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 12, 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 Batman” (2022; Hulu)
When The Riddler (Paul Dano) targets a series of Gotham’s corrupt politicians for assassination, the iconic crimefighter of the title (Robert Pattinson) enters into an uneasy alliance with a police lieutenant (Jeffrey Wright) and an equally volatile partnership with the Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) to stop the killing spree. He’s backed up by his protective butler (Andy Serkis) but must tangle with the Penguin (Colin Farrell) as well as the city’s leading gangster (John Turturro) to track the elusive murderer. Director and co-writer Matt Reeves’ darkly powerful reboot of the DC Comics-based franchise is rich in moral complexity and striking performances. Yet, while neither the creativity nor the script’s commitment to humane values flags, the dialogue is marred by unusually frequent violations of the Second Commandment and an excessive running time just shy of three hours makes the proceedings feel overstuffed. Much harsh violence with some gore, gruesome images, drug use, pervasive profanity, a few milder oaths, at least one rough term, considerable 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.
“Just Mercy” (2019; Amazon Prime)
A Harvard educated lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) strives, with the help of a local activist (Brie Larson), to save the life of an Alabama death-row prisoner (Jamie Foxx) convicted on feeble evidence of the murder of an 18-year-old white woman. As the attorney tries to convince the key witness in the case (Tim Blake Nelson) to admit he perjured himself, the prosecutor (Rafe Spall) stands by the original verdict and the community backlash turns ugly. Director and co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton’s adaptation of a 2014 memoir by Bryan Stevenson reaches back to events in the 1980s but also vividly demonstrates the on-going dangers posed by the application of capital punishment in a society still burdened by widespread racism. Yet this is much more than a message movie since Cretton and his script collaborator Andrew Lanham avoid caricature, showing that even some of their most misguided characters are capable of conversion. As a winning study of a subject with immense real-world significance, it’s possibly acceptable for older adolescents. Mature themes, a disturbing scene of execution, offscreen nudity in a strip search, a couple of mild oaths, a few crude and crass terms. 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.
“1917” (2019; Netflix)
Gripping historical drama, set in the midst of World War I, in which two British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) are dispatched across enemy territory to call off an attack by an officer (Benedict Cumberbatch) whose men are about to fall into a German trap, a mission made more urgent by the fact that the brother (Richard Madden) of Chapman’s character is among those facing slaughter if they fail. By turns harrowing and lyrically beautiful, and deeply humane throughout, director and co-writer Sam Mendes’ film displays both the horrors of trench combat and the endurance of fundamental decency and spiritual striving. Unsparing in its portrayal of misery and desperation, it’s also luminous in its affirmation of civilized values and the triumph of faith, broadly considered, over cynicism. Much combat violence with gore, numerous gruesome sights, slightly irreverent humor, a fleeting sexual reference, about a half-dozen uses of profanity, several rough terms, occasional crude and crass 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, June 16, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Call Northside 777” (1948). Fact-based story in which a Chicago newspaper reporter (James Stewart) digs into the case of a convicted cop-killer (Richard Conte) and finds evidence of his innocence. Filming on Chicago locations, director Henry Hathaway gets the flavor of the city’s ethnic neighborhoods and sustains the credibility of the reporter’s dogged legwork in following leads until the convict’s ultimate release in a downbeat ending emphasizing his lost years in prison and ruined marriage. Sobering justice theme. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Tuesday, June 18, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution.” First episode of a three-part miniseries examining the rise, fall and legacy of the popular musical genre. This installment, titled “Rock the Boat” explores the origins of the craze. The series continues in the same time slot Tuesdays through July 2.
Thursday, June 20, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Rear Window” (1954). Stylish thriller in which a Manhattan photographer (James Stewart), immobilized by a broken leg, idly passes the time watching his neighbors across the way until witnessing a murder, then uses his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to catch the killer (Raymond Burr). Director Alfred Hitchcock gradually notches the level of suspense to fever-pitch in the conclusion. Much menace and a stylized act of violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, June 22, 9:30-midnight EDT (AMC) “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986). Director John Hughes turns in a lighthearted spoof about a teenager (Matthew Broderick) who has made a science out of truancy because he likes to take a break now and then to observe the world around him. The cheerfully implausible plot serves as the catalyst in changing the attitudes of his sister and best friend. Some vulgar language. 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.
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