DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of October 5, 2009
This week's DVD and Blu-ray releases
The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on video 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 DVD releases' extra content.
As We Forgive
Necessarily grim, but spiritually potent hour-long documentary about religiously inspired efforts to achieve reconciliation between the perpetrators and victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which is estimated to have cost between 800,000 and 1 million lives. Filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson focuses on two repentant killers and the two survivors whose forgiveness they seek to illustrate the work of various Christian ministries dedicated to mediation and healing, including Prison Fellowship International and CARSA (Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance). Actress Mia Farrow provides suitably restrained narration for a study of Biblical values at work in the most extreme of circumstances. Weighty but rewarding fare for mature viewers. (Mpower Pictures) (www.mpowerpictures.com) 2008
Dance Flick
Flat-footed genre satire with a minimal plot about the unlikely romance between a would-be ballerina (Shoshana Bush) and a street dancer (Damon Wayans, Jr.). Stumbles far outnumber leaps in director and co-writer Damien Dante Wayans' rambling send-up, and a few of the gags are patently vulgar. Much sexual and some scatological humor, one use of the F-word, frequent crude and crass language, and occasional comic violence. Spanish language and titles options. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray.) 2009
The Gate
Modern fairy tale for the younger set about the dangers of toying with the darker side. Pre-teens accidentally unleash suburban demons while parents are away and need a heavy-metal album, courage and pure hearts to chase them back through the "gate" from which they escaped. Director Tibor Takacs provides some mild scares in a simple good vs. evil tale. Spanish titles option. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG-13) (Lionsgate) 1987
Marlene
Unconventional documentary on the life and career of screen star Marlene Dietrich (1902-92) uses the usual movie excerpts and newsreel footage but spends much time listening to director Maximilian Schell's futile tape-recorded efforts at interviewing the retired actress and his failure to persuade her to appear on camera. With Dietrich dismissing most of his questions as "rubbish," Schell winds up making a documentary in which he co-stars as the frustrated director struggling to win the confidence of a feisty 84-year-old who stubbornly refuses to participate in the project on any but her own terms. Some subtitles. Mature themes. A-III --adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Kino) 1984
Miracle on 34th Street (2-Disc Edition)
Sweetly up-dated remake of the 1947 holiday classic about the department store Santa (Richard Attenborough) who believes he is actually Santa Claus and ends up in court defending his claim, in the process winning over the cynical mom (Elizabeth Perkins) who hired him and her dubious five-year-old (Mara Wilson). Director Les Mayfield's gently values-centered but sluggishly paced family movie stresses faith in things unseen, hope for the future and a generous loving spirit that underlies the true meaning of Christmas. A-I -- general patronage. (PG) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray.) 1994
My Fair Lady
Screen version of the Lerner and Loewe musical based on George Bernard Shaw's play, "Pygmalion," in which an egotistical professor (Rex Harrison) makes a bet that he can transform the Cockney speech and manners of a London flower girl (Audrey Hepburn) well enough for her to pass for a lady at the upcoming Royal Ball. Predictably, it is not always the professor who gives the lessons. George Cukor's nimble direction, Cecil Beaton's stunning sets and costumes, the charming performances and the wonderful music add up to splendid family entertainment. A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Paramount Home Entertainment) 1964
My Life in Ruins
Cotton-ball-soft romantic comedy about a travel guide in Greece (Nia Vardalos) who learns to absorb the spirit of the Greek islands in order to enjoy life and find romance with -- who else? -- a handsome Greek (Alexis Georgoulis). Director Donald Petrie and screenwriter Mike Reiss duplicate the slow, ambling formula of Vardalos' monster hit, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," to the letter, replacing her passel of eccentric but lovable relatives with a busload of eccentric but lovable tourists. So devoid of objectionable elements, it's acceptable for older adolescents. A couple of implied premarital encounters, mild sexual banter and innuendo. Spanish titles option.
A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG-13) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
2009
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.