Please
consult the following ratings system for the evaluation of films
currently in theaters. Please note that films with themes
specifically adult in nature will be rated as (Adult) in
addition to being given an overall rating.
(CU)
Completely Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are gratuitous to the degree that the
film has absolutely no redeeming value either as a work of social
commentary or as an entertaining diversion.
Examples:
Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Eyes Wide Shut, Eddie
Murphy: Raw
(RU)
Rather Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are extreme. As such only through extreme
rationalization could someone consider the film fit for consumption.
The only reason to see it would be as a study of the current state
of Western culture.
Examples:
American Beauty
(SA)
Somewhat Acceptable
-
Aspects of objectionable Sex, Violence and Profane Language and/or
other questionable content exist, but either a) Not in a gratuitous
manner, b) Not in great frequency or c) With specific redeeming
intent. But be very careful.
Examples:
Malcolm X, American History X, The Matrix
(RA)
Rather Acceptable
-
Overall, the film is suitable for general consumption with some
concerns over thematic issues or minor objectionable content. But be
on the lookout for more subtle Western themes that are of concern to
Muslims such as romance and dating.
Examples:
Shrek, Atlantis
(CA)
Completely Acceptable
-
Film content is either tame or fully socially redeeming in nature.
Examples:
Jinnah, The Battle of Algiers, Bambi
 |
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Stuart Little, the popular children's book character, is back with more fun for parents and kids alike |
Stuart
Little 2 (CA)
Summary:
Stuart Little books have been favorites with kids for years;
and when Stuart was brought to the silver screen as an animated
character interacting with live-action characters, there was
overwhelming approval from fans of the books series. Using
computer-generated animation, the producers of the original film
convincingly put Stuart into all sorts of scenarios. But more
importantly, they were able to retain all the adorable qualities that
made Stuart a hit in his books. Piggy-backing on the success of the
first film, producers decided to have a go at a sequel.
This
time Stuart, the mouse adopted and raised by human parents, is happily
living with his family enjoying all the fun of being a kid. Despite
his familial contentment though, Stuart begins to long for a friend
his own small size. He indeed finds one such friend in the in a bird
named Margalo. When Margalo goes missing one day, however, Stuart
fears the worst and sets out with Snowball the cat to find his new
friend.
This
film has positive themes concerning friendship, loyalty, family and
fitting in. There is some brief mild language, but no profanity or
anything near being really unacceptable. In general, Stuart Little
should be lots of fun for the whole family to enjoy together.
K-19:
The Widowmaker (SA-Adult)
Summary:
True stories always seem to make for the best films. Paramount
Pictures is betting on that formula with K-19: The Widowmaker,
a fictionalized account of true Cold War crisis that pushed the world
towards the brink of nuclear disaster.
Harrison
Ford and Liam Neeson star as submarine commander and first mate,
respectively. While on a mission, their boat, Russian’s first
nuclear powered submarine, experiences problems when its cooling
system fails, thus threatening a nuclear meltdown. Fearing that such a
catastrophe could be mistaken as an attack, the crew races to avert
disaster.
The
MPAA has rated this film PG-13 for various disturbing images related
to military activity that appear in the film. For the most part
though, the content of this film is largely suspense related. K-19
is obviously not a film for small children. However, for adults
wishing to gain some historical perspective on the Cold War and see
another performance from two of Hollywood’s best actors, this movie
could be a decent weekend choice. As always, however, moviegoers
should be vigilant.
Eight
Legged Freaks (RU-Adult)
Summary:
Older moviegoers will remember the strong of ridiculous B-movie horror
flicks that Hollywood unleashed on society in the late 1950s and
1960s. There were creatures of every ilk that terrorized innocent
humans in every way imaginable. As B-movies, they were of low
production quality and the acting in them left much to be desired as
well. Eight Legged Freaks is Hollywood’s attempt to recapture
some of that campy, B-movie magic of yesteryear.
As
the title would suggest, this film deals with spiders – and lots of
them. When a chemical spill suddenly mutates the spiders of a sleepy
little backwater, the townsfolk are faced with hungry arachnids the
size of automobiles.
As
could be expected, there is a lot of blood and guts and tons of action
violence. There is some intentional humor woven into the film; but
that does not diminish the overall unacceptable nature of the film.
Moviegoers would do well to leave this one alone.
