Home viewing roundup: What's available to stream and what's on horizon

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of Dec. 22, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week. Televised films may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations while the programs listed have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by OSV News.

Streaming Now

“Alexander the Great” (1956; Amazon Prime)

Historical dramatization re-creates the life of the Macedonian prince (Richard Burton) who, after the Greek city-states fell to his father, Philip (Fredric March), went on to conquer the mighty Persian Empire in a 10-year campaign ending with his death in 323 B.C. at age 33. Written, produced and directed by Robert Rossen, the result is both good history and fine drama with a solid cast, some well-staged action scenes and a sense of spectacle, though the narrative is at times stilted and occasionally obscure. The stylized violence, sexual references and political complications make it heavy going for children. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

“Mary” (2024; Netflix)

Uneven recounting of the life of the Virgin Mary (Noa Cohen) from before her birth to the flight into Egypt. After her elderly parents’ (Ori Pfeffer and Hilla Vidor) prayers for a child are answered, they dedicate their daughter to God and she eventually goes to live in the Temple in Jerusalem, where the prophetess Anna (Susan Brown) becomes her spiritual guide. But her lifelong guardian, the archangel Gabriel (Dudley O’Shaughnessy), helps bring about a fateful meeting with Joseph (Ido Tako) who falls in love with her at first sight. Following their betrothal, she becomes pregnant amid circumstances Joseph does not understand, yet he resolutely stands by her. Director D.J. Caruso and screenwriter Timothy Michael Hayes draw on nonbiblical sources to flesh out their tale and their drama is at its best in evoking the poignancy of Mary’s plight as an apparent adulteress scorned and even physically attacked by those around her. Gavin Struthers’ fine cinematography, however, is not always matched by the dialogue, which sometimes feels starchy, especially in scenes that focus on King Herod (Anthony Hopkins). Despite this drawback, the production overall is both reverent and engaging. Some stylized violence, including torture, momentary gore, mature themes, a couple of mildly vulgar expressions. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

“The Muppets” (2011; Hulu)

Jim Henson’s singing, dancing, wise-cracking puppets return to the big screen in an old-fashioned and genuinely funny film, which will appeal to nostalgic baby boomers even as it introduces a new generation to the decidedly low-tech felt figures for whom charm is a strong suit. The story centers on a good-hearted small town guy (Jason Segel) and his brother (voice of Peter Linz) who, as it happens, is a Muppet. While on a trip to Los Angeles, the siblings — accompanied by the human brother’s girlfriend (Amy Adams) — stumble upon the designs of a wicked oil baron (Chris Cooper), who wants to tear down the derelict studios where “The Muppet Show” was once taped and drill for oil. Unless, that is, $10 million can be raised in just two days. The gang locates Kermit the Frog (voice of Steve Whitmire) and persuades him to round up his former colleagues for a telethon. Under the direction of newcomer James Bobin, several catchy songs and exuberant dance numbers add to the fun for the entire family. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (“Muppet Treasure Island” (1996) and 2014’s “Muppets Most Wanted” are also streaming.)

Looking Ahead

Sunday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Polar Express” (2004). Visually captivating animated fantasy — in which Tom Hanks plays five separate roles — about a doubting young boy who is whisked away on Christmas Eve aboard a magic train bound for Santa’s village in the North Pole. Based on the children’s novel by Chris Van Allsburg, director Robert Zemeckis’ hauntingly beautiful fairy tale celebrates childlike wonder and — though secular in tone — imparts a profoundly faith-friendly message about the importance of believing in things that can’t be seen. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 3:30-5:45 p.m. EST (TCM) “Going My Way” (1944). Bing Crosby ambles amiably through the role of Father O’Malley, the crooning curate sent to assist the aging, crotchety pastor (Barry Fitzgerald) of a poor parish in need of change. Director Leo McCarey’s sentimental story is well paced with humor and songs such as “Swinging on a Star,” but at its sugary center is the theme of new ways replacing the old, as conveyed amusingly but with feeling by the two principals. The definitive Hollywood version of Catholic life in an age of innocence, the picture retains appeal today mainly as a well-crafted vehicle of popular entertainment. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (Followed by the sequel “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) 5:45-8 p.m. EST)

Sunday, Dec. 22, 8-10 p.m. EST (ABC) “The Santa Clause” (1994). Magically transformed into Santa Claus when he dons a Santa costume, a divorced dad (Tim Allen) takes a sleigh ride to the North Pole and back with his awed young son (Eric Lloyd), whose boisterous account of the experience moves his mom and stepdad (Wendy Crewson and Judge Reinhold) to seek to protect the child from a man they suspect has gone bonkers. Director John Pasquin’s cutesy comic fantasy is blandly amusing without reaching any discernible level of wit or adding anything new to the enduring Santa Claus legend. A vituperative relationship between divorced parents and occasional toilet humor. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Monday, Dec. 23, 10-11 p.m. EST (PBS) “Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas.” The celebrated British chef and food writer joins three friends to prepare a Christmas feast with all the trimmings.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1-2:45 p.m. EST (EWTN) “Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Opening of the Holy Door and Holy Mass.” Live broadcast from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica as Jubilee 2025 begins.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve.” The Eucharistic liturgy for Christmas Eve, broadcast live from Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 6-6:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Urbi et Orbi: Message and Blessing.” Live from St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis gives the traditional message and blessing for the Christmas and Easter seasons, “to the city of Rome and the world.” The event will re-air 3-3:30 p.m. EST (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, Dec. 25, noon-1:30 p.m. EST (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Christmas Day.” Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, is scheduled to serve as the celebrant and homilist at this eucharistic liturgy, broadcast live from the U.S. capital’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 4:15-6 p.m. EST (TCM) “Holiday Affair” (1949). Undemanding romance in which a war widow (Janet Leigh) with a young son is torn between a steady but dull lawyer (Wendell Corey) and a hard-working but dreamy salesman (Robert Mitchum). Directed by Don Hartman, the warmth of the Christmas season setting and likable performances by the principals make the sentimental proceedings hard to resist. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 5:49-8 p.m. EST (HBO) “Sherlock Holmes” (2009). This vigorous but frequently violent addition to the adventures of the iconic sleuth sees Holmes (entertainingly sly Robert Downey Jr.) and his perennial sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) on the trail of a Satan-worshipping homicidal aristocrat (Mark Strong) who has inspired a wave of public panic by apparently rising from the dead after his execution. Watson’s plans to abandon detective work to marry the young woman (Kelly Reilly) for whom he’s fallen, as well as the appearance of a femme fatale (Rachel McAdams) who has bested and befuddled Holmes in the past, heighten the tension. As envisioned by director Guy Ritchie, this brawny Sherlock slugs his way through several bone-crunching square-offs across Victorian London while investigating the dark doings of the Masonic-style secret society to which the errant lord belonged and which may hold the key to his seemingly supernatural powers. Considerable action violence, occult themes, satanic activity, brief irreverence, a sexual situation, a few sexual references and jokes. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 8-9:55 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “San Andreas” (2015). Eye-popping, ear-splitting chronicle, directed by Brad Peyton, of a California earthquake when the eponymous tectonic fault line splits open. A seismology professor (Paul Giamatti) invents a system to predict earthquakes before they happen. It works, and with the help of a television reporter (Archie Panjabi), he sounds the alarm from Los Angeles to San Francisco for everyone to “drop, cover and hold on.” Amid the mayhem, a helicopter rescue pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) unite to rescue their daughter (Alexandra Daddario) and her friends (Hugo Johnstone-Burt and Art Parkinson). Meticulously rendered in CGI, the film is often thrilling, sometimes silly, and frequently preposterous — in other words, a typical summer popcorn movie, although not for the young or faint of heart. Relentless, intense but mostly bloodless disaster-related violence, occasional crude language. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Streaming Now

Looking Ahead

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