July 12 - July 18, 2009
TV film fare -- week of July 12
The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of July 12. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence, and sexual situations.
Sunday, July 12, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The African Queen" (1951). Director John Huston's tale of high romantic adventure set in Africa during World War I features Katharine Hepburn as a prim missionary who enlists the aid of rough riverboat captain Humphrey Bogart in escaping capture by German forces. Sharing a harrowing voyage down a wild jungle river, they gradually develop a relationship that changes both their lives -- for the better. Wartime 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, July 14, 8:30-10 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Death at a Funeral" (2007). Chaos reigns in this mordant British comedy as family members -- arrogant famous novelist son (Rupert Graves), insecure second son (Matthew MacFadyen) and his exasperated wife (Keeley Hawes), their cousin (Daisy Donovan) and her fiance (Alan Tudyk) -- gather for a patriarchal funeral and everything goes wildly wrong, including a mysterious guest (Peter Dinklage) who threatens a scandalous revelation. Director Frank Oz whips up a skillfully farcical frenzy, and the cast is game, but recommendation must be tempered by an overload of expletives as well as other elements that may offend viewers. Gratuitous and pervasive profanity, rough and crude language, rear male nudity, drug use, homosexual blackmail theme, innuendo and scatological humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Thursday, July 16, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Stanley and Livingstone" (1939). Fine dramatization of the 1871-72 trek into British East Africa made by New York reporter Henry M. Stanley (Spencer Tracy) to find missing missionary-explorer Livingstone (Cedric Hardwicke), then faces disbelief upon his return. Directed by Henry King, there's plenty of action from the opening in 1870 Wyoming, through the African safari sequences to the London meeting of the Royal Geographic Society, but the drama centers in first-rate performances of the title characters. Stylized violence, including scenes depicting the injustice of the slave trade. 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.
Friday, July 17, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Ma and Pa Kettle" (1949). The first of nine comedies featuring the hillbilly couple from "The Egg and I," this one has phlegmatic Pa (Percy Kilbride) win a luxury house in a tobacco slogan contest but, when he's accused of plagiarism, it's up to pragmatic Ma (Marjorie Main) to keep them from being evicted. Director Charles Lamont has a field day with the house's futuristic gadgets and furnishings, but the best humor comes from the droll handling of the slapstick material by the two veteran character actors. Broad, old-fashioned family fare. 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.
Saturday, July 18, 3-5:30 p.m. EDT (A&E) "Edward Scissorhands" (1990). A gentle humanoid (Johnny Depp) with grotesque blades for hands is adopted by a family (Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin and Winona Ryder) and prized by the community for his haircutting and lawn-sculpting talents, until exploited by the daughter's boyfriend. Director Tim Burton's offbeat fantasy is an oddly appealing mix of mild comedy and mock tragedy despite its phony pastel suburban setting and stereotyped residents. Brief stylized violence and sexual innuendo. 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, July 18, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Mamma Mia!" (2008). Lively and colorful adaptation of the popular stage musical, utilizing the songs of Abba, about a bride-to-be (Amanda Seyfried) who invites her mother's (marvelous Meryl Streep) three lovers from two decades earlier (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgaard) to her wedding in Greece after discovering that one of them may be her father. Original theater director Phyllida Lloyd has skillfully adapted the show, and the stars handle their songs with aplomb, but though joyful, humane and life-affirming with little visually offensive, a strong caution must be raised about the underlying "anything-goes-for-love" message and several other problematic elements. Overall freewheeling morality, light sexual references and innuendo, casual treatment of marriage, divorce and nonmarital relations, some vulgar gestures, brief rear-nudity sight gag, an anti-Catholic remark and a few crass words. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. 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 July 12
Here are some television program notes for the week of July 12 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, July 12, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Pope Benedict XVI: A Profile." This documentary details the pope's life from childhood to present day, and includes accounts given by his family and friends.
Tuesday, July 14, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Nova scienceNow." This episode looks at two drugs that may aid children with muscular dystrophy; the demise of the dinosaurs; and the beauty and dangers of the Northern Lights, and also offers a profile of rocket scientist and astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz. Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Tuesday, July 14, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court." This documentary, from filmmaker Pamela Yates, follows court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and his team for three years, as he issues arrest warrants for Lord's Resistance Army leaders in Uganda, puts Congolese warlords on trial, shakes up the Colombian justice system and charges Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with genocide in Darfur. Part of the "P.O.V." series (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
Wednesday, July 15, various times (check local listings) (PBS) "As We Forgive." Filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson's documentary, narrated by Mia Farrow, examines the role of forgiveness and reconciliation in shaping the future of Rwanda, 15 year's after that nation's horrific genocide.
Wednesday, July 15, 10-11 p.m. EDT (TNT) "Dark Blue." Premiere of a new drama series starring Dylan McDermott as Lt. Carter Shaw, the leader of a team of four Los Angeles undercover police officers.
Saturday, July 18, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Solanus Casey: Priest, Porter, Prophet." This documentary explores the life of Capuchin Franciscan Father Solanus Casey. Though not granted full priestly faculties, he nevertheless became one of the most sought-after spiritual advisers in America, and was known to have gifts of healing and prophecy. Casey, who died in 1957, is a candidate for sainthood; he was declared venerable by Pope John Paul II in 1995.