Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the 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 Aug. 30, 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:

“Cheaper by the Dozen 2” (2005; Hulu)

Agreeably entertaining sequel to the 2003 comedy which finds the Baker brood — Mom (Bonnie Hunt), Dad (Steve Martin) and their 12 children — vacationing at a lakefront cabin where their summer holiday unravels into a battle for bragging rights against a rival clan headed by a hypercompetitive blowhard (Eugene Levy). Director Adam Shankman serves up a similar helping of mildly amusing slapstick and heart-tugging sentiment, slightly more satisfying this time around, while again affirming a strong family-values message. Much comic mayhem, and some mildly crude humor, language and innuendo. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (The original film is also streaming.)

“Soul Surfer” (2011; Netflix)

Director Sean McNamara’s fact-based drama recounts the story of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb), a devoutly Christian 13-year-old competitive surfer in Hawaii whose life is changed forever by a shark attack that claims her arm. With the support of her parents (Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid), her brothers and her church, Bethany accepts her fate and is determined to surf again, whatever the odds. Soon, Bethany is once more competing in — and winning — surfing events, and she uses her newfound celebrity to inspire the disabled and others to follow their dreams. With its uplifting story bolstered by stunning cinematography, this is that Hollywood rarity: a film that is not afraid to talk about God or to show a happy, well-adjusted family that makes faith its foundation. Despite the intensely emotional (but nongraphic) shark onslaught and its aftermath, the film can be enjoyed by parents and mature young people alike. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

“The Usual Suspects” (1995; Amazon Prime)

Gritty crime tale told in flashback to a hard-nosed cop (Chazz Palminteri) by the surviving member (Kevin Spacey) of a motley band of thieves (including Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Baldwin) who pull off a heist with far-reaching consequences. Director Bryan Singer builds a moody story of shifting identities and diabolical deceit from a bewildering plot and taut ensemble performances. Recurring stylized violence and 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.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, Aug. 30, 1:15-4 p.m. EDT (AMC) “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.

Sunday, Aug. 30, 8:333-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” (1993). Fair comedy sequel in which the Las Vegas singer (Whoopi Goldberg) is back in a nun’s habit, hoping to save a Catholic high school from closing by transforming a bunch of unruly students into a vibrant choir in time to win the all-state competition. Though lacking the novel premise of the original and off-kilter in its goofy depiction of several priests, director Bill Duke’s moderately amusing comedy stresses positive values for youngsters. Mild sexual innuendo, comic treatment of religious characters and an instance of profanity. 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, Sept. 1, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Philadelphia Story” (1940). Romantic comedy from the Philip Barry play in which a divorced socialite (Katharine Hepburn) is disconcerted when, on the eve of her remarriage, she’s wooed by an infatuated cub reporter (James Stewart) as well as her suave ex-husband (Cary Grant). Director George Cukor uses comic complications to heighten interest in the character’s romantic inclinations, with highly entertaining results. Marital muddlements and comic inebriation. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Atlantic City” (1981). Aging, down-on-his-luck con man (Burt Lancaster) becomes involved with a young woman (Susan Sarandon) whose husband is killed in a heroin deal, leaving them with the proceeds from the sale. Director Louis Malle powerfully evokes the seedy side of a gambling town while focusing on a small-time loser who takes one last shot at the big time and thinks he can succeed. Some violence, drug dealing and brief nudity. 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.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 12:10-1:40 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Mass of the Holy Spirit.” This liturgy opening the academic year at The Catholic University of America is broadcast live from Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (TV-G — general audience).

Friday, Sept. 4, 10:36-11:35 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Carlos Vives.” This episode of the series “Austin City Limits” showcases a recent concert performance by Colombian singer, songwriter and actor Carlos Vives.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 4:48-7:23 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “The Last Samurai” (2003). An embittered Civil War veteran (Tom Cruise), retained by the emperor of Japan to train a newly formed conscript army in the ways of modern warfare, finds himself torn between duty and honor when he befriends the man he has been hired to destroy, a Samurai general (Ken Watanabe) who is leading a band of renegade warriors against the imperial forces in an attempt to preserve their fading traditions and halt the encroachment of Westernization into the country. Lavishly shot with painstaking attention to historical detail, director Edward Zwick’s epic 19th-century costume drama is, at its center, an intimate tale of one man’s search to reclaim his soul. Unfortunately, despite lofty platitudes about honor, the film’s romanticized portrayal of the samurai’s militaristic lifestyle results in an at times exalted view of war. Strong battlefield violence. 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. (Beginning of a series of four films featuring Cruise, concluding with “The Outsiders” (1983) 10:47 p.m.-12:19 a.m. EDT)

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

Streaming Now:

Looking Ahead:

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