Web site TV for Nov. 1 – Nov. 7, 2009

TV film fare -- week of Nov. 1

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Nov. 1. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, Nov. 1, 7-10 p.m. EST (AMC) "Outbreak" (1995). As a deadly, highly contagious African virus tears through a California town, a team of government virologists (Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kevin Spacey) race against time to produce an antidote before their military superiors (Donald Sutherland and Morgan Freeman) solve the containment problem by vaporizing the entire town. Despite some irrational behavior by several characters, director Wolfgang Petersen's action-packed medical thriller builds considerable suspense as the ominously realistic scenario unfolds. Some military violence, shots of diseased victims and intermittent rough language. 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.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 8-11 p.m. EST (AMC) "Batman" (1989). Dark, haunting vision of the caped crusader (Michael Keaton) who must battle not only the evil Joker (Jack Nicholson) but the demons left over from his own tragic childhood. Director Tim Burton does not make the eternal fight between good and evil an easy one but virtuoso performances by the leads and Anton Furst's production design of a Gotham City full of shadowy gothic and modernistic spires make the movie noteworthy. Some grisly comic-book violence and a suggested sexual encounter are too intense for young viewers. 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.

Friday, Nov. 6, 6-8 p.m. EST (TCM) "Never Cry Wolf" (1983). Government naturalist (Charles Martin Smith), sent to the Canadian Arctic to determine if wolves are responsible for decimating the once abundant caribou herds, learns instead a lesson in survival and self-knowledge. Director Carroll Ballard's fact-based Disney drama allows the viewer to feel the wonder and excitement of the wilderness with insightful humor and stunning visuals. Some scenes of Smith eating mice and going naked in barren Arctic landscape. 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.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m. EST (TCM) "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" (1974). John Phillip Law as Sinbad sails off to find the Fountain of Destiny, harassed by a variety of demons and other nasty types conjured up by Ray Harryhausen's imaginative special effects which upstage the human cast. Director Gordon Hessler's lighthearted and entertaining adventure movie brings a treat for youngsters and those adults who wish to recapture some of the magic of childhood. 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, Nov. 7, 7:15-9 p.m. EST (HBO) "Hotel for Dogs" (2009). Wholesomely enjoyable canine caper in which an orphaned brother and sister (Jake T. Austin and Emma Roberts) shelter their dog, along with a motley group of strays, in an abandoned hotel, outwitting their neglectful foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) and causing complications for their genuinely caring social worker (Don Cheadle). Director Thor Freudenthal's cuddly adaptation of Lois Duncan's 1971 children's book, his feature debut, sees the affectionate siblings working together and with friends to care for their expanding pack and improvising a part-human, part-animal surrogate family. A couple of crass words. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 p.m.-12:15 a.m. EST (Cinemax) "Frost/Nixon" (2008). Successful expansion of Broadway and London stage hit about the genesis of talk-show host David Frost's (Michael Sheen) historic TV talks with disgraced former U.S. President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) in 1977. Director Ron Howard and writer Peter Morgan build a good deal of suspense into Frost landing the interview and then getting Nixon publicly to admit for the first time his wrongdoing in the Watergate break-in scandal, with the stars giving pitch-perfect performances. Some conversational rough language, brief profanity and crude expressions, implied nonmarital relationship and fleeting rear nudity; 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 R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

TV program notes -- week of Nov. 1

Here are some television program notes for the week of Nov. 1 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, Nov. 1, 9-10:30 p.m. EST (check local listings) (PBS) "Place of Execution." In this first episode of a two-part psychological thriller, Juliet Stevenson plays a high-profile TV journalist who investigates the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl 40 years prior. Part of the series "Masterpiece Contemporary"; David Tennant hosts. Concludes Sunday, Nov. 8, 9-10 p.m. EST (check local listings; TV-14 -- parents strongly cautioned).

Monday, Nov. 2, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) "Civilian Conservation Corps." Historical special interweaving archival imagery with the personal accounts of Civilian Conservation Corps veterans to tell the story of one of the boldest and most popular New Deal experiments, designed to combat unemployment among young men. This "American Experience" presentation is part of the miniseries "The 1930s" (TV-G -- general audience).

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (PBS) "Bill Cosby: The Mark Twain Prize." Celebrated comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, salute Bill Cosby, the 12th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Includes clips of Cosby's career highlights: from his role on "I Spy" in the 1960s to the comedy series bearing his name (TV-PG - parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) "Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me." A profile of Georgia-born lyricist, singer and composer Johnny Mercer, celebrating the centennial of his birth on Nov. 18, 1909, and featuring numerous performances of his work by musical stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole as well as new and archival interviews dealing with his life and career.

Friday, Nov. 6, 9-10 p.m. EST (History) "Ancients Behaving Badly." Premiere of a new series that investigates some of the classical world's most iconic -- and tyrannical -- leaders. This episode, "Caligula," profiles the young Roman emperor (A.D. 12-41) who had a fearsome reputation as a sadistic murderer and a raving lunatic.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 p.m.-midnight EST (History) "Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall." This special commemorates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall Nov. 9, 1989, by examining how a makeshift line of railway cars and barbed wire evolved into the massively fortified wall that came to symbolize the Cold War.