TV film fare -- week of April 6

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of April 6. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, April 6, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Tomorrow" (1972). The winter watchman (Robert Duvall) for a backwoods Mississippi sawmill gives shelter to a pregnant woman (Olga Bellin) abandoned by her husband. As the winter passes, he falls in love with her, but she dies shortly after her child is born. Adapted from a William Faulkner story by Horton Foote and directed by Joseph Anthony, the material is sparse, even tedious, but the characters -- the taciturn man of the land and the worn-out woman -- convey a genuine sense of the American rural ethic. 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, April 7, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Dr. Doolittle" (1998). Comedy clunker about a San Francisco physician (Eddie Murphy) whose life becomes complicated when he starts talking to animals but no one else can hear what they say to him. Director Betty Thomas treats the thin proceedings with bogus sentimentality while pursuing laughs from sophomoric vulgarities and crude invective. Much bathroom humor, coarse language and several instances 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.

Saturday, April 12, 12:15-2:15 a.m. EDT (TCM) "Enter Laughing" (1967). Autobiography based on comedian Carl Reiner's first break into show biz. Reni Santoni is somewhat bland as the young comic but Elaine May creates an outlandishly laughable neurotic character and Michael J. Pollard adds a fine folksy touch to the laughter. Also directed by Reiner, viewers will exit, if not laughing, at least smiling. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, April 12, 4-6 p.m. EDT (USA) "Annapolis" (2006). Diverting but derivative drama about a scrappy shipyard worker (an appealing James Franco), who, after being accepted by the U.S. Naval Academy, must prove his mettle while training for the school's boxing tournament against his no-nonsense drill instructor (Tyrese Gibson). Though director Justin Lin's adrenaline-laden climax achieves its desired rousing effect, this retread of "An Officer and a Gentleman" is hollow and formulaic. Brutal boxing sequences, an attempted suicide, and some sexually crude language and humor, as well as 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.

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Saturday, April 12, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Fracture" (2007). Generally effective mystery thriller about a wealthy man (Anthony Hopkins) who shoots his unfaithful wife and afterward baits the career-minded young prosecuting attorney (Ryan Gosling) who can't nail him unless the murder weapon is found. Director Gregory Hoblit's detached style and the stylishly cold production design prove a bit distancing, but the protagonists are compelling, the mostly literate script tries hard to avoid the predictable, and several ethical issues (satisfactorily resolved) add further texture to the whole. Brief shots of the shooting, suicide, murder, rough language and vulgar expressions and profanity, innuendo, adultery and implied premarital encounters. 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.

Saturday, April 12, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Less-involving sequel in which the young wizard (Daniel Radcliffe), suspected of being behind a nefarious plot that has been turning his fellow students into stone, must identify the true evildoer and face down a monstrous serpent. It is adapted from the second J.K. Rowling novel in the "Harry Potter" series; director Chris Columbus turns in a darker, uneven fantasy that alternates plodding exposition with clever special effects, a few of which may be too frightening for young children. Some scary fantasy menace, fleeting violence and a crude expression. 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.

Saturday, April 12, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (Cinemax) "Georgia Rule" (2007). Uneven drama (with some comic moments) about a San Francisco mother (Felicity Huffman) who leaves her deeply troubled 17-year-old daughter (an impressive Lindsay Lohan) in the care of a stern but loving, God-fearing grandmother (Jane Fonda) in small-town Idaho. Director Garry Marshall's glossy soap opera is well acted, and ultimately delivers a pro-family message, along with other positive themes of intergenerational bonding and forgiveness, but the formulaic plot, insufficiently defined characters and tawdry elements like the granddaughter's blatant sexuality and gutter language, a major sexual abuse theme and patronizing view of the pious Mormon townspeople are detriments. Strong sexual material, though no nudity, implied underage sexual encounters, innuendo, rough and crude language and profanity, domestic violence, blackmail, heavy alcohol use and drug references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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