TV film fare -- week of April 13

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of April 13. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, April 13, 6:30-9 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Flyboys" (2006). Truth-inspired World War I action drama about a disparate group of young Americans (James Franco, Abdul Salis, Philip Winchester and Tyler Labine) who, before the United States' entry into the war, volunteer for various reasons with a French air squadron -- the Lafayette Escadrille -- during the pioneer days of aviation combat and whose idealism is chilled by their experiences. Directed by Tony Bill, the film's appealing young cast and impressive aerial dogfight sequences are wasted on an episodic and overly long script that never takes off dramatically and lacks well-developed characters. Recurring wartime violence, a scene in a brothel, a suicide, some sexual innuendo, scattered mildly crude expressions, profanity and racial slurs. 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.

Wednesday, April 16, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Without Reservations" (1946). Slight but amusing romantic comedy in which a novelist (Claudette Colbert) meets a Marine pilot (John Wayne) on a cross-country train journey, decides he'd be perfect as the hero in the movie version of her best-seller but hides her identity because he hated the book. Director Mervyn LeRoy gets the story off to a bright start but has trouble sustaining the contrived plot to its predictable conclusion, though the travelers' silly misadventures provide laughs along the way and there are some droll jabs directed at Hollywood. Romantic 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.

Wednesday, April 16, 10:15 p.m.-12:45 a.m. EDT (AMC) "Ladder 49" (2004). Above-average -- if overly sentimental -- action drama and paean to firefighters concerning a young fireman (Joaquin Phoenix) as he progresses over the years from rookie to seasoned professional, with the unusual feature of there being as much screen time devoted to his domestic life as to the "Towering Inferno"-like fire sequences, which are generally more enervating than truly exciting. Director Jay Russell's drama -- which also features John Travolta as the paternal fire chief -- boasts a solid, appealing and down-to-earth performance from Phoenix and an authentic-seeming portrait of firehouse life with middle-class workers (mostly Catholic, as it happens) that compensates for the more conventional aspects of the plot. A couple of instances of crude language, an implication of premarital sex and some intense firefighting scenes. 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 19, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004). Richly textured fantasy in which the young wizard (Daniel Radcliffe), aided by his two best friends (Emma Watson and Rupert Grint), seeks out a violent escapee (Gary Oldman) accused of killing his parents -- who also is suspected of plotting to murder Harry. Director Alfonso Cuaron's adaptation of J.K. Rowling's third Harry Potter novel covers darker emotional territory in masterful cinematic fashion, blending fantastical images with Harry's need to reconcile past familial tragedy and a mounting desire for vengeance. Some frightening images and scenes of intense menace. 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 19, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (Cinemax) "Breach" (2007). Interesting though, by its nature, downbeat dramatization about the case of FBI agent Robert Hanssen (a compelling Chris Cooper) who was revealed to be a spy for the Russians, called the worst breach in the history of U.S. intelligence, and how he was entrapped by young undercover agent Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) assigned to work with him. Writer-director Billy Ray's gray-toned film is deliberately paced, but ultimately delivers on suspense. There is secondary interest for Catholic viewers in Hanssen's commitment to Catholicism, though given the unsavory aspects of his personality (not only treasonous, but an alleged sexual deviant as well), the connection is more unfortunate than not. Candid discussion of sexual matters, some crude language and profanity, a brief image of a pornographic video, domestic discord and mild violence. 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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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops