May 24 – May 30
TV film fare -- week of May 24
The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of May 24. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.
Monday, May 25, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Sergeant York" (1941). In the dark months preceding America's entry into World War II, Gary Cooper had one of his best roles as Alvin C. York, a backwoodsman from the Tennessee hills who wrestled with his religious conviction that killing was immoral to become a battlefield hero in World War I. Director Howard Hawks succeeds best in evoking the honest, homespun virtues of rural America but is less convincing in portraying the moral conflict between pacifism and patriotism. Though its resolution may seem dated today, the issue remains basically unchanged in our nuclear age. Wartime violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Tuesday, May 26, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Stand and Deliver" (1988). Quietly affecting movie about an extraordinary real-life math teacher (Edward James Olmos) in an East Los Angeles high school who transforms a rowdy class of Hispanics into calculus whiz kids. When test administrators question his students' high grades, the teacher fights back with charges of discrimination. Inspiring story, fine acting by the leads and deft direction by Ramon Menendez. Some profanity in a realistic context. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Thursday, May 28, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (1983). Fact-based movie tells the story of Gregorio Cortez, a Hispanic-American (Edward James Olmos), who in 1901 in Gonzales, Texas, shoots a sheriff when a mistake made by an interpreter turns a question into a threat. He flees for the Mexican border, pursued by a huge posse led by Texas Rangers, but surrenders when he learns that his wife and children are being held in prison. Director Robert M. Young's sensitive, restrained, beautifully photographed movie does justice to both sides in this clash of cultures. There is brief, if graphic, violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Thursday, May 28, 8-11 p.m. EDT (AMC) "The Rookie" (2002). Uplifting charmer based on the true story of 35-year-old Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid), a small-town Texas baseball coach and high school chemistry teacher who gets a second chance at the big leagues and becomes the oldest rookie baseball player in 40 years. In spite of a few sags in momentum, director John Lee Hancock's film pulls on the heartstrings, nudging the audience to think about forgotten dreams while pleasing and inspiring without discernible violence, sex or crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.
Friday, May 29, 8-11 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Batman Begins" (2005). Dark and brooding prequel that explains how Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) became the costumed crimefighter and reveals the "hidden years," detailing his training as a member of a clandestine order of ninjalike vigilantes, leading up to his donning the cape and cowl to become Gotham City's self-appointed guardian. Director Christopher Nolan goes for a more gritty, "reality-based" approach, focusing on the psychological dimension of Bruce/Batman's inner conflict rather than comic-book heroics. Intense action violence, some frightening images and mature thematic elements, as well as a few crude expressions and an instance of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Saturday, May 30, 10-11:35 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) "The Happening" (2008). Intriguing but only sporadically scary thriller -- with a well-intended if rather obvious social message -- concerning a Philadelphia science teacher (Mark Wahlberg), his emotionally fragile wife (Zooey Deschanel) and the young daughter (Ashlyn Sanchez) of his best friend (John Leguizamo) on the run from a mysterious epidemic already gripping New York and Philadelphia, causing those infected to kill themselves. M. Night Shyamalan is at the top of his game in terms of direction, and graphic violence is relatively restrained, but his contrived and predictable script, peppered with illogical motivation, stilted dialogue and lame humor, strains credulity. Some very brief but grisly images of murder, mayhem and death, brief profanity and a couple of crude words, multiple but mostly nongraphic suicides, and a fleeting sexual reference. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
TV program notes -- week of May 24
Here are some television program notes for the week of May 24 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film & Broadcasting.
Sunday, May 24, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "National Memorial Day Concert (2009)." The annual Memorial Day concert, co-hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, features a mix of dramatic readings, documentary footage and live musical performances, along with an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists. Retired Gen. Colin Powell, actress Katie Holmes, actor Laurence Fishburne, actress Dianne Wiest, singer Katharine McPhee, country singer Trace Adkins, Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Colm Wilkinson, opera singer Denyce Graves and others perform with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Erich Kunzel (TV-G -- general audience).
Sunday, May 24, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "A People of Life." The Knights of Columbus have supported the pro-life movement for years; this program explores the Knights' involvement in the movement all over North America.
Monday, May 25, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Hallowed Grounds." A rare visit to America's extraordinary overseas military cemeteries in England, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, Tunisia and the Philippines (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Wednesday, May 27, 8-9 p.m. EDT (PBS) "In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams." This "Great Performances" presentation follows the cast and creative team of the Tony Award-winning "In the Heights" as they embark on the production of an original musical (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Wednesday, May 27, 8-10 p.m. EDT (CBS) "George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert." The special pays tribute to "The King of Country," George Strait, and his legendary 25-year career. Performers include Brooks & Dunn, Jamie Foxx, Faith Hill, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack. The tribute special was taped in Las Vegas April 6.
Wednesday, May 27, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Hollywood Chinese." This "American Masters" documentary brings together a group of actors, writers and directors -- and iconic film images -- to examine how Chinese people have contributed to and been portrayed in films. Moving far beyond the stereotypical and exotic images of Suzy Wong and Bruce Lee, such artists as Wayne Wang, Joan Chen, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan and Amy Tan, among many others, share their experiences of being "the other" (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Saturday, May 30, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Vision of Freedom." This story of the persecuted church in Ukraine relates how appearances of Our Lady to Ukrainians encouraged the faithful there to persevere under oppression, a perseverance that eventually gained them the freedom to practice their faith openly.