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 April 13, 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 Last of the Mohicans” (1992; Hulu)
When the French and Indian War erupts on New York’s colonial frontier, heroic woodsman Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) cannot save a British force from being massacred in the wilderness but at least he’s able to rescue its commanding officer’s daughter (Madeleine Stowe) from a wicked Huron warrior (Wes Studi). In adapting the James Fenimore Cooper classic to the screen, director Michael Mann updates its romanticized version of pioneer life amidst noble woodland savages by dwelling in realistic detail on the savagery of hand-to-hand combat. Many graphic depictions of deadly violence and bloodshed. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
“Transformers One” (2024; Amazon Prime)
Animated adventure in which two downtrodden miners (voices of Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry) embark on a quest to retrieve an artifact that once made energy abundant and freely available on their planet. Their journey, on which they’re joined by a quirky co-worker (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) and their initially antagonistic supervisor from the mines (voice of Scarlett Johansson), leads to surprising revelations about the idolized leader of their community (voice of Jon Hamm) and eventually puts a strain on their friendship. A cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power as well as a theme about characters overcoming prejudice to achieve their full potential are almost wholly subsumed under a tidal wave of noisy, colorful action in director Josh Cooley’s addition to a franchise based on a line of Hasbro toys. While a bit of off-color dialogue makes the film unsuitable for little kids, older ones may be diverted by this origin story for two of the principal characters in the series. Perilous situations, a brief scene of torture, about a half-dozen crass terms, at least one mild oath, an implied obscene gesture. 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, April 13, 4-6:15 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday.” Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate this eucharistic liturgy for Palm Sunday, broadcast live and followed by the Angelus prayer. The events will re-air 7-9:15 p.m. EDT (TV-G — general audience).
Sunday, April 13, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “On the Waterfront” (1954). Classic labor film about a punched-out boxer (Marlon Brando) who, despite the machinations of his shifty brother (Rod Steiger) and with some encouragement from the woman (Eva Marie Saint) he loves as well as a waterfront priest (Karl Malden), decides to stand up to the criminal boss (Lee J. Cobb) of a corrupt union of dock workers. Budd Schulberg’s fact-based script is directed by Elia Kazan with standout performances and a gritty realism grounded in a working-class milieu, abetted by Leonard Bernstein’s rousing score and Boris Kaufman’s atmospheric photography. Much menace and some violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Tuesday, April 15, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980). Sissy Spacek, who does all her own singing, gives a warm and utterly winning performance as Loretta Lynn. In this semi-biographical story, director Michael Apted depicts her life from poverty and obscurity in the Kentucky hills to undreamed of riches and success. Tommy Lee Jones plays Loretta’s husband who escorts her along the rocky road to stardom. Frank language about sex and a wedding-night sequence would rule out younger children. 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.
Thursday, April 17, 3:30-5:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Chrism Mass in Rome With Pope Francis.” Live coverage from Rome as the Holy Father presides at Mass and over the blessing of sacramental oils (TV-G — general audience).
Thursday, April 17, 10-11:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper From Rome.” Pope Francis celebrates the liturgy commemorating Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist. Live broadcast (TV-G — general audience).
Friday, April 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion From Rome.” Live broadcast as Pope Francis presides over the solemn celebration of the Lord’s Passion (TV-G — general audience).
Friday, April 18, 6-9 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Jurassic Park” (1993). A bizarre theme park featuring genetically re-created dinosaurs becomes a potential deathtrap when the carnivorous monsters break loose, endangering some visiting scientists (Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum) and two very frightened young children (Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards). Director Steven Spielberg’s monster fantasy downplays plot and characterization in favor of spectacle and horrific special effects in which the realistic-looking creatures hunt down their human prey. Much intense menace to children and several stylized scenes of violent death. 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. (Followed by the sequels “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997) 9 p.m.-midnight EDT and “Jurassic Park III” (2001) midnight-2 a.m. EDT, Saturday, April 19.)
Friday, April 18, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” profiles cellist and composer Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805).
Saturday, April 19, 12:30-3:15 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Easter Vigil Mass.” The most important Eucharistic liturgy of the year, broadcast live from Rome (TV-G — general audience).
Saturday, April 19, 5:01-6:56 p.m. EDT (HBO) “Heretic” (2024). Unusually intelligent horror film in which two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) visit the remote home of a British-bred recluse (convincingly twitchy Hugh Grant) who has requested information about their church. Only belatedly does the duo discover that their host already has a very decided view of religion and is determined to make his point about it in a thoroughly unnerving way. Edgy and intellectually trenchant, co-writers and directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ chiller initially favors the flow of dialogue over the spilling of blood. Yet, as the proceedings reach a climax, nasty mayhem comes to the fore, further restricting the appropriate audience for a film whose treatment of theology also requires well-catechized discernment. Relatively brief but intense gory violence, disturbing images, an ambiguous approach to faith, mature references, including to contraception and masturbation, a couple of mild oaths, at least one crass expression. 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.
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