Movie Ratings

Movie capsules | Quality marks film releases this Christmas

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:26:32 +0000

NEW YORK -- The following are summaries of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

'Les Miserables'

Movie Ratings | Variety of films, but few for kids

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:06:57 +0000

Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- The following are capsule reviews of movies by Catholic News Service.

'2016: Obama's America'

New releases include no child-friendly films

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:50:39 +0000

Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- The following are capsule summaries of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

'The Bourne Legacy'

'The Hunger Games' isn't really a teen movie

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:20:32 +0000

John Mulderig | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- Though presumably targeted -- at least in part -- at teens, the dystopian adventure "The Hunger Games" involves enough problematic content to give parents pause. Responsible oldsters will want to weigh the matter carefully before giving permission for clamoring kids to attend.

At first glance, the depressing futuristic premise of the piece -- inherited from Suzanne Collins' best-selling trilogy of novels, on the first volume of which the film is based -- makes it seem unlikely fare for a youthful audience.

Innovation becomes tradition: 2011's top 10 films, best family films

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:29:24 +0000

John Mulderig | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- In late 1965, the three-decade-old National Legion of Decency announced that it was changing its name to the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures.

That switch represented more than just altered terminology. It signaled an intent on the part of the U.S. Church's officially sanctioned film agency to take a more open and positive -- though by no means uncritical -- approach in its assessment of cinema.

In keeping with this new emphasis, that same year, the film office issued its first list of the 10 best movies released over the previous 12 months.

Movie Ratings | Feb. 3, 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:29:47 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: General patronage

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED: General patronage.

THE ARTIST: Adults.

CONTRABAND: Morally offensive.

THE DESCENDANTS: Limited adult audience.

THE DEVIL INSIDE: Morally offensive.

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE: Adults.

Movie review | 'The Iron Lady' is a fine, fair portrayal of British leader

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:28:57 +0000

Adam ShawCatholic News Service

NEW YORK -- The British market a brand of yeast spread called Marmite. Due to its overwhelmingly strong taste, its label carries the slogan "Love it or Hate it."

As a result of the visceral reactions, both pro and con, stirred by her controversial 1979-90 tenure in office, former U.K. leader Margaret Thatcher -- now Baroness Thatcher -- has been described as the Marmite of prime ministers.

Movie Ratings

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:10:25 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: General patronage

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED: General patronage.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS: Adults/adolescents.

CONTRABAND: Morally offensive.

THE DARKEST HOUR: Adults.

THE DESCENDANTS: Limited adult audience.

THE DEVIL INSIDE: Morally offensive.

Movie Ratings | Nov. 4, 2011

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:34:29 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

ABDUCTION: Adults.

COURAGEOUS: Adults/adolescents.

DOLPHIN TALE: General patronage.

DREAM HOUSE: Limited adult audience.

FOOTLOOSE: Morally offensive.

THE HELP: Adults.

THE IDES OF MARCH: Limited adult audience.

IN TIME: Adults.

J. EDGAR: Limited adult audience.

Movie Ratings | Oct. 14, 2011

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:05:04 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

ABDUCTION: Adults.

THE BIG YEAR: Adults.

COLOMBIANA: Limited adult audience.

CONTAGION: Adults.

COURAGEOUS: Adults/adolescents.

DOLPHIN TALE: General patronage.

DREAM HOUSE: Limited adult audience.

DRIVE: Morally offensive.

'Puss in Boots' echoes Zorro, includes moral lesson

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:04:45 +0000

By Kurt Jensen | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- An exceptionally intelligent and energetic script that includes a moral lesson propels "Puss in Boots," a 3-D animated children's feature that provides the back story of the fairy tale character as portrayed in the "Shrek" films.

Without being condescending and without adding snarky in-jokes likely to fly over the little ones' heads, the filmmakers combine imagery from fairy tales with a plot that makes Puss (voice of Antonio Banderas) a mischievous bandit.

Movie Ratings | Oct. 14, 2011

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:59:59 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

ABDUCTION: Adults.

COLOMBIANA: Limited adult audience.

CONTAGION: Adults.

COURAGEOUS: Adults/adolescents.

CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE: Morally offensive.

THE DEBT: Limited adult audience.

DOLPHIN TALE: General patronage.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK: Adults.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is no monkey business

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:39:05 +0000

Joseph McAleer | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK -- Monkey business turns serious -- and rather deadly -- in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," the latest iteration of the successful screen franchise based on the science fiction of French novelist Pierre Boulle (1912-1994). In this go-round, directed by Rupert Wyatt, there's a genetic manipulation twist and yet another warning that it's not nice to fool with Mother Nature.

Movie Ratings | July 22, 2011

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:08:28 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

BAD TEACHER: Morally offensive.

BRIDESMAIDS: Morally offensive.

CARS 2: General patronage.

GREEN LANTERN: Adults.

THE HANGOVER PART II: Morally offensive.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2: Adults/adolescents.

HORRIBLE BOSSES: Morally offensive.

LARRY CROWNE: Adults.

Movie Ratings | July 1, 2011

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:09:39 +0000

Ratings are supplied by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For current reviews, see usccb.org

BAD TEACHER: Morally offensive.

BRIDESMAIDS: Morally offensive.

CARS 2: General patronage.

FAST FIVE: Adults.

GREEN LANTERN: Adults.

THE HANGOVER PART II: Morally offensive.

JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER: Adults/adolescents.

JUMPING THE BROOM: Adults.

KUNG FU PANDA 2: General patronage.