Weekly Movie Ratings

Jet Li’s martial arts acrobatics headline a dull week at the theaters.

(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 

Cradle 2 the Grave (RU-Adult)

Summary: When rapper-turned-actor DMX teamed with B-movie martial arts expert Steven Segal, it was the hope of many a critic that DMX would retire from his movie career just as hastily as he had entered it. No such luck. The “surprise” popularity of his first action-genre foray with some younger audiences spurred Hollywood executives to cast him in yet another “hard-hitting action flick”.

This time around, DMX teams with Jet Li, who is honestly quite the martial arts sensation. Li has nowhere the comedic sense of a Jackie Chan, but he has all the kicks and punches. It is this sheer display of athletic prowess and control that draws crowds to Li’s films.

DMX and Li play the clichéd roles of cop and robber who join forces to defeat a common foe. DMX stars as a gritty gang member whose daughter is kidnapped by another criminal. In order to get his precious offspring back, he agrees to forfeit a treasure trove of stolen diamonds.

Fortunately/unfortunately, Jet Li’s character, a Taiwanese government agent, is also on the case, obviously for much different reasons. He finds an unlikely partner in DMX’s character and the two crack skulls until they both get their man.

There is a great deal of action violence in this film along with some foul language and sexual situations. Given this content along with the film’s B-movie status, it cannot be recommended.

Poolhall Junkies (CU-Adult)

Summary: Some might find playing billiards fun. Watching billiards, however, is just about as exciting as watching grass grow. The only truly successful film ever made about billiards was The Hustler, and that was arguably only good because of Paul Newman’s acting presence.

Poolhall Junkies tries to make billiards exciting by borrowing the plotline from Nicholas Cage’s marginally successful car theft thriller Gone in 60 Seconds. What the producers forgot was that Gone in 60 Seconds had fast cars racing all over the screen. Poolhall Junkies has billiard balls racing all over the screen. Therein lies the problem.

The story is simple. A recovering billiards addict is sucked back into the seedy gambling world of high stakes pool when his younger brother, who foolishly tries to follow in his older brother’s footsteps, winds up in trouble with the wrong crowd of people.

Besides being a bad movie with a tired plot, Poolhall Junkies also contains scenes that glorify gambling and other criminal activity as well scenes of sensuality and foul language. Skip it.

Spider (RU-Adult)

Summary: Spider is the only film that has any real potential this week; but good luck in trying to see it, because it is only in limited release to mostly art house theaters. Most audiences will have to wait for it to make it to video and DVD.

Spider stars critically acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes in a story adapted from the 1991 novel of the same name. The very fact that it has its origins in a novel gives this film a head start over the competition.

Fiennes plays a troubled man who desperately tries to piece his life back together after spending time in a mental institution. It is a dark exploration of the human psyche that touches on issues such as the manner mentally disturbed individuals are treated in society.

There is some sexuality, minor violence and foul language in Spider that discerning moviegoers would want to be aware of. Because of this content, this film cannot be recommended outright. However, for those who have a reason to have a special interest in this subject matter, it might be a film to cautiously see.