Video releases for March 30, 2022

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews from Catholic News Service of new and recent video releases available on DVD and/or Blu-ray -- as well as for online viewing. Theatrical movies have a Catholic News Service classification and Motion Picture Association rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account any extra content.

"Marry Me" (2022)

Generally amiable romantic comedy charting the unlikely relationship between a world-famous singing star (Jennifer Lopez) and a dedicated but obscure math teacher (Owen Wilson). After discovering, moments before her mega-media-event wedding, that her equally prominent fiance, also a vocalist (Maluma), has been cheating on her, she summons the instructor out of the live audience for the combination concert and nuptials and impulsively exchanges vows with him instead. Overall, director Kat Coiro's screen version of Bobby Crosby's graphic novel has a note of old-fashioned charm thanks to the gallantry of Wilson's character in wishing to help his celebrity "spouse" in a moment of crisis and as a result of the fact that, physical intimacy being initially debarred by mutual consent, the couple get to know each other as friends in a process resembling traditional courtship. But the agreement on that score is eventually abandoned while a sequence involving a musical number in which the songstress' back-up singers cavort in latex nuns' habits and clerical collars is patently offensive and would fully justify believing viewers in avoiding the picture altogether. Distastefully irreligious images, offscreen premarital sexual activity, verbal and visual references to homosexuality, partial nudity, about a half-dozen uses each of profanity and milder swearing, a few crude and crass expressions. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

"Sing 2" (2021)

Writer-director Garth Jennings' follow-up to his 2016 animated jukebox musical finds that comedy's ensemble of animal entertainers aiming for the big time. Led by the koala theater owner (voice of Matthew McConaughey) who brought them together in the kickoff, the singers and hoofers (voiced, among others, by Tori Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Nick Kroll) aspire to become headliners in a fabled, Las Vegas-like city. To do so, they'll have to follow through on their impresario's rash promise to a lupine media magnate (voice of Bobby Cannavale) that their show will feature a legendary lion rock star (voice of Bono, in his acting debut) who, for 15 years, has been one of the world's most famous recluses. Amid the wild scramble that follows, Jennings' script deals with a series of topics, such as self-doubt and the ability to deal with setbacks as well as bullying, privilege and popularity, that may especially resonate with teens. It also highlights themes of empathy, honesty and the means of coping with grief. Too scary for little kids, this film, fueled by familiar tunes and buoyed by enjoyable humor, is on target for most others. Characters in peril, brief mature references. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.