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. 23, 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
“In the Heights” (2021; Netflix)
Vibrant musical, set in northern Manhattan’s Washington Heights, charts the efforts of a youthful bodega owner (Anthony Ramos) to return to his native Dominican Republic, the scene of his idealized childhood, and reopen the beachside bar his father once ran there. But this “little dream” has complicated implications for his warmhearted adoptive grandmother (Olga Merediz), the younger cousin (Gregory Diaz IV) he mentors and the aspiring fashion designer (Melissa Barrera) for whom he’s fallen. Director Jon M. Chu’s sweeping adaptation of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning 2008 Broadway hit, scripted by the writer of the stage show’s book, Quiara AlegrÃa Hudes, also follows the parallel romance linking the protagonist’s best friend (Corey Hawkins) with a gifted college student (Leslie Grace) and introduces a variety of neighborhood characters. As it touches on themes of racial dignity and the plight of immigrants who lack legal papers, the generally upbeat and uplifting film maintains a solid moral core. But a few rough spots around the edges make it safest for grown-ups. Possibly acceptable for older teens. Brief sexual references, including to homosexual activity and contraception, a couple of profanities, about a dozen milder oaths, several crude and a few crass terms. 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.
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947; Hulu)
Familiar seasonal favorite follows a department store Santa (Edmund Gwenn) as he strives to convince a lonely little girl (Natalie Wood) that he’s the genuine article, despite the objections of her rigidly pragmatic mother (Maureen O’Hara) and a court trial that hinges on the U.S. Post Office. Director George Seaton’s amusing romantic fantasy has its sentimental moments while spreading a reasonable amount of holiday cheer, largely due to Gwenn’s charming performance as Kris Kringle. Problems of single parenthood. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (The 1994 remake is also streaming.)
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017; Amazon Prime)
Vibrant comic-book adaptation follows the double life of seemingly ordinary high school student Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he struggles to keep his extracurricular crime-fighting activities as Spider-Man concealed from his easily worried guardian, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). In this reboot for the franchise, industrialist Tony Stark, aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), makes Peter his protege, and tries to keep him focused on thwarting petty misdemeanors. But Peter, who yearns to secure a place among the elite Avengers, finds an irresistible target when he stumbles across the dangerous schemes of mechanically winged villain Adrian Toomes, aka the Vulture (Michael Keaton). Director and co-writer Jon Watts crafts a lively and satisfying action adventure, showcasing both loyal friendship (Jacob Batalon plays Peter’s best pal) and restrained romance (Laura Harrier portrays the schoolmate for whom he pines). Yet, while the combat is kept virtually bloodless, some of the dialogue puts this off-limits for the many youngsters who would otherwise likely enjoy it. Possibly acceptable for older adolescents. Much stylized violence, including gunplay and a beating, a single gruesome image, brief sexual humor, a couple of mild oaths, two implied but unspoken rough terms, a few crude and several crass expressions, an obscene gesture. The OSV News Service 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, Nov. 23, 8:33-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Zootopia” (2016). Anthropomorphism runs amok in this animated comedy-adventure with animals of all shapes and sizes assuming human traits and jabbering away as they earn a living in the bustling metropolis of the title. A bright-eyed, bushy-tailed suburban-reared rabbit (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) joins the city police department but faces resentment and prejudice from her peers as well as her buffalo boss (voice of Idris Elba). Assigned to parking duty, she crosses paths with a con-artist fox (voice of Jason Bateman) who happens to be a key witness in a high-profile missing-persons case that has the potential to win her the respect of her co-workers. Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, together with co-director Jared Bush, keep the action moving at a fast pace, and offer good lessons in tolerance, hard work and optimism. The film takes a dark turn as the investigation proceeds, however, leading to scenes of animal conflict and cruelty that could frighten and confuse the younger set. Occasional mild action violence, including torture, bullying, a naturist theme, some rude gags, momentary religious but not irreverent humor. 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, Nov. 24, 7-11 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Sound of Music” (1965). Particularly fine screen version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the formative years of the Trapp Family Singers in Austria between the two world wars. Its interesting story, solid cast (headed by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer), lovely music and intelligent lyrics, colorful scenery and pleasant fantasy will entertain the mind and enliven the spirit. Directed by Robert Wise, the movie has held up over the years as thoroughly refreshing family entertainment. 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.
Monday, Nov. 24, 8-9 p.m. EST (EWTN) “The Journey Home.” On this edition of the conversion-themed program, series host JonMarc Grodi welcomes former Assemblies of God congregants Terry and Renee Wortz (TV-G — general audience).
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “Dinner at Eight” (1933). Classic comedy-drama in which a desperate shipping magnate (Lionel Barrymore) on the verge of bankruptcy hosts a dinner party, among whose invited guests are a rich but ruthless businessman (Wallace Beery), his earthy wife (Jean Harlow), a witty former stage headliner (Marie Dressler) and a fading alcoholic movie star (John Barrymore). Director George Cukor unfolds the plot in a series of character vignettes put over by an all-star cast that confronts Depression woes with irony, satire and comic misunderstandings. Implied marital infidelity, sexual innuendo and a suicide. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (PBS) “Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like.” Michael Keaton hosts this salute to widely-loved children’s television personality the Rev. Fred Rogers, who died in 2003, aged 74. Guests include Whoopi Goldberg, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 8-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Mary Poppins” (1964). Walt Disney’s musical adaptation of P.L. Travers’ children’s classic about the primly perfect nanny (Julie Andrews) who uses her magical powers and common sense to straighten out the disorderly children and preoccupied parents of a household in 1910 London. Director Robert Stevenson fancifully integrates songs, dance numbers, animated characters and marvelous special effects into the live-action story which features a bright performance by Dick Van Dyke as a cockney worker who also does a comic turn as a bank president. Entertaining family fantasy. 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.
Friday, Nov. 28, 3:30-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “Gone With the Wind” (1939). Epic romance spanning 20 years in the troubled lives of its ambitious southern heroine (Vivian Leigh), the man she loves (Leslie Howard) and the man she finally marries (Clark Gable). Produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming, the movie re-creates not the history but the myth of the Old South and its destruction in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Though blacks are treated in the stereotyped fashion of its time, the picture is sympathetic toward its main black characters — particularly Hattie McDaniel, who received an Academy Award for her performance. Wartime violence, romantic complications and black stereotyping. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.
Saturday, Nov. 29, 6:27-8:53 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Funny People” (2009). Told he has only a short time to live, a successful yet isolated Hollywood comedian (a pitch-perfect Adam Sandler) hires a struggling comedy novice (Seth Rogen) as his assistant and sidekick. But their budding friendship is threatened by the protege’s disapproval of his mentor’s potentially destructive reunion with a now-married ex-girlfriend (Leslie Mann). Under a thick crust of raunchy humor and ostensibly misguided sexual attitudes, mature viewers willing to endure a barrage of vulgarity may discern a moving affirmation of moral courage, marital fidelity and the pursuit, however halting, of a meaningful, committed life in writer-director Judd Apatow’s overlong but generally effective seriocomic tale. Brief graphic nonmarital sexual activity, adultery, upper female nudity, pervasive rough and crude language, a half-dozen uses of profanity. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Saturday, Nov. 29, 8-9:35 p.m. EST (HBO) “Flight Risk” (2025). Reflections on morality add some weight to this crime drama in which the pilot (Mark Wahlberg) hired to transport a federal marshal (Michelle Dockery) and a witness (Topher Grace) with whom she has made a plea bargain deal in exchange for testimony against a criminal kingpin turns out not to be what he initially seems. The ensuing tale of mortal peril above the mountains of Alaska is reasonably suspenseful, though the villain of the piece displays a degree of sheer wickedness that strains credulity. Since one aspect of his iniquity is a taste for perverse sexual cruelty, director Mel Gibson’s thriller is strictly for grown-ups. Distasteful themes, some scenes of gory violence, a few uses of profanity, several milder oaths, pervasive rough dialogue, much crude language. 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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