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 March 17, 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

“At First Sight” (1999; Amazon Prime)

Fact-based drama in which a well-adjusted blind man (Val Kilmer), at the urging of his architect girlfriend (Mira Sorvino), undergoes an operation which restores his sight but opens a Pandora’s box of other difficulties that come to jeopardize their relationship and his previously secure sense of self. While overly sentimental, director Irwin Winkler’s romantic drama is emotionally involving in exploring the unexpected pitfalls of a sudden, drastic change in lifestyle. Discreet bedroom scenes, a flash of nudity, some profanity and an instance of rough language. 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.

“Dune” (2021; Hulu)

Gripping sci-fi epic, adapted by director and co-writer Denis Villeneuve from the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, centers on the heir (Timothée Chalamet) to a powerful dynasty of intergalactic warriors who may also be the messiah figure foretold in various prophecies. As his clan gets caught up in the battle for control of the titular world, a desert planet rich in a highly-prized spice, he seeks to emulate his sage and enlightened father (Oscar Isaac). But his priestess mother (Rebecca Ferguson) steers him toward a more mysterious destiny. Combining elements of a costume drama, an against-the-odds quest and a parable about imperialism, the film features a complex religious mythos requiring careful reflection on the part of viewers. Parents will probably find it acceptable for those older teens capable of sorting through such material. Nonscriptural beliefs, much stylized but sometimes intense violence, cohabitation, partial nudity, brief sexual references, a few mild oaths, at least one crude term. 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.

“Yesterday” (2019; Netflix)

A British-Indian shelf stocker (Himesh Patel) whose side career as a musician and singer is going nowhere finds his life transformed when a brief but global blackout somehow retroactively removes the Beatles from history and from everyone’s memory except his. That leaves him free to become the world’s most famous performer by recording the Fab Four’s songs as his own. On his ascent to universal celebrity, which is aided by pop star Ed Sheeran, playing himself, his devoted manager and would-be girlfriend (Lily James) willingly steps aside in favor of a harshly cynical industry insider (Kate McKinnon) while a slacker (Joel Fry) from his small hometown in Suffolk becomes his less-than-reliable roadie. More charming than logical, director Danny Boyle’s comic counter-history is populated with appealing characters and, as scripted by Richard Curtis, puts its protagonist through some amusing situations. The romance at the heart of it all reaches a moral wrap-up but not before initial restraint gives way to premature passion. Together with the violations of the Second Commandment with which the screenplay is littered, that lapse suggests this otherwise amiable fantasy is best for grown viewers. Implied premarital sexual activity, mature references, including to drug use and sexuality, numerous profanities, at least one rough term, occasional crude and crass language. 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.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, March 17, noon-1:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “St. Patrick’s Day Mass From Knock.” The Eucharistic liturgy for the Feast of St. Patrick, broadcast live from the Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland (TV-G – general audience).

Sunday, March 17, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968). Enjoyable screen version of groundbreaking 1940s Broadway musical about an Irish father (Fred Astaire) and daughter (Petula Clark), a lovelorn leprechaun (Tommy Steele), a racially bigoted judge (Keenan Wynn) and a stolen pot of gold, all set in the American South. Burton Lane and Yip Harburg’s songs are the real gold. Director Francis Ford Coppola, pre-“Godfather” fame, strove to make a traditional musical, with some innovative 1960s flourishes, and the cast is first-rate. 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.

Tuesday, March 19, 3-4:45 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph.” Live coverage as Franciscan Father Franceso Patton, custos of the Holy Land, celebrates this Eucharistic liturgy in Nazareth (TV-G – general audience).

Wednesday, March 20, 8-11 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” (2011). This dizzying roller-coaster ride of an espionage thriller propels viewers from the depths of urban sewers to the top of the world’s tallest building, and throws in outer space for good measure. The leader (Tom Cruise) of a team of agents for the elite Impossible Missions Force is framed for a terrorist bombing of the Kremlin. Driven underground, and pursued by the Russian police, his associates (most prominently Paula Patton and Simon Pegg) join him in the struggle to stop the actual bomber (Michael Nyqvist) before he can unleash global nuclear war, an effort in which they’re eventually joined by another operative (Jeremy Renner), whose motives are not entirely clear. In his live-action debut, established animation director Brad Bird oversees spectacular cinematography, with the camera swooping and soaring with each death-defying stunt. Intense action violence, including gunplay, some rough 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.

Saturday, March 23, 6:19-8:09 p.m. EDT (HBO) “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009). Lavish and flashy action-packed prequel to the popular “X-Men” series exploring the background of conflicted superhero Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), including his defining childhood, turbulent relationship with his brother, Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber), role in a team of fellow mutants (Ryan Reynolds, Will.i.Am, Kevin Durand, Dominic Monaghan) led by the duplicitous Col. Stryker (Danny Huston), and tragic romance with schoolteacher Kayla (Lynn Collins). Director Gavin Hood tries not to lose sight of the human elements with Wolverine generally demonstrating moral awareness, though the kinetic action and violence necessarily predominate. Intense action violence, patricide, premarital cohabitation, fleeting rear nudity, some crude expletives, crass expressions, brief profanity. Possibly acceptable for mature teens. 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, March 23, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Office Space” (1999). Sly comedy in which three downtrodden office buddies conspire to rip off their soulless corporation, then relent, just as another disgruntled employee feels driven to desperate measures. While his plot is somewhat predictable, writer-director Mike Judge comically captures the atmosphere of numbing corporate environments where disposable workers are at the mercy of bureaucratic policies and power-mad superiors. Fleeting nudity, brief sexual references, rap lyrics with recurring rough language and racial slurs, a few instances of 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.

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

Streaming Now

Looking Ahead

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