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 Nov. 17, 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
“Ad Astra” (2019; Hulu)
Compelling sci-fi drama, set in the near future, in which an astronaut (Brad Pitt) goes on a quest to communicate with his father (Tommy Lee Jones), a pioneer space traveler who long ago disappeared during a mission to search for extraterrestrial life from the outer boundaries of the solar system. As he endures a variety of challenges, he broods on his emotional isolation and inability to maintain relationships while also pondering the conflicting evidence suggesting that his dad, long portrayed as a deceased hero, may not only be alive but may, in fact, be a villain. By turns an epic and an intimate character study, director and co-writer James Gray’s moody film features several brief scenes of prayer that will intrigue believers and that, along with the overall artistic merit of the enterprise, may convince the parents of older teens to let them join the audience. Some gory violence, a suicide, a couple of profanities, at least one use each of rough and crude language, an obscene gesture. 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.
“All Saints” (2017; Amazon Prime)
Low-key, fact-based story of a dwindling Episcopal parish in Smyrna, Tennessee, and the pastor (John Corbett) assigned by the local bishop (Gregory Alan Williams) to shut it down and sell off its property. Partly due to the revitalizing influence of an influx of devoutly Anglican refugees from Southeast Asia (led by Nelson Lee), the clergyman sees unexpected hope for his congregation and launches a scheme to preserve the community, and help the newcomers, by transforming the fields around the church into a profitable farm. His plan draws the support of his dedicated wife (Cara Buono) but the steady opposition of an ornery veteran parishioner (Barry Corbin). Director Steve Gomer’s wholesome drama celebrates Christian faith and family life. So believers may be willing to overlook its sluggish pace and often awkward tone. Mature themes, including references to atrocities and rape, a marital bedroom scene. 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.
“Goosebumps” (2015; Netflix)
The blockbuster children’s book series comes to the big screen as a mildly scary adventure that unleashes author R.L. Stine’s (Jack Black) vast and varied menagerie of monsters. The ghouls are safely trapped inside the locked manuscripts of the reclusive writer’s works until a new neighbor (Dylan Minnette), motivated by puppy love for Stine’s daughter (Odeya Rush), and misguidedly fearing for her safety, trespasses in the company of a schoolmate (Ryan Lee), and inadvertently releases them. Led by a creepy ventriloquist’s dummy (voiced by Black) who is both Stine’s alter ego and his nemesis, the creatures wreak havoc as their quartet of pursuers struggles to unite and recapture them. Director Rob Letterman’s cheerful bit of gothic fluff will suit most family members, though small fry may be overly unsettled while parents may be annoyed by a momentary exchange that very distantly acknowledges the existence of same-sex dating among teens. Frequent peril, tense situations, an implicit reference to homosexuality. 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.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Nov. 17, 4-5:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Holy Mass on the World Day of the Poor.” Live broadcast from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis celebrates Mass to honor the 8th annual World Day of the Poor, focusing on the theme, “The prayer of the poor rises up to God.” The liturgy will re-air 7-8:30 p.m. EST (TV-G — general audience).
Sunday, Nov. 17, 8:01-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023). Fifth and presumably final outing for the adventurous archeologist of the title (Harrison Ford). Mostly set in 1969, a dozen years after the events of its 2008 predecessor, the plot finds the digger-turned-professor drawn out of recent retirement by the resurfacing of a magical gadget with which he had been mixed up during his World War II heyday. Possession of the device soon becomes the goal in a three-way scramble pitting him against his Nazi adversary (Mads Mikkelsen) from the earlier period, now a NASA scientist, and the daughter (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) of one of his best friends (Toby Jones), a colleague who had become obsessed with the gizmo. Breezy and at times rich in creative spectacle, director and co-writer James Mangold’s actioner may lack the staying power of some of the earlier chapters in the franchise (all helmed by Steven Spielberg) which succeeded in making the protagonist an iconic figure in contemporary culture. But this drop of the curtain is an amiable diversion whose mayhem is bloodless and whose vocabulary rarely goes astray. Stylized gunplay and physical violence, at least one profanity, about a half-dozen milder oaths, a few crass terms. 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.
Monday, Nov. 18, 9:45-11:45 p.m. EST (TCM) “Grand Hotel” (1932). Grandiose MGM star vehicle from Vicki Baum’s novel about life-and-death events in a posh Berlin hotel whose guests include a depressed Russian ballerina (Greta Garbo), an aristocratic jewel thief (John Barrymore), a nasty Prussian industrialist (Wallace Beery), a pragmatic stenographer (Joan Crawford) and a dying bookkeeper (Lionel Barrymore). Directed by Edmund Goulding, the melodramatic proceedings are of less interest today than the cast’s memorable performances in roles tailored to their screen personae, including Garbo’s statement, “I want to be alone.” Stylized violence including an off-camera murder, sexual situations and several attempts at larceny. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association (Start of a five-film series of movies featuring Garbo, preceded by the 2005 documentary “Garbo,” 8-9:45 p.m. EST and concluding with “Anna Christie” (1930), 5:30-7 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19).
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) “Attenborough’s Life Journey.” This “Nature” presentation documents the life of broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough as he enters his 98th year.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 8-11 p.m. EST (AMC) “Batman Begins” (2005). Dark and brooding prequel that explains how Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) became the costumed crimefighter and reveals the “hidden years,” detailing his training as a member of a clandestine order of ninjalike vigilantes, leading up to his donning the cape and cowl to become Gotham City’s self-appointed guardian. Director Christopher Nolan goes for a more gritty “reality-based” approach, focusing on the psychological dimension of Bruce/Batman’s inner conflict rather than comic-book heroics. Intense action violence, some frightening images and mature thematic elements, as well as a few crude expressions and an instance of profanity. 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.
Friday, Nov. 22, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) “Double Indemnity” (1944). Dark crime classic adapted from James M. Cain’s novel about a treacherous woman (Barbara Stanwyck) who conspires with an insurance agent (Fred MacMurray) to make her husband’s murder look like an accident. But before they can collect on his policy, a company investigator (Edward G. Robinson) begins to get wise. Directed by Billy Wilder, who also gets credit for co-writing the script with Raymond Chandler, the intricate plot centers on the furtive, greedy pair whose mistrust of each other finally ends in mutual betrayal. Riveting tale of crime and punishment, with hard-bitten performances, brightly cynical dialogue and darkly atmospheric imagery. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:06-7:50 p.m. EST (HBO) “Good Time” (2017). When their attempt to rob a bank goes awry, a petty criminal (Robert Pattinson) evades capture, but his mentally challenged brother (Benny Safdie) ends up in custody. Desperate to free his vulnerable sibling, the hood embarks on a nocturnal odyssey through the underworld of New York City during which he tries to get his emotionally unstable girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to loan him bail money, then takes refuge in the home of a Haitian immigrant (Gladys Mathon) and her teenage granddaughter (Taliah Webster) before joining forces with a recent parolee (Buddy Duress) in a scheme to make a quick windfall by selling a cache of liquid LSD. Co-directed by Safdie and his brother Josh (who co-wrote the script with Ronald Bronstein), this intense crime drama presents a subtly shaded portrait of its protagonist, aided by an outstanding performance from Pattinson. But the film conducts viewers on a journey through a bleak urban landscape entertainment oriented moviegoers may not care to visit. Much non-lethal violence, including bloody beatings, brief graphic casual sex and an underage bedroom encounter, drug use, several instances of profanity, pervasive rough and crude language. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:31-11:17 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” (2014). Enjoyable espionage thriller in which a wounded Marine (Chris Pine) with a business-school background is recruited by a CIA operative (Kevin Costner) to join the agency as a financial analyst. But when he uncovers portentous investment manipulations by a sinister Russian oligarch (Kenneth Branagh), he’s compelled to cross the line from desk work to perilous field activity, an unsought career move that eventually endangers his live-in girlfriend (Keira Knightley) as well. In crafting this origins story for a character created by novelist Tom Clancy, Branagh, who also directed, provides mature viewers with a diverting adventure that gains moral credibility from its protagonist’s qualms about the use of fatal force. Russian Orthodox Christians may be less than pleased, however, to see the villains of the piece lighting candles in church and using a liturgical reading as the coded signal to put their evil scheme into action. Some harsh violence, much bloodless gunplay, images of gory combat wounds, premarital cohabitation, several instances of profanity, at least one use of the F-word, about a half-dozen crude terms. 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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