Monday, Aug. 2, 5-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Far From the Madding Crowd" (1967). Excellent British screen version of Thomas Hardy's romantic melodrama of early Victorian country life with Julie Christie being pursued by Peter Finch, Terence Stamp and Alan Bates. Director John Schlesinger avoids the pitfalls of the formula blockbuster and comes up with a superbly realistic, atmospheric production filmed entirely on location in Hardy's Dorset. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (check local listings) (PBS) "Diahann Carroll: The Lady, the Music, the Legend." Carroll, a multitalented singer and actress, performs some of her most popular songs, which reflect the many roles she has played throughout her career (TV-G -- general audience).

Thursday, Aug. 5, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (check local listings) (PBS) "Michel Legrand & Friends: 50 Years of Music and Movies." Jon Voight and Jennifer O'Neil host a concert in honor of composer Legrand and his celebrated film work. Guests include Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, Sting and George Benson, among others (TV-G -- general audience).

Friday, Aug. 6, 9:30-11:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Casablanca" (1942). Classic romantic melodrama set in the refugee crossroads of French North Africa where an American expatriate (Humphrey Bogart) helps the woman who broke his heart (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband (Paul Henreid), an underground leader, escape the Nazi dragnet. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the story is replete with World War II intrigue, sardonic humor, punchy dialogue ("Here's looking at you, kid!") and a great cast, including Claude Rains as a suave Vichy police officer and Dooley Wilson's rendition of "As Time Goes By." Time stands still for this one, though the wartime atmosphere may be too menacing for the children. 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, Aug. 7, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (AMC) "The Undefeated" (1969). Post-Civil War story in which a group of Confederate families (led by Rock Hudson) heading for asylum in Mexico under Emperor Maximilian join forces with a former Union officer (John Wayne) bringing a herd of horses south of the border as they fight off Mexican bandits and get embroiled in the Mexican Civil War. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, it's an unpretentious, old-fashioned cowboy movie that can be enjoyed by any who like Western action and adventure. 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, Aug. 7, 8-9:45 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" (2009). Enjoyable sequel, again directed by Shawn Levy, has the ex-Museum of Natural History night guard (Ben Stiller) traveling to Washington to rescue his formerly inanimate friends -- the museum's display figures (Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan) -- from being archived in the Smithsonian. With the help of Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and General Custer (Bill Hader), they must ward off Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah (funny Hank Azaria), Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon Bonaparte (Alain Chabat) and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal). Kids will love the gags (the humor stays clean) and excellent special effects, and adults will appreciate the wit of some of the D.C. museum's most iconic paintings and sculptures springing to life. The Catholic News Service 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.

Saturday, Aug. 7, 9-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Red Eye" (2005). Uneven psychological thriller about a young air passenger (Rachel McAdams) en route to Miami who becomes an unwilling accomplice in a deadly assassination plot against a high-ranking government official orchestrated by the charming stranger (Cillian Murphy) sitting next to her on the plane, who coerces her cooperation by threatening to have her father back home in Florida killed if she refuses. Directed by Wes Craven, the initial takeoff is smart and suspenseful, but the film hits story turbulence midflight before nose-diving in the third act. Several instances of intense violence, including a graphic throat puncturing, as well as some 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 PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Aug. 7, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (Cinemax) "The Box" (2009). In 1976 Richmond, Va., a cash-strapped suburban couple (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) find themselves in a moral dilemma when a mysterious, disfigured stranger (a haunting Frank Langella) presents them with a device that, if they choose to activate it, will kill someone unknown to them but also will gain them a $1 million payment. Spiritually well-grounded adult viewers willing to overlook some improbabilities in writer-director Richard Kelly's intelligently challenging, if over-elaborate, screen version of Richard Matheson's 1970 short story "Button, Button" may be intrigued by this reflection on ethical choices and consequences, but the evolving parable includes actions that would be blatantly unacceptable in a more realistic context. Mature themes, complex moral issues, a few uses of profanity and a couple of sexual references. 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 PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Sunday, Aug. 8, 8-9 p.m. EDT (Animal Planet) "The Uprising." This special examines how species from across the globe seem to be demonstrating increasingly violent tendencies toward humans. Narrated by Richard Belzer (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Sunday, Aug. 8, 9-10:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Inspector Lewis, Series II: Allegory of Love." In this "Masterpiece Mystery!" presentation, featuring Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, literary whimsy becomes murderous reality with the death of a Czech barmaid in the university city of Oxford, England (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 9-10 p.m. EDT (Discovery) "Man vs. Wild." Season premiere of this ongoing series in which, followed by a cameraman, adventurer Bear Grylls uses his military training to demonstrate survival skills -- everything from traversing through extreme heat and cold, to scavenging for and eating raw insects.

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "St. Edmund Campion." This documentary explores the faith journey and martyrdom of St. Edmund, an English Jesuit priest (1540-1581).

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT (TCM) "The Odd Couple" (1968). Two men separated from their wives and sharing an apartment discover what incompatibility is all about. One is obsessively neat (Jack Lemmon) and the other is a compulsive slob (Walter Matthau). The story is a nice twist on the adjustments people have to make in life as well as marriage and both principals take good advantage of the comic potential of teaming a disparate pair. Director Gene Saks relies on Neil Simon's adaptation of his own stage play and the result is often hilarious comedy. Some sexual references. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G -- general audiences. All ages admitted.

 

Thursday, Aug. 12, 8:30-10 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "The Great Buck Howard" (2009). Charming show biz comedy about a law school dropout (Colin Hanks) who takes a job as road manager for a once-famed but now washed-up mentalist (John Malkovich), eventually bonding with him, despite the performer's egotistical delusions, and falling for his much put-upon publicist (Emily Blunt). Sustained by Malkovich's masterly characterization, writer-director Sean McGinly's gentle spoof offers a valentine to perseverance along with a sendup of celebrity culture, though the central romance becomes sexual after mere acquaintance. A premarital relationship and some mildly sexual humor. The Catholic News Service 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, Aug. 13, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Captain Nemo and the Underwater City" (1970). Jules Verne's Nemo (Robert Ryan) rescues a group of landlubbers (Nanette Newman, Bill Fraser, Kenneth Connor and Chuck Connors) on the condition that they not attempt an escape from his self-sufficient city 20,000 leagues under the sea. Directed by James Hill, the special effects, the underwater city and the dramatic complications are intriguing enough to engross a child's imagination in this generally pleasing utopian, anti-war fantasy. 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, Aug. 14, 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "North to Alaska" (1960). Robust adventure story set in 1900 Nome where a trio of gold prospectors (John Wayne, Stewart Granger and Fabian) make a big strike, then have to defend it against a slick claim-jumper (Ernie Kovacs) while dealing with a Frenchwoman (Capucine) who has only marriage on her mind. Director Henry Hathaway alternates the full-blooded action sequences with ongoing romantic misunderstandings between the principals. Stylized violence and sexual innuendo. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009). Overlong, mindlessly violent action adventure sequel in which a college freshman (Shia LaBeouf) and his girlfriend (Megan Fox) assist a group of friendly, shape-shifting alien robots as they battle to defend humanity against the designs of a hostile horde of similar creatures. Derived from the back story of a line of Hasbro toys, director Michael Bay's globe-trotting explosion fest offers only a modicum of human interest amid the thunderous special effects. Also shown in Imax. Pervasive action violence, brief rear nudity, brief nongraphic nonmarital sexual activity, drug use, occasional rough and crude and some crass language, and frequent sexual references. 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 PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 8-10:35 p.m. EDT (Showtime) "Inglourious Basterds." (2009). Provocative World War II fantasy in which a team of ruthless Jewish-American commandoes led by a hard-bitten Southern officer (Brad Pitt) and a young French Jewish woman (Melanie Laurent) passing as a gentile cinema owner in occupied Paris plot independently to assassinate key Nazi leaders during a gala film premiere, even as the German officer (Christoph Waltz) who killed her family threatens both schemes. Between episodes of graphic bloodletting, writer-director Quentin Tarantino weaves a suspenseful, though somewhat lurid, alternate history, but the Americans' systematic brutality toward enemy soldiers can only be accepted within a genre far removed from reality and on the supposition that all Teutonic combatants were Holocaust enablers. Strong violent content, including torture and mutilation, complex moral issues, a few uses of profanity, and much rough and some 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.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 9-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "Meet the Fockers" (2004). Glossy, good-natured, often intentionally tasteless sequel to "Meet the Parents" as Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and his soon-to-be bride, Pam (Teri Polo), and in-laws (Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner) drive to Florida to meet his gregarious, unconventional parents (Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman) with predictably farcical results. The chief pleasure of director Jay Roach's fitfully funny film is watching the stars go through their anything-for-a-laugh paces so gamely, but though the film ultimately espouses good family values, much of the humor, language and setups are on the crude side. Sexual situations and innuendo, coarse language and brief rear nudity. 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 PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 8-10 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Don Bosco." The first half of a two-part biography of St. John Bosco (1815-1888), the founder of the Salesians, whose unconditional love and glowing witness of Christ changed the lives of countless impoverished boys in his native Italy and beyond. The profile concludes Saturday, Aug. 21, 8-10 p.m. EDT.