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WHAT'S BEEN RELEASED ON DVD AND VIDEOS THIS WEEK?
Information is provided by
the Catholic News Service
"Abduction"
(2011)
Rated "PG-13"
Humdrum romantic adventure in which a party-loving
Pittsburgh teen (Taylor Lautner) and the neighbor he'd like
to make his girlfriend (Lily Collins) get caught up in
international intrigue after the lad discovers that the
couple who raised him (Jason Isaacs and Maria Bello) are not
his real parents. In what is presumably intended as a date
movie for the high school set, the newfound lovebirds take
time out from dodging CIA agents (led by Alfred Molina) and
evading a Serbian assassin (Michael Nyqvist) to kiss, cuddle
and coo. On the plus side, director John Singleton's
far-fetched expedition mostly eschews gore -- though there
are some bone-crunching martial arts encounters -- while the
central couple successfully resists the temptation to turn
their unexpected journey into a premature honeymoon.
Possibly acceptable for mature adolescents. Considerable,
but largely bloodless, violence, brief nongraphic
sensuality, at least one use of profanity and of rough
language, about a dozen crude or crass terms. The Catholic
News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion
Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents
strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for
children under 13. |
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"Courageous" (2011)
Rated "PG-13"
After the tragic death of his young daughter, a devoutly
Christian police officer (Alex Kendrick) convinces a group of
his friends (Ken Bevel, Ben Davies, Kevin Downes and Robert
Amaya) to join him in subscribing to a Bible-based resolution
designed to make them better, more dedicated fathers. But a
variety of circumstances, including a couple of illustrative
moral quandaries, quickly put each dad's resolve to the test.
Though occasionally heavy-handed, Kendrick, who also directed
and co-wrote, crafts an uplifting message movie about the dire
consequences of paternal neglect and the scriptural principles
of sound parenting. Some gun violence and mature themes,
including drug trafficking. Spanish titles option. The Catholic
News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents.
The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 --
parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate
for children under 13. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment; also
available on Blu-ray) |
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"The Ides of March"
(2011)
Rated "R"
Savvy but raw political drama about an up-and-coming press
spokesman (Ryan Gosling) whose fling with an intern (Evan
Rachel Wood) during a crucial Democratic presidential
primary leads him to discover that the campaign manager
(Philip Seymour Hoffman) for whom he works and the candidate
(George Clooney) in whom he deeply believes are not all they
seem. With a sharp script and a powerful cast, Clooney, who
also directed and co-wrote, turns in a slick adaptation of
Beau Willimon's play, "Farragut North." While fundamentally
moral in most respects, however, this study in the
corrupting effects of power is studded with mature subject
matter and machismo-driven vulgarities, making it
inappropriate fare for all but the gamest adults. Brief
semigraphic nonmarital -- and possibly underage -- sexual
activity, abortion and adultery themes, a suicide, an
instance of blasphemy, about a half-dozen uses of profanity
and pervasive rough and crude language. The Catholic News
Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films
whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.
The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R --
restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult
guardian. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; also available
on Blu-ray) |
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"Traffic"
(Blu-ray Edition; 2000)
Rated "R"
Powerful thriller that intersects four stories concerning
the international drug trade including that of a recently
appointed anti-drug czar (Michael Douglas) dealing with his
addicted teenage daughter (Erika Christensen) and a Mexican
border policeman (Benicio Del Toro) confronted with the
temptations of money and power. Director Steven Soderbergh's
stunning visual virtuosity and the stellar ensemble
performances create a stark picture of greed, corruption and
social decay where for every triumph, there is parallel
setback and the battle begins again. Intermittent drug
use, some violence, a few sexual encounters, brief nudity,
some profanity and constant rough language. The Catholic
News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience,
films whose problematic content many adults would find
troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating
is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or
adult guardian. (Criterion Collection) |
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NEW YORK (CNS) -- The above 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 above, and do not take into account DVD
releases' extra content. By
Catholic News Service
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