TV film fare -- week of March 9

NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of March 9. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Monday, March 10, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Macbeth" (1948). Murky but interesting version of Shakespeare's play in which the title nobleman (Orson Welles) is goaded by his ambitious wife (Jeanette Nolan) into killing the Scottish king (Edgar Barrier), then is undone by his conscience and the ambiguous prophecy of three witches. Also directed by Welles, the dark setting of bleak moors and cavelike interiors is visually very effective, but the sinister feudal proceedings lack dramatic consistency and the result is wildly uneven. Stylized violence and much menace. 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, March 11, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (USA) "Liar Liar" (1997). Unremarkable comedy in which a divorced dad (Jim Carrey) who is a habitual liar, especially in defending clients in court, is thrown for a loss when his little boy's birthday wish that dad stop lying comes true. Directed by Tom Shadyac, Carrey's eccentric brand of physical humor is the only reason to see this sappy but occasionally risque tale of a father learning about honesty and caring from his child. Brief comic violence, some sexual references and an instance of profanity. 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.

Thursday, March 13, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Lady Vanishes" (1938). Mystery classic in which a kind old lady (Dame May Whitty) abruptly disappears from a train traveling through Central Europe without anyone noticing until a frantic search by fellow passengers (Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave) uncovers a ring of secret agents (led by Paul Lukas). Director Alfred Hitchcock leavens the mystery's suspense with some keen humor (notably Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne as woolly English travelers) and rich characterizations by a fine British cast (not the least of which is Catherine Lacey as a fake nun). Stylized violence and menacing situations. 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, March 13, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "In the Line of Fire" (1993). While bragging about his imminent plans to assassinate the incumbent president, a methodical killer (John Malkovich) taunts an aging Secret Service agent (Clint Eastwood) on the phone about his failure to save President John F. Kennedy in Dallas and promises history will repeat itself. Director Wolfgang Petersen's cat-and-mouse thriller is far better on characterization than on action as Eastwood and Malkovich's exchanges are shrewdly revealing, but the climax is unconvincingly staged. Intermittent violence and some 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 R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Friday, March 14, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Gaslight" (1944). Sleek thriller set in Victorian London where a rich young bride (Ingrid Bergman) is slowly being driven loony by her slick, greedy husband (Charles Boyer), until an old friend (Joseph Cotten) of her late aunt intervenes. Director George Cukor overplays the wife's passive acceptance of her mate's overbearing manipulations as she declines into a state of helplessness, but the contrived situation pays dividends after slowly building to its highly charged conclusion. Much menace. 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, March 15, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Catch Me If You Can" (2002). Fact-based breezy comedy in which a runaway teen (Leonardo DiCaprio) successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer and cashes fraudulent checks over several years as a dogged FBI agent (Tom Hanks) methodically chases his slippery prey. Director Steven Spielberg turns in a high-style cat-and-mouse tale made interesting by the agent's determination not only to catch the youthful culprit but to rehabilitate him as well. Light-hearted treatment of crime, implied sexual encounters, abortion reference, occasional profanity 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.

Saturday, March 15, 8-11 p.m. EDT (HBO) "The Good Shepherd" (2006). Austere but generally absorbing over-the-years saga of a fictitious CIA man (a quietly intense Matt Damon) tracing his life from initiation into the secretive Yale Skull and Bones fraternity; his unhappy marriage to a classmate's sister (Angelina Jolie); his recruitment into the Office of Strategic Services during World War II; his role in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion during John F. Kennedy's administration; and his poignant relationship with the son (Eddie Redmayne) with whom he could never be close. Robert De Niro (who plays a small part here) directs the fact-based film with a sure hand -- and, though the plot has some holes, effectively demonstrates the emotional consequences of its protagonist's overly secretive life and the tragedy of sacrificing one's humanity for misplaced ideals. Adultery and premarital sex, a shadowy sexual encounter, innuendo, a predatory gay character, a couple of cold-blooded murders and other spy-related dirty doings, suicides, marital discord, partial nudity, drug use, a few expletives and racial epithets. 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.

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Saturday, March 15, 10 p.m.-12:15 a.m. (Cinemax) "Dreamgirls" (2006). Entertaining screen version of 1981 Broadway hit charting the rise of a Motown-like 1960s girl group (Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose and Sharon Leal), and the heavyset lead singer (Jennifer Hudson) they push out of the group when she doesn't match their new svelte image, as well as an R&B singer (Eddie Murphy), and the ruthless manager (Jamie Foxx) who guides all their careers. Director Bill Condon has skillfully refashioned the show for the screen turning most of the sung recitatives into spoken dialogue, and there are especially good performances from Murphy and newcomer Hudson. Despite some flagged material, the overarching themes of loyalty, doing the "right thing," dedication to family and friends, and overcoming adversity are key. Romantic complications including adultery, a child born out of wedlock, crude language, some innuendo, mild profanity, drug use and some onstage vulgarity. 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.

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