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.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (Enchanted Musical Edition)
 
In an English seaside village during World War II, a would-be witch (Angela Lansbury) invokes an army of spectral warriors to rout 20th-century German invaders and takes some trips with three children on her big brass bed. Director Robert Stevenson keeps this Disney musical moving merrily and emphasizes the smiling high spirits of the youngsters. The widescreen DVD includes an engaging 10-minute interview with brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who collaborated on the score, a featurette on special effects, the reconstruction of a musical number using a series of stills to replace the missing visual portion, and brief footage of the recording session for "Portobello Road," one of the film's signature songs. Spanish titles option.  A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) 1971

City of Angels

Wispy tale of an angel (Nicolas Cage) who longs to become human after falling in love with a Los Angeles heart surgeon (Meg Ryan). Director Brad Silberling explores the limitations of science and the mystery of faith within the framework of a visually striking but ultimately sappy love story. Minor violence, discreet sexual situations and fleeting nudity. Spanish titles option.  A-III -- adults. (PG-13) (Warner Home Video) 1998

Grumpy Old Men

A half-century rivalry between two old pranksters (Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon) escalates when an attractive widow (Ann-Margret) moves in across the street from them. Director Donald Petrie's contrived romantic comedy benefits greatly from the veteran actors' crusty portrayals despite the formula script and a feel-good finish. An implied sexual encounter, some crude sexual references, mild menace and a few instances of profanity. Spanish titles option.  A-III -- adults. (PG-13) (Warner Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 1993

Homicide

Powerful drama centering on an inner-city cop (Joe Mantegna) who belatedly identifies with his Jewish heritage when investigating a murder with possible anti-Semitic overtones. Writer-director David Mamet's riveting action thriller resonates with added layers of depth as the cop faces a moral dilemma that threatens to destroy all that he has steadfastly believed in. Intermittent brutal violence and much rough language.  A-III -- adults. (R) (Criterion Collection) 1991

Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing

An aging, ailing, inhibited English spinster (Maggie Smith) meets an inarticulate young American (Timothy Bottoms) on a bus tour of Spain and the summer friendship turns into a love affair. Director Alan J. Pakula succeeds with poignant comic sequences as the unlikely pair get to know each other but the romantic ending turns the movie into routine soap opera.  A-III -- adults. (PG) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) 1973

That Hamilton Woman

This fact-based historical romance recounts the ill-fated extramarital affair between Lady Hamilton (Vivian Leigh), the low-born wife of the British ambassador to Naples (Alan Mowbray), and Lord Nelson (Laurence Olivier), the admiral who crushed Napoleon's fleet at Trafalgar. While director Alexander Korda treats the characters sympathetically, their romance is placed within the context of the times which hopelessly doomed their affair to unhappiness. Wartime violence and discreet treatment of marital infidelity.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Criterion Collection) 1941

What a Girl Wants

Contemporary fairy tale about a spirited American teenager (Amanda Bynes) who travels to London in search of the father she has never known, only to find out that she is the daughter of a blueblood politician (Colin Firth) running for Parliament. Directed by Dennie Gordon, this delightful modern Cinderella story celebrates the bonds between parents and children and the possibility of second chances that love affords. Instances of mildly offensive language and scattered sexual innuendoes. Spanish titles option.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Warner Home Video) 2003

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.
  

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