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 June 9, 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
“American Fiction” (2023; Amazon Prime)
Wry social satire is blended with the tale of an emotionally isolated novelist (Jeffrey Wright) and his troubled family life in writer-director Cord Jefferson’s impressive feature debut, adapted from the 2001 novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. As the scribe seeks to improve relations with his two siblings (Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown) and find a nursing home for his Alzheimer’s patient mom (Leslie Uggams), he’s depressed by the low sales of the weighty novels he pens and disgusted by the sensationalist portrayals of Black life that do well in the market (Issa Rae plays the author of one such bestseller). As a practical joke, he produces an outrageous parody of the genre, only to have it snapped up by publishers and sought after by Hollywood, much to the delight of his agent (John Ortiz). Though the resulting windfall helps him to pay for his mother’s care, the escalating charade threatens to derail his newfound romance with a neighbor (Erika Alexander) he met by chance. Uproariously funny moments alternate with realistic and sometimes insightful ones in Jefferson’s deft dramedy, though a passing affirmation of legal abortion and a subplot about the gay lifestyle of Brown’s character combine with often salty dialogue to taint an otherwise tasty treat. Fleeting gory violence, mature themes, including homosexuality, drug use, implied premarital sexual activity, a couple of same-sex kisses, brief sexual humor, several instances each of profanity and milder swearing, pervasive rough language, frequent crude and crass expressions. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
“Mad Money” (2008; Hulu)
Clever, fast-paced caper comedy about three cash-strapped women — a middle-class housewife (Diane Keaton) whose husband (Ted Danson) has just lost his job, a single mom (Queen Latifah) with two young boys to support, and a dippy but clever young woman (Katie Holmes) — who join forces to smuggle money out of the Federal Reserve Bank where they work. The time-honored conventions of heist films, and the lighthearted “Ocean’s Eleven”-ish tone throughout outweigh elements that would be morally problematic if viewed from a strictly literal point of view. The stars make a surprisingly effective and appealing team, and there’s assured direction from Callie Khouri. Some crude expletives, crass expressions, one use of profanity, mild sexual talk and innuendo, an implied nonmarital encounter and brief drug reference. 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.
“Traffic” (2000; Netflix)
Powerful thriller that intersects four stories concerning the international drug trade including that of a recently appointed anti-drug czar (Michael Douglas) dealing with his addicted teenage daughter (Erika Christensen) and a Mexican border policeman (Benicio Del Toro) confronted with the temptations of money and power. Director Steven Soderbergh’s stunning visual virtuosity and the stellar ensemble performances create a stark picture of greed, corruption and social decay where for every triumph, there is parallel setback and the battle begins again. Intermittent drug use, some violence, a few sexual encounters, brief nudity, some profanity and constant rough language. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, June 9, noon-2 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Mass.” Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Va., are scheduled to concelebrate this Eucharistic liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (TV-G – general audience).
Sunday, June 9, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) “Alias Nick Beal” (1949). Interesting variation on the Faust theme has a sinister stranger (Ray Milland) with diabolic powers of persuasion trying to corrupt an honest district attorney (Thomas Mitchell) by promises of wealth and fame. Director John Farrow sets the tale in a gritty gangster context but with appropriately dark overtones that suggest more is at stake than simply criminal greed. Unsettling situation and menacing characters. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Thursday, June 13, noon-1 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Mass on the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua.” This Eucharistic liturgy is broadcast from the beloved saint’s shrine in Padua, Italy (TV-G – general audience).
Thursday, June 13, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) “Billy Elliot” (2000). Stirring tale about a coal miner’s young son (Jamie Bell) who rises above the tough macho culture that surrounds him to follow his dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Though debut director Stephen Daldry’s coming-of-age story is by the numbers, effective character development, an engaging narrative and well-placed dance sequences create a pleasurable experience. Some homosexual innuendo and fleeting profanity with recurring 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, June 15, 5-9 p.m. EDT (AMC) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002). Visually spectacular second installment of Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy trilogy about the struggle between the forces of good and evil, set in the mythical realm of Middle-earth. Director Peter Jackson seamlessly blends breathtaking locations with cutting-edge effects to tell the timeless tale of Frodo (Elijah Wood), the humble hobbit and unlikely hero, and his companions as they continue their perilous quest to destroy the One Ring, an amulet of unspeakable, seductive power. Many gory scenes of battle violence with several frightening images. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Followed by the sequel “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003) 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. EDT)
Saturday, June 15, 6-8 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (2008). Lively sequel in which a domesticated demon (Ron Perlman), his incendiary girlfriend (Selma Blair), his aquatic sidekick (Doug Jones), an FBI bureaucrat (Jeffrey Tambor) and their new protoplasmic supervisor (John Alexander/James Dodd/Seth MacFarlane), together with a pale blonde princess (Anna Walton), unite to foil the schemes of the princess’ power-hungry twin brother (Luke Goss). Director and co-writer Guillermo del Toro’s follow-up to his 2004 film features superior special effects, bantering humor and some superficial Christian imagery and religious subtext amid strictly standard action trappings. Premarital cohabitation and pregnancy, moderate fantasy violence, a suicide, some crass language, a few mild oaths, an instance of sexual humor. 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, June 15, 8-10:34 p.m. EDT (HBO) “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016). The titans of the DC Comics universe battle it out in this follow-up to 2013’s Superman reboot, “Man of Steel,” once again directed by Zack Snyder. The Dark Knight (Ben Affleck) grows to resent the death and destruction wrought as collateral damage in the clash between Krypton’s favorite son (Henry Cavill) and his archenemy, Gen. Zod (Michael Shannon). So he joins in a rising chorus of voices questioning the mighty alien’s true intentions. From the sidelines, megalomaniac Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) aggravates the conflict for his own purposes. All of this threatens the shacked-up domestic bliss shared by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, and his Daily Planet newspaper colleague, Lois Lane (Amy Adams). But help is on the way with the unexpected appearance of 5,000-year-old Amazon princess Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Snyder’s film is at once thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking, even if its operatic scale comes at the cost of endless mayhem and an ear-splitting score. The roller-coaster ride into which he straps viewers is often exhilarating and ultimately exhausting — and much too intense for the younger set. Relentless and intense action violence, cohabitation, brief partial nudity, occasional profanity and crude 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.
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