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

The Rookie (CA)

Summary: True stories have always made some of the best, most touching films. Who can forget Rudy, Brian’s Song or Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans? Following in those film’s footsteps, The Rookie hits theaters this week telling the true story of one man’s dream come true. Jim Morris gave up on his dream to play professional baseball when a shoulder injury forced him out of the minor leagues as a younger man. Assuming the role of a mild-mannered school teacher, Morris all but gave up on his dream. However, 12 years after his formal departure from the sport, he found new inspiration with a rag-tag youth baseball team he coaching. At their urging he re-entered the hunt for “The Big Leagues” and found that despite the years, he still the physical capabilities and, more importantly, the desire. This film, in which Dennis Quaid plays Morris, highlights such positive themes as sportsmanship, humility, putting sport in perspective and perseverance. As such it should be beneficial entertainment for most all audiences. As always however, Muslim moviegoers should recognize that an MPAA rating of “G” is not always equivalent to Muslim standards for entertainment. So Muslims would want to simply be cognizant of this fact. Enjoy.

Panic Room (RU-Adult)

Summary: According to some critics, Panic Room is supposed to be one of the best films of the year. Considering that actress Jodie Foster rarely partakes in projects lacking merit, such a critique doesn’t seem too far-fetched. But there is something about the film’s premise that leaves doubt in one’s mind about just how good this movie can be.

Foster stars as a middle-aged single mother who moves into a new home with her young child. In this house, there is a special secret room – a “panic room”. With reinforced steel doors and a surveillance system, the room provides every assurance of safety to the paranoid homeowner who has recurring visions of a home invasion. Unfortunately for Foster’s character the nightmare scenario of a home invasion comes to life one night as she prepares for bed. Fleeing to the panic room, mother and daughter anxiously await the departure of the criminals. These bad guys, however, aren’t after jewels or money. They want what’s in the panic room.

With such a seemingly simplistic plot that unfolds pretty much in the same monotonous venue, it’s hard to envision how the film could be so good. But then again, maybe the critics are right. For Muslims though, they may never find out whether the film is of merit, because it contains foul language and violence. There is no nudity or over-the-top sensuality, but there is a concern over language and violence. Definitely not for children or discerning Muslim moviegoers.

Clock Stoppers (SA)

Summary: If you found a watch that could freeze time all around you, would you use it? For Zak Gibbs (Jesse Bradford), the answer to that question is a resounding “yes” in Paramount Pictures’ Clock Stoppers. When he happens upon his father’s invention, Zak has a field day, freezing time and taking advantage of all that such a power affords an individual – in a juvenile manner, of course (this is after all a kids’ film). Along with his friend Francesca (Paula Garces), Zak makes mischief and has an overall good time until the power of the watch comes to the attention of some nefarious characters that endeavor to catch up with Zak and Francesca and steal the watch.

By Hollywood’s standards, Clock Stoppers is a children’s film (rated PG), and was no doubt released this week to capture the Easter holiday movie-going crowd. However, this film does have some violence and there could be themes of romance or insinuation thereof that pop up from time to time in the movie. So parents would want to be careful about sending their kids alone to see this film.

Death to Smoochy (RU-Adult)

Summary: Comedian Robin Williams is back on the big screen in the dark comedy Death to Smoochy. Williams plays Rainbow Randolph, the disgraced host of a children’s television program. His replacement, Smoochy (Ed Norton) – a large, colorful Rhinoceros – adds to Rudolph’s humiliation by sleeping with his wife. Needless to say, Rudolph wants revenge for all that’s happened to him, and he goes about doing so with malice. As one might have guessed from the plot itself, this film is not appropriate for Muslims. Not only does it deal in a comedic fashion with the very serious sin of adultery, Death to Smoochy has foul language and sexual reference that make it un-recommendable.

The Piano Teacher (CU-Adult)

Summary: The buzz about this film is that it was heaped with praise at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. DO NOT BE FOOLED. This film is filled with filth in the form of excessive, deviant sexuality portrayed in the most graphic of manners. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.