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Friday, December 9, 2005
eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS)-Thefollowing are capsule reviews of recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. "The Shirley Temple CoUection: Volume 2" Three more of the talented moppet's titles come to DVD. As with the first set, each disc offers the option ofblack and white (preferable) or colorized versions. The print quality is fairly soft either way, but was probably the best available. The only extras are trailers of her other films, but despite their antique appearance, these vehicles continue to make dependable family viewing. (Fox) "Baby Take A Bow" (1934) Little Shirley Temple gets her first starring role as a preschooler who recovers the jewels her father (James Dunn) is accused of stealing, then helps nab the real thief. Directed by Harry Lachman, the formula melodrama has little interest other than its Depression-era family setting and, of course, the bubbly presence of its precocious star. Brief violence endangering a child. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AI - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is G - general audiences. "Bright Eyes" (1934) . Sentimental but sturdy tale of a five-ye~r-old orphan (Temple) whose .loving godfather (Dunn) risks his life piloting a plane through a ferocious storm to save the child from adoption by a grasping family. Directed by David Butler, the thin plot has plenty of heart with little Shirley at the center ofthings, whether stowing aboard a dangerous plane flight or singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop." The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classifI~ation is A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association'of America rating is G " general audiences. "Rebecca of Sunnybrook , Farm" (1938) Pedestrian Shirley Temple vehicle gives her the role of a "selfreliant" motherless child whose country aunt (Helen Westley) won't hear of her becoming a radio star until talent wins out. Directed by Allan Dwan, the predictable plot complications keep getting in the way of mild romance (Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart), pale comedy, and Shirley's singing and hoofing with Bill Robinson. Dated but innocent fun. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G - general audiences. "Gunner Palace" (2005) Raw and unfocused but affecting anti-war documentary chronicling the daily lives, fears and frustrations ofsoldiers serving in a U.S. Army unit known as'the "Gunners" . and stationed in Iraq, traveling with them on hazardous night patrols and raids of houses of suspected insurgents, as well as showing them relaxing at the former palace ofUday
Hussein, now converted into barracks - from which the film derives its title. Directed by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein- from footage Tucker spent two months collecting- the (mostly) apolitical movie, shot in no-frills verite style, is by turns sobering and surreal, resulting in snapshots of combat drudgery which add up to a waris-hell message that will resonate with all viewers. The film contains much strong language and recurring images of wartime violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III ~ adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (palm Pictures) "The Honeymooners" (2005) Ho-hum updating of the classic Jackie Gleason 1950s television series with Cedric the Entertainer as Ralph Krarnden, the New York bus driver, Mike Epps as Ed Norton, his sewer-working friend, and Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall as their long-suffering wives, in a contrived story about Ralph and Ed entering a mutt in a dog race. John Schultz's film bears little resemblance to the much-loved series in either tone or laugh quotient, and without Gleason or sidekick Art Camey, there's little point to the en': deavor. Some rnild'profanity, crass expressions, fleeting irreverence, crude humor and路 innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (paramount) "The Polar Express" (2004) VlSUa1l.y captivating anima~ fantasy - with Tom Hanks playing five roles -about a doubting young boy who is whisked away on Christmas Eve aboard a magic train bound for Santa's village in the North Pole. Based on the children's novel by Chris Van Allsburg, director Rob Zemeckis' hauntingly beautiful fairy tale celebrates childlike wonder and - though secular in tone - imparts a profoundly faithfriendly message about the importance ofbelieving in things that cannot be seen. The two-disc DVD features a handsome letterboxed print on the first platter, while the second contains a wealth ofbonus material: an deleted musical scene (not fully animated) with the late Michael Jeter (his last performance), a look, at how Hanks came to embody his five roles, behind-the-scenes features on the creative aspects of the film, Van Allsburg's recollections, singer Josh Groban performing the Oscar-nominated "Believe," short bits on the animation technique, games and more. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G - general audience. (Warner Bros.)
USHER AND Chazz Palminteri star in a scene from the movie "In the Mix." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from Lions Gate) briefdrug references. The USCCB (George Clooney); a reformOffice for Film & Broadcasting minded Arab sheik (Alexander classification is A-III - adults. Siddig); an energy analyst (Matt The Motion Picture Association of Damon) grieving the death of his America rating is PG-13 - par- son, and a Washington lawyer (Jefents are strongly cautioned. Some frey Wright), hired to facilitate a material may be inappropriate for shady merger between two Texas children under 13. oil giants. Directed with unvar"Rent" (Revolution) nished realism by Stephen Gaghan, C~i Mt)~le Imaginative expansion of the the well-acted film touches on late Jonathan Larson's long-run- important moral questions about ning Broadway musical- an up- the' global pursuit of wealth" but NEW YORK (CNS)-The fol- dating of "La Boheme" - about strains for narrative coherence lowing are capsule reviews ofmov- the lives and loves ofNew York's under the weight ofits convoluted ies recently reviewed by the Office East Village artists, several ofthem multiple plots. Strong violence, infor Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. HIV-positive. Director Chris Co- cluding a graphic scene of torture, Conference of Catholic Bishops. lumbus has remained largely faith- and some rough language and pro"In the Mix" (Lions Gate) ful to the original - and many of fanity. The USCCB Office for Film Lame romantic comedy about the original cast members reprise & Broadcasting classification is Aa New York disc jockey (hip-hop their roles here - while the disso- m - adults. The Motion Picture artist Usher) who, after taking a lute lifestyles of some of the char- Association ofAmerica rating is R bullet for a mobster (Chazz acters take second place to the - restricted. Palminteri), is hired to keep' a overriding themes oflove, connec"Yours, Mine & Ours" watchful eye on the Mafioso's tion and fellowship, and the film (Paramount) grown daughter (Emmanuelle encapsulates a significant cultural Inferior remake of the 1968 Chriqui), with whom he has an era. Implied drug use, same-sex Henry Fonda-Lucille Ball charmer affair against her father's wishes. relationships, suggestive dancing about a widowed naval officer Director Ron Underwood's inter- and movement, some rough and (Dennis Quaid) with eight children, racial romance is a mix of plot crude language and an anti-estab- and a free-spirited widow (Rene cliches and character stereotypes lishment outlook. The USCCB Russo) with 10, who marry years clumsily held together by a con- Office for Film & Broadcasting after being high school sweettrived script. Some violence, classification is L.-lirnited adult hearts, and the comic complicasexual situations and sexual hu- audience, films whose problematic ' tions that arise from merging the mor, as well as sporadic crude content many adults would find families. Despite a heart-tugging language. The USCCB Office for troubling. The Motion Picture As- ending, director Raja Gosnell reFilm & Broadcasting classifica- sociation ofAmerica rating is PG- lies on too much unrealistic slaption is A-III - adults. The Mo- 13 .:- parents are strongly cau- stick and though Quaid gives an tion Picture Association of tioned. Some material may be in- accomplished performance, America rating is PG-13 - par- appropriate for children under 13. Russo is utterly bland, making the ents are strongly cautioned. Some "Syriana" (Warner Bros.) original a far better bet all around. material may be inappropriate for Intermittently engaging but Some mild innuendo. The USCCB children under 13. mostly confusing political thriller Office for Film & Broadcasting "The Kid & I" (Wheels Up) . which explores corruption in the classification is A-I - general paWell-intentioned but clumsy international oil industry through a tronage. The Motion Picture Asbuddy comedy about a down-on:- mosaic of interlocking stories in~ sociation of America rating is PG his-luck actor (Tom Arnold) who, volving: a veteran CIA 'operative - parental guidance suggested. after a failed suicide attempt, is hired to write and co-star in an action film with a physically chal~ lenged teeri-ager (Eric Gores), to Can't remember how a recent film was classified be fmanced by the boy's wealthy by the U.S. Conference of Catholic. Bishops? Want father (Joe Mantegna). Despite a to know whether to let the kids go see it? You can heartfelt, life-affIrming message and a positive portrayal ofdisabled look film reviews up on the Catholic News Service persons, director Penelope Website. . Spheeris' movie is saddled by inVisit www.catholicnews.com and click on "Movept writing and direction. Some crude language and humor, and ies," under the "News Item" menu.
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