NEW YORK (OSV News) – The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of July 6, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week. Televised films may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations while the programs listed have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by OSV News.

Streaming Now:

"Clifford the Big Red Dog" (2021; Hulu)

Slapstick humor is the order of the day in this silly but mostly harmless adaptation of a series of children's books by Norman Bridwell, the first of which was published in 1963. Director Walt Becker mixes computer animation and live action to tell the story of a lonely New York City preteen (Darby Camp) who adopts a little red puppy from an eccentric animal rescuer (John Cleese) only to have her love for the dog magically transform it, overnight, into a giant. With her mom (Sienna Guillory) away on a business trip, the pooch's metamorphosis presents an outsized problem for her babysitting slacker uncle (Jack Whitehall). Yet, even as they contend with the pet-averse superintendent (David Alan Grier) of the lass' apartment building and a scheming CEO (Tony Hale) who wants to claim his biotech firm brought about the massive growth spurt, the duo can count on the help of a diminutive schoolmate (Izaac Wang) who has a secret crush on the protagonist. Underlying themes include the need to accept those who are different, the dangers of bullying and the value of self-confidence. But these messages are not put across very adroitly and are offset by some potty gags and a bit of vaguely rude dialogue. A few scatological jokes, a couple of instances each of mild swearing and crass talk. The OSV News classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"Serenity" (2005; Amazon Prime)

Offbeat sci-fi fantasy based on the short-lived television series "Firefly" set 500 years in the future about a crew of space smugglers (captained by Nathan Fillion) hotly pursued by an operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) of an oppressive interplanetary government intent on recapturing a fugitive doctor (Sean Maher) and his telepath sister (Summer Glau) whom the renegades rescued. Written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon, the film -- which plays like an extended episode of the TV series -- weds the science fiction and Western genres resulting in a sly, offbeat and witty hybrid. Stylized and bloody action violence, some sexual humor, and minimal crude language. The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"U-571" (2000; Netflix)

Suspenseful World War II action-drama about a young Navy lieutenant (Matthew McConaughey) who leads a daring mission to commandeer a disabled German U-boat and capture a top-secret Nazi encryption device. Writer-director Jonathan Mostow sharply captures the claustrophobia of submarines and the film's intense visual effects are striking although bland performances make it difficult to distinguish among the characters. Recurring war violence and fleeting crass language. The OSV News classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, July 6, 1:30-2:15 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "21st International Festival of Sacred Music and Art: Universal Vespers." Claude Villaret conducts this performance of Andrea Mannucci’s "Universal Vespers" at Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran. Part of the occasional series "In Concert" (TV-G -- general audience).

Sunday, July 6, 9:03-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) "The Princess Bride" (1987). Affectionate, lighthearted parody of medieval romance as a young beauty (Robin Wright) is saved from a forced marriage to a nasty prince (Chris Sarandon) by a farm boy turned pirate (Cary Elwes). Directed by Rob Reiner from William Goldman's script, the comic proceedings are marked with verbal wit and some silly turns by Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn and Billy Crystal. Some comic-book violence. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Tuesday, July 8, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) "Gran Torino" (2008). Improbable and gritty if ultimately humane redemption tale of a crusty Korean War vet (Clint Eastwood in peak form) who resents the encroachment of the Laotian Hmongs who have moved into his Detroit neighborhood, but becomes their reluctant hero and unlikely friend after he saves the young teen (Bee Vang) next door from being pressured to join a marauding Hmong gang. Eastwood directs with his customary frontier worldview, with the cultural tolerance theme and a positive priest character (Christopher Carley) strong pluses, though the nonstop racial epithets and expletives are, even in this context, excessive. Pervasive rough language, profanity and racial slurs, violence with bloodshed, and a morally tangled ending. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Friday, July 11, 10-11:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Marcella." This episode of the series "American Masters" profiles celebrated cookbook writer Marcella Hazan (1924-2013) who is credited with popularizing traditional Italian cuisine in the U.S.

Saturday, July 12, 9:45-11:31 p.m. EDT (HBO) "Get Out" (2017). Clever social commentary adds heft to this thriller from writer-director Jordan Peele. During a weekend visit to the country estate of his white live-in girlfriend's (Allison Williams) parents (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford), whom he has never met before, a black photographer (Daniel Kaluuya) becomes increasingly unsettled by the peculiar behavior of those on both sides of the racial divide, including his gal's aggressive brother (Caleb Landry Jones) and the family's strangely subdued, zombie-like maid (Betty Gabriel) and gardener (Marcus Henderson). As things turn ever more sinister, Peele adeptly uses horror tropes to comment on slavery, racism and liberal pieties. But late scenes featuring some gory encounters, together with swearing throughout, make his film a rugged ride even for grown-ups. Some harsh and bloody violence, cohabitation, at least one use of profanity, pervasive rough and crude language. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.- - - John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @JohnMulderig1.