo, mild bad language, rude humor, innocuous shots of cadavers and macabre childish pranks perhaps preclude viewing by the very youngest children. 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.
“Underworld: Evolution” (Screen Gems)
Loud and nonsensical sequel to the 2003 horror action film, continuing the chronicles of the escalating war between vampire and werewolf clans, here finding the latex-clad bloodsucker Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and her newly-fanged hybrid lover (Scott Speedman) teaming up to stop a supervampire (Tony Curran) from destroying both sides in a quest for world domination. Slickly directed again by Len Wiseman, the follow-up fails to evolve past the original’s excess, forgoing plot altogether in favor of even more mind-numbing video-game violence. Nonstop, graphic, stylized carnage and bloody gore, including impalings and dismemberment, strong sexual situations, partial nudity, scattered rough and crude language, as well as profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.