John Mulderig

As is well-known, illiteracy was widespread during the Middle Ages. To judge by the characters who populate the limited-series television comedy “The Decameron,” however, so too was rank stupidity.

With lush visuals and an intelligent script co-written by director Lee Tamahori and Shane Danielsen, the religiously themed historical drama “The Convert” (Magnolia) has a lot going for it.

Capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.

While moviegoers need not take shelter from this long-distance follow-up — which is only loosely connected to its predecessor — neither will it transport them over the rainbow.

With the crimes of the Night Stalker looming in its background, the thriller “Maxxxine” (A24) offers moviegoers a seedy slice of 1980s Hollywood low life. As presented here, the film’s setting is neither a time nor a place in which viewers will want to immerse themselves.

Will the space race-themed romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” (Columbia) fill moviegoers’ hearts with song? Perhaps not, but it is a snappy production with a sharply written script, penned by Rose Gilroy, that’s definitely suitable for grown-ups and possibly acceptable for older teens.

Capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.

In the mid-1990s, the parishioners of an East Texas Baptist church achieved something remarkable: By adopting 77 children, they managed temporarily to empty the area’s foster care system. Their story is recounted in the affecting drama “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” (Angel).