Web site TV for Jan. 10 – Jan. 16, 2010

TV film fare -- week of Jan. 10

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Jan. 10. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 8-10 p.m. EST (TCM) "The Great Waltz" (1938). In 1845 Vienna, composer Johann Strauss II (Fernand Gravey) finds a publisher (Hugh Herbert) for his waltz music, marries his sweetheart (Luise Rainer), then is saved from arrest as a revolutionary by an opera singer (Miliza Korjus) with whom he falls in love until his adoring wife finally intervenes. Directed by Julien Duvivier, the period drama is visually rich and well-acted, the romantic triangle is delicately handled and the action is paced by the lovely music of Strauss' Viennese waltzes. 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.

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (AMC) "Behind Enemy Lines" (2001). Harsh war film in which a Navy pilot (Owen Wilson) is shot down over enemy territory while on a reconnaissance mission in Bosnia and his commanding officer (Gene Hackman) must fight NATO politics to rescue him. Director John Moore pumps up a simple premise with skillfully choreographed action scenes depicting the brutality of war while attempting to comment on the importance of saving even one life despite the risks. Much battlefield and war violence with intermittent profanity and crass words and an instance of rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 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.

Tuesday, Jan, 12, 9-11 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, Jan. 14, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. EST (TCM) "Hobson's Choice" (1954). Amusing British tale set in 1890s Manchester where a smug shoe-store owner (Charles Laughton) gets his comeuppance when his eldest daughter (Brenda de Banzie) marries an uneducated but skilled shoemaker (John Mills) and they open a rival shoe shop. Directed by David Lean, the story of a wise daughter outsmarting her foolish dad has plenty of ironic humor, a zestful music score and a grandly comic performance from Laughton. Period sexism 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.

Saturday, Jan. 16, 8-9:45 p.m. EST (HBO) "Yes Man" (2008). Fitfully funny comedy in which a bored bank employee (Jim Carrey) attends a seminar run by a self-help guru (a comically intimidating Terence Stamp) and vows to say yes to every invitation or suggestion, leading to romance with a quirky singer (Zooey Deschanel), a renewed relationship with his best friend (Bradley Cooper) and greater respect from his nerdy boss (a spot-on Rhys Darby). Principally a vehicle for Carrey's facial and physical antics, director Peyton Reed's adaptation of Danny Wallace's best-selling memoir salutes openness to life and adventure and satirizes superstition, but also features considerable sexual humor, including a distasteful subplot involving Carrey's elderly but randy neighbor (Fionnula Flanagan). Nongraphic, nonmarital sexual activity, brief rear nudity, some sexual humor, one use of the F-word, much crude language and a few profanities. 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, Jan. 16, 8-10 p.m. EST (AMC) "Catwoman" (2004). Slick but soon-to-be-forgotten tale, loosely inspired by the comic-book character, about a mousy graphic artist (Halle Berry) working for a cosmetic conglomerate (headed by Lambert Wilson and Sharon Stone), who is killed for happening upon a corporate cover-up, only to be reborn with superpowers, including catlike agility and stealth, which she uses to unleash her feline fury on her murderers. As directed by Pitof, neither adroit visual effects nor Berry strutting her stuff in revealing skintight shredded leather can distract viewers from the film's shallow characterizations, clumsy dialogue and moral ambiguities. Recurring stylized violence and an implied sexual encounter. 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 Jan. 10

Here are some television program notes for the week of Jan. 10 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, Jan. 10, 4-5:30 a.m. EST (EWTN) "Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Live)." From the Sistine Chapel, Mass is celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, who also baptizes infants. The liturgy will be rebroadcast noon-1:30 p.m. EST.

Sunday, Jan. 10, 9-10:30 p.m. EST (PBS) "Return to Cranford." The first episode of a two-part sequel to "Cranford," the story of everyday life in a small Cheshire market town in England based on the novels of Victorian-era writer Elizabeth Gaskell. Judi Dench reprises her starring role as kindly Matty Jenykins. Part of the series "Masterpiece Classic," hosted by Laura Linney, the presentation concludes Sunday, Jan. 17, 9-10:30 p.m. EST (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Monday, Jan. 11, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) "Sam Cooke: Crossing Over." A profile of singer Sam Cooke, who put the spirit of the black church into popular music, creating a new American sound with hits such as "You Send Me" and "A Change Is Gonna Come." Part of the series "American Masters" (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) "Building Pharaoh's Ship." This "Nova" special follows a team of archaeologists and boat builders as they reconstruct a vessel depicted on the wall of an ancient Egyptian temple built some 3,500 years ago for the celebrated female pharaoh Hatshepsut (TV-G -- general audience).

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 9-10 p.m. EST (History) "Ring of Fire." A look at the single longest linear feature on the planet, a ring of active volcanoes that circles almost the entire Pacific Ocean. Part of the series "How the Earth Was Made."

Thursday, Jan. 14, 6:30-7 p.m. EST (EWTN) "Human Life International: Thwarting the Culture of Death in the Caribbean." This special examines the current increasing permissiveness of abortion among the island nations of the Caribbean.