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 Feb. 8, 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

“Erin Brockovich” (2000; Netflix)

Fact-based tale of an earthy single mom (Julia Roberts) who persuades her litigator boss (Albert Finney) to pursue a class-action suit against a major California utility for contaminating local waters. As directed by Steven Soderbergh, Roberts vividly captures a foul-mouthed but good-hearted woman who makes something of herself in doggedly seeking justice for families beset by cancers. An implied affair, some profanity, much rough 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.

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (2024; Hulu)

Good-natured but thin fifth film in a supernatural comedy franchise that dates back to 1984. As the new generation of wraith wranglers introduced in 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (led by Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd) confront a demonic pagan god who, if released from the ancient orb in which he’s long been contained, has the power to launch a new ice age, the female half of the team’s duo of teen siblings (Mckenna Grace) experiences adolescent growing pains. She also befriends a chess playing ghost (Emily Alyn Lind) who may not be all she seems. In following up on their reboot, returning co-writer Jason Reitman hands the director’s baton to fellow scribe Gil Kenan. While their sequel lacks the buoyancy of its predecessor, the movie’s implicit lessons about the value of teamwork, the importance of family concord and the need to balance young people’s desire for freedom with prudence are perfectly in order. Much thoroughly stylized violence, oodles of occult gibberish, a glimpse of partial nudity, a few sexual references, a couple of mild oaths, about a half-dozen crude terms, occasional crass language. 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.

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (2018; Amazon Prime)

This cheerful and reverent documentary about Fred Rogers (1928-2003), creator and host of PBS’ long-running “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” highlights his calm temperament, as well as his moral courage in the face of adversity and indifference. Director Morgan Neville, who includes interviews with Rogers’ family and supporting cast members in addition to vintage film clips, also enjoys making some faintly political points. Rogers’ spiritual life and his role as a Presbyterian minister are given only oblique references. But his gentle, soft-spoken personality shines through. Possibly acceptable for mature teens. A fleeting glimpse of rear male nudity, mature discussions of racism, homosexuality and death. 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.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 10-11 p.m. EST (PBS) “Crisis In Venezuela.” This episode of the series “Frontline” explores the dramatic fall of Nicolas Maduro and asks what’s next for Venezuela.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 3-5 p.m. EST (EWTN) “International Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.” This eucharistic liturgy is broadcast live from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) “Lonely Are the Brave” (1962). Thoughtful contemporary Western in which a free-spirited cowboy (Kirk Douglas) tries to break a pal out of jail, then gallops off for the protective wilderness of the mountains as a police manhunt (led by Walter Matthau) closes in. Director David Miller’s engrossing narrative provides a penetrating character study of a nonconformist who has to pay the penalty for his refusal to adapt to changing times. Stylized violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 8-11:30 p.m. EST (TCM) “Doctor Zhivago” (1965). Boris Pasternak’s novel has been turned into a romantic epic of the Russian Revolution and its effects upon various individuals (Julie Christie, Omar Sharif and Alec Guinness) struggling to survive in difficult times. Adapted by Robert Bolt and directed by David Lean, the Revolution serves as a rich backdrop for a bittersweet love story reflecting the disruption of lives and values caused by the turmoil of the time. Restrained treatment of violence. 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.

Saturday, Feb. 14, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004). Visually spectacular doomsday drama about a scientist (Dennis Quaid) trying to reunite with his son (Jake Gyllenhaal) during a worldwide environmental catastrophe triggered by global warming which, in addition to unleashing monstrous hurricanes, killer tornadoes and biblical-proportion floods, threatens to rapidly plunge Earth into a new ice age. The film is brimming with eye-popping special-effects sequences. Director Roland Emmerich plays fast and loose with scientific facts to craft a high-concept rollercoaster ride full of escapist thrills but without much of a story beyond its nature-gone-mad premise. Intense scenes of natural disasters. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Streaming Now

Looking Ahead

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