Web site TV for June 27 - July 3, 2010

TV film fare -- week of June 27

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of June 27. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Sunday, June 27, 8-11:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Cold Mountain" (2003). Rapturously shot Civil War romance about a young Confederate deserter (Jude Law) who must hoof his way across the war-torn South in the hopes of reuniting with the woman he loves (Nicole Kidman), a Southern belle enduring her own behind-the-lines hardships. In the film, based on Charles Frazier's 1997 novel, director Anthony Minghella chooses an epic historical canvas on which to paint an intimate story about love and the loss war engenders, but the episodic nature of the narrative and the tenuousness of the central love affair results in a film that, while visually elegant in its condemnation of war, is less than emotionally satisfying. Recurring graphic battlefield and associated violence, several explicit sexual situations with partial nudity, an attempted rape, as well as some crude language and humor. 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.

Tuesday, June 29, 8-10:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (1967). Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee whoop it up at the World Wide Wicket Company in a zestful adaptation of the Broadway musical about an ex-window-washer's schemes to reach the top of a big corporation in the shortest possible time. Director David Swift's sharp, witty spoof retains most of the original's running gags and Frank Loesser's music. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Wednesday, June 30, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Solid Gold Cadillac" (1956). Delightful comedy about a small shareholder (Judy Holliday) in a large corporation who ejects its corrupt board of directors through the proxies of other small shareholders and the savvy of an honest business executive (Paul Douglas). Directed by Richard Quine, Holliday's eccentric brand of comedy is perfectly suited to this populist tale of ordinary people triumphing over corporate sharks. Mild romantic complications. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
 
Thursday, July 1, 8-10 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Hondo" (1954). Lean Western about a hard-riding, straight-shooting cowboy (John Wayne) who gives up his independent ways to stand by a woman (Geraldine Page) whose husband has abandoned her and their young son during an Apache uprising. Directed by John Farrow, the obligatory action scenes of fistfights, cavalry patrols and Indian battles are less interesting than Wayne's strong title performance as the mythic Western hero who respects women, children and the Indian way of life. Frontier 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, July 3, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Dorothy rides her tornado to the magic land over the rainbow in director Victor Fleming's classic that skyrocketed Judy Garland's career and has given generations of families prime entertainment again and again. 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.

TV program notes -- week of June 27

Here are some television program notes for the week of June 27 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 27, 9-11 p.m. EDT (CBS) "The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards." Presented live from the Las Vegas Hilton, and hosted by Regis Philbin, this ceremony honors outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production.
Sunday, June 27, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "The Wall: A World Divided." This special explores how the November 1989 opening of the Berlin Wall helped end the Cold War without a shot being fired (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Monday, June 28, noon-1:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Vespers for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul." Live from Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Pope Benedict XVI leads vespers. The service will be rerun 5-6:30 p.m. EDT.

Tuesday, June 29, 3:30-5:30 a.m. EDT (EWTN) "Solemnity of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul." Pope Benedict XVI presides over the Solemn Mass of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, live from Rome. The liturgy will be rerun 6-8 p.m. EDT.

Tuesday, June 29, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (PBS) "The Beaches of Agnes." In this cinematic memoir, 81-year-old award-winning French filmmaker Agnes Varda employs her art to juxtapose the real and the imagined, the past and the present, pain and joy. Part of the series "P.O.V." (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).
 
Thursday, July 1, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Norah Jones." Grammy Award-winning vocalist and pianist Norah Jones performs highlights from her fourth album, "The Fall." A "Soundstage" presentation (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).