Weekly Movie Ratings

(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

Lost in La Mancha (SA-Adult)

The original drama about Don Quixote never made it to the screen, but the documentary about the making of the film did.

Summary: It was director Terry Gilliam’s long-time dream to make a film based on the story of Don Quixote. He got his chance in 2000 when he began production on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, starring Jean Rochefort. But almost as soon as filming began, problems beset the cast and crew. From freak weather occurrences to sonic booms from jet airplanes, filming became harder and harder. One mishap or misfortune followed another. Then came the final straw, Rochefort injured his back delaying production even further. At that point Gilliam had to face the reality that his film was dead in the water.

Lost in La Mancha was originally intended to be a documentary about the making of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. But as fate would have it, it became a film about the demise of Gilliam’s project. And ironically, it is the only film that survived.

Lost in La Mancha does contain some foul language. However, as a documentary, it provides some insight into the workings of the film production process. As such it may find favor with some audiences.

The Recruit (RU-Adult)

Summary: Al Pacino stars in this suspense thriller as a CIA recruiter who brings a talented but overly confident recruit, played by Hollywood A-list newcomer Colin Farrell, under his wing. What Farrell’s character doesn’t know is that training to be a CIA agent involves immersing himself in a confused world in which trust is only temporary and everyone can be a potential enemy.

When Pacino’s character asks his recruit to ferret out a mole in the agency’s training program, Farrell’s character begins to question his instructor’s motives and loyalties. He begins to wonder who the mole really is and whether his training has been for the purposes he originally thought.

The Recruit is pure entertainment. It does not provide much beyond the suspense it engenders and the action seen on the screen. Additionally there are instances of foul language and sexuality. Therefore this film cannot be recommended.

Biker Boyz (RU-Adult)

Summary: On the surface, Biker Boyz looks like just another testosterone driven action flick augmented with over the top special effects and a blaring musical soundtrack. To an extent, these things do exist in this film. But the surprise about Biker Boyz, is that it is based on reality.

The film follows the motorcycle drag racing exploits of Manuel Galloway, who is in real-life the head of an actual California biker club where Galloway is known as the “King of Cali” because of his winning record as racer. But Galloway is just one figure in the African American biker subculture that the film chronicles.

Had Biker Boyz been a documentary, it might have been worth seeing. However, as a drama it incorporates inappropriate content including foul language, sexual content and glorified violence. As such, moviegoers would probably want to skip this one.

Final Destination 2 (RU-Adult)

Summary: Some films should simply not have sequels. This is one of them. Final Destination 2 reintroduces the ensemble cast of Hollywood teen heartthrobs who cheated death in the original film only to have the grim reaper stalk them as they go about their reprieved lives.  SKIP IT.