June 21 - June 27

TV film fare -- week of June 21

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of June 21. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, June 21, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Father of the Bride" (1950). Delightful comedy from Edward Streeter's novel about a self-assured suburbanite (Spencer Tracy) suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar world of wedding preparations and financial obligations when his only daughter (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement. Brightly directed by Vincente Minnelli, Tracy is superb as the caring but confused head of the household helped by patient wife Joan Bennett to come to terms with their daughter's vision of the perfect wedding. Amusing yet perceptive view of middle-class life and family values. 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.

Sunday, June 21, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "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 USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Monday, June 22, 10-midnight EDT (TCM) "Shane" (1953). Classic Western about a former gunfighter (Alan Ladd) who is befriended by a farm family (Van Heflin, Jean Arthur and young Brandon De Wilde), then saves them from being run off their land by a rancher's hired gun (Jack Palance). Directed by George Stevens, it's an epic tale of the conflict over land rights pitting the cattlemen's six-shooters against the homesteaders' moral fortitude and family roots. Stylized frontier violence. 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.

Tuesday, June 23, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Shop Around the Corner" (1940). Delightful romantic comedy set in a Budapest, Hungary, department store where two clerks (James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan) nurture a mutual dislike of the other while each exchanges love letters with a lonely-heart's pen pal until ultimately discovering they have been corresponding with each other. Director Ernst Lubitsch treats the workaday friction between the clerks with some wry humor while building sympathy for both, then brings them together in an emotionally satisfying conclusion that has charmed viewers ever since. Romantic complications. 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 27, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" (2008). Enchanting animated adaptation of the classic children's book about a warmhearted elephant (voice of Jim Carrey) who discovers that a speck of dust is home to the microscopic town of Who-ville, led by a slightly eccentric mayor (Steve Carell), and who must find the particle a safe resting place despite the opposition of a closed-minded kangaroo (Carol Burnett) and a wicked but dim eagle (Will Arnett). The film, co-directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino, promotes excellent values and the script, performances and animation all match the high quality of the original source material. 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.

Saturday, June 27, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Notorious" (1946). Classy suspense tale in which a U.S. agent (Cary Grant) wins over the troubled daughter (Ingrid Bergman) of a Nazi war criminal, then persuades her to wed a Nazi bigwig (Claude Rains) hiding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to find out what he and his pals are plotting. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock from a script by Ben Hecht, the tension mounts as Bergman discovers a cache of uranium in the wine cellar, then tries to escape being killed, but the plot's romantic angle is chilled by Grant putting Bergman's life at risk to get the goods on Rains. Menacing situations and romantic complications. 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 27, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Meet Dave" (2008). Whimsical comedy in which the tiny captain (Eddie Murphy) of a human-shaped alien spaceship (also Murphy) gains the help of a kindhearted young New York widow (Elizabeth Banks) and her bullied 11-year-old son (Austyn Lynd Myers) in his quest to save his home planet. Director Brian Robbins' film relies entirely on the single joke of Murphy's abject social awkwardness, but along the way celebrates generosity, human decency and the heroic potential of seemingly ordinary people. Some mild scatological humor, a sexual reference and a brief profanity. 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.

TV program notes -- week of June 21

Here are some television program notes for the week of June 21 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not all been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film & Broadcasting.

Sunday, June 21, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Poirot: Cat Among the Pigeons." In this "Masterpiece Mystery!" presentation, Agatha Christie's Belgian supersleuth Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) tackles an intriguing and dangerous murder case involving international espionage, a Middle Eastern revolution and a missing princess (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Monday, June 22, 9-11 p.m. EDT (National Geographic) "Iran and the West." As the citizens of Iran head to the polls, this special looks at the top-secret meetings and public declarations that have shaped the last three decades of the nation's history as well as its turbulent relationship with the West.

Wednesday, June 24, 9-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Music Instinct: Science and Song." A documentary exploring how and why the human organism is moved by music. The program examines advances in neuroscience, the work of researchers and the views of accomplished musicians in search of answers to music's deep mysteries, and includes performances by Bobby McFerrin -- who co-hosts with Dr. Daniel Levitin -- and Yo-Yo Ma, among others (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, June 24, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Silent Witness." St. Ethelreda Catholic Church in London has been central to English Catholicism for hundreds of years; this program recounts the many landmark events to which the church has been a witness through the ages.

Wednesday, June 24, 10-11 p.m. EDT (NBC) "The Philanthropist." Premiere of an energetic, new fact-based drama series about freewheeling business tycoon Teddy Rist (a charismatic James Purefoy) who dedicates himself to humanitarian work in the developing world after saving the life of a Nigerian boy during a hurricane. Haunted by the death of his son and disillusioned with his career, Teddy struggles to deliver a batch of vaccine to a remote village, despite the warnings of his partner Philip (Jesse L. Martin) that he's neglecting their firm. Equally wary is Philip's wife, Olivia (Neve Campbell), with whom Teddy was once involved and who now heads his and Philip's charitable foundation. Amid plenty of exotic atmosphere and adventures that include evading rebels in the countryside and having his helicopter intercepted by visiting Drug Enforcement Agency officials, the James Bond-like Teddy's warmheartedness is morally offset by his commitment-free affairs. Together with a few sexual references and brief partial nudity, they mark this globe-trotting, character-driven program as mature fare. Interestingly, the script probes the complexity of Teddy's motives. Is he genuine do-gooder or self-serving thrill-seeker?

Thursday, June 25, 10-11 p.m. EDT (check local listings) (PBS) "OneRepublic." Blending pop and rock, the group OneRepublic performs their singles "Apologize," "Stop and Stare" "Say (All I Need)" and "Mercy." Part of the series "Soundstage" (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

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