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. 26, 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
“Angel Has Fallen” (2019; Netflix)
Third installment in the series focusing on a dedicated and highly skilled Secret Service agent (Gerard Butler) who, this time out, is elaborately framed for a devastating assassination attempt against the president (Morgan Freeman) that left a slew of the operative’s comrades dead and the chief executive in a coma. As the vice president (Tim Blake Nelson) takes over and uses evidence of Russian involvement to push for a war that would benefit an old buddy (Danny Huston) of the protagonist’s who’s become a private military contractor, and an FBI official (Jada Pinkett Smith) tries to figure out the truth, he escapes and goes on the lam to get to the bottom of it all himself. Director and co-writer Ric Roman Waugh’s addition to the franchise that began with 2013’s “Olympus Has Fallen” portrays marital and family solidarity by way of the response to the main character’s adversity by his wife (Piper Perabo) and estranged father (Nick Nolte), with whom he reconnects while on the run. But fidelity and reconciliation take a back seat to an amount of intense, relentless mayhem that may be too much even for many grown-ups. Frequent harsh and often bloody violence, some gruesome images, a couple of uses of profanity, several milder oaths, pervasive rough and crude 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.
“Madagascar” (2005; Hulu)
Entertaining animated comedy about a quartet of pampered zoo animals (voiced by Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith) who find themselves shipped back to the wild and discover that the jungle is not all it’s cracked up to be. Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and imparting a positive message about friendship, the visually vibrant and at times funny film starts out well (the motley menagerie is a hoot). But its early wit gives way to cartoonish slapstick humor that stresses sight gags more than story. Mildly crass language and humor, cartoon violence, as well as some thematic elements that may be disturbing to very young children. 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 sequels “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (2008) and “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (2012) are also streaming.)
“Moonstruck” (1987; Amazon Prime)
Charming romantic comedy set in an Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, where a widow (Cher) accepts the proposal of a fastidious bachelor (Danny Aiello) but falls in love with his darkly emotional younger brother (Nicolas Cage). Director Norman Jewison concentrates more on the comedy of character than on incident and the result is pleasantly amusing, emotionally operatic and humanly uplifting. Several restrained scenes implying sex, but the movie’s moral perspective is implicit throughout. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Oct. 26, 9-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “Hocus Pocus” (1993). Three witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy), brought back to life in a Halloween prank by teenagers, scour a New England village for children whose life force they need to survive beyond the break of day. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the spooky comedy misfires by lavishing its attention on ghoulish special effects rather than the contrived predicaments of silly youngsters and dopey adults. Multiple vivid frights and some sexual innuendo. 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.
Monday, Oct. 27, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Going My Way” (1944). Bing Crosby ambles amiably through the role of Father O’Malley, the crooning curate sent to assist the aging, crotchety pastor (Barry Fitzgerald) of a poor parish in need of change. Director Leo McCarey’s sentimental story is well paced with humor and songs such as “Swinging on a Star,” but at its sugary center is the theme of new ways replacing the old, as conveyed amusingly but with feeling by the two principals. The definitive Hollywood version of Catholic life in an age of innocence, the picture retains appeal today mainly as a well-crafted vehicle of popular entertainment. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Monday, Oct. 27, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Kissinger.” First episode of a two-part profile of U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger (1923-2023) who served as both national security advisor and secretary of state. The biography concludes in the same timeslot Tuesday, Oct. 28. An “American Experience” presentation.
Thursday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Cat People” (1942). Effectively understated horror movie in which a husband (Kent Smith) tries to help his bride (Simone Simon) conquer her fear of an old Serbian legend about humans cursed with the power to turn into deadly panthers. In their first effort to wring suspense from low-budget melodramas, producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur create a sinister atmosphere and some scary scenes — notably in a hotel swimming pool — but are less successful with the weak plot. Much menace and a broken marriage. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 12:10-1:40 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of All Saints.” Live broadcast from the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington (TV-G — general audience).
Saturday, Nov. 1, 5:40-8 p.m. EDT (HBO) “The Fate of the Furious” (2017). Grown viewers willing to kick reality to the curb will have fun with this preposterous but lively auto-themed action adventure, the seventh sequel to 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious.” Blackmailed by an elusive criminal mastermind (Charlize Theron) whose cyber skills keep her virtually untraceable, the leader (Vin Diesel) of a team of car racers — which includes his wife (Michelle Rodriguez) and a former federal agent (Dwayne Johnson) — turns on his friends and aids the villain in her bid for world domination. Director F. Gary Gray and screenwriter Chris Morgan put loyalty (even under strain) first and safety last as their globetrotting ensemble, which also includes Jason Statham as a now-imprisoned veteran of Britain’s special forces, hunts down an opponent so powerful she has her own AWACS-style airplane. Doses of humor and clever resourcefulness help to divert attention from dicey us-against-the-world moral values, though the sketchy ethics do come tricked out with distinctly Christian detailing. Not a film for impressionable youngsters. Frequent gunplay and hand-to-hand combat but with little gore, brief partial nudity, a marital bedroom scene, an adultery theme, several uses of profanity, a few milder oaths, a single rough and many crude terms, an obscene gesture. 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.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 8-9:42 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Alex Cross” (2012). The titular hero (Tyler Perry) of the best-selling crime novels by James Patterson anchors an action-packed thriller, directed by Rob Cohen. Together with his partners — a tough Irish cop (Edward Burns) and a rookie (Rachel Nichols) eager to stand toe to toe with the big guys — Tyler’s character, a detective and forensic psychologist, tracks a vicious serial killer (Matthew Fox) through the streets of Detroit. The high-stakes game of cat and mouse becomes personal when tragedy strikes close to home, and the investigators’ search for justice is tinged by a desire for revenge. Fortunately, the strong violence is lightened by moments of humor, and the picture shows us the tender side to its protagonist, a devoted family man, as well as the role of faith in his life. Intense violence, including torture, drug use, a brief nonmarital bedroom scene with partial nudity, a few instances each of profane and rough language. 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.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (AMC) “Signs” (2002). Struggling with loss of faith after the sudden death of his wife, an Episcopal priest (Mel Gibson) fears for the life of his children (Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin) after he and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) discover huge circular patterns in his cornfield that suggest an invasion by hostile aliens. Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan masterfully builds dread and tension while touching upon issues of faith. But the lightweight narrative doesn’t provide a powerful punch to match the unnerving apprehension that shapes the film. Some intensely frightening moments and occasional crass expressions. 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.
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