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.
“Bridge to Terabithia” (Disney)
Coming-of-age fantasy based on Katherine Paterson’s children’s
novel about a young loner (Josh Hutcherson) who befriends a new girl
in school (AnnaSophia Robb) who’s also an outcast, and together
they create a magical world — Terabithia — where they can
escape their real-life troubles. The young leads are charming and the
sweet story gently imparts worthy messages about friendship, family
and the power of imagination, but director Gabor Csupo’s faithful
adaptation is a bit underwhelming, as the anticipated fantastical elements
are minimal. Still, despite a plot twist that may upset sensitive young
children, the movie is family-friendly. Mature thematic elements, including
the death of a child, some minor peril and some mildly crude language.
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.
“Starter for Ten” (Picturehouse)
Appealing British film set in the 1980s about a gauche working-class
student (James McAvoy) at Bristol University, whose lifelong penchant
for trivia makes him a natural to join the four-person team competing
on “University Challenge,” an actual game show akin to the
old “College Bowl” series in the U.S. He finds himself romantically
torn between his pretty blonde teammate (Alice Eve) and the campus activist
(Rebecca Hall). Director Tom Vaughan’s coming-of-age story -—
with its overlay of class conflict — features good performances
all around, most especially by McAvoy, whose character, by movie’s
end, has learned appropriate life lessons beyond the encyclopedic mental
storehouse he thought was so important. OK for older teens and up. Brief
sexual content and innuendo, some crass language, brief drug use, brief
light violence and partial nudity. 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.
“Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls”
(Lionsgate)
Romantic drama about a hard-luck Atlanta mechanic and devoted single
father (Idris Elba) battling to get custody of his three daughters (Sierra
Aylina McClain, Lauryn Alisa McClain and China Anne McClain) from his
ex-wife (Tasha Smith) and her drug-dealing boyfriend (Gary Sturgis).
To help pay the bills, he chauffeurs a successful, but unlucky-at-love,
attorney (Gabrielle Union) whose offer to help him with his legal fight
leads to romance. Written and directed by Christian filmmaker Tyler
Perry, the earnestly sentimental script is not without some formulaic
elements, but the honest performances and strong affirmations of faith,
family and community — as well as its positive depiction of African-American
fatherhood — outshine the shortcomings. Sexual humor, including
a brief crude sight gag, some violence, drug references, an implied
sexual encounter, a false accusation of rape and some crude 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.