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NEW YORK (OSV News) – The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of Aug. 18, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week. Televised films may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations while the programs listed have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by OSV News.
Streaming Now:
"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012; Netflix)
Theodore Geisel's beloved 1971 children's book is brought to the big screen by director Chris Renaud in an animated adventure that expands the original story while retaining its central message about the responsible stewardship of natural resources. Raised in a town where everything is artificial, a teen (voice of Zac Efron) sets out to win the girl of his dreams (voice of Taylor Swift) by fulfilling her wish to see a real, live tree. His quest leads him to the recluse (voice of Ed Helms) whose unbridled greed and ambition long ago caused the environmental disaster -- an outcome predicted in the dire warnings of the title character (voice of Danny DeVito), the enlightened but curmudgeonly guardian of the forest. First-rate animation and catchy songs forward the theme of respect for God's creation and make this an enjoyable outing for the entire family. Some cartoonish action. The OSV News classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
"Drumline" (2002; Hulu)
Rousing tale of a Harlem youth (Nick Cannon) on a college band scholarship who must learn the concept of teamwork the hard way before he's allowed to use his drumming talent in the school band competition. As directed by Charles Stone III, the formulaic story is offset by its underdog appeal and the precision dance and band numbers. A few sexual references and crass expressions. The OSV News classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
"Free State of Jones" (2016; Amazon Prime)
Ambitious, earnest and frequently riveting historical drama about the real-life Mississippi farmer (a charismatic Matthew McConaughey) who led a group of fellow deserters and runaway slaves in an armed campaign against the Confederacy during the Civil War. Writer-director Gary Ross spent a decade researching the project in collaboration with various scholars and painstakingly provides historical context using screen titles and other slightly less obvious guideposts, which can give the film a lumbering feel. The sense that every emotional reaction and cognitive response has been calculated in an attempt to craft a rousing, informative picture means the story doesn't unfold as organically or artfully as it might. Yet with the help of first-rate cinematography and design work, it stands as a powerful, thought-provoking piece of popular entertainment suitable for mature adolescents despite the complex and often harsh subject matter. Frequent graphic war violence including some grisly images, several hangings, the brutal execution of a wounded soldier, off-camera sexual exploitation of a woman, many racial epithets, one use each of crude and crass language. The OSV News classification is A-III –- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R -– restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Looking Ahead:
Sunday, Aug. 18, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "State of the Union" (1948). Campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, a self-made millionaire (Spencer Tracy) fights for his political principles with his estranged wife (Katherine Hepburn), his campaign adviser (Van Johnson) and his chief backer (Angela Lansbury). Directed by Frank Capra, the political and domestic battlefields are rendered with wit, intelligence and plenty of good humor. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. (Part of a 24-hour marathon of films featuring Hepburn, beginning with "Spitfire" (1934), 6-7:30 a.m. EDT, and ending with "Break of Hearts" (1935), 4:15-6 a.m. EDT Monday, Aug. 19.)
Sunday, Aug. 18, 8:30-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Jungle Cruise" (2021). In 1916 Brazil, an intrepid British researcher (Emily Blunt) forms an unlikely alliance with a fast-talking Amazon River steamboat captain (Dwayne Johnson) and, aided by her brother (Jack Whitehall), they set off in quest of a mystical tree the healing flowers of which she believes will revolutionize medicine. They're pursued by an eccentric German prince (Jesse Plemons) who thinks the same magic petals will give his homeland victory in World War I. Adapted by director Jaume Collet-Serra from a theme park ride, the lighthearted adventure is mostly a diverting, if insubstantial, fantasy. But the gratuitous addition of a scene in which Whitehall's luxury-loving but good-hearted fop outs himself as gay and briefly parrots the LGBTQ party line, besides being wildly anachronistic, precludes endorsement for youthful viewers. Much raucous but stylized violence, a benign view of homosexual acts, some scatological humor, about a half-dozen mild oaths, a suppressed crude expression. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.Monday, Aug. 19, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "The Journey Home." On this episode of the weekly conversion-themed show, series host JonMarc Grodi talks with former evangelical minister Jeremy Rivera (TV-G – general audience).
Friday, Aug. 23, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "A Man for All Seasons" (1966). Engrossing drama of the last seven years in the life of Thomas More, Henry VIII's chancellor, who met a martyr's death rather than compromise his conscience during a period of religious turmoil. Robert Bolt's script is masterfully directed by Fred Zinnemann, with a standout performance by Paul Scofield in the title role, among other notable performances from a uniformly fine cast. The historical dramatization achieves an authentic human dimension that makes its 16th-century events more accessible and its issues more universal. Profoundly entertaining but heavy going for children. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.
Friday, Aug. 23, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2024." This open-air concert from the gardens of Austria’s Schonbrunn Palace features Andris Nelsons as guest conductor and soprano Lise Davidsen as guest soloist.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971). Screen version of Roald Dahl's children's story about a candy manufacturer (Gene Wilder) who conducts an electrifying tour of his factory for five lucky children who learn that greed and selfishness can be their own reward. Even the punishments, occasionally a bit gruesome for younger children, are in good fun. Director Mel Stuart manages to avoid the cloying sentimentality of similar children's movies, though it's never quite as magical as one would have hoped. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.- - - John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @JohnMulderig1.