July 12 - July 18, 2009
TV film fare -- week of Oct. 18
The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Oct 18. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Downhill Racer" (1969). Robert Redford plays a surly American skier with enough recklessness and skill to challenge the best Europeans but is unwilling to listen to his team's tough, long-suffering coach (admirably played by Gene Hackman) in preparing for the big skiing competition. Though the personal drama follows the formula of such sports movies, director Michael Ritchie concentrates on providing a vivid overview of a dangerous and photogenic sport and the fallible people who compete in it for the psychological rewards that some find worth all its rigors and traumatic nervous strain. 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.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) "The Third Man" (1949). Classic mystery thriller about an American writer of pulp Westerns (Joseph Cotton) searching the British sector of postwar Vienna for clues in the death of his old school chum, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Directed by Carol Reed from a script by Graham Greene, the engrossing result offers a fascinating study in contrasts between the unscrupulous Lime and his naive friend, skillfully abetted by a superior supporting cast (Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee and Wilford Hyde-White), Robert Krasker's moody photography and the distinctive zither music of Anton Karas. 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.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 8-11 p.m. EDT (AMC) "The Perfect Storm" (2000). When three fierce weather systems collide off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1991, a fishing trawler's six-man crew (including George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg) is caught in its grip as monster waves hamper Coast Guard and Air Force rescue efforts. Director Wolfgang Petersen adapts Sebastian Junger's fact-based best-seller as entertainment, emphasizing special-effects thrills over compelling characterizations, although the movie captures how precious each human life is in the face of the awesome power of nature. Discreet sexual innuendo, some profanity and an instance of rough 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.
Friday, Oct. 23, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Alien" (1979). Science-fiction thriller about a deep space freighter whose crew (among them Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt and John Hurt) is ravaged by a hungry alien intruder that causes havoc on the long voyage home. Director Ridley Scott goes in for lots of noise and flashing lights rather than characterization in a slick enterprise that depends more on shock than on suspense. Considerable gore, graphic violence and foul language. 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, Oct. 24, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Letter" (1940). In a Singapore courtroom, the wife (Bette Davis) of a rubber plantation owner (Herbert Marshall) stands trial for killing a man she claims tried to assault her, but his Eurasian widow (Gale Sondergaard) turns up with a letter proving it was an act of murder. Under William Wyler's moody direction, Davis gives a chilling performance in the coldly unsympathetic role as the faithless wife who ruins her life and the happiness of those around her. Restrained treatment of infidelity and its consequences. 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, Oct. 24, 10-11:45 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Burn After Reading" (2008). Witty dark caper comedy about hapless Washington-based gym employees (Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt) who find the memoirs of a fired CIA analyst (John Malkovich) on a computer disc and believe they're in possession of classified information they can sell to the Russians. Joel and Ethan Coen have written an extremely clever script, directed with assured timing, and their film showcases a top-flight cast including George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Richard Jenkins, all of whom reveal surprising comic chops. Overt sex and violence are minimal, but many will be disturbed by the strong language. Pervasive use of the F-word and some profanity; two brief instances of violence, one gruesome; implied nonmarital sexual activity; and a sexual sight gag. 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.
TV program notes -- week of Oct. 18
Here are some television program notes for the week of Oct.18 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, Oct. 18, noon-1:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "One World Praying: Holy Mass (Live)." Eucharistic celebration at the National Blue Army Shine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington, N.J.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. -midnight EDT (BBC America) "Occupation." U.S. premiere of a gritty but powerful British miniseries (aired here in a single, complete installment) about a trio of English army Iraq War veterans who, for a variety of motives, return to that conflict-ridden country after a brief stint at home following their tours of duty.
Despite being married, Sgt. Mike Swift (James Nesbitt), who became a hero for rescuing an Iraqi child, has fallen for Aliyah (Lubna Azabal), the Basra doctor who first treated the wounded girl. His former comrade, Lance Cpl. Lee Hibbs (Warren Brown), is an idealist dedicated to the reconstruction of Iraq, while another ex-brother in arms, Cpl. Danny Peterson (Stephen Graham), is out to make a fast dinar by providing security for visiting businessmen. Vivid performances drive home both the personal moral conflict surrounding the potential adultery, which is treated with appropriate gravity, and the wider ethical morass produced by lawlessness and religious strife. Graphic images of battle and its aftermath, together with obviously mature themes and some passing irreverence from self-identified atheist Aliyah, make this strictly adult fare, though other problematic elements of the original version screened, including brief nudity and frequent barracks language, may be edited for stateside broadcast.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Warning." In this "Frontline" presentation, filmmaker Michael Kirk sifts through the ashes of the economic meltdown for clues to why it happened, examining critical moments when things might have gone much differently.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8-10 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Los Angeles Philharmonic Opening Gala With Gustavo Dudamel." This presentation of the series "Great Performances" joins the opening night festivities for the inaugural concert of the Philharmonic's new conductor, Gustavo Dudamel (TV-G -- general audience).
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9-10 p.m. EDT (History) "The Apocalypse Code." This episode of the series "Nostradamus Effect" looks at scientific pioneer Sir Isaac Newton's calculation, based on his study of the Bible, that the world will come to an end in the year 2060.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Ives: Holidays Symphony." Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, explores the riddle of American composer Charles Ives, the musical maverick who made listeners confront their understanding of what music could be, and examines Ives' "Holidays Symphony," a haunting sonic portrait of New England at the turn of the 20th century, by turns sentimental and chaotic. Part of the series "Keeping Score" (TV-G -- general audience).