TV film fare -- week of May 11

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of May 11. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Shop Holy Cards

Sunday, May 11, 8-10:45 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1996). Satisfying drama in which an aspiring composer reluctantly takes a job as a high school music teacher (Richard Dreyfuss) to support a wife and deaf son and spends his life inspiring generations of adolescents with his dedication and love of music. Helped by Dreyfuss' fine performance, director Stephen Herek's sentimental tale of a good man stresses old-fashioned virtues, as well as the importance of good teachers and the arts in developing young minds. Mild sexual innuendo and fleeting profanity. 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.

Tuesday, May 13, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Steel Magnolias" (1989). Some sassy Southern belles (Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah) share the joys and sorrows of a friend (Sally Field) and her headstrong, diabetic daughter (Julia Roberts) in comic and supportive banter at the beauty shop and during key events involving marriage, birth and death. Adapted by Robert Harling from his play and directed by Herb Ross, the movie is a rollicking tear-jerker with polished performances and a refreshing focus on women friends who are more seasoned than sexy. Some sexual 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 -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Friday, May 16, 8-10 p.m. EDT (Fox) "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004). Failed laugher about a bunch of scrappy misfits (led by Vince Vaughn) who form a dodgeball team to compete in a high-stakes tournament in Las Vegas to save their rundown neighborhood gym from being taken over by a state-of-the-art competitor (owned by Ben Stiller). As directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, "Dodgeball" follows a tried-and-true David-vs.-Goliath formula, but its love-yourself-for-who-you-are message is weighed down by its puerile brand of crass comedy. Recurring crude and sexual language and humor, an instance of rough language and profanity, and same-sex kissing. 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 PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Friday, May 16, 9:30-11:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Lilies of the Field" (1963). When an itinerant jack-of-all-trades (Sidney Poitier) stops to help a group of German nuns newly arrived in New Mexico, his cheerful generosity is disdained by the stern, demanding Mother Superior (Lilia Skala) until he builds them a chapel with the aid of the local Mexican-American community. Directed by Ralph Nelson, the movie's simple little story of the triumph of faith coupled with good will has enormous charm in the winning performances of the two principals, some good-natured comedy and an infectious theme song that will leave viewers humming "Amen." 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, May 17, 8-10 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Evan Almighty" (2007). Delightful contemporary spin on the Noah story, as a TV anchorman turned congressman (Steve Carell) is instructed by God (Morgan Freeman) to build an ark in light of an impending flood, much to the skeptical consternation of his colleagues on Capitol Hill (John Michael Higgins, Wanda Sykes and John Goodman), his wife (Lauren Graham) and his three young sons. Imparting an overall message about how one act of random kindness can change the world, director Tom Shadyac and screenwriter Steve Oedekerk skillfully combine slapstick, sentiment and surprising reverence -- these elements beautifully embodied in Carell's seriocomic central performance -- while the paired animals and the flood effects are wonderfully done. A smattering of mildly crass language, humor, irreverence and innuendo. 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 17, 8-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Hitch" (2005). Entertaining, if not totally convincing, old-fashioned romance about a highly successful "date doctor," Alex ("Hitch") Hitchens (Will Smith), who helps shy men woo the women they love but are too timid to approach. He falls for a gossip columnist (Eva Mendes) who just happens to be on the trail of an heiress (Amber Valletta) who is dating one of Hitch's clients, the rotund and bumbling Albert (Kevin James), leading to predictable complications. Andy Tennant's film is a refreshing throwback to the lighthearted fare that Hollywood used to produce, nicely devoid of gratuitous sexual situations, possesses a good moral tone, and contains appealing performances, but the script just misses being a total success because of some implausible plot turns, while the broadness of some gags undermines the realistic foundation so essential to the best comedies. A few instances of profanity, rough, and crude language, one brief sexual situation, and adult thematic elements. 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.

Shop Timeless Catholic Gifts

---

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops