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.

The Bourne Identity

Well-crafted thriller in which a highly trained CIA agent (Matt Damon) suffering from amnesia after a botched secret operation must figure out who he is and why fierce assassins are after him as he is aided by a German woman (Franka Potente) whom he has taken into his confidence. Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum, director Doug Liman’s film is both an engaging character study and a fast-paced espionage yarn as the ongoing chase scenes and chilling close calls provide suspense and deflect attention from the story’s predictable spots. Recurring harsh violence and some profanity with an instance of rough language. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG-13)  (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2002

Evan Almighty

Delightful contemporary spin on the Noah story, as a TV anchorman turned congressman (Steve Carell) is instructed by God (Morgan Freeman) to build an ark in light of an impending flood, much to the skeptical consternation of his colleagues on Capitol Hill (John Michael Higgins, Wanda Sykes and John Goodman), his wife (Lauren Graham) and three young sons. Imparting an overall message about how one act of random kindness can change the world, director Tom Shadyac and screenwriter Steve Oedekerk skillfully combine slapstick, sentiment and surprising reverence -- these elements beautifully embodied in Carell's seriocomic central performance -- while the paired animals and the flood effects are wonderfully done. A smattering of mildly crass language, humor, irreverence and innuendo. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG)
(Universal Studios Home Video) 2007

Fireman Sam: Hero Next Door

A collection of five 10-minute episodes from a gentle animated British children's series -- set in Wales -- that uses stories about life in a local firehouse to teach young viewers lessons in fire safety and how to avoid household accidents. Aimed at 2- to 5-year-olds, these educational adventures also promote teamwork and family cooperation. Highly recommendable fare. The full-screen DVD includes an episode of "Roary the Racing Car." Spanish-language option. (Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment) 2009

The Hulk

Sci-fi adventure based on the Marvel Comics character which follows a mild-mannered scientist (Eric Bana) who, after being pelted with gamma rays, finds his anger transforms him into a giant green monster soothed only by his ex-girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly). Initially captivating, director Ang Lee's well-crafted film boasts grand special effects as the digitally created green-skinned being bounds across the screen, but the film's indulgent length cannot maintain momentum as the last half sloppily unravels, leading to an anti-climactic ending. Sporadic mayhem, violence and destruction, some disturbing images, minimal crass language and profanity and a flash of rear nudity. A-III --adults. (PG-13) (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2003

King Kong

Visually staggering remake of the 1933 classic about a giant ape smitten by a blonde-haired beauty (Naomi Watts), captured from his lost world island home by a maverick filmmaker (Jack Black) and taken in captivity to New York where, breaking free, his rampage climaxes atop the Empire State Building. Though the film runs too long, director Peter Jackson's strong storytelling masterfully blends stunning action sequences, humor and pathos-tinged emotion, paying reverent homage to the original while fleshing out the tragic story and raising the movie-magic bar to dazzling new heights. Intense action violence, some frightening and disturbing images, fleeting burlesque images and a few instances of profanity make it inappropriate for younger adolescents.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG-13) (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2005

Mr. Bean's Holiday

The perennially pleasing Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) wins a trip to the French Riviera, but before reaching the beach he manages to complicate the lives of a Russian film critic (Karel Roden), the critic's young son (Max Baldry), a self-obsessed movie director (Willem Dafoe) and a charming French actress (Emma de Caunes). As directed by Steve Bendelack, the film is an unmitigated delight: gentle, ingenious and equally appealing to children and adults. Some mild scatological humor and a few slightly frightening scenes that might upset very young children. Spanish titles option.  A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Universal Studios Home Video) 2007

New in Town

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.
  

Office for Film and Broadcasting | 1011 First Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10022 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.