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 24, 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

“The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012; Netflix)

The legendary web-swinger is back, battling teen angst by day and catching crooks at night in this reboot of the classic Marvel comic book character, directed by Marc Webb. A high school science geek (Andrew Garfield) is bitten by a radioactive spider and undergoes the familiar transformation. As he impresses a comely classmate (Emma Stone), he neglects his family, resulting in the death of his uncle (Martin Sheen). When genetic engineering run amok turns a scientist (Rhys Ifans) into a monster, however, the once-arrogant lad finds his inner hero. The style and vision of Webb’s version are darker than those of director Sam Raimi’s trilogy. Still, amid the action and thrills lies an inspirational tale about accepting responsibility and using one’s gifts for the greater good. Intense action violence, including gunplay, some 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 (The sequel “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) is also streaming).

“Dunkirk” (2017; Hulu)

Compelling historical drama, set in the spring of 1940, recounting the surprisingly successful evacuation of hundreds of thousands of British and French troops from the port of the title following their rapid defeat and encirclement by the forces of Nazi Germany. Taking an Everyman’s view of the situation, writer-director Christopher Nolan follows the exploits of three ordinary soldiers (Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard and Harry Styles), the owner of a small yacht (Mark Rylance) who, like hundreds of others, answers the call for civilian vessels to join in the rescue, and a duo of RAF Spitfire pilots (Jack Lowden and Tom Hardy). The perils of the desperate operation are fully exploited for dramatic tension, and the questionable measures resorted to by some characters in their efforts to survive are balanced by a general sense of heroic pluck and by incidents in which humane justice and generosity of spirit are upheld. While not for the fainthearted of any age, the film’s educational value makes it probably acceptable for older teens. Intense stylized combat violence, brief gore, a couple of uses of profanity, at least one instance each of rough, 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.

“The Madness of King George” (1994; Amazon Prime)

Farce mixes with historical drama in this period piece set in 1788 England where the manic behavior of George III (Nigel Hawthorne) enables his pompous son (Rupert Everett) to be named regent while the queen (Helen Mirren) fumes and a strong-willed doctor (Ian Holm) uses intimidation and restraints to curb the king’s outbursts so he may be restored to the throne. Hawthorne’s vigorous performance as the erratic king gradually reveals his touchingly frail humanity in director Nicholas Hytner’s sprightly re-creation of royal plotting and court intrigues. Some crude sexual innuendo and intermittent toilet humor. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, March 24, 5-7:15 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday.” Live coverage from the Vatican as Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharistic liturgy for Palm Sunday, followed by the recitation of the Angelus prayer. The program will re-air 7-9:15 p.m. EDT (TV-G — general audience).

Tuesday, March 26, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) “The Cancer Detectives.” This episode of the series “American Experience” recounts the story of the fight against cervical cancer and profiles the three figures – a Greek immigrant doctor, a Japanese-American illustrator and a Black woman OB-GYN – whose work slashed death rates from the disease by over 60 percent.

Thursday, March 28, 4:30-6:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Chrism Mass in Rome With Pope Francis.” The Holy Father presides at Mass and over the blessing of sacramental oils. Live broadcast (TV-G — general audience).

Thursday, March 28, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper.” Live from the juvenile prison of Casal del Marmo in Rome, Pope Francis celebrates the liturgy commemorating Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist (TV-G — general audience).

Friday, March 29, noon-2 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion From Rome.” Pope Francis, presides over the solemn celebration of the Lord’s Passion. Broadcast live from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City (TV-G — general audience).

Saturday, March 30, 2:30-5:15 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Easter Vigil Mass.” Live broadcast as the Holy Father celebrates the most important Eucharistic liturgy of the year (TV-G — general audience).

Saturday, March 30, 7-11:44 p.m. EDT (ABC) “The Ten Commandments” (1956). Less an inspirational story based on biblical sources than a dramatic vehicle with a sense of history, director Cecil B. DeMille’s epic production offers some spectacular re-creations, excellent technical effects and good acting from a fine cast, including Charlton Heston (as Moses), Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson and many other stars of the era. 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.

Saturday, March 30, 8-10:18 p.m. EDT (HBO) “A Star Is Born” (2018). This third remake of a sturdy cinematic warhorse pays occasional homage to its forebears, which only serves to indicate that its formulaic “stand by your man” story is somewhat tattered and dog-eared. The core narrative remains: In show business, for every fresh young talent’s (Lady Gaga) happy ascent to fame and fortune, there’s always someone older (Bradley Cooper, who also directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Eric Roth and Will Fetters) on a rapid, embittered and usually alcoholic downward slide, and the pathos increases exponentially when this involves a couple in a romantic relationship. A suicide, implied premarital sexual activity, fleeting upper female nudity, occasional drug use, a couple of profanities, frequent rough language. 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.

Saturday, March 30, 9:35-11:22 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Unbreakable” (2000). Melancholy thriller in which the sole survivor (Bruce Willis) of a devastating train wreck is befriended by a frail comic-book gallery owner (Samuel L. Jackson) who suggests the man has physical and psychic abilities that destine him to save others from evildoers. While writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s moody tale is engrossing and the angular camera work initially intriguing, the narrative falters with its ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. Brief violence, fleeting sexual menace, minimal profanity. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. 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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