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 May 19, 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
“California Suite” (1978; Amazon Prime)
Screen version of Neil Simon’s play integrates the original’s four one-acts into a single narrative with a good cast, including Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith and Michael Caine. Although not a completely successful adaptation from the stage, director Herbert Ross’ movie is good fun for the most part and sometimes unexpectedly moving. Mature themes. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009; Hulu)
Droll stop-motion animated adventure, set in the animal world of rural Britain, in which the titular vulpine creature (voice of George Clooney), now a respectable newspaper columnist with a wife (voice of Meryl Streep) and son (voice of Jason Schwartzman), tries to recapture his wild past as a chicken thief poaching on local farms. But his renewed raiding, abetted by his daring nephew (voice of Eric Anderson), enrages a trio of mean-spirited farmers whose escalating countermeasures endanger the whole burrowing community. A touch of menace and a fleeting joke about Mrs. Fox’s youthful indiscretions aside, director and co-writer Wes Anderson’s clever, lovingly crafted adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1970 children’s book offers sophisticated family entertainment, with abundant fun for youngsters and a few insights into the tensions and paradoxes of human nature for adults. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
“Mother Teresa and Me” (2023; iTunes (Apple TV), Google, Amazon Prime, other platforms)
Writer-director Kamal Musale’s partially fact-based drama intersperses events from the life of the titular saint (Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz) with the fictional story of an Anglo-Indian professional violinist (Banita Sandhu) who flees London for the subcontinent after discovering that she is pregnant and that her character-deficient boyfriend (Jack Gordon) has no intention of helping her. Viewers of faith will appreciate the film’s vivid portrait of the Missionaries of Charity founder who is, by turns, fierce, stubborn, kindly and indefatigable in doing good, despite her decades-long crisis of faith, an experience that is also given a refreshingly unvarnished portrayal. While the fiddler’s part of the story is less convincing, it does provide a vehicle for putting forward a multidimensional pro-life message. Brief stylized violence, potentially disturbing images of gore, a suicide, an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, mature themes, including civil conflict, abortion and rape, a single profanity, a few milder oaths, a couple of crude terms. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
“Shrek” (2001; Netflix)
Captivating animated film in which a cynical ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) and his smart-alecky donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) agree to save the princess bride (voiced by Cameron Diaz) of a nasty lord (voiced by John Lithgow) in exchange for the return of the ogre’s swamp home. As directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the sweet but conventional story of self-acceptance reaches new levels of excellence in its animation and a fine cast of voices further bolsters the film’s appeal. Mild crass language and some crude humor. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 (The sequel “Shrek Forever After” (2010) is also streaming).
Looking Ahead
Sunday, May 19, 4-5:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Pentecost From Rome.” Live broadcast from St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharistic liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost, followed by the recitation of the Marian prayer “Regina Coeli.” The events will re-air 7-8:30 p.m. EDT (TV-G — general audience).
Sunday, May 19, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984). Kermit and Miss Piggy emulate Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in this spoof of old-time Hollywood musicals. Under Frank Oz’s direction, the third screen outing of Jim Henson’s Muppets offers some highly entertaining musical numbers, much witty comedy and a lot of fun. Highly recommended for family viewing. 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.
Monday, May 20, 4:45-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Quo Vadis” (1951). After a Roman general (Robert Taylor) falls in love with a Christian maid (Deborah Kerr), the situation is complicated by the loony emperor deciding to burn Rome and blame the Christians. In director Mervyn LeRoy’s version of the Henryk Sienkiewicz novel, the epic production overpowers the pallid love story and is less interested in the conflict between Christianity and paganism than that between the mad Nero (Peter Ustinov) and his rationalist adviser (Leo Genn). A mixed bag of religious fervor and pagan frolics, there’s a lengthy suicide scene, some sexual innuendo and stylized violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Tuesday, May 21, 9-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) “The Riot Report.” This episode of the series “American Experience” looks back at the work of the Kerner Commission, established by President Johnson in 1967 to investigate the wave of riots that had broken out across the country that year.
Wednesday, May 22, 8-9 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Wild Ireland: Kingdom of Stone.” A survey of the varied wildlife to be found in the Western region of Ireland known as The Burren. A “Nature” presentation.
Saturday, May 25, 3-4:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Candlelight Procession During the International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes.” The Shrine of Our Lady in Lourdes, France is the setting for this candlelight procession, a highlight of the International Military Pilgrimage celebration. (TV-G — general audience).
Saturday, May 25, 10:10-11:54 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Don’t Let Go” (2019). After his niece (Storm Reid), with whom he shared a close relationship, is murdered, a police detective (David Oyelowo) is startled to receive a series of phone calls from her. Eventually piecing together the fact that she is communicating with him from a different time period — two weeks before her death — he works with her to prevent the fatal crime from ever taking place. Initially intriguing but ultimately illogical, director and co-writer Jacob Estes’ thriller becomes unmanageably complex, confusing and implausible. While underlying values are sound, bloody images and vulgar talk suggest an older audience. Considerable violence and gore, a narcotics theme, a couple of mild oaths, a few rough and several crass terms. 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.
Read More Movie & Television Reviews
Copyright © 2024 OSV News
English
Spanish