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 Nov. 2, 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

“Curious George” (2006; Amazon Prime)

Delightful and disarming animated adventure based on the beloved children’s books by H.A. and Margaret Rey, about an inquisitive monkey — George — who befriends a museum curator (voiced by Will Ferrell) searching for a legendary idol for his failing museum, and who eventually stows away, leaving his jungle home for New York, where much monkey mischief ensues. Directed by Matthew O’Callaghan, the simply told but visually vibrant film stays faithful to the gentle tone of the books, imparting a warmhearted message about friendship which, though geared toward youngsters, adults will find charming. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

“Knight and Day” (2010; Hulu)

This good-natured, though intermittently violent, action-and-romance combo sees an everyday woman (Cameron Diaz) unwittingly caught up in the conflict between a highly skilled but apparently rogue CIA agent (Tom Cruise) and his former colleagues (led by Viola Davis and Peter Sarsgaard) as they battle each other and an evil Spanish arms dealer (Jordi Molla) for possession of a recently invented (by young geek Paul Dano) energy source with revolutionary potential. Director and co-writer James Mangold’s breezy diversion takes a largely bloodless toll on the extras while the adroitly portrayed central relationship progresses, for the most part, innocently enough. Frequent, though mostly nongraphic, action violence, at least one use of profanity and of the F-word, some crude language, a few instances of sexual humor. 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.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2014; Netflix)

Thirty years after bursting onto the comic book scene, the wise-cracking, pizza-loving heroes created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman re-emerge from the sewers of New York City. Their mission, once again: to save the world. This fifth film in the franchise, directed by Jonathan Liebesman, ramps up the action and destruction (which may be too intense for young viewers) but keeps tongue firmly in cheek, and slips in a few good lessons about honor and family. The reptilian quartet — Pete Ploszek, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher and Jeremy Howard — live beneath the Big Apple with a wise Japanese rat (Danny Woodburn) who has trained them in the martial arts. They emerge from the darkness to fight a seemingly invincible gang of criminals led by a razor-sharp monster (Tohoru Masamune). Helping the turtles navigate the human world are an intrepid TV reporter (Megan Fox) and her cameraman (Will Arnett). Intense but bloodless cartoon violence, some bathroom humor, a few vague references to sexuality. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (The sequels “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (2016) and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023) are also streaming.)

Looking Ahead

Sunday, Nov. 2, 4-5:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Holy Mass for the Commemoration of All Souls.” Live broadcast from Rome’s Laurentino cemetery as Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Eucharistic liturgy for the Feast of All Souls. The Mass will re-air noon-1:30 p.m. EST (TV-G — general audience).

Sunday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST (TCM) “Downhill Racer” (1969). Robert Redford plays a surly American skier with enough recklessness and skill to challenge the best Europeans but is unwilling to listen to his team’s tough, long-suffering coach (admirably played by Gene Hackman) in preparing for the big skiing competition. Though the personal drama follows the formula of such sports movies, director Michael Ritchie concentrates on providing a vivid overview of a dangerous and photogenic sport and the fallible people who compete in it for the psychological rewards that some find worth all its rigors and traumatic nervous strain. 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.

Sunday, Nov. 2, 8:32-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Sweet Home Alabama” (2002). High-spirited tale in which a small-town Southern girl (Reese Witherspoon) hides the truth about her previous marriage and humble Southern roots in hopes of marrying an up-and-coming politician whose mother is the mayor of New York City. Directed in breezy fairy-tale manner by Andy Tennant, the movie suggests following your heart and being true to yourself but plays fast and loose with the main character’s attitude toward the sanctity of marriage. Some alcohol abuse, mild profanity and homosexual references. 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (TCM) “The Day of the Jackal” (1973). Screen version of Frederick Forsyth’s novel stars Edward Fox as a professional assassin hired by a rightist group of military officers to murder the president of France. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, this superbly crafted thriller succeeds not only as a gripping action movie but also as a serious probe into the theme of political expediency and amorality. 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, Nov. 7, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) “Tiler Peck: Suspending Time.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” profiles ballerina Tiler Peck.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 5:56-8 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Jason Bourne” (2016). Matt Damon returns in the fifth big-screen outing for the memory-damaged and monosyllabic government agent who first appeared in the novels of Robert Ludlum. Director Paul Greengrass, who co-scripted with Christopher Rouse, bookends the story with extended car and motorcycle chases, with the result that vehicle casualties considerably outnumber the body count from weapons. Although the number of shootings does necessitate an adult rating, the film’s lack of gore and relatively mild language make this possibly acceptable for older adolescents — especially those who understand that the longer the car chase, the thinner the plot. Frequent gun and physical violence, fleeting profanities. 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. 8, 6-9 p.m. EST (AMC) “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” (1977). Within a galaxy other than our own, a desperate struggle takes place between evil usurpers of empire and a dedicated band of rebels (Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Alec Guinness). Written and directed by George Lucas, the outcome never is in doubt because the movie’s conventions are as old-fashioned as its story of good triumphing over evil. The special effects are stunning, the characters imaginative and the narrative intriguing. Much stylized violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (Followed by the sequel “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), 9 p.m.-midnight EDT.)

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