Web site TV for Dec. 13 – Dec. 19, 2009

TV film fare -- week of Dec. 13

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Dec. 13. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence, and sexual situations.

Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-noon EST (TCM) "The Secret Garden" (1949). Durable version of the Frances Hodgson Burnett children's classic about an orphaned girl (Margaret O'Brien) who is given a home in the remote Yorkshire mansion of her sour uncle (Herbert Marshall) then discovers a hidden garden whose secret transforms her 10-year-old cousin (Dean Stockwell) and others. Directed by Fred M. Wilcox, the eerie mansion and past family tragedies are balanced by the girl's spunk and the healing powers of nature. 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.

Sunday, Dec. 13, 8-10:45 p.m. EST (AMC) "White Christmas" (1954). Cheerful but synthetic musical comedy about two World War II veterans (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who use their popularity as entertainers to make a success out of the winter resort opened by their wartime commander (Dean Jagger). Directed by Michael Curtiz, the postwar feel-good plot is less memorable than Kaye's clowning and Crosby's crooning of the title song among other Irving Berlin numbers originally written for the earlier, better "Holiday Inn" (1942) pairing Crosby with Fred Astaire. While not a classic, it offers some good family entertainment. 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.

Monday, Dec. 14, 2:30-4:45 a.m. EST (TCM) "Ordet" (1954). Challenging Danish production about different kinds of faith and various sorts of miracles, one of which restores a dead woman to life. Directed by Carl Dreyer, the austere narrative centers on a farming family troubled by the madness of a son (Preben Lerdorff Rye) who believes he is Jesus Christ until, regaining his balance, his faith in God achieves the miracle which brings the story to a positive though less than convincing conclusion some may find disappointingly ambiguous. Mature themes. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.-midnight EST (TCM) "Gone With the Wind" (1939). Epic romance spanning 20 years in the troubled lives of its ambitious Southern heroine (Vivian Leigh), the man she loves (Leslie Howard) and the man she finally marries (Clark Gable). Produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming, the movie re-creates not the history but the myth of the Old South and its destruction in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Though blacks are treated in the stereotyped fashion of its time, the picture is sympathetic toward its main black characters -- particularly Hattie McDaniel, who received an Academy Award for her performance. Wartime violence, romantic complications and black stereotyping. 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 G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9:45-11:15 a.m. EST (TCM) "Brother Orchid." (1940). Seriocomic tale of a gang boss (Edward G. Robinson) returning from a vacation in Europe to find his mob has a new leader (Humphrey Bogart), but he escapes being rubbed out by hiding in a monastery where he works as a gardener while plotting his comeback -- until he has a change of heart. Director Lloyd Bacon mixes some droll comedy and a bit of spiritual uplift into a standard crime melodrama, with surprisingly agreeable results. Stylized violence and criminal menace. 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, Dec. 19, 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. EST (AMC) "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966). Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, Burgess Meredith, Paul Ford and Kevin McCarthy are among the ensemble playing cards in the Old West's most comical and colorful poker game. Director Fielder Cook places emphasis on the personalities and the plot's ingenious bluffing makes for fascinating entertainment, even without the clever surprise ending. 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, Dec. 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m. EST (A&E) "Patch Adams" (1998). Fact-based comedy-drama about an idealistic medical student (Robin Williams) whose belief in the healing power of humor leads him to risk dismissal from medical school by opening a nontraditional clinic. Director Tom Shadyac's unsubtle treatment of the unabashedly sentimental story is held together mainly by Williams' ingratiating performance and his character's appealing concept of holistic medicine. An offscreen violent tragedy, fleeting nudity and a few coarse words as well as double entendres. 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, Dec. 19, 8-10 p.m. EST (CBS) "Elf" (2003). Warmhearted yuletide comedy about a foundling (Will Ferrell) raised by elves in Santa's workshop who travels from the North Pole to New York City in order to reconnect with his long-lost father (James Caan), a workaholic scrooge bereft of Christmas cheer. Full of goofy candy-cane humor, director Jon Favreau's holiday film imparts a strong family-friendly message, but uses a secular sieve to filter out any religious references about the true meaning of Christmas. Minimal mildly crude language and humor. 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, Dec. 19, 8-10:15 p.m. EST (HBO) "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009). A gaggle of Baltimore yuppies portrayed by Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson and Justin Long is schooled in the rules allegedly governing modern-day romance in this glossy ensemble comedy-drama. Director Ken Kwapis bathes his cast in a pleasing golden light but the stilted material, taken from a book penned by two "Sex and the City" writers, is too often unflattering. While traditional values are affirmed eventually, the characters regularly act in morally dubious ways that are contrary to their better natures. Frequent sexual references, some nonexplicit sexual encounters, including the adulterous and out-of-wedlock variety, a story line centered on cohabitation, frequent crude language, an instance of rough language, and a few scatological references. 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 Dec. 13

Here are some television program notes for the week of Dec. 13 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, Dec. 13, 8-10 p.m. EST (History) "The People Speak." This special features dramatic performances chronicling U.S. history, including readings of charter documents, letters and diaries, by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, David Strathairn, Marisa Tomei and Don Cheadle, as well as musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder and others.

Sunday, Dec. 13, 9-11 p.m. EST (PBS) "Peter and Paul and the Christian Revolution." Rebroadcast of a two-part special, originally aired in 2003 as part of the "Empire" series of history programs, that uses the words of St. Paul and other ancient writers, interviews with contemporary scholars and dramatic re-enactments to explore how two very different followers of Jesus became so crucial in spreading the Christian faith throughout the Roman empire (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Monday, Dec. 14, 8-9 p.m. EST (ABC) "Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas." Academy and Grammy Award-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson returns to her home town of Chicago to share childhood memories of the music, people and places that shaped her youth and to perform popular Christmas selections. Vocalist Michael Buble guest stars.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 9-10 p.m. EST (History) "Sahara." This episode of the series "How the Earth Was Made" looks at Africa's Sahara Desert. Roughly equal in size to the United States, the Sahara is the world's largest wasteland, as well as the hottest place on earth.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) "Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward Hermann." Tony Award-winner Mitchell joins the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in Salt Lake City for a Christmas celebration featuring some of the season's most beloved songs. The program also features a reading of the Christmas story by Hermann, an actor (TV-G -- general audience).

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9-11:30 p.m. EST (PBS) "Tosca." James Levine conducts a new Metropolitan Opera production of Puccini's classic, staged by Luc Bondy and starring Karita Mattila. Season debut of the series "Great Performances at the Met" (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 10-11 p.m. EST (EWTN) "Exploring Biblical Jordan." This special examines some of the greatest events in the Bible -- including the Exodus and Jesus' Baptism -- by visiting the places in and around the land of Jordan where they took place.

Friday, Dec. 18, 8-8:30 p.m. EST (CBS) "Frosty the Snowman." The animated holiday favorite, first broadcast in 1969 and narrated by Jimmy Durante, also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon as Frosty and Billy De Wolfe as Professor Hinkle.

Friday, Dec. 18, 8:30-9 p.m. EST (CBS) "Frosty Returns." More adventures with the dancing snowman. Jonathan Winters narrates, and John Goodman voices Frosty.

Saturday, Dec. 19, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (EWTN) "A Time to Remember." This Christmas tale tells the story of a young boy who develops his gift of song with the help of a beloved priest -- a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and a Christmas miracle.