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The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story (Disney)
Poignant biography of Walt Disney Studios' most famous songwriter team, Richard and Robert Sherman, whose cheery songs for such films as "Mary Poppins" and "The Jungle Book" belied a fractious personal relationship. Directed by their sons, Jeffrey C. Sherman and Gregory V. Sherman, the well-crafted documentary (unobjectionable though probably not for the kiddies) --- which includes interviews with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury and other luminaries, as well as friends and family members --- attempts to trace the roots of the conflict between these two disparate personalities, and also illuminates the mutual respect and love beneath the strained surface. (A-I, no MPAA rating)
Fighting (Rogue)
Intermittently violent, but otherwise engaging boxing drama about a failed street salesman (Channing Tatum) who turns to underground fighting to survive, and bonds with his manager (Terrence Howard) while romancing a waitress (Zulay Henao). Scenes of punishing brutality and approval of premature sexual relations mar director and co-writer Dito Montiel's mostly moving portrait of a friendship between two down-on-their-luck New Yorkers. Graphic beatings, a premarital sexual encounter, and some crude and crass language. (L, PG-13)
Obsessed (Screen Gems)
Competent but forgettable suspense yarn in which a temporary office worker (Ali Larter) becomes fixated on a happily married executive (Idris Elba) eventually causing his wife (Beyonce Knowles) to suspect an affair. Director Steve Shill's feature debut, essentially a rickety star vehicle for Knowles, showcases marital fidelity, but dallies with vigilantism as the police prove helpless. Moderate action violence, brief nongraphic sexual activity, a suicide attempt, some crude and crass language, a few sexual references and half a dozen uses of profanity. (A-III, PG-13)
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. |