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 Oct. 19, 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

“Argo” (2012; Amazon Prime)

Engrossing thriller, based on real events, and set against the backdrop of the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-81. Tasked by his boss (Bryan Cranston) with rescuing the handful of U.S. embassy employees who managed to escape capture when that facility was overrun by armed militants, a CIA agent (Ben Affleck) hatches a seemingly far-fetched scheme: He’ll smuggle them out of Tehran — where they’ve been hiding in the Canadian embassy — disguised as a Canadian film crew scouting locations. To do so convincingly, he enlists the aid of a Hollywood producer (Alan Arkin) and makeup artist (John Goodman), and together they drum up publicity for the imaginary film project of the title. Affleck, who also directed, masterfully alternates between life-or-death drama and high-stakes humor. Though both aspects of the story too frequently give rise to coarse dialogue, the canny patriotism and emotional impact of the picture — as scripted by Chris Terrio — make for a rousing experience. Potentially disturbing scenes and images, an abortion reference, a half-dozen uses of profanity, many rough and crude terms. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Hacksaw Ridge” (2016; Netflix)

The extraordinary heroism of Army medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) during the Battle of Okinawa in the closing days of World War II is vividly realized in this fact-based drama, directed by Mel Gibson. A committed Christian and conscientious objector who refused to bear arms, Doss was nonetheless eager to serve his country, despite the misgivings of his parents (Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths) and his fiancee (Teresa Palmer). Doss overcomes the ridicule and abuse of his fellow recruits in boot camp as well as an effort to discharge him led by the sergeant (Vince Vaughn) heading his platoon and the captain (Sam Worthington) commanding his company. Once in combat, he single-handedly saves the lives of over 75 wounded soldiers while under constant enemy fire. As might be expected with Gibson at the helm, Doss’ religious convictions, which are integral to his story and his performance on the battlefield, are not sidelined. Yet, while no doubt realistic, the carnage is extreme and its portrayal will necessarily restrict this ultimately inspiring film’s audience to those mature viewers willing to endure such sights. Graphic war violence with much gore, brief rear male nudity, a scene of marital sensuality, considerable crude language. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Hotel Transylvania” (2012; Hulu)

When Count Dracula (voice of Adam Sandler) invites his fellow fiends to his “monsters only” resort for the celebration of his daughter’s (voice of Selena Gomez) 118th birthday, the focus of the overly protective vampire is to keep his offspring shielded from the outside world and free of human contamination. Yet his scheme goes awry once a skateboarding backpacker (voice of Andy Samberg) stumbles across the hotel, and the birthday girl takes an interest in the newcomer. While director Genndy Tartakovsky’s goofy comedy dips its toe into the swamp of vulgarity, the animated adventure has some surprisingly touching moments. These come in the form of Dracula’s relationships with his daughter as well as with his long-deceased wife, for whom he still grieves. Although this theme is part of a commendable pro-family narrative that will have Catholic viewers nodding in approval, the few sad moments, along with the rude humor and slightly scary themes, may exclude younger audiences, Occasional mild scatological humor and a few scary scenes. 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, Oct. 19, 8:33-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “Edward Scissorhands” (1990). A gentle humanoid (Johnny Depp) with grotesque blades for hands is adopted by a family (Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin and Winona Ryder) and prized by the community for his haircutting and lawn sculpting talents, until exploited by the daughter’s boyfriend. Director Tim Burton’s offbeat fantasy is an oddly appealing mix of mild comedy and mock tragedy despite its phony pastel suburban setting and stereotyped residents. Brief stylized violence and sexual innuendo. 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.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:15-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Young Winston” (1972). British dramatization of Churchill’s memoir, “My Early Life,” retells uncritically his own version of his formative years from war correspondent in the Boer War to Parliament, with Simon Ward in the title role. Directed by Richard Attenborough, it excels as a panorama of life in the Empire before World War I, through a succession of tableaux of balls and battles, of parliamentary debates and family discourses. Although not a perfect film, it is a film of idealism and enjoyable on a number of levels. 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.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “EWTN Live.” On this edition of the weekly program, series host Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa interviews papal biographer and conservative Catholic commentator George Weigel (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Cracking the Queen’s Code.” This episode of the series “Secrets of the Dead” explores the encrypted correspondence of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 8-11 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Death on the Nile” (1978). An heiress (Lois Chiles) is murdered on a honeymoon cruise up the Nile and Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov), Agatha Christie’s Belgian sleuth, is on hand to interrogate such suspects as Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow and George Kennedy. Directed by John Guillermin, it is an intricately plotted whodunit that plays the game fairly in laying out clues to challenge the mystery fan. A lavishly produced 1930s period piece with exotic Egyptian locales, it’s solid escapist entertainment for those who don’t mind rather graphic depictions of murder. 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.

Friday, Oct. 24, 8:15-10:45 p.m. EDT (AMC) “The Conjuring” (2013). Director James Wan and screenwriters Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes limn the story of one family’s struggle with evil spirits taking over their household, aided by real-life “demonologists” Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Demons get a presumption of truth and the run of the plot, while the solemn rite of exorcism is reduced to a kind of voodoo practiced by entrepreneurial ghostbusters with dubious credentials in cobwebbed New England basements. A skewed view of Catholic faith practices, intense action sequences, mild gore, fleeting profanity, intense but nonviolent scenes involving children. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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