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. 29, 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
“Knives Out” (2019; Amazon Prime)
Splendid comic whodunit in which a shrewd Southern detective (Daniel Craig) is hired by an anonymous client to investigate the death of a famous and wealthy crime novelist (Christopher Plummer). Though the police lieutenant (LaKeith Stanfield) and trooper (Noah Segan) assigned to the case insist it was suicide, the sleuth seeks answers among the eccentric members of the deceased’s conflict-ridden family (Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson and Toni Collette, among others). He also enlists the help of the late author’s caring and sensible Latina nurse (Ana de Armas). Writer-director Rian Johnson’s richly entertaining ensemble homage to Agatha Christie has clever twists and turns, abundant humor and sly social commentary. Though strictly for grown-ups, it’s a brainy and satisfying movie. Brief gory violence, a morally complex situation, drug use, sexual references, about a dozen profanities, a few milder oaths, a couple of rough terms, frequent crude and crass 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.
“Step Up” (2006; Hulu)
Diverting if inconsequential dance drama about a street punk (Channing Tatum) who splits his time between breakdancing and stealing cars, and who finds himself doing community service at an elite performing arts academy, where his flashy dance moves catch the eye of a ballerina (Jenna Dewan) who is desperate to find someone to replace her injured partner in preparation for the big senior dance showcase, leading to predictable opposites-attract complications as he gives her routine a hip-hop makeover. Despite a hackneyed script, director Anne Fletcher’s formulaic, but relatively clean, teen romance is buoyed by some lively dance sequences (choreographed by Fletcher) and appealing performances. Some suggestive dance moves, a scene of vandalism, brief gun violence, including an off-screen shooting, a few crude expressions, fleeting racially charged rap lyrics and some innuendo limit its appropriateness to older adolescents and up. 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. (The sequels “Step Up 2 the Streets” (2008) and “Step Up 3” (2010) are also streaming)
“Zero Dark Thirty” (2013: Netflix)
Challenging account, based on real events, of the decade-long hunt for terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The action centers on a relentlessly determined CIA officer (Jessica Chastain) who uses intelligence hints, some obtained by a colleague (Jason Clarke) using torture, to track America’s public enemy number one to his fortified compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. There, as enacted in the film’s climax, Navy SEALs killed him in May 2011. While director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal have crafted a compelling drama, their movie’s moral stance is ambiguous. The harsh reality of so-called “enhanced interrogation” is graphically portrayed, yet the results of subjecting prisoners to it are shown to be effective. Viewers will need a strong grounding in their faith to discern the proper balance between the imperative of upholding human dignity and the equally grave obligation to save innocent human lives. They will also need to guard against the temptation to revel in the death of an evildoer. Considerable violence, including scenes of torture and degradation, brief rear nudity, at least one use of profanity, frequent rough and crude language. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Dec. 29, 7-9 p.m. EST (ABC) “Frozen” (2013). Animated musical, loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale “The Snow Queen” and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. The new queen (voice of Idina Menzel) of a mythical kingdom accidentally unleashes her power to create ice and snow, causing an eternal winter. She retreats into exile, but her princess sister (voice of Kristen Bell) is determined to find her and undo the spell. Joining the younger royal’s epic odyssey are an amiable mountain man (voice of Jonathan Groff), his silent reindeer sidekick and a comedic snowman (voice of Josh Gad). This good-natured film, suitable for all but the smallest tykes, who might be frightened by its storm sequences, has something for everyone: Broadway-style show tunes, thrilling adventure, gorgeous visuals, cute-as-a-button characters and a nice message about the enduring bonds of family. There are even a few respectful religious overtones likely to please believers. A few mildly perilous situations, a bit of slightly gross humor. 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. 29, 9-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Frozen II” (2019). When a queen endowed with the magical power to create ice and snow (voice of Idina Menzel) hears a voice calling her into the wilderness beyond her realm and holding out to her the prospect of discovering the origins of her supernatural gift, she responds by embarking on a quest. She’s accompanied by her strictly human younger sister (voice of Kristen Bell), the iceman (voice of Jonathan Groff) who would like to make the junior sibling his own and a merry sentient snowman (voice of Josh Gad). Screenwriter and co-director Jennifer Lee and her partner at the helm, Chris Buck, the creators of the 2013 original, deliver an exuberant animated musical adventure stressing teamwork, family solidarity and upright values. Too scary for the littlest patrons, the film’s somewhat unscriptural nature mythos may also be confusing for impressionable moviegoers. As for adults, at least some may find the script’s exaltation of the life of indigenous people over industrialized societies heavy-handed. These flaws are ultimately outweighed, though, by sympathetic characters, visual flair and skillful, if sometimes overly complicated, storytelling. Stylized combat, considerable peril. 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. 31, 3-4:30 p.m. EST (EWTN) “Vespers of Thanksgiving.” Pope Francis celebrates evening prayer on the eve of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the traditional “Te Deum” hymn and the Eucharistic Blessing (TV-G — general audience).
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 4-5:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.” Live broadcast as Pope Francis presides at Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the 47th World Day of Peace. The liturgy will re-air 6:30-8 p.m. EST (TV-G — general audience).
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. EST (AMC) “Rocky Balboa” (2006). Sixth and ostensibly final round in the “Rocky” saga, in which the former heavyweight champ (Sylvester Stallone), now a widower, estranged from his son (Milo Ventimiglia) and running a restaurant, comes out of retirement, stepping into the ring against the current champ (Antonio Tarver) to prove he has plenty of heart left in his aging body. Written and directed by Stallone, this new chapter is arguably the best in the series since the 1976 original, emphasizing character and emotional drama over fight action, while imparting an inspirational message about perseverance and giving it your all, win or lose. Some bloody boxing violence, a few mildly crude expressions. 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. (Followed by a marathon of the earlier movies in the franchise, beginning with “Rocky” (1976) 1:15-3:45 p.m. EST and ending with “Rocky V” (1990) 10:45 p.m.-1:15 a.m. EST)
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (PBS) “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2025.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” showcases the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s concert, broadcast from the Austrian capital’s Musikverein.
Thursday, Jan. 2, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) “To Sir, With Love” (1967). Warm British melodrama about an American (Sidney Poitier) who takes a teaching job in London where he tries to turn teenage students from a Cockney slum into ladies and gentlemen. Though the story offers some pat solutions for real problems and the student transformations seem overly swift, director James Clavell gets winning performances from Poitier and his fine supporting cast to show aspects of life, love and adolescence that American audiences will find familiar, despite the accent. 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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