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
Dreamcatcher
(RU-Adult)
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‘Dreamcatcher’,
yet another Stephen King novel, comes to screens this week.
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Summary:
It is a pity that Stephen King isn’t better known amongst
audiences for his non-horror related writing. Works of his such as
Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption stand as testaments of
some of his best writing. In fact, King is arguably more masterful
at creating drama than creating horror. But then, it is this knack
for drama that allows King to take tales that would be otherwise
mundane stories of terror and transform them into one bestselling
masterpiece after another.
When
it comes to box office sales, however, the people have voted with
their wallets and the overwhelming message they keep sending King
is: Keep doing horror. That he has done.
The
most recent King book to come to the big screen is Dreamcatcher
(his others have included Carrie, Cujo, The Shining and the
Green Mile). As is often the case in King’s stories, this film is
first and foremost about relationships; strange relationships, but
relationships nonetheless.
Four
friends who developed telepathic powers amongst one another in
their youth have reunited for a winter weekend hunting trip in the
snowy landscape of Maine in the United States’ upper Northeast.
Things
turn horrific, however, when an alien invasion of the region
transforms the friends from hunters into the hunted, as aliens who
have the power to possess the bodies of living organisms wreak
havoc on the crew as well as the military, which rushes to the
region to tackle the alien threat.
As
is the case with most of King’s horror works, Dreamcatcher
contains strong scenes of terror and gore along with foul
language. As such, it cannot be recommended for general viewing;
and even those who might be enticed by the draw of King and his
ability to work worthwhile themes into the horror genre, would be
better served reading the book.
View
from the Top (RU-Adult)
Summary:
The television commercial promoting View from the Top leads one to
believe that this film is another in the comedic doings of Mike
Meyers, who is most famous for his recurring role as an
international super-spy in the Austin Powers franchise of films.
Nothing
could be further from the truth.
View
from the Top does contain a brief cameo performance by Meyers that
is sure to get laughs; but the star of this film is Gwyneth
Paltrow, who plays a young woman eager to see the world.
She
does this by becoming an airline flight attendant. But her road to
success isn’t an easy one, and the film chronicles her comedic
mishaps along the way.
View
from the Top is billed as a light-hearted comedy; and it is that.
Unfortunately, in achieving its comedic goals, this film utilizes
foul language, sensuality and sexual references that audiences
could do without.
Boat
Trip (CU-Adult)
Summary:
Simply put: Avoid this film at all costs.
Boat
Trip stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Horatio Sanz as two heterosexual
friends who sign up for a luxury Caribbean boat cruise in the hope
that they will meet the women of their dreams. The boat trip,
however, turns out to be a cruise for homosexual vacationers.
This
is supposed to be a comedy, but there is nothing fun about this
film’s overall theme and the strong scenes of sexuality,
sensuality and moral deviance.
Piglet’s
Big Movie (CU-Adult)
Summary:
Piglet, one of the lesser characters in the Winnie the Pooh
franchise of animated films, finally gets his chance in the
spotlight. When the rest of the Pooh crew goes about the business
of harvesting honey without Piglet, he decides to run away.
Concerned about the welfare of their diminutive friend, Winnie,
Tigger, Rabbit and Eeyore, set out to find Piglet.
This
is a film that is acceptable for all ages. Enjoy.
