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 Nov. 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:
“Elf” (2003; Amazon Prime)
Warmhearted yuletide comedy about a foundling (Will Ferrell) raised by elves in Santa’s workshop who travels from the North Pole to New York City to reconnect with his long-lost father (James Caan), a workaholic scrooge bereft of Christmas cheer. Full of goofy candy-cane humor, director Jon Favreau’s holiday film imparts a strong family-friendly message but uses a secular sieve to filter out any religious references about the true meaning of Christmas. Minimal mildly crude language and 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.
“Fury” (2014; Netflix)
Writer-director David Ayer combines brutal realism with a passing admixture of scriptural spirituality in this powerful study of the psychological effects of combat, set during the last stages of World War II in Europe. Assigned to a veteran tank crew, despite having been trained for a desk job, a novice gunner (Logan Lerman) has difficulty killing the enemy until subjected to the savage mentoring of the vehicle’s commander (Brad Pitt) and the peer pressure of his newfound comrades (Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal). As he navigates the kill-or-be-killed environment into which he has been thrown, the neophyte warrior gradually learns to follow the lead of his superior — suspending some aspects of basic morality while keeping other facets of his humanity intact. Mature moviegoers will require sound judgment to assess the terms of that bargain as well as a high tolerance for harsh visuals to endure the graphically portrayed circumstances which lead to its adoption. Pervasive wartime violence with much gore, an off-screen nonmarital bedroom encounter, numerous uses of profanity, relentless rough 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.
“War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017; Hulu)
Monkey business turns deadly serious in this climactic installment of the rebooted franchise based on the work of French science-fiction author Pierre Boulle and directed by Matt Reeves. An epic battle is under way between the super-sentient simians and what’s left of the human race after a devastating epidemic. When the erudite ape leader (Andy Serkis) suffers a personal tragedy, he puts aside his peace-loving ways to seek revenge on the leader (Woody Harrelson) of the human army. Accompanying him on his journey are a trusted orangutan adviser (Karin Konoval), a mute human girl (Amiah Miller) and a clownish ape (Steve Zahn). The film’s spiritual messages are mixed; while the apes espouse Christian values of peace, love and family, there’s an anti-Christian theme embodied by the evil human leader who wears a cross around his neck, displays one in his quarters and gleefully announces that he is waging a “holy war.” Frequent stylized violence, two uses of profanity, a subtle anti-Christian message. 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:
Sunday, Nov. 22, 9-11 p.m. EST (ABC) “Frozen II” (2019). When a queen endowed with the magical power to create ice and snow (voice of Idina Menzel) hears a voice calling her into the wilderness beyond her realm and holding out to her the prospect of discovering the origins of her supernatural gift, she responds by embarking on a quest. She’s accompanied by her strictly human younger sister (voice of Kristen Bell), the iceman (voice of Jonathan Groff) who would like to make the junior sibling his own and a merry sentient snowman (voice of Josh Gad). Screenwriter and co-director Jennifer Lee and her partner at the helm, Chris Buck, the creators of the 2013 original, deliver an exuberant animated musical adventure stressing teamwork, family solidarity and upright values. Too scary for the littlest patrons, the film’s somewhat unscriptural nature mythos may also be confusing for impressionable moviegoers. As for adults, at least some may find the script’s exaltation of the life of Indigenous people over industrialized societies heavy handed. These flaws are ultimately outweighed, though, by sympathetic characters, visual flair and skillful, if sometimes overly complicated, storytelling. Stylized combat, considerable peril. 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.
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) “Christmas in the Alps.” A look at the flora and fauna of the Alps during wintertime. Part of the series “Nature.”
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10 p.m.-midnight EST (TCM) “Planet of the Apes” (1968). Charlton Heston plays the leader of a space expedition who lands his craft on an unnamed planet in the constellation of Orion where he discovers a civilization of apes trying to domesticate a species of human beings. Director Franklin J. Schaffner’s entertaining screen version of Pierre Boulle’s novel is an allegorical warning to a destruction-prone world. Some violence and mature themes. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.
Friday, Nov. 27, 6:15-8 p.m. EST (TCM) “Sullivan’s Travels” (1942). Wacky comedy about a lightweight Hollywood director (Joel McCrea) who wants to make a serious movie on the struggles of poor people. He sets out to research the subject dressed in rags and winds up on a chain gang where he learns the universal value of laughter. While satirically whaling the tar out of Hollywood and its pretensions, writer-director Preston Sturges uses the comic misadventures of the director’s sojourn into the real world to demonstrate the refreshing attributes of a good laugh. Some menace and minor romantic complications. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.
Saturday, Nov. 28, noon-3 p.m. EST (AMC) “Apollo 13” (1995). Fact-based story of the April 1970 moon launch aborted on its third day in space after an incapacitating problem diminished the oxygen, power and computer systems, making the safe return of the three astronauts (Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon) an almost insurmountable problem for Houston Mission Control. Director Ron Howard keeps emotional tensions taut and suspense levels high throughout this salute to the courage and perseverance of all involved in the dicey rescue mission. Fleeting sexual innuendo and minor 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.
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