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 July 26, 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:

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005; Netflix)

Entertaining and stylish remake of 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” as sweet-natured young Charlie (Freddie Highmore), along with four bratty children, wins a visit to a mysterious emporium, run by the reclusive candy-maker Wonka (Johnny Depp). Tim Burton’s take on the Roald Dahl tale is predictably darker than the bright Gene Wilder version. But it’s hugely inventive, combining Dickensian atmospherics with mordant wit and featuring an understated, slyly humorous performance by Depp. The plot contains positive messages about family, loyalty and unselfishness, and only a few scenes of tongue-in-cheek peril that might upset the very youngest viewers. 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.

“Iron Man” (2008; Hulu)

Sleekly effective science-fiction tale about a devil-may-care playboy weapons manufacturer (Robert Downey Jr.) who, after being captured by an ambitious Afghanistan-based warlord (Faran Tahir) and ordered to build a replica of his most advanced product, with the help of another captive and scientist (Shaun Toub), instead constructs an impregnable suit of armor, escapes, and begins to re-evaluate his life, with the support of his loyal girl Friday (Gwyneth Paltrow) and despite the doubts of his junior partner (Jeff Bridges) and military liaison (Terrence Howard). In between the impressive special effects, director Jon Favreau’s adaptation of this popular comic-book series charts its main character’s conversion from callous genius to dedicated defender. Nongraphic sexual activity, torture, a graphic medical procedure, sci-fi violence, occasional crude language, brief profanity, sexual humor, innuendo. 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. (The sequel “Iron Man 2” (2010) is also streaming.)

“The Young Messiah” (2016; Amazon Prime)

This engaging dramatization remains faithful to the underlying message of Scripture even as it speculates about the childhood of Jesus (played here, age 7, by Adam Greaves-Neal), a topic on which the Gospels are virtually silent. As Joseph (Vincent Walsh) leads his family back from exile in Egypt, he and Mary (Sara Lazzaro) struggle to understand and guide their unique son, whose supernatural identity is at least partially known to his relatives — including his uncle Cleopas (Christian McKay) and cousin James (Finn McLeod Ireland) — and whose miraculous powers are already apparent. Danger pursues the extended clan in the person of a Roman centurion (Sean Bean) who has orders from King Herod (Jonathan Bailey) to find and kill the boy and in the figure of Satan (Rory Keenan) whose presence only Jesus can sense. Director and co-writer Cyrus Nowrasteh’s screen version of Anne Rice’s 2005 novel “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt” sensitively explores the mystery of the Incarnation in a way that will both intrigue and entertain viewers of most ages. Though discreetly handled, some mature elements bar endorsement for the youngest moviegoers. Combat violence with slight gore, scenes of crucifixion, an attempted rape, at least one crass term. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, July 26, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Spirit of St. Louis” (1957). Meticulous but lengthy re-creation follows the thoughts and reflections of Charles Lindbergh (James Stewart) while making aviation history in 1927 as the pilot of the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris. Directed by Billy Wilder, Stewart manages to hold viewer interest on the solo flight across the Atlantic, partly because of the journey’s dangers en route but mostly because of the character’s courage and determination in accomplishing this feat of early aviation. Some threatening situations. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Wednesday, July 29, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “EWTN Live.” On this edition of the weekly program, series host Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa talks with Michael Pakaluk, professor of political economy at The Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business (TV-G — general audience).

Thursday, July 30, 9:45-11:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Flipper” (1963). After a young boy (Luke Halpin) rescues an injured dolphin, his fisherman father (Chuck Connors) releases it back into the sea but later, when his son’s life is in danger, the grateful dolphin returns to save the lad. Directed by James B. Clark, the story is simple but well-told, the scene-stealing title character is as personable as any in the cast and the Florida nature footage, including a hurricane, is very watchable. Solid family fare with special appeal for youngsters. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was G –general audiences. All Ages Admitted.

Saturday, Aug. 1, 4:30-7 p.m. EDT (AMC) “The Book of Eli” (2010). This unexpectedly contemplative and lyrical, if violent, homage to spaghetti Westerns, martial arts films and religious faith follows a lone hero (Denzel Washington) as he traverses a post-apocalyptic landscape using his considerable fighting skills to safeguard the only extant copy of the King James Bible. Director siblings Albert and Allen Hughes have succeeded in making an entertaining and relatively substantive movie, while refraining from saturating the proceedings in blood or prolonging the violent passages. Still, some moviegoers will find the pairing of Scripture with stylized aggression unnecessary and avoidable. Intermittent strong violence including gunplay and swordplay and a killing intended to be merciful, much rough and some crude language and brief sexual innuendo. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Saturday, Aug. 1, 7:32-9:39 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Batman” (1989). Dark, haunting vision of the caped crusader (Michael Keaton) who must battle not only the evil Joker (Jack Nicholson) but the demons left over from his own tragic childhood. Director Tim Burton does not make the eternal fight between good and evil an easy one but virtuoso performances by the leads and Anton Furst’s production design of a Gotham City full of shadowy gothic and modernistic spires make the movie noteworthy. Some grisly comic-book violence and a suggested sexual encounter are too intense for young viewers. 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. (Followed by the sequels “Batman Returns” (1992), 9:39-11:46 p.m. EDT, “Batman Forever” (1995), 11:46 p.m.-1:48 a.m. EDT Sunday, Aug 2, and “Batman & Robin” (1997), 1:48-3:53 a.m. EDT Sunday, Aug 2.)

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

Streaming Now:

Looking Ahead:

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