June 7 - June 13

TV film fare -- week of June 7

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of June 7. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, June 7, 8:15-10 a.m. EDT (TCM) "Angels With Dirty Faces" (1938). Depression melodrama in which a gang of New York toughs (Billy Halop, Leo Gorcey and other Dead End Kids) regard a local gangster (James Cagney) as a hero until a priest (Pat O'Brien) who was his boyhood pal persuades him to help the boys by feigning cowardice on the way to the electric chair. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the simplistic plot is buttressed by convincing performances, especially the counterpoint between Cagney's cocky crook and O'Brien's sincere cleric. Stylized violence and justice questions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Monday, June 8, 9-10:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) "On the Town" (1949). Bright and breezy musical about three sailors (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin) who find romance (Vera-Ellen, Betty Garnett and Ann Miller, respectively) on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City. Imaginatively directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, the story line is sweetly lightheaded yet sturdy enough to hold together daffy comedy routines, agreeable songs, energetic dance numbers and colorful Big Apple locations. Romantic situations. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, June 13, 8-10:45 p.m. EDT (HBO) "The Dark Knight" (2008). Tumultuous, technically dazzling -- if overlong and excessively complex -- sequel to "Batman Begins" as the chiropteran crusader (Christian Bale) is challenged by the anarchic Joker (Heath Ledger) to reveal his true identity or else scores will die, while a romantic rival for his ex-girlfriend's (Maggie Gyllenhaal) affections -- the upstanding district attorney (Aaron Eckhart), working in tandem with the city's crime unit chief (Gary Oldman) -- strives to bring integrity to corrupt Gotham. Ledger is electrifying in his last completed performance, while director and co-writer Christopher Nolan brings consummate polish to the creation of a chaotic and brutal milieu, albeit one relieved by underlying decency. Bloodless but intense action violence including shootings, explosions and vehicular mayhem, but virtually no objectionable language or sexual elements. 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, June 13, 8-10 p.m. EDT (A&E) "The Fugitive" (1993). Having escaped while being transported to the state pen, a Chicago surgeon (Harrison Ford) convicted of murdering his wife must evade the ever-tightening net of a relentless U.S. marshal (Tommy Lee Jones) while desperately tracking down the one-armed man (Andreas Katsulas) who actually killed her. Director Andrew Davis knits together a strong narrative, crackerjack performances and taut editing for a fine thriller not dependent on constant, glorified violence for mounting suspense. Brief, sporadic 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-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, June 13, 9-11:30 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Into the Wild" (2007). Episodic but absorbing road movie, based on Jon Krakauer's 1998 biography of idealistic 22-year-old Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) who abandoned his home, troubled parents (Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt) and sister (Jena Malone) after college graduation to avoid the "poison" of civilization and get back to nature, embarking on an epic two-year road trip from Atlanta to Alaska. Actor Sean Penn directed, wrote and produced the film, which gains in emotional power as it progresses, fueled by excellent performances, including those of Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, nonactor (one of several in the cast) Brian Dierker and especially Hal Holbrook, playing colorful characters Chris encounters on his journey, with underlying themes of family connection, individualism versus community and the primal pull of the wilderness, leading toward a moving climax of forgiveness, redemption and intense spirituality. Some rough language and profanity, upper female and brief full-frontal male nudity, the killing and then cutting up of an animal carcass, a beating, implied premarital situations and reference to a bigamous relationship. 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.

Saturday, June 13, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (2008). Lively sequel in which a domesticated demon (Ron Perlman), his incendiary girlfriend (Selma Blair), his aquatic sidekick (Doug Jones), an FBI bureaucrat (Jeffrey Tambor) and their new protoplasmic supervisor (variously John Alexander, James Dodd and the voice Seth MacFarlane), together with a pale blonde princess (Anna Walton), unite to foil the schemes of the princess' power-hungry twin brother (Luke Goss). Director and co-writer Guillermo del Toro's follow-up to his 2004 film features superior special effects, bantering humor, and some superficial Christian imagery and religious subtext amid strictly standard action trappings. Premarital cohabitation and pregnancy, moderate fantasy violence, a suicide, some crass language, a few mild oaths and an instance of sexual humor. 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.

TV program notes -- week of June 7

Here are some television program notes for the week of June 7 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, June 7, various times (check local listings) (CBS) "Faith, Music and Culture." This interfaith special profiles Annointed Voices, the Christian a cappella singing group comprised of those who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and the formerly homeless, as well as musical groups inspired by Judaism (Hasidic hip-hop artists DeScribe, Y-Love and Diwon), Islam (the Brooklyn Qawwali Party, an eclectic 11-piece orchestra) and Hinduism (Kirtan, the ancient practice of call-and-response chanting of Sanskrit mantras). Produced in cooperation with (among others) the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Sunday, June 7, 8-9 p.m. EDT (Discovery) "The Sun." A look at the star whose unique combination of size, temperature and location makes life on earth possible.

Sunday, June 7, 8-11 p.m. EDT (CBS) "The 63rd Annual Tony Awards." Neil Patrick Harris hosts this ceremony honoring theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway. Broadcast live from New York's Radio City Music Hall.

Sunday, June 7, 10-11 p.m. EDT (BBC America) "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" Premiere of an eight-part miniseries tracking the open auditions for the part of Maria in a London production of "The Sound of Music." Judges in the competition include composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Subsequent episodes air Sundays, 8-10 p.m. EDT through July 26.

Tuesday, June 9, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble." Cellist Yo-Yo Ma brings the Silk Road Ensemble -- a collective of approximately 60 renowned musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers from more than 20 countries -- to the Damrosch Park Bandshell in New York's Lincoln Center for an outdoor celebration of music from the four corners of the earth. A "Live From Lincoln Center" presentation (TV-G -- general audience).

Wednesday, June 10, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Neil Young: Don't Be Denied." Filmmaker Ben Whalley's BBC documentary traces Canadian-born rocker Neil Young's musical journey, from his rise in the 1960s, his solo artist period in the '70s, his '80s embrace of the New Wave and collaboration with Devo and his current pursuit of a more eclectic musical approach. Part of the "American Masters" series (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Thursday, June 11, 1-3:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Solemnity of Corpus Christi Mass and Procession With Pope Benedict XVI (Live)." Pope Benedict XVI presides over the solemn Mass and eucharistic procession of Corpus Christi, live from Rome.

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