August 16 - August 22, 2009
TV film fare -- week of August 16
The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Aug. 16. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 7-10 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Goodfellas" (1990). The heady rise and eventual downfall of three Brooklyn hoods (Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci) are shown from one gangster's warped point of view in this fact-based story spanning 30 years. Director Martin Scorsese synthesizes flowing cinematography, an eye for details and commanding performances into a chilling re-creation of the empty glamour, endless greed and sick violence that characterizes mob life. Much graphic violence and rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Monday, Aug. 17, 8-11 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Sabrina" (1995). Gauzy romantic fantasy in which a workaholic billionaire (Harrison Ford) falls in love with his chauffeur's daughter (Julia Ormond) while trying to distract her from an infatuation with his engaged brother (Greg Kinnear). Director Sydney Pollack's long but lush remake of the 1954 Audrey Hepburn version is featherweight fluff laboriously plumped up with contrived romantic emotions. Fleeting violence and very mild sexual references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10:15 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (TCM) "True Grit" (1969). Rousing Western adventure based on the Charles Portis novel about a justice-minded little gal with true grit (Kim Darby) who tracks down her father's killer with the aid of a gruff overweight U.S. marshal (John Wayne) and an overeager Texas Ranger (Glenn Campbell). Directed with gusto by Henry Hathaway, the adventures and scrapes with death are furious and action-packed, though leavened nicely with human touches and good humor. Because of some stylized violence, young children may need the support of older members of the family. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Whistling in the Dark" (1941). Dated but still amusing comedy in which a mild-mannered radio actor (Red Skelton) plays the role of a brilliant detective so well that he's kidnapped by the leader (Conrad Veidt) of a bogus cult who wants him to devise a foolproof way to murder a wealthy cult member. Directed by Sylvan Simon, the silly radio-era proceedings provide a solid comedy vehicle for the bumbling, good-natured antics of Skelton in his first starring role. Mild comic menace. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Heiress" (1949). Stark adaptation of "Washington Square," Henry James' story of 1890s New York where a plain-looking, sweet-natured innocent (Olivia de Havilland) succumbs, despite the warnings of her wealthy father (Ralph Richardson), to the blandishments of a handsome suitor (Montgomery Clift) interested only in her inheritance. Director William Wyler's bleak tale of dashed expectations and dour retribution relies on strong performances to give some psychological depth to the melodramatic situation. False love and its heartbreaking consequences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Saturday, Aug. 22, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Max Payne" (2008). Visually striking but routine revenge thriller about a cop (a stolid Mark Wahlberg) hunting through a snowy New York for the killer of his wife and child two years earlier -- with the aid of a Russian mob moll (Mila Kunis) and his old mentor on the force (Beau Bridges) -- but finds himself implicated in murder. Crisp cinematography and a sleek production design are about the only redeeming features of director John Moore's videogame adaptation, an alternately dull, predictable and frequently violent narrative, with a mythological Norse demon thrown in for good measure. Pervasive if nongraphic violence with killings and torture, crude language and profanity, drug references and brief sexuality. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Saturday, Aug. 22, 8:30-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "War of the Worlds" (2005). Impressive but distressingly violent updating of H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi story, about (in this version) a deadbeat dad (Tom Cruise) who is jolted into responsible parenthood when he must struggle to survive and keep his two children (Justin Chatwin and Dakota Fanning) safe amid a hostile invasion by space aliens bent on exterminating humanity. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the decidedly dark and scary thrill ride delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement and knockout action sequences, which though visually stunning never drown out the human drama at its core about a father trying to reconnect with his children. Intense sci-fi violence, including mass destruction and slaughter, disintegrated bodies, a murder with extenuating circumstances and child peril, as well as scattered crude language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
TV program notes -- week of Aug. 16
Here are some television program notes for the week of Aug. 16 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film & Broadcasting.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Ukrainian Catholic University: A Light in the East." This special examines the state of the church in Ukraine today, a church that is being reborn from the ashes of persecution, as well as a particular project that will help this re-emerging faith community to rebuild and create a better culture: the Ukrainian Catholic University.
Monday, Aug. 17, 10-11 p.m. EDT (History) "Hades." A look at the myth of ancient Greece's most feared god, and the underworld that bore his name, as well as an examination of ancient Greek beliefs about life after death. Part of the series "Clash of the Gods."
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Nova scienceNow." This episode explores the implications of the personal genetic profile, recounts a journey deep beneath the Arctic Ocean and a visit to a Texas algae farm, and offers a profile of roboticist Yoky Matsuoka. Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "P.O.V. Shorts Program." This collection of documentary shorts by established and emerging filmmakers includes: "Utopia, Part 3: The World's Largest Shopping Mall," about the South China Mall, a Vegas-like spectacle built in 2005 that now sits almost entirely empty; "Nutkin's Last Stand" which examines a plague of North American gray squirrels threatening England's beloved native red squirrel population; "34x25x36," the latest installment in a trilogy about body image, showing the inner workings of the Patina V Mannequin Factory outside Los Angeles; and "City of Cranes," a look at the world through the eyes and words of crane operators (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6:30-7 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "The Vocation to the Priesthood." This program encourages men to consider a calling to the priesthood, examining what it is that makes priests so unique and necessary. In addition to interviews with various priests, who offer reflections on their sacramental and other duties, this special presents brief biographies of priests who served the church heroically in missions to remote and dangerous areas, thus embodying Christ's love to all people.
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 8-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Time Team Special Edition." This presentation from the United Kingdom's archaeology series takes viewers on an expedition to Jamestown, Va., where a British company's commercial enterprise planted some of the initial seeds of what became the United States (TV-G -- general audience).