DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of July 20, 2009
This week's DVD and Blu-ray releases
The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and Blu-ray releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account the discs' extra content.
Barney: Book Fair
Two half-hour episodes of the popular children’s TV series, aimed at one- to five-year-olds, are packaged with the book “Barney’s Count to 10.” In the first program, Barney helps his friends with a book drive for their library as they take turns telling the stories of different imaginary books in song; in the second, they read the real-life tale “Dancing With Daddy” together, and learn about dance styles from ballet to jazz to hip-hop. A colorful, light-hearted celebration of reading and simple math. (Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment) 2009
Coraline
Entrancing, though eerie, 3-D animated cautionary tale in which a bored girl (voice of Dakota Fanning) discovers an alternate world inhabited by more accommodating versions of her parents (voices of Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) but finds herself imperiled when the doubles reveal sinister plans for her. Writer-director Henry Selick's vibrantly colorful stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman's best-selling, award-winning 2002 young adult novel sees its heroine overcoming selfishness, learning to appreciate her blessings and drawing closer to family and friends. Brief partial nudity, frightening images and a few mildly bawdy lyrics. Spanish language and titles options. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2009
The Great Buck Howard
Charming show biz comedy about a law school dropout (Colin Hanks) who takes a job as road manager for a once-famed but now washed-up mentalist (John Malkovich), eventually bonding with him, despite the performer's egotistical delusions, and falling for his much put-upon publicist (Emily Blunt). Sustained by Malkovich's masterly characterization, writer-director Sean McGinly's gentle spoof offers a valentine to perseverance along with a sendup of celebrity culture, though the central romance becomes sexual after mere acquaintance. A premarital relationship and some mildly sexual humor. Spanish titles option. A-III --adults. (PG) (Magnolia Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2009
Sky View
A collection of four 30-minute episodes of the Smithsonian Channel’s travel series that uses lush, high-definition aerial photography to introduce the natural landmarks and historical monuments of various nations. These programs focus on Southern Britain, Central Italy, the West of Ireland and the French Riviera. Of particular interest to Catholic viewers will be England’s Glastonbury Abbey and St. Michael’s Mount; the Irish pilgrimage centers of Croagh Patrick and Knock; and, in Italy, Assisi’s Basilica of St. Francis, the ancient Benedictine monastery in Subiaco and, of course, the Vatican. In general, an easy and informative survey of some of the essential centers of European culture, thoroughly suitable as an educational tool for young people. But brief visuals of a graphic male fertility image in the British section and a cynical treatment of the church’s struggle against the medieval heretics known as Cathars, whose stronghold was in Southern France, may be of concern to parents. (Infinity Entertainment Group) 2009
Super Capers
Shoddy comedy in which a would-be superhero (Justin Whalin) joins a crew of crime fighters (Samuel Lloyd, Ryan McPartlin, Ray Griggs and Danielle Harris) endowed with marginal powers to foil the schemes of a corrupt judge (Michael Rooker). In his feature debut, Griggs, who also wrote and directed, creates a well-intentioned, but tediously unfunny genre satire and wastes the potentially intriguing idea that its protagonist's special gift is prayer. Brief sexual and mildly irreverent humor, and about a dozen crass words. Spanish titles option. A-III --adults. (PG) (Lions Gate Home Entertainment) 2009
Two or Three Things I Know About Her
Director Jean-Luc Godard's paean to Paris (the "Her" of the title) follows the fragmentary story of a part-time prostitute (Marina Vlady) but Raoul Coutar's camera is focused on the ever-changing face of a modern city. Though the movie is heavily laced with philosophical asides and interruptions, it is often amusing, at times illuminating and always stunningly beautiful in its picture of a great city. In French; English subtitles. A-III --adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Image Entertainment, Inc.) 1967
The Unknown Woman ("La Sconosciuta")
Intriguing though often sordid mystery story of a Ukrainian immigrant (a fine Xenia Rappoport) -- haunted by her past sexual enslavement to a brutish pimp (Michele Placido) -- who, for reasons that only gradually unfold, contrives to become the housekeeper to wealthy jewelers (Claudia Gerini and Pierfrancesco Favino) and their child (Clara Dossena). Director and co-writer Giuseppe Tornatore's multiple award winner is stylish, suspenseful and well acted, if largely improbable, including its redemptive plot resolution. In Italian; English subtitles. Sporadic violence, including attempted murder with bloodshed; brief sexual encounters, some aberrant; torture; full female and rear-male nudity; a few rough and crude expletives; and one profanity
. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
(Image Entertainment, Inc.)
2006
Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic
merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating,
the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief
synopsis of the movie.
The classifications are as follows:
- A-I -- general patronage;
- A-II -- adults and adolescents;
- A-III -- adults;
- A-IV**
- L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
- O -- morally offensive.
** Discontinued classification. All archived movies that were originally in the A-IV category are now classified as L.