The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Black Balloon (NeoClassics)
Moving Australian film about a teenager (Rhys Wakefield) settling into a new neighborhood with his pregnant mother (Toni Collette) and army officer father (Erik Thomson) and caring for his autistic brother (Luke Ward) with the help of a sympathetic girlfriend (Gemma Ward). First-time feature director Elissa Down's semiautobiographical story is well-acted and conveys a strong pro-family message and compassionate view of the disabled. Some crass expressions, brief domestic violence, a few expletives including a single use of profanity and of the F-word, mild sexual elements with innuendo and a birth control reference, and some scatological elements; acceptable for older teens. (A-III, PG-13)

Bride Wars (Fox 2000/Regency)
Amiable if predictable romantic bauble about longtime devoted pals (Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, both in good comic form), who have dreamt since childhood of June weddings at New York's Plaza Hotel, but then, as adults, have a falling-out just before their much-anticipated nuptials there, after which each sets out to sabotage the other. With the significant moral reservation that both gals are shown to be cohabiting with their fiances, director Gary Winick's fitfully amusing "chick flick" otherwise has no significant sex or language issues, and there are, at least, some worthy if pat messages of lasting friendship and sensible priorities. Premarital situations and some mildly suggestive dancing. (A-III, PG)

The Spirit (Lionsgate)
Artistically crafted but ultimately insubstantial adventure in which a slain policeman (Gabriel Macht) mysteriously returns as the invulnerable titular hero, working with the local police commissioner (Dan Lauria) and a physician (Sarah Paulson) to fight the schemes of a maniacal drug dealer (Samuel L. Jackson) and a seductive jewel thief (Eva Mendes). Despite considerable retro-noir flair and mostly stylized violence, writer-director Frank Miller's screen version of Will Eisner's classic comic-book series --- his solo debut --- fails to gain a grip on the viewer's emotions, since its villain is more flamboyant than hateful, and its womanizing protagonist has little going for him besides a tough hide. Generally stylized but briefly graphic violence, fleeting rear nudity, suicides, occasional sexual references and innuendo, much crass language and at least a dozen uses of profanity. (A-III, PG-13)

The Unborn (Rogue)
Relatively restrained but mediocre chill fest in which a suburban Chicago college student (Odette Yustman) seeks the aid of a Holocaust survivor (Jane Alexander) and a rabbi (Gary Oldman) to battle the evil spirit that threatens her, her boyfriend (Cam Gigandet) and her best pal (Meagan Good). Though it eventually highlights the power of Scripture-based faith, writer-director David S. Goyer's often predictable thriller dabbles in the kabbalah and other aspects of the occult along the way. A premarital situation, a few crude words and sexual references, a suicide theme and brief skimpy costuming. (A-III, PG-13)

---CNS

USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classifications: A-I --- general patronage; A-II --- adults and adolescents; A-III --- adults; L --- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling; O --- morally offensive.