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 22, 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
“Dead Man Walking” (1995; Amazon Prime)
Powerful fact-based dramatization about a Louisiana nun (Susan Saradon) offering spiritual comfort to a hard-bitten prisoner (Sean Penn) condemned to death for the rape and murder of two teenagers, while at the same time attempting to share in the painful loss of the victims’ grieving parents. Directed by Tim Robbins, the picture is balanced between the nun’s respect for the dignity of every individual, even the despicable killer, and the parents’ quest for justice in the state’s execution of their children’s murderer, leaving viewers at the end to ponder what moral or social purpose is served by capital punishment. Flashbacks to savage crimes, the depiction of an execution, racial slurs and several instances of rough language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
“The Great Outdoors” (1988; Netflix)
Director Howard Deutch chronicles the botched summer vacation spent by two mismatched brothers-in-law (John Candy and Dan Aykroyd) and their families in the Canadian North Woods. Scripted by John Hughes, the humor comes from its two stars whose characters seem to be hilarious retreads from “Saturday Night Live.” Some vulgar language. 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 Joy Luck Club” (1993; Hulu)
A San Francisco bon voyage party becomes the occasion for four immigrant Chinese mothers (France Nuyen, Lisa Lu, Kieu Chinh and Tsai Chin) to reflect on their past lives and present prickly relationships with their Americanized daughters (Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita and Ming-Na Wen). Wayne Wang directs this adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel with considerable sensitivity, insightfully exploring the love and pain that go into nurturing mother-daughter bonds complicated by parent and child having grown up in vastly different cultures. Brief violence including a suicide, a discreet sexual encounter, much sexual innuendo and minimal rough language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, June 22, 7-9:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemnity of Corpus Christi Mass and Procession From Rome.” Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to preside at this Eucharistic liturgy at Rome’s Cathedral, St. John Lateran, and then lead the traditional procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major (TV-G — general audience).
Sunday, June 22, 10:15 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (TCM) “Missing” (1982). Director Costa-Gavras in his first American movie presents a taut and powerful drama based on an actual event, an American father’s search for his son, a 31-year-old writer living with his wife in a Latin American country, who has disappeared in the midst of the brutal repression following a right-wing coup. Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek are outstanding as the concerned father and his daughter-in-law, with John Shea giving capable support as the missing man. Significant and absorbing work on a topical and important theme of human rights. General atmosphere of menace, a depiction of the aftermath of bloodshed and occasional profanity. 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, June 26, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “CMA Fest.” This concert special showcases performances by country music stars. Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde host (TV-PG/L — parental guidance suggested; infrequent coarse language).
Friday, June 27, 7-10 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Jaws” (1975). Solid thriller about a killer shark first establishes the monster’s reality by the effect of its attacks on the tourist trade of a seaside community and then becomes the all-out battle of three men (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss) against a malignant force of nature. Aided by good acting and superior special effects, Steven Spielberg directs the hunt and killing of the monster with sustained and riveting dramatic intensity. Graphic scenes of the shark attacks may be far too strong for younger viewers. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (Followed by the sequels “Jaws 2” (1978), 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT, and “Jaws 3” (1983), 12:30-3 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 28.)
Friday, June 27, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Lady Eve” (1941). Playful romantic comedy in which a con artist (Barbara Stanwyck) falls for a millionaire’s guileless son (Henry Fonda) but when he breaks with her, she seeks revenge by visiting his father’s Long Island estate masquerading as a British aristocrat’s daughter. Writer-director Preston Sturges centers the comedy on the attraction of opposites as the socially inept Fonda is hopelessly confused by the sophisticated Stanwyck in a series of ridiculous situations held together by a splendid supporting cast (Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, William Demarest and Eric Blore). Romantic complications with some sexual situations. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Friday, June 27, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny.” This episode of the series “American Masters” profiles the German American historian, philosopher and political theorist of the title (1906-1975).
Saturday, June 28, 6:24-8 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Sully” (2016). Satisfying profile of US Airways pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), whose 2009 feat in landing his crippled plane on the Hudson River and saving the lives of all on board gained him instant fame. Though immediately embraced as a hero by the public, behind the scenes he was second-guessed by federal investigators (led by Mike O’Malley) and tortured by self-doubt. In adapting Sullenberger’s memoir “Highest Duty,” director Clint Eastwood maintains a surprisingly sober tone overall, though there are also moments of enjoyable wit. What emerges is the portrait of a morally deep-rooted and honorable man whose heartfelt concern for those in his charge is matched by his appreciative attitude toward his co-pilot (Aaron Eckhart) and the mutually supportive love he shares with his wife (Laura Linney). Despite some salty language, these ethical assets make the film possibly acceptable for older adolescents. Potentially disturbing scenes of peril and destruction, at least one use each of profanity and the F-word, about a dozen crude or crass terms. 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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