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 Feb. 11, 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
“Astro Boy” (2009; Hulu)
Set in a futuristic world where an underclass of mechanical servants wait on disdainful human masters, this charming animated adventure concerns a scientist (voice of Nicolas Cage) who, after losing his son (voice of Freddie Highmore) in a lab accident, uses the lad’s DNA to program the titular robot replica (also voiced by Highmore) but swiftly rejects his creation, leaving the superpowered but innocent boy bot vulnerable to widespread prejudice and the designs of a militaristic politician (voice of Donald Sutherland) intent on using the youth’s life-giving energy source for weaponry. Director and co-writer David Bowers’ adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s globally popular comic book series, begun in 1951 and previously the basis for three TV series, is by turns amusing, exciting and poignant as it chronicles its altruistic hero’s struggle to discover his place in the world. Considerable stylized violence, some menace, and brief instances of vaguely irreverent and mildly scatological humor. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
“Fast X” (2023; Amazon Prime)
This 10th direct installment of the action franchise that first put the pedal to the metal in 2001 features some religious symbolism and much rhetoric about the bonds that unite its self-constituted family of car-racers but also incorporates a high quotient of nasty mayhem. As the clan’s patriarch (Vin Diesel) goes up against the scion (Jason Momoa) of a drug-dealing dynasty out for revenge against the crew, his loopy but resourceful adversary targets those closest to the skilled driver, including his brother (John Cena), wife (Michelle Rodriguez) and young son (Leo Abelo Perry). Any resemblance to reality in director Louis Leterrier’s glossy adventure is purely accidental, so the fact that the gang (which also includes Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Nathalie Emmanuel) continues to show a reckless disregard for the welfare of pursuing police and innocent pedestrians need not be taken very seriously by those grown moviegoers for whom this extension of the saga is appropriate. Frequent bloodless but sometimes harsh violence, gruesome images, a scene of marital sensuality, a few uses of profanity, about a half-dozen milder oaths, considerable crude and crass language, an obscene gesture. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” (2021; Netflix)
Haunted by a forest fire tragedy for which she blames herself, an emotionally isolated, self-destructive smokejumper (Angelina Jolie) is forced to pull herself together when a young boy (Finn Little) being tracked by the assassins (Aidan Gillen and Nicholas Hoult) who killed his father (Jake Weber), an accountant who uncovered explosive information he managed to share with his son before his death, comes under her protection. Though the local sheriff’s deputy (Jon Bernthal) and his wife (Medina Senghore), a trained survivalist, are also out to rescue the lad, his pursuers prove to be both ruthless and relentless. Director and co-writer (with Michael Koryta and Charles Leavitt) Taylor Sheridan’s loose adaptation of Koryta’s 2014 novel benefits from an offbeat plot and the appeal of its central duo. But some slightly unsavory mentoring by Jolie’s character briefly sours the proceedings while the ribald banter she exchanges with her colleagues, the extremes to which the murderers are willing to resort as well as the graphic depiction of the mayhem they wreak make this thriller strictly grown-up fare. Much violence with brief but vivid gore, sexual humor and references, about a half-dozen profanities, a couple of milder oaths, pervasive rough and considerable crude language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Feb. 11, 3:30-5 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Maria Antonia of St. Joseph.” Live broadcast from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis presides over the canonization of Argentina’s first female saint. The liturgy will re-air 7-8:30 p.m. EST (TV-G – general audience).
Monday, Feb. 12, 9-11 p.m. EST (PBS) “Gospel.” First two back-to-back episodes of a four-part miniseries exploring how Black sacred music became a mainstream genre and the impact on it of blues and jazz. Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. hosts. The series concludes in the same time slot Tuesday, Feb. 13 (TV-PG – parental guidance suggested).
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (TCM) “The Great McGinty” (1940). Wacky political spoof in which an enterprising soup-line refugee (Brian Donlevy) is hired as a muscleman by a big-city machine boss (Akim Tamiroff), then takes over the organization, gets elected governor and is undone only when he decides to run an honest administration. Written and directed by Preston Sturges, the daffy turns of fortune are as incongruous and untidy as the political corruption they satirize, all of which is treated with bemused wonderment rather than cynical disdain. Tongue-in-cheek electoral high jinks and minor stylized violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST (EWTN) “Mass With the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes.” Pope Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of St. Sabina, marking the beginning of Lent (TV-G – general audience).
Saturday, Feb. 17, 8-10:02 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Ronin'” (1998). Well-crafted action thriller in which a band of professional gunmen (including Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and Stellan Skarsgard) are hired to hijack a metal case, but the plan goes awry when one of them escapes with it and leads them on a chase across France. Veteran director John Frankenheimer turns in a taut, fast-paced crime caper filled with shootouts, car chases, murky international intrigue and picturesque French locales, all of which will be enjoyed by fans of old-fashioned action movies. Much stylized violence, some rough language and occasional profanity. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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