MOVIES & MORALS

TOP TEN MOVIES
FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER

1.   TOY STORY 2

(Walt Disney)$27.8 million last week/   $116.8 million in two weeks:
    The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. In "Toy Story 2" the animated adventures of toys that come to life when humans aren't around continues as cowboy Woody voiced by Tom Hanks is stolen by a greedy toy collector, sending Woody's toy buddies, led by Buzz Lightyear, the voice of Tim Allen, on a breathless rescue mission. Featuring even better animation, the briskly paced cartoon sequel is slightly less original, but zippy action scenes and gentle humor should amuse small fry and grown-ups alike.

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2.   THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

(MGM)$10.7 million last week/    $90.4 million in three weeks:
    Because of much stylized violence and a few discreet bedroom scenes, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "The World Is Not Enough" is typical breathless Bond fare in which Pierce Brosnan's agent 007 must outwit a dangerously duplicitous female and a sinister psychopath intent on seizing control of the world's oil supply. The escapist fantasy's fast and furious action eventually wears itself out in an overlong and overly elaborate plot.

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3.   END OF DAYS

(Universal)$9.6 million in one week/   $45.8 million in two weeks:
    Because of excessive violence, frequent mindless mayhem, a perverted sexual encounter with nudity, some profanity and much rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "End of Days" is an ultraviolent millennium thriller in which ex-cop Arnold Schwarzenegger struggles to prevent satan, played by Gabriel Byrne, from impregnating a young woman, thus ushering in the devil's reign. The big-budget action movie simply exploits a religious theme to showcase murder, mayhem and explosive special effects far removed from genuine spiritual concerns.

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4.   SLEEPY HOLLOW

(Paramount)$8.9 million last week/   $74.1 million in three weeks:
    Because of recurring grisly decapitations and a discreet sexual encounter, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. In "Sleepy Hollow," a violent adaptation of Washington Irving's spooky tale of the headless horseman, Johnny Depp's Ichabod Crane is a pompous, fearful NYC constable sent to Sleepy Hollow to find a triple murderer who has made off with the victim's heads. Although it's a visually gorgeous period piece, the contrived humor doesn't work and the narrative overdoses on scenes of the horseman and another villain gleefully butchering their prey.

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5.   THE BONE COLLECTOR

(Universal)$3.2 million last week   /$58.1 million in five weeks:
    Because of grisly violence, an implied affair, occasional profanity and recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "The Bone Collector" is a grim thriller in which paralyzed police forensics expert Denzel Washington relies on rookie cop Angelina Jolie to gather evidence and clues to the identity of a serial killer who is taunting the bedridden cop with a series of increasingly grotesque murders. The police procedural slides from engrossing to disappointing with its unsatisfying revelations and gory wrap-up. selfdestruction.

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6.   POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE

(Warners Brothers)$2.3 million last week/   $80.8 million in four weeks:
    The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. "Pokemon: The First Movie" is a Japanese animated movie based on the TV cartoon series in which youngsters and their pocket monsters called pokemons gather on a remote island where they must defend themselves against an evil pokemon clone and his minions intent on enslaving the world. Colorful but crudely animated, the movie's characters battle one another while a preachy voice-over asserts that violence is wrong, thus sending a mixed message to little ones.

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7.   it's-a-DOG, MA

(Lyin' Gate)$2.1 million in one week/   /$24.4 million in four weeks:
    Because of anti-religious buffoonery, intense violence, sexual references, substance abuse, assorted vulgarities, profanity and recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. It's-a-"Dog, ma" is a sophomoric religious satire in which a heavenly messenger persuades the last descendant of Joseph and Mary to leave her job in an abortion clinic and set out to stop a pair of fallen angels from regaining heaven by means of a plenary indulgence. The unfunny proceedings rely on a mindless mix of irreverence and absurdity in poking fun at biblical characters and Christian stereotypes.

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8.   BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

(USA Films)$1.4 million last week/   $13.8 million in five weeks:
    Because of several sexual encounters, many sexual references, some rough language and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "Being John Malkovich" is a surreal tale in which a puppeteer (played by John Cusack) is led into a passageway into the mind of actor John Malkovich (playing himself) by a female co-worker who becomes sexually attracted to the puppeteer's wife (played by Cameron Diaz). The odd proceedings grow progressively more bizarre until the endless complications wear out their welcome well before the ending's final twist.

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9.   THE INSIDER

(Buena Vista Pictures)$1.33 million last week/   $23.9 million in five weeks
    ecause of frequent rough language, and mature subject matter, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted. "The Insider" is a fact-based, largely riveting account of how a CBS news producer (Al Pacino) is prevented from airing a -60 Minutes" interview with a tobacco company whistleblower (Russell Crowe) because the CBS corporate parent feared a costly lawsuit. Superbly acted, the lengthy, documentary-like drama explores corporate manipulation of journalism as well as the human cost to those involved in complex ethical issues.

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10.   ANYWHERE BUT HERE

(Fox)$1.32 million last week/   $16.4 million in four weeks:
    Because of an implied affair, sexual references and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "Anywhere But Here" is a heartfelt drama in which a level-headed daughter played by Natalie Portman struggles through her teens with free-spirited mom Susan Sarandon who has rashly moved them from their Wisconsin roots to Beverly Hills with self-delusional dreams of fame and fortune. The finely acted film explores the unhappy daughter's love-hate relationship up to its sentimental resolution.