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. 22, 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
“The Andromeda Strain” (1971; Amazon Prime)
When a New Mexico hamlet is wiped out by extraterrestrial microbes, a team of top medical specialists try to find a way to destroy the deadly bacteria before it destroys the human race. Despite some overdone special effects and unnecessary plot complications, director Robert Wise’s screen version of Michael Crichton’s bestseller is gripping and its impact is sharp. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is G — general audiences. All ages admitted.
“Night at the Museum” (2006; Netflix)
Lightweight but diverting comedy-fantasy about a perennial loser (Ben Stiller) who takes a job as night watchman at New York’s Museum of Natural History only to learn that the dinosaur bones, stuffed animals, mummies and diorama characters (played by Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan and others) all come to life after closing time, leading him on a whirlwind adventure of slapstick and mayhem, and eventually allowing him to earn back the respect of his young son. Director Shawn Levy’s film could be much funnier, but the effects are terrific, Stiller is appealing and old-timers like Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs and Stiller’s mom, Anne Meara, add to the fun of this entertaining family film. There is the standard, but always worthy, message about proving yourself. Light slapstick violence. 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. (The sequels “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009) and “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) are also streaming)
“12 Years a Slave” (2013; Hulu)
A harsh but absorbing account of antebellum slavery in the United States — based on the eponymous 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup and directed by Steve McQueen. A free black man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) living happily with his wife and children in upstate New York is lured to Washington, then kidnapped and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity but determined to survive, he must endure indignities and horrors over a dozen years at the hands of two plantation owners: one (Benedict Cumberbatch) kindly enough himself, but served by an abusive overseer (Paul Dano), the other a vicious sadist (Michael Fassbender). The film focuses on man’s inhumanity to man, portraying it with brutal honesty and a degree of violence that is almost intolerable. That alone would normally restrict its appropriate audience to a small group of adults. Yet at least some mature teenagers might benefit from this important history lesson with its searing depiction of the endurance of the human spirit against crushing odds. Gruesome bloody violence — including hangings, beatings, whippings, torture and rape — full nudity, nongraphic consensual but nonmarital sexual activity, some profane and crude language. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead
Monday, Feb. 23, 8-9 p.m. EST (EWTN) “The Journey Home.” On this edition of the weekly conversion-themed program, series host JonMarc Grodi talks with former evangelicals Jeff and Lois Heron (TV-G — general audience).
Monday, Feb. 23, 9:45-11:30 p.m. EST (TCM) “Come Back, Little Sheba” (1952). Strong story from William Inge’s play about a middle-aged housewife (Shirley Booth) and her chiropractor husband (Burt Lancaster), a recovering alcoholic who goes off the wagon when a pert college student (Terry Moore) becomes their boarder. Director Daniel Mann keeps emotions churning as the couple’s sad past and the harrowing consequences of alcoholism slowly emerge, but what remains most memorable is Booth’s Oscar-winning performance as the pathetic wife. Implied premarital relations, sexual situations and alcoholic violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) “Stone Age Temple Mystery.” This episode of the series “Nova” explores one of the oldest religious sites ever found.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “Waterloo Bridge” (1940). Sentimental romantic tragedy of World War I as a Scottish captain (Robert Taylor) and a London ballet student (Vivien Leigh) fall in love, but before they can wed he’s sent to the front, then reported dead. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy from Robert E. Sherwood’s play, the moody photography and a strong supporting cast (notably Lucile Watson and Virginia Field) are pluses. Romantic complications, veiled treatment of prostitution and suicide. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Feb. 28, 8:34-10:11 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “The Peanut Butter Falcon” (2019). Heartwarming drama, primarily set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in which a young man with Down syndrome (Zack Gottsagen) and no family to care for him escapes the retirement home where the state has warehoused him for lack of a more suitable facility and takes to the road. He crosses paths with a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman (Shia LaBeouf) who’s being pursued by two lowlife rivals (John Hawkes and rapper Yelawolf). Though his new companion is initially gruff, the two bond and the angler agrees to help the lad achieve his dream of meeting his idol, a professional wrestler (Thomas Haden Church). As the duo shares Tom and Huck-like adventures, a sympathetic caregiver from the old-age home (Dakota Johnson) is on their trail. Directors and co-writers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz handle their Southern Gothic-tinged story with a light and dexterous touch. The result is an aesthetically accomplished, implicitly pro-life movie that subtly but resolutely upholds the dignity of all. A good deal of gritty talk, though justified by the context, probably puts this off-limits even for older teens, despite its valuable message. Brief partial nudity, mature themes, a few uses of profanity, at least one rough term, pervasive crude and some crass language, a couple of obscene gestures. 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, Feb. 28, 9-11:45 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Mummy” (1999). Spirited horror adventure set in 1920s Egypt where a treasure-hunting Yank (Brendan Fraser) and an archaeological librarian (Rachel Weisz) inadvertently revive a 3,000-year-old mummy (Arnold Vosloo) whose evil powers of destruction seemingly know no bounds. Writer-director Stephen Sommers stuffs the lavishly shot action movie with spooky special effects and a comical tone that generally adds up to rousing, old-fashioned entertainment. Recurring stylized violence, fleeting partial nudity. 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.
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