"A Quiet Place Part II" (2021)

This follow-up drains away the suspense, analogies and underlying message about family bonds from the 2018 original in order to set up a franchise reminiscent of an immersive dystopian theme-park ride. In the absence of the family patriarch he played last time out, returning director John Krasinski, who also takes over as sole screenwriter, puts the remaining members of the kickoff's clan – mom Emily Blunt, deaf daughter Millicent Simmonds, son Noah Jupe and their infant brother – through their paces as they continue to struggle against marauding alien invaders endowed with super-sensitive hearing but vulnerable to high-pitched frequencies that send them into paroxysms of pain. With nothing new to reveal about the intruders and their behavior, the sequel merely repeats familiar sci-fi tropes. Although Blunt's character turns out to be a pistol-packin' mama with impeccable aim and abundant ammo, there's not much on display stouthearted older adolescents won't be able to handle. Gun and physical violence with fleeting gore. 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. (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

"Shenandoah" (Blu-ray Edition; 1965)

Civil War story of a Virginia family patriarch (James Stewart) whose opposition to slavery keeps him out of the war until one of his sons is captured and he fights his way through Union lines trying to find him. Director Andrew McLaglen does best with the action scenes showing the futile havoc of war but is less effective in portraying its consequences on the family and its members. Wartime violence. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I – general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (KL Studio Classics)

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.