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 DEc. 1, 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 Lost City” (2022; Netflix)
Crowd-pleasing blend of action, comedy and love story in which a widowed romance novelist (Sandra Bullock) is kidnapped by a crazed billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who believes her latest book, based in part on research she did years earlier with her archaeologist husband, holds the key to finding a fabulous treasure buried on a tiny tropical island. Despite having none of the skills needed to do so, her cover model (Channing Tatum), who has long carried a secret torch for her, promptly sets off to rescue the scribe. As directed and co-written by brothers Aaron and Adam Nee, the travails of the central pair as they run through the jungle trying to evade the abductor’s minions certainly provide some amusing moments, and a cameo appearance by Brad Pitt in the role of a seemingly invincible Navy SEAL is nothing short of hilarious. But a couple of sequences, one of shocking mayhem and another in which a character strips down in a nonsexual context, make this doubtful fare even for mature teens. Brief harsh violence with graphic gore, shots of rear male nudity played for laughs, other sexual and scatological jokes, a couple of uses of profanity, several milder oaths, occasional 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.
“Second Best” (1994; Hulu)
Earnestly told tale of a lonely middle-aged Welsh postmaster (William Hurt) determined to adopt an emotionally scarred 10-year-old (Chris Cleary Miles) who only wants to be reunited with his long-imprisoned father (Keith Allen). Director Chris Menges explores the emotional landscape of the would-be father and seething child to unlock the possibilities of trust and gradual love in their relationship, though the movie’s funereal pace and depressing content require considerable patience. An off-screen suicide and the child’s angry acts of self-mutilation. 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.
“Tom & Jerry” (2021; Amazon Prime)
More than 80 years after their creation by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the cat and mouse of the title remain natural-born enemies in their latest comedic adventure, a blend of live action and computer-generated animation. When rodent Jerry takes up residence behind the floorboards of a posh New York hotel, a new employee (Chloe Grace Moretz) is charged with removing the unwelcome creature. She joins forces with feline Tom, who needs no incentive to capture his prey, and merry chaos ensues. Director Tim Story serves up a family-friendly mix of slapstick and benign mayhem, with messages about honesty and friendship thrown in for good measure. Cartoonish violence, some childish bathroom humor, a mild oath. 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.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST (AMC) “Snow Day” (2000). Anything can happen in this amusing children’s comedy about a plucky young girl (Zena Grey) who tries to thwart the efforts of a dreaded snowplow driver (Chris Elliott) in order to stretch out one snow day into two. Chris Koch directs the high spirited high jinks that appealingly include a charming adolescent love story bound to keep teens interested. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Sunday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947). A debonair, smartly tailored angel (Cary Grant) uses his heavenly powers to help the neglected wife (Loretta Young) of a busy Episcopal bishop (David Niven) renew her husband’s ministry to those in need rather than in raising the money for a new cathedral. Director Henry Koster’s sentimental Christmas fable has the virtue of a good script, sincere performances and some amusing moments with Grant’s angelic powers and Monty Woolley as a softhearted old cynic. Most of the family will find it charming entertainment. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) “Sounder” (1972). Appealing story of a Black family of Louisiana sharecroppers struggling to survive against natural and human odds during the early days of the Depression. When the father (Paul Winfield) is jailed for stealing food, his wife (Cicely Tyson) and three children (Kevin Hooks is the eldest) are left to crop the sugar cane on their own. The boy’s subsequent odyssey to find the labor camp where his father is being held provides additional drama. Produced by Robert B. Radnitz and directed by Martin Ritt, it captures the humanity of the characters and a fine, distanced sense of its sleepy Southern locale. The movie earns a deep emotional response from its audience because its story and characters are believable. Not only a valid examination of the Black experience in America, it is also a fine family experience. 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.
Thursday, Dec. 5, 8-10 p.m. EST (PBS) “Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa.” Recording of a 1994 concert in Durban, the first by a major Western musician in post-apartheid South Africa.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10-11:15 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals.” Live broadcast from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica of the Mass at which Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals (TV-G — general audience).
Saturday, Dec. 7, 8-9:43 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Eye in the Sky” (2016). Moral quandaries are superbly explored in this suspenseful military drama, which examines a sprawling topic, the war on terrorism, by keeping its focus fixed on the potential consequences of a single operation on an individual life. A British colonel (Helen Mirren) prepares a drone attack intended to kill a radicalized British woman (Lex King) who’s plotting an imminent suicide bombing at a Kenya shopping center. But the plan is complicated by the presence of an innocent young girl (Aisha Takow) selling her mother’s bread outside the targeted house. Is it justifiable to risk killing this child when the terrorists, if successful, may slaughter so many more? As scripted by Guy Hibbert, director Gavin Hood’s film compellingly portrays the real-life anguish such tough ethical dilemmas can inflict on those forced to confront them. Intense action sequences with some gore, about a half-dozen uses of profanity, occasional rough and crude 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.
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