September 13 - September 19, 2009

TV film fare -- week of September 13

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Sept. 13. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, Sept 13, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1939). Sprawling medieval melodrama from Victor Hugo's story of Quasimodo (Charles Laughton), the misshapen cathedral bell-ringer who rescues a kind gypsy dancer (Maureen O'Hara) from the gallows, then saves her from the clutches of the evil judge (Cedric Hardwicke) who had been his benefactor. Directed by William Dieterle, the 15th-century Paris setting is vibrantly rendered, the crowded plot moves briskly and, at the center of the piece, Laughton's feeling performance transcends the character's grotesque features to win audience sympathy. Stylized violence 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.

Monday, Sept. 14, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Dreamgirls" (2006). Entertaining screen version of 1981 Broadway hit charting the rise of a Motown-like 1960s girl group (Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose and Sharon Leal), and the heavyset lead singer (Jennifer Hudson) they push out of the group when she doesn't match their new svelte image, as well as an R&B singer (Eddie Murphy), and the ruthless manager (Jamie Foxx) who guides all their careers. Director Bill Condon has skillfully refashioned the show for the screen turning most of the sung recitatives into spoken dialogue, and there are especially good performances from Murphy and newcomer Hudson. Despite some flagged material, the overarching themes of loyalty, doing the "right thing," dedication to family and friends, and overcoming adversity are key. Romantic complications including adultery, a child born out of wedlock, crude language, some innuendo, mild profanity, drug use and some onstage vulgarity. 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.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. EDT (AMC) "Ocean's Twelve" (2004). So-so caper film, in the vein of its predecessor, "Ocean's Eleven," with much the same star-studded cast as before (George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon), joined here by Catherine Zeta-Jones and a couple of unbilled surprise cameos, this time with picturesque European locales. The larcenous crew, which has tried to go straight, must pay back entrepreneur Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) from whose Vegas casino they stole $160 million in the first film. They set out after a Faberge egg, while outwitting a master jewel thief (Vincent Cassel). Steven Soderbergh's sequel is agreeable rather than grippingly suspenseful, and the script, by George Nolfi, more genial than truly witty, though there are some mildly surprising twists and turns along the way. Tongue-in-cheek glamorization of robbery and some crude language. 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, Sept. 19, 4-6 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Cry, the Beloved Country" (1952). Compelling British production of Alan Paton's story about bridging South Africa's racial divide as a black Anglican minister (Canada Lee) leaves his rural parish to seek his missing son in Johannesburg, finds him condemned to death for murdering the son of a white farmer and the tragedy brings the two aged fathers together in mutual understanding and respect. Directed by Zoltan Korda, the location photography documents the oppressive conditions in the black slums bordering the city but the story's rich assortment of characters, including Sidney Poitier's pragmatic city curate, puts matters in a human context transcending racial differences. Stylized violence, sexual references 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.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Madagascar Escape 2 Africa" (2008). Four animal friends (voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith), stranded on the titular island, try to fly home to their New York City zoo, but land instead on an African savanna where they must continue to adapt to life in the wild. Though occasionally marred by slightly crass humor, this generally amiable animated comedy, co-written and co-directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, is visually lush and offers lessons about the need for self-confidence and the true nature of love. Mild innuendo, a few slightly crude gags and some thematic elements that might frighten very young children. 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.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Wuthering Heights" (1939). Classic romantic melodrama from the Emily Bronte novel about the doomed love between Cathy (Merle Oberon), a Yorkshire doctor's daughter, and Heathcliff (Laurence Olivier), the downtrodden orphan who grows up with her, then runs away to make his fortune only to return to find Cathy wed to another (David Niven) and his riches meaningless without her. Directed by William Wyler, the well-crafted melodrama succeeds in evoking the fierce passion of Heathcliff's tormented yearnings for his lost love which allow him no peace until their spirits are united after death. Physical and mental cruelties, romantic obsessions and a spite marriage. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 p.m.-12:45 a.m. EDT (Cinemax) "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.

TV program notes -- week of Sept. 13

Here are some television program notes for the week of Sept. 13 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.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10:30-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Principal Story." Filmmakers Tod Lending and David Mrazek's documentary follows two principals -- Tresa Dunbar of Chicago's Nash Elementary, where 98 percent of students come from low-income families, and Kerry Purcell of Harvard Park Elementary in Springfield, Ill., which has similar demographics -- over the course of a school year, showing the challenges facing America's public schools and the positive difference a dedicated educator can make. Part of the series "P.O.V." (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 8-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala Concert." This concert, a "Live From Lincoln Center" presentation, launches the New York Philharmonic's 168th season and Alan Gilbert's first as the orchestra's music director. The program opens with an overture written especially for the occasion by composer-in-residence Magnus Lindberg and also features Berlioz' "Symphony Fantastique" and Messiaen's "Poemes Pour Mi" with renowned soprano Renee Fleming. Alec Baldwin hosts (TV-G -- general audience).

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9-10 p.m. EDT (CW) "The Beautiful Life: TBL" Premiere of a new fashion-themed drama charting the professional ups and downs of two novice models: savvy city girl Raina Collins (Sara Paxton) and fresh-off-the-farm Iowa hayseed Chris Andrews (Benjamin Hollingsworth). While the pair are drawn to each other by their shared dislike for the cutthroat tactics of their competitors, and Raina makes an altruistic sacrifice for the benefit of older colleague Sonja (Mischa Barton), scenes exploiting changing room glimpses of lingerie and partial nudity, together with a story line about predatory gay modeling agent Simon (Dusan Dukic) restrict the appropriate audience for this glossy glamfest.

Thursday, Sept. 17, 9:30-10 p.m. EDT (NBC) "Community." Premiere of a new comedy series about fast-talking, ethics-free lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), who becomes a student at a community college after his supposed undergraduate degree is revealed to be phony, and he faces disbarment unless he obtains a real one. There he corrals a collection of misfits (most prominently Chevy Chase as a failed businessman) into a Spanish study group as a ruse for getting to know fetching but aloof classmate Britta (Gillian Jacobs). Although Jeff -- who also tries to browbeat a professor he once successfully represented into helping him cheat in all his classes -- is eventually shown to make moral progress, the mostly witless, occasionally crass humor, typified by a joke about the disorder called Asperger's syndrome, flunks out well before the unsympathetic shyster turns warm and fuzzy.

Friday, Sept. 18, 8-10 p.m. EDT (ABC) "2009 Alma Awards." Television and film actress Eva Longoria Parker and comedian and actor George Lopez host this ceremony celebrating the outstanding achievements of Latinos in entertainment.

TV REVIEW

Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism

Between the end of the Second World War in 1945 and the fall of the Romanian dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, the regimes of the Soviet bloc pursued a policy of official atheism that entailed some degree of persecution for believers of every stripe throughout Eastern Europe.

The hourlong documentary "Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism" provides a poignant look at the devastating effects of this campaign on the region's women religious. Written and directed by Franciscan Sister Judith Ann Zielinski, the special will air on ABC stations and affiliates beginning Sunday, Sept. 13 (check local listings) as part of the "Vision & Values" series created by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

Using interviews with survivors, archival photographs and re-enactments, the program chronicles the various forms of affliction to which the sisters were subjected.

Milder governments, like those of Hungary and Czechoslovakia, nationalized Catholic schools and hospitals, and forcibly transported the religious who had staffed them to "concentration convents." The authorities calculated that the mixing together of various orders would create friction, while crowded, primitive living conditions would induce many to abandon their vocations.

Sometimes far harsher methods were employed in individual cases, as shown by the example of Slovak Holy Cross Sister Zdenka Schellingova, whose trial, martyrdom and eventual beatification are movingly related.

Under the harder-line rulers of Romania, Lithuania and Ukraine, the religious orders were dissolved outright and all visible signs of consecrated life, such as the wearing of a habit, were proscribed.

Participants recall the particularly ferocious hatred directed against Byzantine Catholics, whose liturgy and customs closely resemble those of the Orthodox Church. When intense efforts to convert the religious of these Eastern Catholic churches to the Orthodox faith failed, some were exiled to Siberia, others executed.

In addition to the courage so many of the sisters displayed, the documentary also details the ingenious methods they used to preserve their communities and to train novices in secret. And the upbeat conclusion outlines the revival of religious life since the collapse of the Soviet system.

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