(New Yorker)
Elaborate historical romp recounts the romantic and political exploits of the rakish 18th-century playwright (Fabrice Luchini) who, in addition to being jailed for ridiculing the French aristocracy, was an inventor, a magistrate, a spy, and gun runner for American revolutionaries. Director Edouard Molinari's giddy approach to the title character's busy life unreels as a series of breathless mis-adventures without revealing much of Beaumarchais's character or motivations. Subtitles. Some sexual innuendo, fleeting nudity, and an instance of rough language. The USCC classification is A-III. The film is not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Poignant drama set in 1962 Louisiana where a precocious 10-year-old (Jurnee Smollett) observes how her family is affected by the womanizing of her prosperous doctor father (Samuel Jackson), which culminates in a violent tragedy. Writer-director Kasi Lemmons's beautifully lyric tale probes human failings, though the results are marred by the action's melodramatic treatment. Mature theme of adultery, fleeting sexual encounter, brief violence, intermittent rough language, and profanity. The USCC classification is AIII. The film is rated R.
(Avalanche)
Wispy portrait of a bookish high school student (Claire Danes) whose emotional insecurities get in the way when she begins dating the school's heartthrob (Jude Law), despite the unconditional moral support of her loving grandmother (Jeanne Moreau), a Holocaust survivor. Director Billy Hopkins tends to sentimentalize the problems of adolescence as well as the student's grappling with her Jewish identity, and the result is disappointingly superficial in its reliance on glossy visuals and slick melodramatics. Stark Holocaust images, sexual innuendo, occasional rough language, and an instance of profanity. The USCC classification is A-III. The film is not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Dreary drama in which a fired museum guard (John Travolta) impulsively takes his boss and visiting children hostage, then unwittingly allows an ambitious TV reporter (Dustin Hoffman) to manipulate the situation to advance his flagging career. Director Costa-Gavras offers nothing new or insightful in this drawn-out tale showing the media's role in shaping breaking news. Brief violence, occasional profanity, and an instance of rough language. The USCC classification is A-III. The film is rated PG-13.
Lame romantic comedy in which a New York businesswoman (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) tries to make her womanizing boyfriend (John Dossett) jealous by paying a sensitive cabby (James McCaffrey) to masquerade as her lover, with unsurprising results. Writer-director Richard Mauro strings out a weak plot with a collection of odd-ball characters, such as the cabby's rapper roommate (Gedde Watanabe) and transvestite neighbor (Clinton Leupp), but the result is an urban fantasy that delivers a few giggles but lacks any romantic charm. Sexual situations, gay stereotypes, and occasional rough language. The USCC classification is A-IV. The film is rated R.
Switchback (Paramount)
Grim thriller in which a relentless FBI agent (Dennis Quaid) tracks a cunning serial killer (Danny Glover) who has kidnapped the agent's child while on a cross-country killing spree. Glover's chilling portrayal of an unpredictable psychopath helps compensate for the far-fetched plotting in writer-director Jeb Stuart's somewhat gory tale. Intermittent violence, nude pinup photos, and occasional profanity. The USCC classification is A-III. The film is rated R.
(Columbia)
Charming live-action tale set in an English meadow where timid Mole (Steve Coogan), kindly Rat (Eric Idle) and bold Badger (Nicol Williamson) must save reckless Toad (Terry Jones) from losing his country estate to evil Weasels. Also written and directed by Jones, this adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's 1908 children's classic is enhanced by an endearing cast, sprightly songs, lovely visuals, and a delightful sense of whimsy, which despite moments of menace translates into appealing family entertainment. The USCC classification is A-I. The film is rated PG.
USCC Office of Film and Broadcasting classification guide
A-I— general patronage
A-II— adults and adolescents
A-III— adults
A-IV— adults, with reservations (This classification designates problematic films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, require caution and some analysis and explanation as a safeguard against wrong interpretations and false conclusions.)
O— morally offensive.
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