The Church also charged Hollywood with encouraging what it called the "culture of death", in direct contrast with Pope John Paul's message supporting the "culture of life" on his recent tour of the Holy Land.

The Mexican church has reiterated the Pope's call for a "culture of life"

The film American Beauty dominated the Academy Awards, winning five Oscars for its story of a collapsing, dysfunctional family in which the ageing father fantasises about sex with his daughter's friend.

It also touches on repressed homosexuality.

The article, titled The Incongruity of Hollywood, complained that promiscuity and adultery were not condemned and homosexuality was shown in a positive light.

It also attacked Oscar winner The Cider House Rules for allegedly promoting abortion and Boys Don't Cry for its "morally gruesome" portrayal of a woman who acts and dresses as a man.

The Cider House Rules was attacked for promoting abortion

"Is there anyone who wishes the total breakdown of their marriage, or to abort, or to sleep with their daughter's friend," the paper asks? "Why then should we pay to see negative values?"

The article also went on to accuse Hollywood of directly contradicting the Pope's message of faith, hope and life delivered during his recent trip through the Holy Lands.

The magazine is not widely read here, but it does carry some influence in this passionately Catholic country.

Even so, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on Mexico's movie fans, who continued to flock to the cinemas last year even after the same magazine accused Star Wars, the Phantom Menace, of parodying the Scriptures.