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 March 16, 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
“Dark City” (1998; Amazon Prime)
Mysterious sci-fi thriller in which a man (Rufus Sewell) discovers aliens have manufactured his memories and physical surroundings in order to steal his soul. Directed by Alex Proyas, the nightmarish premise relies on sleek visuals to compensate for the narrative’s murky logic. Occasional violence and brief nudity. The OSV News classification is A-III –adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R –restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
“Jojo Rabbit” (2019; Hulu)
Writer-director Taika Waititi’s thoroughly offbeat satire, adapted from Christine Leunens’ 2004 novel “Caging Skies,” pretty much exemplifies the expression “not to all tastes” since it sees Waititi also playing a young German boy’s vision of Adolf Hitler as his imaginary friend during the final year of World War II. Roman Griffin Davis is Jojo, a 10-year-old seduced by what he’s learned in the Hitler Youth, at least until a teenage Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) hidden by his mother (Scarlett Johansson) begins to challenge his blind nationalism. Waititi shows, often in a deadpan way, the deadly consequences of surrendering to ideologies that marginalize entire categories of humanity and the singular evil of inculcating children with hateful beliefs. Viewers interested in challenging, thoughtful fare will be left with much to consider. Mature themes, images of the aftermath of executions, anti-Semitic dialogue, a single rough term, fleeting crude 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.
“Pride & Prejudice” (2005; Netflix)
Fine version of Jane Austen’s evergreen classic concerning the five unmarried Bennet girls whose mother (Brenda Blethyn) is strenuously determined to marry them off in 18th-century England, and the crossed-signals romance between Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and the wealthy Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) whose apparent dislike for each other — because of his arrogance and her judgmental attitude — masks a profound attraction. Director Joe Wright makes the settings more realistically rough-hewn than usual, but even so the film is visually stunning and its top-flight supporting players — Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Penelope Wilton and Tom Hollander among them — make this highly recommendable for all ages. 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
Monday, March 17, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “St. Patrick’s Day Mass From Knock.” The liturgy for the Feast of St. Patrick, broadcast live from the International Eucharistic & Marian Shrine in Knock, Ireland (TV-G — general audience).
Monday, March 17, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Quiet Man” (1952). When a retired Irish American boxer (John Wayne) buys a plot of Irish land and courts a lovely colleen (Maureen O’Hara) to go with it, his stubborn bride insists he collect her dowry from her mean-spirited brother (Victor McLaglen). Director John Ford’s grand celebration of all-too-familiar Irish stereotypes, ranging from a fondness for spirits to the love of a good fight, is delivered with much broad humor. But the movie’s universal appeal lies in the robust romance at the heart of the good-natured, old-fashioned story. Comic violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (Part of a 24-hour marathon of Irish-themed films, beginning with “Little Nellie Kelly” (1940), 6-8 a.m. EDT, and concluding with “Ryan’s Daughter” (1970), 2:45-6:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday, March 18)
Tuesday, March 18, 7-9:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Coming to America” (1988). The pampered heir (Eddie Murphy) to an African throne travels to New York to find a bride he can both love and respect — a fast-food restaurant owner’s daughter (Shari Headley) — but his parents (James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair) have an arranged marriage all set up for him. Director John Landis spices up this Cinderella story with lush African sets and production numbers. Some nudity and much profanity, though not from Murphy. 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.
Wednesday, March 19, 3-4:45 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Holy Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph.” Live broadcast from Nazareth as the custos of the Holy Land, Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, presides over the eucharistic liturgy for the Feast of St. Joseph (TV-G — general audience).
Wednesday, March 19, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Building The Eiffel Tower.” This episode of the series “Nova” explores the revolutionary engineering behind one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.
Saturday, March 22, 4:13-6:38 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “The Flash” (2023). Time travel-themed adventure in which the super-speedy DC Comics figure of the title (Ezra Miller) journeys back into the days of his childhood to prevent the murder of his mother (Maribel Verdú), a crime for which his father (Ron Livingston) has since been unjustly convicted. Predictably, his attempt to undo the double tragedy creates innumerable fresh problems. So he teams with a carefree youthful version of himself (also Miller) from the timeline in which mom went unscathed and with a previously unknown variant (Michael Keaton) of his pal Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) to retrieve the situation. Action abounds in director Andy Muschietti’s sprawling addition to Justice League lore. But the chronological convolutions, which eventually introduce Krypton-born Supergirl (Sasha Calle) into the mix, hover between interesting and confusing. As for Christina Hodson’s script, although it puts forward a view of suffering that comports with Christian values, consistent vulgar vocabulary and an embarrassing lesson for the protagonist’s adolescent alter ego about why the Flash sports a specially designed low-friction suit make the film a dicey proposition for the teens at whom, along with grown-ups, it’s presumably aimed. Much stylized violence with occasional gore, rear male nudity in a nonsexual context, at least one use each of profanity and rough language, several milder oaths, frequent crass talk. 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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