TV film fare -- week of Feb. 10

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

Sunday, Feb. 10, 8-9:30 p.m. EST (TCM) "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993). Minor fantasy of the macabre with puppet animation telling the tale of Halloweentown's skeleton king replacing the kidnapped Santa Claus to spread Christmas fear with scary toys until stopped by a missile, then returning home to free Santa in time to make his accustomed rounds. Producer Tim Burton's story is centered in the dark world of hobgoblins and monsters suddenly intruding on the bright expectations of St. Nick's annual visit but the narrative proves tiresome in padding out the thin concept, despite all its stylish puppetry and ghoulish humor. Considerable menace and threatening atmosphere. 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.

Monday, Feb. 11, 8-11:30 p.m. EST (AMC) "Troy" (2004). Epic-scale rendering of the Trojan War, loosely based on Homer's "The Iliad," which chronicles the siege and eventual sack of Troy by an invading Greek army, beginning with Paris (Orlando Bloom) spiriting away Helen (Diana Kruger) from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson), and culminating in the Greeks using the infamous wooden horse to seal the fate of the doomed city. While crowded with clashing armies, director Wolfgang Petersen's demythologized retelling of the ancient tale is, at its core, an intimate story of two soldiers, the near-invincible Achilles (Brad Pitt) and his valiant Trojan counterpart, Hector (Eric Bana), which, though set amid sweeping sword-and-sandal spectacle, remains grounded in human drama. Much intense battlefield violence and several implied sexual encounters with partial nudity. 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.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 8-10:15 p.m. EST (TCM) "The Quiet Man" (1952). When a retired Irish-American boxer (John Wayne) buys a plot of Irish land and courts a lovely colleen (Maureen O'Hara) to go with it, his stubborn bride insists he collect her dowry from her mean-spirited brother (Victor McLaglen). Director John Ford's grand celebration of all-too-familiar Irish stereotypes, ranging from a fondness for spirits to the love of a good fight, is delivered with much broad humor but the movie's universal appeal lies in the robust romance at the heart of the good-natured, old-fashioned story. Comic violence. 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, Feb. 14, 10:20 a.m.-noon EST (Cinemax) "Starter for 10" (2007). Appealing British film set in the 1980s about a gauche working-class student (James McAvoy) at Bristol University whose lifelong penchant for trivia makes him a natural to join the four-person team competing on "University Challenge," an actual game show akin to the old "College Bowl" series in the U.S., and finds himself romantically torn between his pretty blonde teammate (Alice Eve) and the campus activist (Rebecca Hall). Director Tom Vaughan's coming-of-age story -- with its overlay of class conflict -- features good performances all around, most especially by McAvoy, whose character, by movie's end, has learned appropriate life lessons beyond the encyclopedic mental storehouse he thought was so important. OK for older teens and up. Brief sexual content and innuendo, some crass language, brief drug use, brief light violence and partial nudity. 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, Feb. 16, 8-10 p.m. EST (HBO) "Night at the Museum" (2006). Lightweight but diverting comedy-fantasy about a perennial loser (Ben Stiller) who takes a job as night watchman at New York's Museum of Natural History only to learn that the dinosaur bones, stuffed animals, mummies and diorama characters (played by Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan and others) all come to life after closing time, leading him on a whirlwind adventure of slapstick and mayhem, and eventually allowing him to earn back the respect of his young son. Director Shawn Levy's film could be much funnier, but the effects are terrific, Stiller is appealing, and old-timers like Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs and Stiller's mom, Anne Meara, add to the fun of this entertaining family film. There is the standard, but always worthy, message about proving yourself. Light slapstick 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, Feb. 16, 8-10:30 p.m. EST (AMC) "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006). Director Clint Eastwood's emotionally compelling companion to "Flags of Our Fathers," which dealt with the Battle of Iwo Jima through the eyes of American GIs, now from the Japanese perspective, illustrating our shared humanity and showing ignorance as a root of international conflict. The drama focuses on Japanese soldiers entrenched on the island including a young baker (Kazunari Ninomiya) who wants to see his new baby, a newcomer (Ryo Kase) who's looked upon with suspicion, and a former Olympic medalist (Tsuyoshi Ihara), all under the command of an honorable and patriotic lieutenant general (Ken Watanabe) as they prepare for the U.S. invasion and capture of Mount Suribachi. Several characters take their own lives, acts which though morally untenable by Christian standards must be taken in the context of traditional Japanese culture. Japanese with subtitles. Intense and graphic battlefield violence, several gruesome suicides and some crude expressions. 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. (Repeated at 10:30 p.m.)

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Saturday, Feb. 16, 10-11:45 p.m. EST (Cinemax) "Music and Lyrics" (2007). Likable, if featherweight, romantic comedy about a has-been 1980s pop star (Hugh Grant) commissioned to write a song for a reigning pop diva (Haley Bennett) and discovers that his plant lady (Drew Barrymore) has a talent for lyrics, so he enlists her help, and they fall in love in the process. The two leads are effortlessly charming; there's a refreshing absence of romantic conflict and nice message about real values and believing in oneself, but for all that and despite some funny barbs about the music business, the film could have used a bit more wit. Apart from a single implied premarital encounter, writer-director Marc Lawrence's film is mostly devoid of objectionable elements making this acceptable for older adolescents. Aforementioned tryst, some skimpy costuming and gyrating moves from the pop star, brief physical scuffle, mild sexual banter and innuendo. 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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