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 Dec. 28, 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
“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” (2011; Hulu)
The arrival on his doorstep of a half-dozen live penguins — a bequest from his father, a world traveler and Arctic explorer — turns the life of a work-obsessed Manhattan real estate developer (Jim Carrey) upside down. Though their antics threaten to derail a deal (with Angela Lansbury) vital to his career, his growing bond with the unruly creatures also changes his outlook, inspiring him to repair frayed ties to his ex-wife (Carla Gugino) and two young kids (Madeline Carroll and Maxwell Perry Cotton). Director Mark Waters’ routine comedy — loosely adapted from Richard and Florence Atwater’s award-winning children’s classic — is gooey with guano, but otherwise unproblematic while its hopeful theme of marital reconciliation is gratifying. A mostly pleasant distraction for undemanding tots. Several scatological sight gags, a single adult reference and at least one mild oath. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
“Out of Time” (2003; Amazon Prime)
Well-carpentered thriller about a small-town Florida cop (Denzel Washington) who must investigate an arson which resulted in the death of the woman with whom he was having an adulterous affair, forcing him to cover up incriminating evidence that seems to point to him as the culprit. While Carl Franklin’s taut direction keeps the action moving through a series of plot twists, the film offers a mixed message, showing the self-entangling consequences of deception while overly sympathizing with its protagonist’s moral weakness in justifying dishonesty as a means of pursuing the truth that will prove him innocent. Sexual encounters, some violence, sporadic crude language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
“Wake Up Dead Man” (2025; Netflix)
An equivocal, though ultimately positive, portrayal of faith marks this murder mystery, the third film in the “Knives Out” franchise that began in 2019. Sent to a parish in upstate New York where a colleague (Josh Brolin) has entrenched himself as a sort of cult leader (Glenn Close plays his most devoted follower), a boxer-turned-priest (Josh O’Connor) finds himself in such open conflict with the pastor that, when the latter is slain, he is widely suspected of the crime. To clarify the murky situation, the police turn to the private detective (Daniel Craig) who is the recurring main character in the series and he swiftly becomes convinced of the surviving cleric’s innocence. In adding Catholic ingredients to his ensemble whodunit recipe, writer-director Rian Johnson shows his antipathy toward the church’s more controversial moral teachings, which he depicts as condemnatory and divisive, but also displays insight into the nature and power of genuine pastoral solicitude. Mature believers will thus be left with much to unpack in what is, in purely dramatic terms, a high-quality production. An ambiguous attitude toward Catholicism, some gory and gruesome images, gritty content, including clerical misconduct and repeated sexual references in the context of confession, a few uses of profanity, about a half-dozen milder oaths, at least one rough term, much crude and occasional crass language, vulgar images, an obscene gesture. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, Dec. 28, 9:02-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Elemental” (2023). Set in a world inhabited by embodiments of the four elements, this animated romantic comedy follows the fortunes of a fire lass (voice of Leah Lewis) whose literally explosive temper is constantly getting her into trouble. Her difficulties only increase when she falls for a water youth (voice of Mamoudou Athie) who is not only an outsider to her world but a government inspector whose negative report on her immigrant parents’ shop could shut the establishment down thus ruining their dream of success. Initially unengaging due to the petulant personality of its heroine and the wimpy demeanor of her beau, director Peter Sohn’s kindly intended, mostly family friendly film is eventually rescued by the spot-on humor of some of its later scenes. Penned by John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh, the script explores familiar Hollywood themes of tolerance and individual self-fulfillment, though it also includes depictions of a flame held sacred by the protagonist’s family that could prove confusing to the impressionable. Nonscriptural beliefs and practices, characters in peril, fleeting mature word play, a very vague sexual reference. 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.
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 5:45-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “The Yearling” (1946). A young boy’s attachment to an orphaned fawn relieves the loneliness of life in the Florida wilderness but brings grief as the deer grows to threaten the family’s crops in this classic version of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings story. With credible performances by Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman as the parents and Claude Jarman Jr. as the youth, director Clarence Brown has fashioned a genuine portrait of rural American life as well as a sincere celebration of family values. 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5:45-7:45 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Princess Bride” (1987). Affectionate, lighthearted parody of medieval romance as a young beauty (Robin Wright) is saved from a forced marriage to a nasty prince (Chris Sarandon) by a farm boy turned pirate (Cary Elwes). Directed by Rob Reiner from William Goldman’s script, the comic proceedings are marked with verbal wit and some silly turns by Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn and Billy Crystal. Some comic-book violence. 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.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 4-5:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.” Live broadcast from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (TV-G — general audience).
Thursday, Jan. 1, 9:15-11 a.m. EST (TCM) “The Thin Man” (1934). Classic murder mystery from the Dashiell Hammett story in which private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) announces his retirement after marrying rich socialite Nora (Myrna Loy), then gets involved in trying to help a young woman (Maureen O’Sullivan) find her missing father, the eccentric inventor of the title (Edward Ellis). Director W.S. Van Dyke II paces the suspenseful plot with numerous suspicious characters, witty dialogue and affectionate kidding between happily married Nick and Nora. Menacing atmosphere, some stylized violence, hard-boiled types and heavy drinking. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (All five “Thin Man” sequels follow, in chronological order, concluding with “Song of the Thin Man” (1947) 6:15-8 p.m. EST)
Thursday, Jan. 1, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (PBS) “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2026.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” showcases the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual concert and also features dancing by the Vienna City Ballet. “Downton Abbey” star Hugh Bonneville hosts.
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