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 Oct. 20, 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
“Edward Scissorhands” (1990; Hulu)
A gentle humanoid (Johnny Depp) with grotesque blades for hands is adopted by a family (Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin and Winona Ryder) and prized by the community for his haircutting and lawn sculpting talents, until exploited by the daughter’s boyfriend. Director Tim Burton’s offbeat fantasy is an oddly appealing mix of mild comedy and mock tragedy despite its phony pastel suburban setting and stereotyped residents. Brief stylized violence and sexual innuendo. 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.
“Marnie” (1964; Netflix)
Flawed but masterfully eccentric thriller stars Tippi Hedren as a compulsive thief caught in the act by wise and worldly journalist Sean Connery. Instead of turning her in, he marries the disturbed girl and tries to discover the reasons for her irrational behavior. Director Alfred Hitchcock explores the theme of the redeeming power of love with some compassion but the treatment is adult. 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.
“Nanny McPhee” (2006; Amazon Prime)
Enjoyable tale of a magical nanny (Emma Thompson) who comes to the aid of seven out-of-control children and their befuddled widower father (Colin Firth), a mortician, and of the servant (Kelly MacDonald) who loves him from afar. Director Kirk Jones, working from a screenplay by Thompson based on the “Nurse Matilda” books, includes derivative overtones of “Mary Poppins” and other children’s fare. But the sweet story is touching, well acted by a solid British cast, including Angela Lansbury, Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton, and the almost fairy-tale ambience is successfully sustained, with solid moral messages about the primacy of family and the inherent goodness of people. Some innuendo, mild bad language, rude humor, innocuous shots of cadavers and macabre childish pranks perhaps preclude viewing by the very youngest children. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (The sequel “Nanny McPhee Returns” (2010) is also streaming.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Oct. 20, 4:30-6:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Holy Mass With Canonizations.” During this Eucharistic liturgy, broadcast live from the Vatican, several canonizations will take place, including those of Manuel Ruiz López and his seven companions. The event will re-air noon-2 p.m. EDT (TV-G — general audience).
Sunday, Oct. 20, 8:01-10 p.m. EDT (ABC) “Hocus Pocus” (1993). Three witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy), brought back to life in a Halloween prank by teenagers, scour a New England village for children whose life force they need to survive beyond the break of day. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the spooky comedy misfires by lavishing its attention on ghoulish special effects rather than the contrived predicaments of silly youngsters and dopey adults. Multiple vivid frights and some sexual innuendo. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Monday, Oct. 21, 6:15-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Crossing Delancey” (1988). A 33-year-old New York career woman (Amy Irving) is aghast when her meddling grandmother (Reizl Bozyk) and a matchmaker friend (Sylvia Miles) pair her up with a Lower East Side pickle seller (Peter Riegert), but soon finds herself falling for the guy. Director Joan Micklin Silver’s wonderful, sweet-natured story of the collision between old-world and modern-day customs features some fine performances and a knowing portrayal of New York life. Some rough language and sexual situations outside marriage. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 8-9 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Silverback.” On this episode of the series “Nature,” filmmaker Vianet Djenguet embeds himself within a troop of wild gorillas.
Thursday, Oct. 24, 9:30 p.m.-midnight EDT (AMC) “The Meg” (2018). This silly yet entertaining popcorn movie, a cross between “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park,” is directed by Jon Turteltaub from the eponymous 1997 novel by Steve Alten. A deep-sea diver (Jason Statham) is called out of retirement for an emergency rescue mission of the crew of a mini-submarine at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, piloted by his ex-wife (Jessica McNamee). With the help of an oceanographer (Li Bingbing), the mission is a success, but it releases the eponymous monster shark, which heads to the surface to feast on humanity. Despite a good deal of humor, the creature’s rampages will prove too scary for younger viewers. Perilous scenes of shark attacks, some gore, brief sexual banter, a handful of profane and crude oaths. 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, Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Devil and Daniel Webster” (1941). Crackerjack adaptation of Stephen Vincent Benet’s story about a New England farmer (James Craig) who sells his soul to the devil (Walter Huston), then hires lawyer Webster (Edward Arnold) to argue his case before a jury from hell. Directed by William Dieterle, it’s a classic piece of regional Americana whose fantasy elements range from the sunny and playful to the dark and sinister, owing much of its success to Joseph August’s evocative photography. Highly entertaining tussle between good and evil, though some fairly intense scenes for young children. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) “Trap” (2024). A suburban family man who is also a brutal serial killer (Josh Hartnett) brings his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by her favorite pop star (Saleka Shyamalan) only to discover that the authorities (led by profiler Hayley Mills) had a clue indicating he would be there and now have him completely surrounded. Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller, which also features Alison Pill as the murder’s wife, is an odd mix of interesting plot twists and yawning improbabilities. But the action is restrained, objectionable elements are few and, to the extent that any message is conveyed, it’s that decent people can be almost as resourceful as a homicidal maniac. Probably acceptable for older teens. Mature themes, brief harsh violence, a few gory images, a couple of instances each of profanity and crass talk, numerous milder oaths, a single rough term. 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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