Web site TV for June 13 - June 19, 2010

TV film fare -- week of June 13

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

Sunday, June 13, 1-3:30 p.m. EDT (A&E) "The Untouchables" (1987). Brian De Palma, not known for directorial subtleties, provides an almost camp parody of the TV original as federal agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), portrayed as an inept family man, gets the goods on infamous Chicago gang boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro). The violence is dreamlike and distanced in a highly stylized crime-stopper movie that has some harsh language and brutal intensity. The Catholic News Service 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.

Sunday, June 13, 9:30 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) "All the King's Men" (1949). Strong adaptation of Robert Penn Warren's novel about a poor country lawyer (Broderick Crawford) whose rise to political power during the Depression transforms him from a populist reformer into a ruthless demagogue with national ambitions. Directed by Robert Rossen, the picture is strikingly realistic in showing the corruption of democratic processes by a politician closely resembling Louisiana's Huey Long, though is less convincing in its portrayal of his personal failings and moral transgressions. Mature themes and treatment. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Wednesday, June 16, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "In Cold Blood" (1967). Meaningful screen version of Truman Capote's nonfiction novel about the senseless 1959 slaying of a Kansas family and the apprehension and hanging of their killers (Robert Blake and Scott Wilson). Director Robert Brooks takes a semi-documentary approach in re-creating these events with shattering realism but with compassion and a notable lack of sensationalism. It also explores the backgrounds and the motivations of the two criminals as well as scrutinizes the practice of capital punishment. Strong stuff but the experience is thought-provoking. The Catholic News Service 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, June 19, 1:30-3:45 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Support Your Local Sheriff" (1969). Gentle Western spoof set in a lawless boom town whose leading citizens hire a quiet drifter (James Garner) to be sheriff and he proceeds to tame the town through a series of clever and nonlethal maneuvers. Garner is past master at this kind of genial characterization and his performance combines neatly with Burt Kennedy's deft, offbeat direction to make a very solid comedy. Joan Hackett supplies the daffy romantic interest and Walter Brennan, Jack Elam and Bruce Dern are excellent in support. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.

Saturday, June 19, 8-10:35 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009). At the behest of his mentor (Michael Gambon), the now-teenage wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) ingratiates himself with a returning Hogwarts instructor (Jim Broadbent) who once taught his archenemy Lord Voldemort and whose memories may hold the key to defeating the villain, while adolescent romantic tensions complicate the lad's relationship with his two closest friends (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson). As directed by David Yates, this sixth adaptation of J.K. Rowling's hugely popular fantasy novel series is a richly textured, though at times overcrowded, adventure narrative in which good and evil are clearly delineated, but characters present a range of moral shading. Moderate action violence, occasional peril, a couple of crass expressions, and a few vaguely sexual references. The Catholic News Service 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, June 19, 10-11:45 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) "Whiteout" (2009). Lackluster thriller in which a federal marshal (Kate Beckinsale) and a U.N. official (Gabriel Macht) investigate a series of murders in Antarctica, assisted by a government medic (Tom Skerritt). Though there are some suspenseful snow-blinded confrontations with the killer, logic is among the casualties in director Dominic Sena's often grisly adaptation of Greg Rucka's graphic novel. Frequent gory images, brief streaking scene with full male nudity, partial female shower nudity, suicide, a few uses of profanity, and occasional rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service 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.

TV program notes -- week of June 13

Here are some television program notes for the week of June 13 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by Catholic News Service.

Sunday, June 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "In Concert: De Fesch Missa Paschalis." This concert features a performance of two Masses by the Baroque composer Willem de Fesch (1687-1761): "Missa Paschalis" and "Missa in G." De Fesch's joyful "Missa Paschalis," or "Paschal Mass," was written for the Easter season in celebration of Christ rising from the dead.

Sunday, June 13, 8-11 p.m. EDT (CBS) "64th Annual Tony Awards." Antonio Banderas, Cate Blanchett, Michael Douglas, Kelsey Grammer, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Lucy Liu, Helen Mirren, Chris Noth, Bernadette Peters, David Hyde Pierce, Tony Shalhoub, Liev Schreiber, Denzel Washington and Raquel Welch will appear as presenters, and Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison will make appearances during this awards ceremony -- broadcast live from New York's Radio City Music Hall -- honoring theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway. Sean Hayes hosts.

Wednesday, June 16, 9 p.m.-midnight EDT (PBS) "La Danse: Le Ballet de l'Opera de Paris." In his 38th film, documentarian Frederick Wiseman turns an unblinking eye on one of the world's leading ballet companies, the Paris Opera Ballet. A "Great Performances" presentation (TV-G -- general audience).

Saturday, June 19, 8-9 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Teresa de Jesus." First episode of an eight-part miniseries on the life of the great saint and mystic Teresa of Avila (1515-82); it begins in Ortigosa, Spain, in the summer of 1538, introducing Teresa of Ahumada, as she was then known. (Spanish with English subtitles.)