WASHINGTON (July 21, 2000) – The Catholic Communication Campaign movie line for the week of July 21-27 explores the new film What Lies Beneath, a Hitchcockian thriller that hides its co-stars' talents under a bushel of plot cliches. Parents may be surprised to learn that the Pokéman marketing juggernaut has now produced Pokemon the Movie 2000, well beyond the time they hoped the fad and its biproducts run their course come to an end.

Movie line films are evaluated according to artistic merit and moral suitability by the U.S. Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting. The movie line number is 1-800-311-4CCC, and it includes the following theater releases and their classifications:

• Disney's "The Kid" Sappy fantasy comedy in which a successful yet unhappy image consultant (Bruce Willis) about to turn 40 gets an unexpected visit from himself as dweeby eight-year-old child (Spencer Breslin) who reminds him of his childhood dreams. Though basically a sweet film, director Jon Turteltaub's interesting twist on time travel and few laughs do not offset a thin premise, underdeveloped characters and a skimpy script. A few crass expressions. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. (Disney)
  

• The In Crowd -- Dreadfully dull thriller about a young woman (Lori Heuring) working at a country club who is brought into the exclusive social circle of upper-crust college students by a charismatic socialite (Susan Ward) who is harboring dark secrets. Director Mary Lambert's glossy film bores with a skimpy narrative, one-dimensional characters and laughable suspense builders that lead to an obvious conclusion. Some violence, a few sexually implied encounters and lesbian innuendo, frequent substance abuse and some crass language with an instance of rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Warner Bros.)

• Scary Movie -- Because of a vulgar sexual encounter, recurring drug use, violence and rough language, crude sexual references, repulsive body-fluid humor and full nudity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Scary Movie is a vile gross-out comedy about six teen-agers who accidentally killed a man and are being chased by a black-caped, white-masked serial slasher intent on slaughtering them. It's a poor pastiche of several horror films with a virtually non-existent plot used as a frame on which to hang raunchy, humorless jokes. (Dimension)

• Loser -- Lame romance in which a sweetly nerdy college student (Jason Biggs) pines over a classmate (Mena Suvari) who is foolishly involved with their snooty literature professor (Greg Kinnear). Writer-director Amy Heckerling's bland blend of teen angst tinged with a few frail comic moments is instantly forgettable. An implied affair, fleeting violence, crass expressions and an instance of rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Columbia)

• Pokémon the Movie 2000 -- Silly Japanese animated film based on the television cartoon series in which a human teen trainer of Pokémons is the only hope for a doomed world when the peaceful co-existence of three powerful Pokémon birds that keep in balance the elements of fire, lightning and ice, is disturbed. With colorful but unexceptional animation, director Michael Haigney's film has a nonsensical plot, which will likely not matter to the hoards of child fans, but is a snore for adults accompanying their tykes. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. (Warner Bros.)

• X-Men-- Entertaining sci-fi thriller that pits outcast humans whose genetic mutations give them super powers against evil mutants intent on ruling over humanity. Based on the Marvel comic book series, director Bryan Singer's live-action film has an absorbing, multi-layered narrative, sharp editing and imaginative special effects, but some sketchy characterizations. Some sci-fi violence and a few instances of crass language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (20th Century Fox)

• What Lies Beneath -- Plodding ghost story in which a wife (Michelle Pfeiffer) feels haunted by a menacing spirit who turns out to have been involved with her geneticist husband (Harrison Ford). Director Robert Zemeckis attempts to generate Hitchcock-like suspense but falls far short with glaring plot holes and an abundance of thriller cliches. Some violence, sexual situations with implied adultery, occasional profanity and an instance of rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (DreamWorks)

• Dumbo -- In this classic 1941 Disney animated feature, a baby elephant with oversized ears, the laughing stock of the entire circus troupe to which he belongs, is befriended by a sympathetic mouse. What happens to the diminutive pachyderm shows children how self-respect and self-confidence can be gained by making the most of one's imagination and inventive initiative. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. (Disney)

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