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

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 Aug. 31, 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 Alamo” (2004; Amazon Prime)

Sweeping historical drama set in 1836 about the famous last stand of a handful of Texans — led by Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) and Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) — who, though overwhelmingly outnumbered, valiantly held the besieged fort for 13 days before falling to the Mexican army under the command of Gen. Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria), rallying the cause of Texan independence. Despite its expansive scope, the film, as directed by John Lee Hancock, is less concerned with bloody battles and flag-waving patriotism than it is with the relationships of the men involved, resulting in an intimate, character-driven tale about courage and sacrifice. Extended battlefield violence and some 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.

“Megamind” (2010; Netflix)

Generally endearing animated adventure about a good-hearted, perpetually inept alien villain (voice of Will Ferrell) who, with the aid of his trusty assistant (voice of David Cross), finally defeats his longtime superhero rival (voice of Brad Pitt), also a visitor to Earth, only to find that mastery of the city the good guy once protected is not all he had dreamed. Though the bored scamp’s scheme to create a new adversary for himself goes awry when he accidentally endows an ordinary cameraman (voice of Jonah Hill) with superhuman powers, the possibility of winning the love of the charming TV reporter (voice of Tina Fey) by whom both are smitten offers the not-so-naughty knave hope of ultimate redemption. The occasional indulgence in mild bathroom humor is outweighed, in director Tom McGrath’s diverting, if not strikingly original, tale, by worthy lessons about making positive use of talents and abilities and about the dangers of allowing others to define who you are. Scenes of peril, a few touches of crude humor, a bit of slightly crass 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.

“Stuck On You” (2003; Hulu)

Surprisingly tender screwball comedy about a pair of small-town conjoined twins (Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear) who leave their insular home in Massachusetts for the bright lights of Hollywood so that one of the brothers can pursue his dream of being an actor. Conjoined in their creativity, sibling directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly rein in their frat-house impulses toward crass scatological jokes, grafting positive messages about filial fealty and self-esteem onto the film’s sometimes tasteless Siamese slapstick silliness. Recurring sexually crude humor and language, an off-screen sexual encounter and brief alcohol abuse. 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.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, Aug. 31, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Showboat” (1936). Fine version of the Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein musical about the daughter (Irene Dunne) of a Mississippi riverboat captain (Charles Winninger) and her stormy marriage to an inveterate gambler (Allan Jones) which is counterpointed by a tragic subplot involving a mixed race singer (Helen Morgan). Director James Whale gets some real feeling out of the sentimental melodrama with a talented cast and a convincing turn-of-the-century setting that helps make the nostalgic musical as much a part of Americana as Paul Robeson’s deckhand singing “Ol’ Man River.” Period depiction of race relations and domestic difficulties. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Monday, Sept. 1, 7-9:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). Dorothy rides her tornado to the magic land over the rainbow in director Victor Fleming’s classic that skyrocketed Judy Garland’s career and has given generations of families prime entertainment again and again. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Cape Fear” (1962). Stomach-churning suspense thriller in which a vengeful ex-convict (Robert Mitchum) sets out to brutalize the wife (Polly Bergen) of the lawyer (Gregory Peck) he blames for his imprisonment. Director J. Lee Thompson’s picture of an ordinary decent citizen pitted against a cunning sadistic criminal builds the tension to the breaking point on a boat in a lonely North Carolina bayou. Well-crafted exercise in terror, not for the nervous or faint-of-heart. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Decoding da Vinci.” On this episode of the series “Nova,” Leonardo da Vinci biographer Walter Isaacson travels to Italy to explore the impact of da Vinci’s art on his science and of his science on his art.

Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Mass for Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno.” Live coverage from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington as Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services celebrates the annual Mass for the repose of Father Vincent Capodanno (1929-1967) (TV-G — general audience).

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