TV film fare -- week of May 4

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of May 4. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

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Sunday, May 4, 7:15-9 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Miss Potter" (2006). Charming, beautifully crafted story of "Peter Rabbit" author Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger) and her bittersweet romance with the awkward young publisher of her books (Ewan McGregor), under the disapproving eyes of her class-conscious parents (Barbara Flynn and Bill Paterson) in turn-of-the-century England. The script, music, production design and cinematography, and sensitive performances from all (including Emily Watson), under Chris Noonan's canny direction combine to make the kind of quality film that's all too rare. 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.

Tuesday, May 6, 8-11:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "The Great Escape" (1963). Thrilling rendition of a fact-based story about an elaborate escape of Allied prisoners from a German POW camp during World War II. Steve McQueen is the most ambitious of a crew that includes James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Richard Attenborough as they plot a mass escape which becomes an intriguing, highly entertaining suspense gripper. With John Sturges directing, it all builds to a stunning, sobering climax that both tugs at the heart and keeps it racing. 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.

Tuesday, May 6, 8:15-10 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Two Weeks" (2007). Heartfelt yet unflinchingly frank story of a dying mother (the transcendent Sally Field) and the four adult children who have come to be with her in her last days including her eldest son, a filmmaker (Ben Chaplin), who hopes to tape her for posterity. First-time feature director Steve Stockman accomplishes the near-impossible in mixing naturalistic tragedy with genuine laughter that rises from the human condition, generating tears from each. Some rough and crude language and a graphic depiction of the ravages of cancer. 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, May 7, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "From Here to Eternity" (1953). Somber picture of life on an Army base in 1941 Hawaii centers on a company whose bugler (Montgomery Clift) is punished for refusing as a matter of conscience to join the unit's boxing team, with only a hapless private (Frank Sinatra) supporting his obstinacy. Directed by Fred Zinnemann from the James Jones novel, the story also involves an affair between the company's top sergeant (Burt Lancaster) and his commander's unhappy wife (Deborah Kerr) as well as the bugler's romance with a club hostess (Donna Reed), all of which gains tragic dimension from the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor at the movie's end. Sexual situations and stylized violence, including a fatal beating and a knife fight. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

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Thursday, May 8, 8-11 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Grand Prix" (1967). Large-scale production takes viewers around the 10 courses of Europe's Grand Prix auto-racing circuit that conveys in almost documentary fashion the experience of racing. Director John Frankenheimer interweaves the story of four drivers (Yves Montand, James Garner, Brian Bedford and Antonio Sabata) but is less successful with their off-track romances. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, May 10, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (A&E) "Alien: Resurrection" (1997). Grim sci-fi sequel finds Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) revived on board a spaceship and teamed with a mysterious stranger (Winona Ryder) to rid the vehicle of rampaging aliens. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's mildly suspenseful thriller uses the stale aliens-on-the-loose premise mainly for grotesque combinations of incubating monsters grafted onto deformed human body parts. Recurring gory violence, some profanity and frequent 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.

Saturday, May 10, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" (2007). The wedding of Mister Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd) and Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba) is interrupted by a cosmic force set to destroy the planet, and the pair must join with the Human Torch (Chris Evans) and the Thing (Michael Chiklis) to avert disaster, trying to dissuade the evil force's emissary, a silver man (voice of Laurence Fishburne) on a flying surf board, from his dastardly mission, while contending with an overbearing army general (Andre Braugher) and duplicitous Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon). Apart from the elements listed below, director Tim Story's superior sequel -- with its personable leads, above-average special effects, and not-taking-itself-too-seriously tone -- makes for an engaging B-level adventure with a commendable message about making the right choices in life. Some mild innuendo and crass expressions, moderate action violence and implied nudity. 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, May 10, 9-11 p.m. PDT (West Coast only) (ABC) "Snow Dogs" (2002). Sluggish comedy about a successful Miami dentist (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who discovers he is adopted after he inherits from his biological mother a team of sled dogs in a remote hamlet of Alaska. Although a few positive points are made about adoption and family love, the fleeting explanation that the main character was conceived from a one-night stand may prompt questions from the young audience, and the slapstick comedy is only mildly amusing. Some crude humor and expressions. 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.

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Saturday, May 10, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Transformers" (2007). Engineered to appeal to a wide cross section of the public, this lumbering, mindless summertime entertainment -- based on the Hasbro action toys from the 1980s -- follows a teenager (Shia LaBeouf) embroiled in a battle between two factions of shape-shifting alien robots, with the fate of mankind and the universe hanging in the balance. Director Michael Bay has evidently benefited from working with executive producer Steven Spielberg, because humanistic themes offset Bay's propensity to fetishize weaponry and explosions, but not the movie's large amount of gratuitous material inappropriate for children and teens. Numerous sexual references, some crude language, a vulgar gesture, disrespectful racial jokes, drug references and some moderately violent action sequences. 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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