• Home
• Education
  • Catholic Home Schooling News
  • Catholic Home Schooling Links
  • Independent Catholic Schools Directory
  • Diocesan Catholic Schools Directory
  • Catholic College Directory
• Sports
• Daily Mass Readings
• Editorial
• Group Blog
• Links
  • Pro-Life Links
  • Reference Links
  • Vocation Links
  • Catechesis Links
  • Bible Links
  • Liturgy Links
  • Prayer Links
  • Mary Links
  • Saints and Angels Links
  • Children Links
  • Young Adults Links
  • Marriage Links
  • Parenting Links
  • Recommended Sites
• News
  • DFW Spotlight
  • Diocesan News
  • US News
  • World News
  • Pro-Life
  • Lifestyle

This Week on Television

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of March 7. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Monday, March 8, 8-11 p.m. EST (AMC) “The Pelican Brief” (1993). With her life in grave danger after figuring out who was behind the assassination of two Supreme Court justices, a New Orleans law student (Julia Roberts) turns to an investigative reporter (Denzel Washington) to get her incriminating brief in print. Abetted by exceptional performances from a fine supporting cast, director Alan J. Pakula’s spiky thriller maintains suspense despite a convoluted plot. Some restrained violence 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.

Tuesday, March 9, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (TCM) “Ikiru” (1952). Universal tale from Japan in which a petty municipal bureaucrat (Takashi Shimura) learns he has stomach cancer but can find no solace either from family or empty diversions until he determines to give some meaning to his life by cutting through the red tape of city agencies to build a children’s playground in a poor neighborhood, as told in flashbacks at the man’s wake. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the production turns the story of a dying man into a convincing affirmation of life as he recovers the lost sense of his own human worth by helping others, in a movie filled with compelling performances and honest emotions, including its touching theme song, “Life Is So Short.” Subtitles. Focus on terminal illness and some sexual references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Tuesday, March 9, 10-11:30 p.m. EST (PBS) “Young@Heart” (2008). Often funny and ultimately moving documentary about a Northampton, Mass., senior citizens’ chorus whose repertoire includes rock, R&B and punk selections as they rehearse over a two-month period for a hometown concert and cope with the death of one member and the ill health of others. Director-narrator Stephen Walker’s film quickly engages viewers by introducing a winning array of real-life characters and charting their struggles to master the music and carry on with the show. Frank sexual discussion, innuendo, occasional crass language; possibly acceptable for older teens. 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.

Thursday, March 11, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (AMC) “Jeremiah Johnson” (1972). Robert Redford stars in the story of a 19th-century mountain man from his arrival in the Rockies through his years as a self-sufficient trapper, then as family man and, finally, a Crow Indian fighter of legendary proportions. Director Sydney Pollack’s story offers the awesome natural spectacle of the mountain locales, the swift frontier action, intense cultural conflict and colorful characters rendered without the burdens of sentimentality and contrivance. Stylized violence. 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, March 13, 8-9:45 p.m. EST (HBO) “Monsters vs. Aliens” (2009). Affable animated comedy-adventure in which a trio of kindly monsters (voices of Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie and Will Arnett) led by a once-ordinary woman (voice of Reese Witherspoon) who became a giant after being struck by a meteor, are released from government captivity in the custody of a gung-ho general (voice of Keifer Sutherland) and commissioned by the president (voice of Stephen Colbert) to combat an evil alien (voice of Rainn Wilson) whose schemes threaten humanity. Co-directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon create a lavish 3-D homage to 1950s-era sci-fi B-movies that also celebrates friendship, teamwork and the heroic potential of everyday people. Moderate action violence and a bit of vaguely sexual and slightly crude humor. 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, March 13, 8-10 p.m. EST (ABC) “Over the Hedge” (2006). Computer-animated comedy about a rascally raccoon (voiced by Bruce Willis) who offers to “help” a group of woodland creatures (humorously voiced by Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, Garry Shandling, William Shatner and Eugene Levy, among others) stockpile food for the coming winter by raiding the suburban housing development that has sprung up on their forest doorstep, but not telling them that he intends to use the purloined provisions to save his own fur. Based on a comic strip, directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick’s good-naturedly entertaining and visually cheery fable relies on nutty sight gags over story, but imparts a commendable message about family and acting unselfishly, while offering some funny commentary on our consumer society. Some mildly crude humor, a few rude expressions and innuendo, and recurring comic action violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Saturday, March 13, 10-11:35 p.m. EST (Cinemax) “Taken” (2009). Formulaic and contrived but effectively tense thriller about an ex-government operative (Liam Neeson) hunting for his missing teenage daughter (Maggie Grace) who has been kidnapped by Albanian sex traffickers in Paris. Director Pierre Morel keeps things moving with a flashy visual style, and Neeson plays his role with a genuine intensity that almost, but not quite, makes you overlook the improbable setup and ludicrous plot developments. Intense but nongraphic action violence including torture, multiple killings, vigilante justice, some crude language and expressions, and a single profanity. 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 March 7

Here are some television program notes for the week of March 7 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, March 7, 8-10 p.m. EST (Discovery) “Superswarm.” From hundreds of thousands of mice overrunning the Australian countryside to the army ants and locusts that swarm by the millions with a single-minded purpose and intensity, this special looks at massive animal gatherings all over our planet to find out what a swarm really is, to understand what makes animals form these massive groups, and to see how they are able to act and think as they do — and why.

Sunday, March 7, 8:30-11:30 p.m. EST (ABC) “The Oscars: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards.” Live broadcast from the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles of the ceremony honoring the outstanding film achievements of 2009. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-host.

Sunday, March 7, 9-10:30 p.m. EST (check local listings) (PBS) “The Priests in Concert at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.” The Priests, three Catholic clergymen who have become a worldwide singing phenomenon, perform a special concert at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, England, before an audience of more than 2,000. Their inspirational classics include “Amazing Grace,” “Danny Boy,” “Bring Him Home,” “The Rose” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (TV-G — general audience).

Wednesday, March 10, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (check local listings) “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: An Irish Parade of Stars (My Music).” This nostalgic journey back to the 1950s and ’60s presents long-unseen footage of celebrated performers singing classic Irish songs. Hosted by Patty Duke and written by Malachy McCourt, the program features performances by the late Frank Patterson, considered by many around the world as the ultimate Irish tenor (TV-G — general audience).

Thursday, March 11, 9-10 p.m. EST (History) “Italian Dinner.” In this episode of the series “Food Tech,” host Bobby Bognar travels from coast to coast exploring the creation of pasta, the production of wine and fine vinegar, the difference between gelato and ice cream, and the origins of other ingredients in a traditional Italian feast.
 
Saturday, March 13, 8:30-10 p.m. EST (check local listings) (PBS) “Benise: The Spanish Guitar.” Dubbed “The Latin Riverdance,” this show, spearheaded by flamenco guitarist Benise, combines soaring music with an epic tale that transports the audience to exotic places with video, new songs and an ever-changing set (TV-G — general audience).

——————

USCCB Office for Film and Broadcasting

Comments

Our Sponsors

Copyright © 2008-2010 MetroCatholic, Inc · Designed by Klemens Raab & byStorm Studios · Log in