CAPSULES

By Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

Letters to Juliet (Summit)
Director Gary Winick's old-fashioned romantic comedy explores time-honored themes of love, loss, family, and destiny amid a beautifully photographed Italian travelogue as it chronicles New York-based magazine fact-checker Sophie's (Amanda Seyfried) journey to Verona -- the city of "Romeo and Juliet" -- where, left on her own by her food-obsessed chef fiance Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), Sophie visits Juliet's house and discovers a kind of Wailing Wall for the amorous, where lovesick women leave letters seeking relationship advice. Sophie's answer to one such missive, penned 50 years before by Englishwoman Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), prompts Claire to return, with her obnoxious grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) in tow, determined to find her long-lost idol Lorenzo. An implied premarital relationship, a brief obscene gesture. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Robin Hood (Universal)
Thematically ambitious yet enervating version of the much-filmed legend concerning the 13th-century English outlaw (Russell Crowe) who, in this serious reworking awash in political intrigue and salubrious civics lessons, goes from common archer on King Richard's Crusade to the valiant unifier of a downtrodden, suffering nation. Director Ridley Scott drains the tale of energy and emotion without offering action thrills that would ingratiate a new generation of viewers. Though hovering on the edge of bawdiness, and despite jabs at the cold-hearted, oppressive church leaders of the period, the movie may be acceptable for some mature teenagers. Much -- mostly bloodless -- battle violence, a nongraphic sexual situation with fleeting rear nudity, an attempted rape, callous clergy, some innuendo and anatomical references, one instance each of crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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