NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Nov. 14. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, Nov. 14, 11:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. EST (TCM) "Quo Vadis" (1951). After a Roman general (Robert Taylor) falls in love with a Christian maid (Deborah Kerr), the situation is complicated by the loony emperor deciding to burn Rome and blame the Christians. In director Mervyn LeRoy's version of the Henryk Sienkiewicz novel, the epic production overpowers the pallid love story and is less interested in the conflict between Christianity and paganism than that between the mad Nero (Peter Ustinov) and his rationalist adviser (Leo Genn). A mixed bag of religious fervor and pagan frolics, there's a lengthy suicide scene, some sexual innuendo and stylized violence. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Monday, Nov. 15, 6:15-8 p.m. EST (TCM) "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942). Sturdy saga of American life circa 1900 from the Booth Tarkington novel about the arrogant son (Tim Holt) of a wealthy Midwestern family who keeps his widowed mother (Dolores Costello) from marrying a rising automaker (Joseph Cotten), then gets his comeuppance by failing to adapt to changing circumstances. Director Orson Welles succeeds in a vivid period re-creation with convincing performances from a strong cast, though flawed by the narrative's uneven pace resulting from a studio re-edit of Welles' original version. Serious treatment of a selfish individual's foolish pride and its tragic consequences. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 5:20-7:15 p.m. EST (Showtime) "Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003). Standard but enjoyable yarn about a recently divorced San Francisco author (Diane Lane) suffering from depression and writer's block who impulsively buys a Tuscan villa in Italy in the hope of recharging her life. Based loosely on Frances Mayes' travel memoir, writer-director Audrey Wells' film is light on believable plot but packed with lovely Italian vistas with Lane's appealing performance elevating an otherwise predictable fairy tale. An implied sexual encounter, references to a lesbian relationship, brief crass words and an instance of rough language and profanity. The Catholic News Service 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.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9-10:50 p.m. EST (Showtime) "Queenpins" (2021). Amusing yet morally flawed fact-based caper comedy written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Strapped for cash, a suburban housewife (Kristen Bell) and her best friend (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) strike on the idea of collecting and selling coupons for free products, a scheme they undertake on such a large scale that they quickly make a fortune. But an obsessive loss prevention officer (Paul Walter Hauser) for a grocery store chain and a hard-driving postal inspector (Vince Vaughn) are soon on the duo's trail. While the flighty amateur crooks and ill-assorted law enforcers draw laughs, the script takes a misguided detour with a subplot about the efforts of Bell's character to overcome her infertility and the film's ultimate message is that crime does indeed pay. So careful discernment is required to separate the humorous wheat from the ethical chaff. Skewed values, immoral offscreen medical procedures, a sequence involving graphic scatological humor, a few uses of profanity, about a dozen milder oaths, pervasive rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9:40-11:29 p.m. EST (Cinemax) "Lars and the Real Girl" (2007). Poignant story of an emotionally fragile, delusional man (a brilliant Ryan Gosling) who -- unable to make a human connection -- buys a life-size female doll whom he presents as his girlfriend, and how his brother and sister-in-law (Paul Schneider and Emily Mortimer), his office mates, fellow churchgoers and townspeople accept "her" as human out of love and compassion for him. Though suspension of disbelief is essential, director Craig Gillespie, working from Nancy Oliver's delicate script, makes this improbable tale utterly believable, while the themes of family, community, religion, forgiveness, redemption and a strong affirmation of human decency override those very few elements that might preclude younger teens. Two nonexplicit images of a porn site, mild innuendo, discreet sexual references and brief profanity. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.