August 30 - Septmeber 5, 2009

TV film fare -- week of August 30

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Aug. 30. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Monday, Aug. 31, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" (1965). Sobering screen version of the John Le Carre novel about a shabby British spy (Richard Burton) whose cynicism grows as his assignment in Berlin becomes a maze of betrayals and counterbetrayals. Director Martin Ritt's spy movie is not an escapist adventure but one that demonstrates the loss of humanity on the part of those who treat people only as means of achieving their ends. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 8:15-10:30 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "The Mist" (2007). Technically skillful but relentlessly pessimistic horror tale in which an unnatural fog, alive with murderous mutant animals, descends on a small Maine town, leaving a representative sampling of the locals trapped in a grocery store, where a courageous but sensible movie-poster artist (Thomas Jane), accompanied by his son (Nathan Gamble) and aided by the store's plucky manager (Toby Jones), must battle the malevolent critters while also trying to arbitrate between opposing groups led by a religious fanatic (Marcia Gay Harden) and an implacably skeptical lawyer (Andre Braugher). Writer-director-producer Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's novella has the makings of a diverting, old-fashioned monster movie, but -- in addition to being excessively bloody -- it instead becomes talky and meandering as it attempts to analyze social dynamics, religion and the polarities of human nature. Bloody violence and mutilation, mercy killing, pervasive rough and crude language, much crass 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 R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30-9:15 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Lions for Lambs" (2007). Well-intentioned but static plea for noncomplacency as a slick senator (Tom Cruise) plants an exclusive story about a new U.S. initiative in Afghanistan with a critical TV reporter (Meryl Streep); the idealistic students (Derek Luke and Michael Pena) of a university political science professor (Robert Redford) decide to join the struggle in that country; and the professor tries to convince a disillusioned student (Andrew Garfield) to abandon his cynicism and try to make a difference in the world. Redford's usually solid directorial gifts fail to give life to an exceedingly talky, heavy-handed and artificial script, while even the action scenes in Afghanistan are murky and bland. Pervasive conversational expletives, crude expressions, some profanity and wartime battle violence. 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.

Friday, Sept. 4, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The War of the Worlds" (1953). First-rate version of H.G. Wells' sci-fi classic about Martians invading earth with deadly heat rays from whose destructive path through California flee nuclear physicist Gene Barry and companion Ann Robinson until the aliens meet with the unexpected. Produced by George Pal and directed by Byron Haskin, the apocalyptic tale is tautly told with often frightening effect, thanks to its superior model work and astonishing special effects. Some religious dimension, much menace and stylized violence. 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.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) "The Secret Life of Bees" (2008). Beautifully produced adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's best-seller set in South Carolina about a spiritual beekeeper (Queen Latifah) and her sisters (Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo) who take in a 14-year-old runaway (Dakota Fanning) and her caretaker (Jennifer Hudson) fleeing the girl's abusive father (Paul Bettany). Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood elicits well-judged performances from the cast, with Latifah and Fanning outstanding, and the compassionate -- albeit melodramatic -- story includes elements of forgiveness and redemption. Some profanity and crude language, racial epithets and violence, nonsexual child abuse, light underage sensuality, and murder and suicide; acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 9-10:45 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "The Eye" (2008). Reasonably effective suspense yarn about a blind concert violinist (a believable Jessica Alba) who, after receiving corneal transplants, begins to envision harrowing scenes of devastation and spectral spirits for reasons she connects with her anonymous eye donor, while she tries to convince her doctor (Alessandro Nivola), sister (Parker Posey) and conductor (Rade Serbedzija) that she's not hallucinating. Co-directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud's remake of a 2002 Taiwanese film delivers the requisite scary jolts, despite plot improbabilities, and is devoid of sex and language concerns. Some brief and nongraphic but disturbing violent images, including fires and explosions, and a suicide flashback. Acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Changeling" (2008). Gripping true-life drama set in 1928 Los Angeles recounting how the young son of a single telephone operator (a fine Angelina Jolie) goes missing, and how the corrupt Los Angeles police department tries to silence her when she protests that the child they subsequently return to her is not her son, while a crusading Presbyterian minister (John Malkovich) takes up her cause. Clint Eastwood directs with trademark austerity. Though the subject matter is often grim, with some necessarily unpleasant scenes, the story has historical significance as the case led to reform. There's also inspiration in the mother's stubborn determination to continue the search for the boy against all odds. Strong if nongraphic scenes of violence, murder, nonsexual child abuse, patient abuse in a mental institution, an execution, some rough language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

TV program notes -- week of Aug. 30

Here are some television program notes for the week of Aug. 30 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. 30, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Inspector Lewis, Series II: And the Moonbeams Kiss the Sea." Stolen rare books and the murders of a brilliant Oxford fine arts student and a library maintenance engineer lead Inspector Lewis, played by Kevin Whately, to connect the crimes to a local gambling addiction group and two talented painters. A "Masterpiece Mystery!" presentation (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Monday, Aug. 31 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock." Highlights from the Country Music Association's four-day festival, which was held June 11-14 in Nashville, Tenn. Scheduled to perform on the special are the Divas of Daytime -- ABC soap opera actresses Kathy Brier, Kassie DePaiva and Bobbie Eakes -- as well as several up-and-coming country artists, including Love and Theft, Caitlin & Will and Sarah Buxton. Hosted by actor Cameron Mathison.

Monday, Aug. 31, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Herbert von Karajan: Beauty as I See It." This special chronicles the career of the conductor, one of the 20th century's most famous and influential figures in classical music. Part of the "Great Performances" series (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 9-10 p.m. EDT (History) "It Fell From Space." A look at the thousands of objects, both natural and man-made, that plummet through our atmosphere and crash into the earth every year. Part of the series "The Universe."

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Trumbo." This episode of the series "American Masters" profiles Hollywood writer Dalton Trumbo, who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947, and was imprisoned. The program is adapted from his son Christopher's 2003 play and is based as well on Trumbo's letters (TV-G -- general audience).

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