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. .

Bruce Almighty

Be-careful-what-you-wish-for comedy about a frustrated TV news correspondent (Jim Carrey) whose life is changed when God (Morgan Freeman) entrusts him with divine power after the reporter angrily accuses the Almighty of being asleep at the wheel. Despite its lighthearted irreverence, director Tom Shadyac uses humor to explore such issues as free will, and offers a positive image of personal faith rare in Hollywood flicks. An instance of rough language, minimal profanities, some crass humor and an implied sexual encounter. A-III --adults. (PG-13) (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2003

Defiance

Well-acted, too lengthy but ultimately worthy history lesson about the Bielski brothers (Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell), Jewish farmers who chose not to be victimized by the Nazis, who sheltered hundreds of Jews, taking them to safety in the forests of Eastern Europe during World War II, and who violently fought off the Germans. Director and co-writer Edward Zwick keeps the episodic story moving reasonably well considering the three-year time span, and the script gives a different perspective than the typical Holocaust movie, but the brothers' heroism here is shown to be marred by several morally unacceptable instances of senseless slaughter. Strong sporadic violence, vigilante killing, rough language, mild sexuality and a rape reference. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (R) (Paramount Vantage; also available on Blu-ray) 2008

Glory

The story of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first black fighting unit raised during the Civil War, focuses on its enlightened white commander (Matthew Broderick) who molded field hands and runaway slaves into proud, heroic Union soldiers. Director Edward Zwick raises consciousness about the little-known regiment and re-creates some harrowing battle scenes but, unfortunately, gives shallow attention to the themes of racism and the obscenity of war. Stereotyping of key black characters, much grisly wartime violence and some profanity.  A-III -- adults. (R)
(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 1989

He's Just Not That Into You

A gaggle of Baltimore yuppies portrayed by Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson and Justin Long is schooled in the rules allegedly governing modern-day romance in this glossy ensemble comedy-drama. Director Ken Kwapis bathes his cast in a pleasing golden light but the stilted material, taken from a book penned by two "Sex and the City" writers, is too often unflattering. While traditional values are affirmed eventually, the characters regularly act in morally dubious ways that are contrary to their better natures. Frequent sexual references, some nonexplicit sexual encounters, including the adulterous and out-of-wedlock variety, a story line centered on cohabitation, frequent crude language, an instance of rough language, and a few scatological references. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG-13) (New Line Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2009

Tender Mercies

Down-on-his-luck country-western singer (Robert Duvall), whose drinking broke up his first marriage, meets and weds a young widow (Tess Harper) who runs a ramshackle motel with her young son (Allan Hubbard). Director Bruce Beresford gets feeling performances from his cast, most especially Duvall in one of his best roles, and treats in a refreshingly uncynical, matter-of-fact manner the widow's strong religious convictions and her quiet pride when she sees her son and husband baptized. A rare movie, tough and gentle, inspiring and immensely entertaining, but the serious nature of the story is more appropriate for adults and older adolescents.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) 1983

Three Amigos

Steve Martin stars in and produces but doesn't dominate this pictorially grand but sometimes brutal Western parody about three silent-screen actors playing silly caballeros in a Mexican village that mistakes them for hired gunmen. Chevy Chase and Martin Short supply the slapstick and wit for director John Landis, whose interest seems rooted in the physical comedy and dangerous stunts. Stylized violence and some rough language.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (HBO Home Video) 1986

Walking Tall

Remake of the 1973 cult classic, about a retired soldier (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) who, upon returning home, finds himself waging a one-man war against the crime and corruption that has overtaken his boyhood community. Transplanting the action from Tennessee to the Pacific Northwest, director Kevin Bray's film stays faithful to the original's good-man-taking-a-stand premise but also follows its predecessor's lead in promoting a dangerous message that violence is the most effective way to fight injustice. Recurring violence, an implied sexual encounter, drug content, a striptease scene, crude language and humor. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG-13) (MGM; also available on Blu-ray) 2004

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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