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The sultry song and dance of Chicago make it a ‘no go’ for moviegoers. |
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
Darkness
Falls (SA-Adult)
Summary:
Sometimes Hollywood just can’t leave well enough alone. In the mad dash for
cash, filmmakers never seem satiated by the success of good films, thus driving
them to do such awful things as sequels, remakes and even poor imitations.
Darkness
Falls can be filed under “imitation”; maybe not “poor” but a knock-off
of sorts nonetheless. In the wake of the critical success this past fall of the
horror-thriller The Ring, Columbia Pictures has seen fit to capitalize on the
newfound popularity of the horror-thriller genre.
The
giveaway is the previews, which look strangely similar in content and camerawork
to those that preceded The Ring. Both films also deal with legends.
Darkness
Falls is the name of a small town in which strange things happen to young
children. As legend would have it, there once was a woman who gave children gold
coins for their teeth when they fell out – thus the legend of the “tooth
fairy”.
But
when children began to disappear in the town, the woman was accused of abducting
and killing them and was hanged by the townsfolk.
Fast-forward
to present day, and children who lose their teeth receive a horrifying visit
from the ghost of the woman. One man who experienced the awful ordeal as a child
returns to the town of his birth to confront this nightmare.
Darkness
Falls is an adult film with frightening images and horrifying suspense.
Additionally there is some minor foul language. Of greater concern, however, is
the more general issue of the portrayal of death and the afterlife. These issues
should be kept in mind when viewing this film.
Chicago
(RU-Adult)
Summary:
Chicago was a hit before it even made it to movie screens as it is an adaptation
of the 1975 award-winning Broadway musical of the same name.
With
last year’s surprising success of Moulin Rouge, however, the way was paved for
Chicago to make the transition to film.
The
buzz about this film is that it stars an ensemble of Hollywood’s best A-list
actors, belting out songs in ways no one though possible. From Catherine Zeta
Jones to Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere, Chicago is jam-packed with stars.
The
story is one of revenge. Roxie (Zellweger) and Velma (Jones) are rival nightclub
singers. But when the press sensationalizes Velma’s murder case (she kills her
cheating husband), her popularity soars.
Envious
of Velma’s newfound fame, Roxie decides to kill her husband as well, in the
hopes that the publicity will give her career a boost. It works. And thus the
rivalry heats up, with Velma and Roxy scheming and conniving to best one
another.
Although
Chicago has received critical acclaim as well as several award nominations, it
cannot be recommended for the discerning moviegoer. With its sultry
nightclub song and dance scenes as well as violence and general thematic
elements, Chicago ranks as rather inappropriate.
Amen
(SA-Adult)
Summary:
Amen is another in a long line of films that has been done about the Jewish
Holocaust during World War II. It tells the story of a German SS officer who
finds that chemical pellets he helped develop are being used to gas Jews in
concentration camps.
Riddled
with guilt, he reveals this secret to a young priest in the hopes that word will
somehow reach the Pope in Rome, who would then be able to expose the Nazi plans
for the extermination of the Jews.
With
the recent publication of books such as David Kertzer’s The Popes Against the
Jews, interest in the Catholic Church’s role during World War II has
increased.
This
film is not for children because of the disturbing content matter it tackles.
There is no way to portray this time period without showing some of the horror
of the war and of the Holocaust. So moviegoers should be aware that they will
see violence and some disturbing images.
