Movie & Television Reviews

Rin Tin Tin, one of the earliest canine stars in Hollywood, was a real-life survivor of World War I. In an interesting parallel, a dog called Odin, one of the two fictional protagonists of the adventure drama “Heart of the Beast” (Paramount), is shown to have emerged — badly scarred — from a much more recent conflict.

The theological significance and spiritual power of Eucharistic adoration are highlighted in the documentary “Adore Him: He Is Here.” A Fathom Entertainment presentation, the roughly 90-minute film will have a limited theatrical run Oct. 4-8.

Although its plot centers on a family of friendly witches, the romantic drama “Practical Magic 2” (Warner Bros.) involves no advocacy for the dark arts. They simply exist as part of the fanciful premise. Instead, the film’s appeal, like that of its 1998 predecessor, is meant to lie in its portrayal of strong female bonding amid adversity.

In 1381, one of the more unusual occurrences in Medieval history took place when a massive rebellion broke out among English serfs, temporarily threatening the established order of society. The events surrounding this attempt at revolution are chronicled in the grim and slaughter-filled dramatization “The Uprising” (Focus).

“By Any Means” (Paramount) is a morally defective fact-based drama that not only rejects Jesus’ teaching on the proper response to wrongful aggression but explicitly mocks it. Viewers of faith should, accordingly, shun the film.

As its title suggests, the comedy “Coyote vs. Acme” (Ketchup Entertainment), which blends live action with animation, concerns a legal case. Namely, a tort suit brought by Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote against the Acme Corporation alleging that the company has repeatedly sold him dangerously defective products.

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 Sept. 13, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.

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 Sept. 6, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.