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Animated characters appear in the movie "The Croods." The OSV News classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (OSV News photo/DreamWorks)

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon


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OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews

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 27, 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 Croods” (2013; Netflix)

Beautifully rendered and refreshingly good-humored, this animated comedy follows the adventures of the Stone-Age family of the title as they face the perils of climate change. The overprotective father (voice of Nicolas Cage) keeps his clan — including his loving wife (voice of Catherine Keener) and rebellious teenage daughter (voice of Emma Stone) — safe inside a dark cave. But curiosity leads the latter to encounter a resourceful stranger (voice of Ryan Reynolds) who pledges to guide her and her relatives into the light of a safe haven. Directors and co-writers Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco provide fun for moviegoers of just about any age with a tale that carries an intriguing Christian subtext. Only frightening interludes that might overwhelm the littlest viewers pose any concern for parents. 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.

“Forrest Gump” (1994; Amazon Prime)

Inspired by the faith his mother (Sally Field) has in him, a slow-witted Southerner (Tom Hanks) becomes a football All-American, Vietnam hero and millionaire entrepreneur, despite intermittent rejection by his troubled, lifelong friend and sweetheart (Robin Wright). Director Robert Zemeckis’ big-hearted love story cleverly incorporates gimmicks into the narrative without ever losing focus on the emotional and spiritual development of the title character. A few discreet bedroom scenes, some intense battlefield violence, fleeting drug use and an instance of rough 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.

“Jumanji” (1995; Hulu)

Eye-popping fantasy adventure about a jungle wildlife board game that springs to life, threatening to destroy a whole town unless its players (notably Robin Williams) successfully complete the game. Director Joe Johnston provides some frightening thrills as spectacular special effects put humans at the mercy of rampaging animals and a deadly hunter. Frequent life-threatening menace and intermittent gunfire. 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 27, 3-6:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) “Jubilee of Teenagers.” Live coverage from Rome of the Mass for the Jubilee of Teenagers and the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The events will re-air 7-10:30 p.m. EDT (TV-G — general audience).

Monday, April 28, 9:45-11:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Yellow Cab Man” (1950). Comedy of errors about an accident-prone inventor (Red Skelton) whose secret formula for unbreakable glass makes him the target of a crooked lawyer (Edward Arnold) and a bogus psychologist (Walter Slezak), until his girlfriend (Gloria de Haven) and a veteran cab driver (James Gleason) come to the rescue. Under Jack Donohue’s direction, Skelton mugs his way through the comic complications, notable for some dream sequences, including one using distorted images, and a big chase finish that turns a home furnishings exhibition into a shambles. Some comic violence and psychological duress. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Tuesday, April 29, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Free for All: The Public Library.” Filmmakers Lucie Faulknor and Dawn Logsdon’s documentary profiles the people responsible for the rise of public libraries. An “Independent Lens” presentation.

Wednesday, April 30, 8-10:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Song of Bernadette” (1943). Durable adaptation of the Franz Werfel novel about Bernadette Soubirous (Jennifer Jones), the French schoolgirl who in 1858 saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary at a grotto near Lourdes. But news of this is initially discredited by her stern pastor (Charles Bickford), the town prosecutor (Vincent Price) and an envious teacher (Gladys Cooper). Directed by Henry King, the story of a young girl’s faith withstanding the disbelief of her elders is made dramatically convincing by a fine cast, evocative photography and largely unsentimental treatment. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Friday, May 2, 5:45-8:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) “War of the Worlds” (2005). Impressive but distressingly violent updating of H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi story, about (in this version) a deadbeat dad (Tom Cruise) who is jolted into responsible parenthood when he must struggle to survive and keep his two children (Justin Chatwin and Dakota Fanning) safe amid a hostile invasion by space aliens bent on exterminating humanity. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the decidedly dark and scary thrill ride delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement and knockout action sequences which, though visually stunning, never drown out the human drama at its core about a father trying to reconnect with his children. Intense sci-fi violence, including mass destruction and slaughter, disintegrated bodies, a murder with extenuating circumstances, child peril, as well as scattered crude language and profanity. 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 PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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