September 6 - September 12, 2009

TV film fare -- week of September 6

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Aug. 30. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30-10 p.m. EDT (AMC) "The Astronaut Farmer" (2007). Sweet if improbable film about a Texas rancher (Billy Bob Thornton) with dreams of blasting off into space in a homemade rocket ship, while contending with the admiration and derision of the townsfolk, and his generally supportive but sometimes exasperated family (including Virginia Madsen as his wife) on the verge of financial ruin, and interference from the FBI, CIA and others who would impede his would-be mission. Director and co-writer Michael Polish trots out every cliche imaginable and the film is stately paced, but gets points for its strong affirmation of family, more than the "follow-your-dream" philosophy which in this case seems fairly wacky, and the capable supporting performances from Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern and Tim Blake Nelson. A few expletives and crass expressions, brief innuendo and some domestic strife. 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.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30-10 p.m. EDT (Fox) "Spider-Man 2" (2004). Satisfying sequel which finds the masked web-slinger (Tobey Maguire) struggling to choose between his lifelong love (Kirsten Dunst) and his superpowered destiny, while battling a new menace -- Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), a mad genius whose indestructible titanium tentacles give new meaning to the term armed and dangerous. Director Sam Raimi once again spins popcorn magic, buttressing a more emotionally layered story with thrill-ride effects, making it twice as much fun as the original. Much comic book violence and a few scary scenes. 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.

Monday, Sept. 7, 10 p.m.-midnight (TCM) "I'm Not Scared" (2004). Enthralling thriller about a 10-year-old boy (Giuseppe Cristiano) living in a remote Sicilian village whose innocence is shattered when he makes a shocking discovery in an abandoned farmhouse and learns that the terrible truth behind it leads him closer to home than he ever would imagine. Masterfully told through the eyes of a child, director Gabriele Salvatores combines suspenseful storytelling with hauntingly beautiful visuals of sprawling, sun-baked Italian vistas to craft an intimate coming-of-age tale of courage and compassion. Subtitles. Some violence and recurring rough and 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 R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7-9 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "The Bank Job" (2008). Stylish but lurid fact-based tale, set in 1971 London, about a car dealer and small-time criminal (Jason Statham) who, tipped off by an old friend (Saffron Burrows), organizes a gang (Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays and James Faulkner among others) to rob the safe-deposit boxes of an upscale bank, only to find himself caught between a crime lord (David Suchet), allied with a militant black-power leader (Peter de Jersey), and an agent of the British counterintelligence service (Richard Lintern) intent on preserving royal secrets. Director Roger Donaldson's film is primarily an intelligent and engaging crime thriller, but it delves, along the way, into the seamy details of some of its characters' private lives, while also graphically portraying underworld brutality. Nongraphic sexual activity, some of it aberrant, upper female and rear nudity, torture, much rough, crude and crass language, adultery and pornography themes, drug and prostitution references, and a passing anti-Catholic reference. 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.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941). Whimsical fantasy in which a saxophone-playing prizefighter (Robert Montgomery) is saved just before dying in a plane crash by an over-eager novice angel (Edward Everett Horton) and then has to find a new body in which to live his allotted span. Directed by Alexander Hall, the quest for a suitable replacement may not be very logical but is lots of fun, thanks chiefly to its comic twists, otherworldly special effects and a fine cast, including James Gleason as an incredulous boxing manager and Claude Rains in the title role as the head angel. Not for literal-minded youngsters. 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, Sept. 10, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Thief of Baghdad" (1940). Grand adventure fantasy about an Arabian prince (John Justin) who, helped by a little thief (Sabu) and a gigantic genie (Rex Ingram), overcomes a series of obstacles conjured up by a wicked magician (Conrad Veidt) in order to wed the beautiful princess (June Duprez). Produced by Alexander Korda with fanciful Middle Eastern set designs by his brother Vincent, the result is filled with magic spells, wonderful transformations and such marvels as a winged horse and flying carpet. Delightful family fun. 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, Sept. 12, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) "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 (John Alexander/James Dodd/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.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 p.m.-12:15 a.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Body of Lies" (2008). Taut and engrossing Mideast thriller about a conscientious U.S. intelligence agent (Leonardo DiCaprio) who -- in an environment of deception and betrayals -- seeks out an Osama-like terrorist leader while taking orders from his longtime colleague, a hard-nosed CIA chief (Russell Crowe) back in Virginia. Director Ridley Scott maintains a good pace, and there are intelligent performances by all, including Mark Strong as the agent's Jordanian liaison, while the culturally enlightened script encourages humanistic understanding of the politically and socially volatile region. Relatively brief but graphic images of violence, torture and medical procedures, pervasive rough language and profanity, and some blunt sexual expressions. 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 Sept. 6

Here are some television program notes for the week of Sept. 6 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, Sept. 6, 4-6:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) "Pastoral Visit to Viterbo-Bagnoregio: Solemn Mass With Pope Benedict XVI (Live)." From Faul Valley in Viterbo, Italy, a eucharistic celebration presided over by the pope followed by the recitation of the Angelus. (Also rebroadcast noon-2:30 p.m. EDT.)

Sunday, Sept. 6, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Franciscan University Presents: The Virgin Mary in the Spirituality of St. Faustina." Host Franciscan Father Michael Scanlan leads a discussion about one of the lesser-known aspects of St. Faustina's life -- her visitations from Mary -- with guest Marian Father Donald Calloway, and panelists Regis Martin and Scott Hahn of the theology department at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 9-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Yellowstone: Land to Life." Filmmaker John Grabowska presents his interpretation of the sweeping geologic story of Yellowstone, the world's first and most famous national park. Filmed over two years through all seasons, the documentary delves into the significance behind the scenery and illuminates the intimate bonds between the landscape and biology -- how Yellowstone's geology influences where life exists and how it evolves. A short concluding film, "Yellowstone's Cascade Corner," features the portion of Yellowstone extending across the southwestern border of Montana into Idaho (TV-G -- general audience).

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The English Surgeon." In this "P.O.V." presentation, filmmaker Geoffrey Smith tells the story of acclaimed British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh, who has traveled to Ukraine for 15 years to treat patients who have been left to die; of his friend and medical colleague in Kiev who carries on the fight despite official hostility and archaic surgical conditions; and of a young patient who hopes that Marsh can save his life (TV-14 -- parents strongly cautioned).

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8-9 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times." This special features brief documentaries about real-life families and the story of a Muppet family coping with the ups and downs of these economically uncertain times. Hosted by Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, and Elmo and his friends, the program is designed to offer help, hope and strategies for families, and to encourage children to express their feelings and ideas as their families adjust to a new life (TV-G -- general audience).

Thursday, Sept. 10, 9-10 p.m. EDT (Animal Planet) "Strangled." This episode of the miniseries "Animal Armageddon" looks at the global environmental crisis that took place 200 million years ago, as scorching lava, suffocating heat and toxic gases violently pushed our planet to the brink. As a result, the earth's future rested with a handful of primitive creatures that had to adapt or die.

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