"Horizons West" (Blu-ray Edition; 1952)

Standard Western in which two brothers return to their Texas home after the Civil War, with one (Robert Ryan) using a gang of outlaws to gain wealth and power, while the other (Rock Hudson) works the family ranch, then is made sheriff and sets out to bring his corrupt sibling to justice. Directed by Budd Boetticher, the formula plot is largely devoted to showing how a good man goes bad, then loses all in a swift crime-does-not-pay ending. Some nasty stylized violence and a bad marriage. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (KL Studio Classics)

"Land" (2021)

In actress Robin Wright's feature debut as a director, she also plays a woman so paralyzed by grief over the loss of her husband and young son that she leaves the world behind to become a hermit in a small, isolated cabin amid the mountains of Wyoming. Having deprived herself of a car or any other form of transport, she must hunt and fish to survive but quickly discovers just how poorly prepared she is for the rigors of life in the wilderness. After a severe crisis, she gains the help and instruction of a local man (Demian Bichir) with whom she gradually forms a healing bond of friendship. Wright's meditative drama features long silences and sweeping views of a magnificent, unspoiled landscape. Yet witnessing the physical and spiritual purgation her character undergoes, while a valuable experience, is not an easy one. Authentic emotions and humane values in a film of serious intent. Probably acceptable for mature adolescents. A suicide theme, nongraphic marital sensuality, brief partial nudity, animal gore, at least one use of profanity, a few milder oaths. 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)

"The Marksman" (2021)

Well-intentioned but sketchy actioner in which a gruff ex-Marine (Liam Neeson) living on the Arizona-Mexico border reluctantly undertakes to transport an orphaned refugee (Jacob Perez) targeted by the minions of a drug cartel (led by Juan Pablo Raba) to safety with relatives in Chicago. Catholic imagery puts in an occasional appearance as the two travelers bond, and there's a generally pacific, specifically anti-revenge message to offset the vague vigilantism of the title character's mission. But director and co-writer Robert Lorenz's drama fails to make much of an impression. Considerable stylized violence, some gory sights, a suicide, a few uses of profanity, a couple of milder oaths, at least one rough term, several crude and crass expressions. Spanish language option. 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)

"The Mauritanian" (2021)

Director Kevin Macdonald's fact-based film doesn't adhere to the conventions of a legal drama or a police procedural. Instead, it focuses on the moral implications of the struggle to free a falsely accused prisoner (Tahar Rahim), with brilliant results. In adapting Mohamedou Ould Salahi's 2015 memoir "Guantanamo Diary," screenwriters M.B. Traven, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani are not shy about including a variety of explicitly religious elements in their script. The Muslim captive must first fortify his will to live, then learn to forgive the months of physical and psychological torture inflicted on him by the U.S. military. For the Christian Army officer (Benedict Cumberbatch) charged with prosecuting him, a moment of awakening comes at a baptism ceremony. And, while expressing no particular faith, his defense attorney (Jodie Foster) experiences a voyage of spiritual discovery as she doggedly fights government efforts to suppress the evidence. The sum of all this is a highly balanced and underplayed narrative that succeeds in building audience outrage without preaching. Frequent depictions of torture, including brief sexual abuse, fleeting profanities, some crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R – restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)

"Quantez" (Blu-ray Edition; 1957)

Pedestrian western in which fleeing bank robbers shelter in a deserted border town, then have a falling-out which leaves the survivors (Fred MacMurray, John Gavin and Dorothy Malone) to face attacking Apaches on their own. Director Harry Keller goes nowhere with the contrived plot and cardboard characters, though Charles Barton has some choice scenes as an itinerant peddler. Stylized violence and sexual innuendo. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (KL Studio Classics)

"Tank" (Blu-ray Edition; 1984)

Career Army sergeant uses a Sherman tank to rescue his unjustly arrested son from a vicious southern sheriff (G.D. Spradlin) and then heads for the state line stirring the sympathy of the nation. Audience reaction to director Marvin Chomsky's movie is likely to be much less spectacular because after the breakout, the story becomes increasingly silly and unentertaining. Some violence and rough language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (KL Studio Classics)

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.