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. 15, 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
“Antwone Fisher” (2002; Hulu)
Inspirational true-life story of a troubled naval recruit (Derek Luke) who, with the help of a Navy psychiatrist (Denzel Washington), learns to cope with the emotional devastation wreaked by childhood rejection and physical abuse. Despite a sometimes predictable narrative, Washington’s directorial debut is a moving account of strength and survival, as well as a testament to the nobility of spirit inherent in every person. Some violence including depictions of child abuse, an implied sexual encounter and minimal rough language and profanity. 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.
“A Haunting in Venice” (2023; Amazon Prime)
Agatha Christie’s famed sleuth Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) is drawn out of his post-World War II retirement in the titular city when a detective novelist (Tina Fey) invites him to unmask a spiritualist (Michelle Yeoh) during a Halloween-night seance at the reputedly haunted palazzo of a celebrated opera singer (Kelly Reilly) whose recently deceased adult daughter died in tragic, and murky, circumstances. Unsurprisingly, a murder ensues and Poirot sets out to solve it. As loosely adapted from Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” by screenwriter Michael Green, Branagh’s lush, eerily atmospheric production reaps audience interest from Poirot’s confrontation with supposedly supernatural forces. Yet the film also tends to conflate necromancy with religion and portrays the brilliant Belgian, a self-identified Catholic in print, as having lost his faith. Parents will have to assess whether mature teens are sufficiently equipped to take on such material. Occult and atheism themes, disturbing images, some physical violence, a couple of instances each of profanity and crass language, about a half-dozen mild oaths, at least one crude term. 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.
“Midway” (2019; Netflix)
Vivid fact-based epic recounting the period from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, to the Navy’s decisive victory in the battle of the title in June 1942, a triumph that turned the tide in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The ensemble drama follows, among others, top brass, including Adms. Chester W. Nimitz (Woody Harrelson), William “Bull” Halsey (Dennis Quaid) and Isoroku Yamamoto (Etsushi Toyokawa), a brilliant intelligence officer (Patrick Wilson), two daring pilots (Ed Skrein and Luke Evans) and Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle (Aaron Eckhart) whose air raid on Tokyo in April 1942 was a major propaganda coup for the Allies and helped lay the groundwork for the positive outcome at sea less than two months later. As this partial list suggests, director Roland Emmerich has a lot of personal storylines to keep bound together with the result that the details of his film are sometimes confusing. But there’s a good balance in Wes Tooke’s script between action scenes and human interest and the patriotism, courage and tenacity on display go a long
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Dec. 15, 7-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “The Sound of Music” (1965). Particularly fine screen version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the formative years of the Trapp Family Singers in Austria between the two world wars. Its interesting story, solid cast (headed by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer), lovely music and intelligent lyrics, colorful scenery and pleasant fantasy will entertain the mind and enliven the spirit. Directed by Robert Wise, the movie has held up over the years as thoroughly refreshing family entertainment. 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.
Monday, Dec. 16, 8-10 p.m. EST (AMC) “Elf” (2003). Warmhearted yuletide comedy about a foundling (Will Ferrell) raised by elves in Santa’s workshop who travels from the North Pole to New York City to reconnect with his long-lost father (James Caan), a workaholic scrooge bereft of Christmas cheer. Full of goofy candy-cane humor, director Jon Favreau’s holiday film imparts a strong family-friendly message but uses a secular sieve to filter out any religious references about the true meaning of Christmas. Minimal mildly crude language and humor. 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.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 9:30-11 p.m. EST (PBS) “Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah.” This reimagining of George Frideric Handel’s classic 18th-century oratorio infuses it with Gospel, Jazz and R&B influences.
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) “Lost Tombs of Notre Dame.” This episode of the series “Nova” follows a team of archaeologists and historians as they attempt to solve the mystery surrounding two lead sarcophagi that were discovered during the recent restoration of Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral.
Thursday, Dec. 19, 10 p.m.-12:15 a.m. EST (TCM) “Strike Up the Band” (1940). Bouncy teen musical in which a high school band leader (Mickey Rooney), set on winning a network radio competition of new bands, gets the gang (including Judy Garland) to put on a show raising the fare to New York to perform for contest judge Paul Whiteman. Director Busby Berkeley paces the story’s youthful enthusiasm and high hopes with refreshing musical numbers and an idealized view of small-town life and values. Pleasant fun from an optimistic past. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (Part of a seven-film series of movies featuring Rooney, beginning with “The Black Stallion” (1979), 6-8 p.m. EST, and ending with “Words and Music” (1948), 5:45-8 a.m. EST, Friday, Dec. 20.)
Saturday, Dec. 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon EST (TCM) “A Christmas Carol” (1938). Sturdy version of the Dickens classic in which miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) fires clerk Bob Cratchit (Gene Lockhart) on Christmas Eve, then undergoes a change of heart after being visited later that night by his dead partner, Marley (Leo G. Carroll), and three ghosts. Directed by Edwin L. Marin, the adaptation is faithful to the spirit of the original, though it lightens the tone with some comic relief and makes the 1843 London setting more quaint than grim. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Dec. 21, 8-9:45 p.m. EST (EWTN) “Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story” (2024). Director Danny Anderson’s inspiring documentary chronicles the life of catechist, campus missionary and candidate for sainthood Michelle Duppong, who died in 2015, aged only 31. Interviews with many of Duppong’s relatives, friends and colleagues offer consistent first-hand testimony about the power of her personality and the depth of her holiness, including the uncommon resignation and peace with which she faced sickness, pain and impending death. The film’s emphasis on the redemptive potential of bearing such a heavy cross may leave some viewers feeling emotionally burdened and there are a few important questions about Duppong’s experience that remain unanswered. But the production overall is both informative and uplifting. Mature themes, images of illness. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
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