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 June 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
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (2010; Hulu)
Swashbuckling sequel, combining live action and animation, in which a brother and sister (Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) from World War II-era Britain are once again transported to the titular world, this time accompanied by their obnoxious, cynical cousin (Will Poulter). Reunited with their friend the king of Narnia (Ben Barnes), the siblings — and, more reluctantly, their traveling companion — join his quest to vanquish a menacing manifestation of evil by bringing together at the table of the noble lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson) seven magical swords empowered to protect the land from harm. As directed by Michael Apted, this screen version of the third in C.S. Lewis’ classic series of Christian-themed allegorical novels keeps faith front and center as the good kids battle temptations ranging from envy to cowardice, while their initially nasty relative — helped along by the wisdom of a plucky warrior mouse (voice of Simon Pegg) — moves toward conversion. An enjoyable, mostly kid-friendly journey, though somewhat less impressive dramatically than thematically. Considerable peril and bloodless violence, a couple of mild bathroom jokes. 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.
“The Greatest Showman” (2017; Amazon Prime)
Marital fidelity and family values in general are emphasized in this big, brash musical based on the life of pop entertainment pioneer P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman). The 19th-century impresario’s rise from poverty to worldwide fame is facilitated by his well-bred wife (Michelle Williams) and equally genteel partner (Zac Efron). But tensions arise when he shifts his focus from the cast of social outsiders who perform under his auspices to concentrate on backing the American premiere of Swedish diva Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson). Director Michael Gracey’s feature debut, which also stars Zendaya as the African-American trapeze artist with whom Efron’s character shares a convention-defying romance, is historically naive in its backward projection of contemporary values onto Victorian-era America, and its brassy score, though well-suited to its subject matter, will best please those who appreciate the Lloyd-Webber style of Broadway and West End theater. Still, though unlikely to engage the youngest viewers, the film is appropriate for most others. Some nonlethal violence, a mild oath, a racial slur. 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.
“Vertigo” (1958; Netflix)
Fine suspense thriller from Alfred Hitchcock in the tale of a retired detective (James Stewart) called back for a private investigation of a seemingly shady lady (Kim Novak). Naturally they fall in love and land in high danger. Jimmy gulps and stammers a lot, Kim just smolders and Hitch masterfully pulls the strings. 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. (Five other Hitchcock films are also streaming.)
Looking Ahead
Sunday, June 15, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Father of the Bride” (1950). Delightful comedy from Edward Streeter’s novel about a self-assured suburbanite (Spencer Tracy) suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar world of wedding preparations and financial obligations when his only daughter (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement. Brightly directed by Vincente Minnelli, Tracy is superb as the caring but confused head of the household helped by patient wife Joan Bennett to come to terms with their daughter’s vision of the perfect wedding. Amusing yet perceptive view of middle-class life and family values. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Monday, June 16, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “The Journey Home.” On this episode of the conversion-themed series, former Evangelical Eddie Trask shares with series host JonMarc Grodi the story of his return to the Catholic faith in which he was raised (TV-G — general audience).
Tuesday, June 17, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Escape Plan” (2013). More intelligent than many of its genre peers, this actioner pairing Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger also is too harsh for all but the hardiest viewers. Stallone plays an expert on prison security who poses as an inmate to test each institution he investigates. He gets more than he bargained for, however, when he goes undercover in a privately run maximum-security jail with a cruel warden (Jim Caviezel) who knows his real identity but refuses to treat him as anything other than an ordinary convict. Joining forces with Schwarzenegger’s character, the slammer’s top dog, he searches for flaws in the system that could help them both fly the coop. Working from a script by Miles Chapman and Arnell Jesko, director Mikael Hafstrom uses the Sherlock Holmes-like observational skills of Stallone’s persona to good effect, and implicitly raises real-life issues about the treatment of captured terrorists and other criminals. But brutality abounds in the movie’s main setting; inmates brawl among themselves, masked guards beat their charges with gusto, and the two main characters stage fights as part of their escape plan. So the basic question remains how much pleasure or edification viewers will derive from watching the former governor of California head-butt Rocky. Constant violence, much of it gory, an implied nonmarital situation, a revenge theme, much rough and crude language, a coarse joke, a couple of obscene gestures. 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.
Wednesday, June 18, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) “High Noon” (1952). Message Western in which a veteran sheriff (Gary Cooper) is left on his own to face four vengeful gunmen when the citizens of the town he had freed of outlaws refuse to get involved. Tautly directed by Fred Zinnemann, the isolated frontier setting is used to probe the psychology of fear which immobilizes a law-abiding community before the inevitable showdown whose outcome will affect them all. Stylized violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, June 21, 6:10-8 p.m. EDT (HBO) “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024). Disorganized horror-comedy sequel in which the teen occupant of the haunted house of the 1988 original, now a widowed mother (Winona Ryder), is once again bothered by the mischievous demon of the title (Michael Keaton) while her disaffected adolescent daughter (Jenna Ortega) finds first love with a beau (Arthur Conti) who is not what he initially seems. Returning director Tim Burton serves up some energetic and interesting set pieces and screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar manage the occasional one-liner. But the plot meanders and the showcasing of splatter, the fast-and-loose treatment of the supernatural and the occult, as well as the presence of a pompous clergyman (Burn Gorman) whose pointless pronouncements suggest an underlying contempt for Christianity, all serve to restrict the suitable audience for this undisciplined follow-up. Gory imagery played for laughs, irreverent humor, a fleeting sexual reference, about a half-dozen instances each of profanity and crude language, a couple of milder oaths, one pronounced and one bleeped rough term, a few crass expressions. 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 strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Saturday, June 21, 8-10:09 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Sherlock Holmes” (2009). This vigorous but frequently violent addition to the adventures of the iconic sleuth sees Holmes (entertainingly sly Robert Downey Jr.) and his perennial sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) on the trail of a Satan-worshipping homicidal aristocrat (Mark Strong) who has inspired a wave of public panic by apparently rising from the dead after his execution. Watson’s plans to abandon detective work to marry the young woman (Kelly Reilly) for whom he’s fallen, as well as the appearance of a femme fatale (Rachel McAdams) who has bested and befuddled Holmes in the past, heighten the tension. As envisioned by director Guy Ritchie, this brawny Sherlock slugs his way through several bone-crunching square-offs across Victorian London while investigating the dark doings of the Masonic-style secret society to which the errant lord belonged and which may hold the key to his seemingly supernatural powers. Considerable action violence, occult themes, satanic activity, brief irreverence, a sexual situation, a few sexual references and jokes. 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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