NEW YORK (CNS) -- The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of July 3. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations.

Monday, July 4, 2-4:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Rocky" (1976). Underdog Philadelphia club fighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) has a shot at the heavyweight championship with the help of a tough old trainer (Burgess Meredith). Director John Avildsen concentrates on the gritty, backstreet quality of life in the old neighborhood and the relationship that grows between Rocky and the introverted sister (Talia Shire) of his best friend (Burt Young). The bloody brutality of the prizefight game is abundantly evident. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (Start of a marathon of six "Rocky" films that concludes with "Rocky V" (1990) 1:45-4:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday, July 5.)

Tuesday, July 5, 5:45-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Billy Budd" (1962). Engrossing version of Herman Melville's story contrasting justice and the letter of the law when the seaman of the title (Terence Stamp) faces hanging aboard a British man-of-war in 1797 for striking an officer (Robert Ryan) who has falsely accused him of fomenting mutiny. Director Peter Ustinov (who also plays the vessel's vacillating captain) effectively evokes the twisted malevolence of the bullying master-at-arms who cannot abide the simple innocence of the stammering seaman. Stylized violence and moral dilemmas. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Wednesday, July 6, 10 p.m.-12:10 a.m. EDT (Showtime) "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989). The adventure trilogy ends by pairing Indy (Harrison Ford) with his father (Sean Connery), a medieval scholar trying to save the Holy Grail from 1930s Nazis. Director Steven Spielberg's eye-popping stunts and intense comic-book violence are balanced by the humorous interaction between father and son whose survival depends on their resolving long-standing conflicts. Exhilarating, old-fashioned action movie, much too intense for youngsters but less threatening to older adolescents. Minor sexual innuendo and rough language. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, July 9, 3:30-5:15 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Othello" (1952). Striking production of Shakespeare's tragedy in which the title Moor (Orson Welles) is sent to command the Venetian garrison on Cyprus where he is duped by his villainous aide, Iago (Michael MacLiammoir), into believing his innocent wife (Suzanne Cloutier) is unfaithful, with murderous results. Also directed by Welles, the result translates the stage play into an absorbing screen drama, brilliantly encapsulating the original through imaginative visuals, well-staged action and compelling performances, despite the low-budget production's technical inadequacies. Stylized violence, sexual innuendo and the harm of false pretenses. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Saturday, July 9, 8-10 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) "News of the World" (2020). Epic adventure, set in 1870 Texas, in which a Confederate veteran (Tom Hanks) accidentally becomes the temporary guardian of a 10-year-old orphan girl (Helena Zengel) and reluctantly undertakes a journey of hundreds of miles to deliver her to her only surviving relatives. Director and co-writer Paul Greengrass' visually expansive yet emotionally understated screen version of Paulette Jiles' 2016 novel explores the ethnic, sectional and economic tensions of the Reconstruction era as well as the redemptive bond uniting two victims of personal tragedy. But a sequence premised on the potential sexual exploitation of Zengel's character and an immoral offscreen encounter for Hanks' make this fare for grown-ups. Considerable stylized violence, implied nonmarital, possibly adulterous, sexual activity, mature themes, including sexual abuse, a few profanities, about a half-dozen milder oaths, a single use each of crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.