Web site TV for Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2010

TV film fare -- week of Sept. 26

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of Sept. 26. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2:30-5 p.m. EDT (AMC) "What's Love Got to Do With It" (1993). Musical biography of rock singer Tina Turner (played by Angela Bassett) focusing on her rise to fame and troubled marriage to abusive husband Ike (Laurence Fishburne) until she left him and established a solo career. Director Brian Gibson serves up a spirited but ultimately superficial look at the entertainer, offsetting the ugly hysterics of a violent relationship with glossy musical set-pieces. A discreet bedroom scene, some intense domestic violence, occasional recreational drug use and recurring rough language. 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.

Monday, Sept. 27, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Westerner" (1940). Cowboy Gary Cooper sides with the sodbusters against the cattlemen led by Roy Bean (Walter Brennan), the hanging judge of Vinegaroon, Texas. Directed by William Wellman, the situation is familiar but flavorsome and wryly fashioned, particularly Brennan's performance as the ornery judge who idolizes English singer Lillie Langtry. Periodic stylized violence. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, Oct. 2, noon-2:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Seven Days in May" (1964). When a top American general (Burt Lancaster) plots to take over the government to stop the president (Fredric March) from signing a disarmament agreement with the Russians, a loyal Army colonel (Kirk Douglas) tries to avert the coup. Director John Frankenheimer's suspense thriller is thoroughly involving, credibly done and provides some food for thought. Much tension and some menace. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, Oct. 2, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (HBO) "The Blind Side" (2009). Inspirational family drama, based on real events, in which a wealthy white couple (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) in Memphis, Tenn., offer shelter to a homeless black student (Quinton Aaron) from their children's (Lily Collins and Jae Head) school. The student becomes an increasingly integral part of their clan, and they help him to hone his football skills while also hiring a determined tutor (Kathy Bates) to raise his academic standing. Driven by Bullock's field-sweeping performance as the feisty, religiously motivated adoptive mother, writer-director John Lee Hancock's unapologetically Christian tale of human solidarity across racial and class divides, adapted from Michael Lewis' 2006 best-seller "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game," is funny, shrewd and ultimately uplifting. Brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, at least one profanity, a few sexual and drug references, a half-dozen crass terms. The Catholic News Service 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.

TV program notes -- week of Sept. 26

Here are some television program notes for the week of Sept. 26 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by Catholic News Service.

Sunday, Sept. 26, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Guadalupe: A Living Image." Msgr. Eduardo Chavez - who was postulator of the canonization cause for St. Juan Diego -- discusses the document known as the "Nican Mopohva," which presents the original, authentic history of Our Lady of Guadalupe's appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac Hill in what is now the northern part of Mexico City. He was canonized in 2002.

Monday, Sept. 27, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "When Worlds Collide." Host Ruben Martinez examines the origins of today's Latino culture in the United States through the untold story of what happened in the Americas after the arrival of Columbus. The journey begins in 2010 Los Angeles and travels to Latin America and Spain for an exploration of the first century after the Old World encountered the New (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 8-10 p.m. EDT, and Wednesday, Sept. 29, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Baseball: The Tenth Inning." The first episode in Ken Burns and co-director Lynn Novick's two-part update of their celebrated 1994 series "Baseball," recounting the tumultuous story of the national pastime over the past 15 years. Despite a crippling strike that alienated millions of fans and brought the game to the brink, this has been an era of unprecedented home run totals, popularity and prosperity. Yet it also has seen the unfolding of one of the game's darkest chapters: the steroid era. The miniseries features commentary from an eclectic lineup of writers, broadcasters, fans and all-stars.

Friday, Oct. 1, 10-11 p.m. EDT (Discovery) "Beyond Survival With Les Stroud." Premiere of a new series in which Stroud, an experienced survivalist, seeks out the true masters of survival: the last indigenous tribes in the most remote corners of the planet.

Friday, Oct. 1, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "The Mystery of the Holy House of Loreto." This documentary focuses on the Holy House of Loreto, one of Italy's most famous Marian shrines.