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 Oct. 25, 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 Boogeyman” (2023; Netflix)
Above-average chiller in which a recently widowed and still grieving father (Chris Messina) and his equally bereft daughters (Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair) become the victims of the unwelcome visitor of the title, with predictably unsettling results. Director Rob Savage’s relatively subtle screen version of a 1973 short story by horror-meister Stephen King avoids all but minimal bloodletting and benefits from the credible human dynamics of the haunted clan. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ script also takes it easy on off-color dialogue, making this tingler possibly acceptable for older teens. Stylized but briefly disturbing violence, gruesome sights, fleeting scatological humor, a couple of instances each of profanity, milder swearing and crass talk, a rough expression, several crude 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.
“Dracula” (1931; Amazon Prime)
Antiquated but venerable horror classic from the Bram Stoker novel about the dreaded vampire Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), who leaves his Transylvanian castle to take up residence in England where a trail of bloodless corpses leads to his undoing by the determined Professor Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan). Director Tod Browning establishes the vampire premise with macabre gusto, then bogs down in stilted English settings, but for all its dated qualities, this early talkie still evokes goosebumps in the struggle to overcome evil. Restrained menace with off-screen violence. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
“Surf’s Up” (2007; Hulu)
Animated action-comedy about a teenage penguin surfer (voice of Shia LaBeouf) is a warm-weather diversion with a relaxed summer vibe that earns low scores for originality but higher marks for execution and its winning-isn’t-everything message. Some minor objectionable elements notwithstanding, directors Ash Brannon and Chris Buck set a swift pace and don’t overwhelm with a surfeit of barely distinguishable characters. A fair amount of mildly rude language and toilet humor. 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.
Looking Ahead:
Sunday, Oct. 25, 9-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “Ghostbusters” (1984). Three parapsychologists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis), bounced from Columbia University because of the dubious nature of their research, go into private practice as ghost exterminators and find that all hell is about to break loose, quite literally. There are some very funny moments, largely because of Murray, but director Ivan Reitman lets the spectacular special effects begin to dominate midway and the humor fades. Some adult ribald jokes. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Monday, Oct. 26, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Cheaper by the Dozen” (1950). Warm family comedy about the unusual domestic arrangements in the New Jersey household of a no-nonsense efficiency expert (Clifton Webb), his equally proficient wife (Myrna Loy) and their 12 children (Jeanne Crain is the eldest). Set in the early part of the 20th century, director Walter Lang’s episodic, fact-based story has a strong nostalgic appeal along with a genial sense of humor about family life, some of which proves more than funny (e.g., Mildred Natwick as a bemused planned-parenthood representative). Still pleases. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Friday, Oct. 30, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Jimmy Webb: American Songwriter.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” profiles Jimmy Webb whose songs include “Wichita Lineman” and “MacArthur Park.”
Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Holy Mass and Beatification of the Georgia Martyrs.” Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, is scheduled to preside as papal legate at this Eucharistic liturgy during which Pedro de Corpa and his Four Companions, commonly known as the Georgia Martyrs, will be beatified. Live coverage from Savannah (TV-G — general audience).
Saturday, Oct. 31, 5:08-7:03 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (2024). In helming this sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” returning director Adam Wingard follows that film’s precedent of reasonably impressive special effects interspersed with low-grade human interaction. The goal of the plot is to have the two familiar creatures of the title abandon their longstanding feud and unite to defeat an evil ape king and the ice-spewing dragon he’s enslaved to serve his own purposes. In between outsized battles, viewers are invited to care, once again, about the relationship between a scientist (Rebecca Hall) and her adoptive indigenous daughter (Kaylee Hottle). While the movie’s respectful treatment of the latter’s deafness can be commended, the fact that King Kong serves as the closest thing the story has to a moral compass is not a good sign. Possibly acceptable for older adolescents. Stylized monster violence, about a dozen mild oaths, a few crude terms, a couple of crass expressions. 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, Oct. 31, 10:15-11:50 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Phantom of the Paradise” (1974). Loosely based on “The Phantom of the Opera,” the updated version is about an aspiring rock composer (William Finley) whose face is mutilated by a recording press and his rock cantata on the Faust legend is stolen by a ruthless music producer (Paul Williams) who wants it for the opening of his new house, the Paradise. The composer seeks revenge by terrorizing those working in the Paradise in an effort to have his one love (Jessica Harper) sing his cantata. Director Brian De Palma uses the almost surrealistic plot to concoct a unique combination of horror and comedy, avoiding excess while making some incisive comments about the state of modern music. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
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