USCCB Movie Reviews The above link will connect you to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's movie and video reviews. They contain a brief overview of many movies with the USCCB's classification and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating. They may have a comment on any inappropriate language or violence in the film. You may also want to check out the Catholic News Service capsule movie reviews.

Media/Arts Briefs

MADISON -- Wisconsin's comprehensive Web site for culture, art, history, and humanities can be as invaluable as sunscreen and a road map as people sort through summer entertainment choices. Log on to www.portalwisconsin.org.

"As summer plans get formulated, people should keep in mind the great resource that is portalwisconsin.org," said Nella Citino, project manager. "The site, which launched in January, offers an event calendar that is searchable by geographic location, date, key words, or disciplines. It's one place on the Web."

Visitors to the site will also find links about classes, chats, and an archive of various artistic disciplines.

Also featured are panoramic tours of Wisconsin locations. These sites may encourage an actual visit to places such as Circus World Museum in Baraboo or the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh.

In an era of information overload, portalwisconsin.org enlists the integrity of its partners and has become a trusted service, streamlining information on behalf of users. The partners act as curators, meaning the site has no agenda other than to help visitors find information through easy navigation.

The site is managed by the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Concerts on the Rooftop

MADISON -- Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center will feature KOJO as part of the "Bank One Concerts on the Rooftop" series on Thursday, June 27.

KOJO will play music from the Caribbean islands, encompassing styles from reggae and dancehall to soca and calypso.

The next concert will feature Mama Digdown's Brass Band playing New Orleans jazz on Thursday, July 11.

The concert, free and open to the public, will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Monona Terrace rooftop. Sandwiches, popcorn, beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase beginning at 5 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors to the Exhibition Hall.

Monona Terrace is located at One John Nolen Dr. Parking is available in the Monona Terrace parking ramp for a nominal fee. For further information call 608-261-4000 or TTY 608-261-4150.

TV Programs of Note

Monday-Friday, 2:30 p.m., Inspiration Channel (cable) -- "Catholic Mass."

Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Daily Mass." No 6 p.m. showing on Sunday.

Sunday, June 30, 7 a.m., WISC (CBS) - "Mass." Celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Campion, sponsored by Apostolate to the Handicapped.

Sunday, June 30, 10:30 p.m., WHA (PBS) - "Wisconsin Stories: The Power of Water." Water has the power to heal, to sustain life, and to enliven lands and communities. How we use water has shaped our history.

Sunday, June 30, 6 p.m., WKOW (ABC) - "The Sixth Man" (1997). Lame comic fantasy in which a college basketball star (Kadeem Hardison) dies in midseason but his spirit returns to help his brother (Marlon Wayans) lead their underrated team to the championship. Directed by Randall Miller, the cliched sports story offers no surprises and the one-joke premise of a ghostly sixth player seen only by his brother delivers few giggles before growing tiresome. Player's death during a game, strong sexual innuendo, and coarse language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Sunday, June 30, 6:30 p.m., WMSN (Fox) - "Speed" (1994). Determined to save a busload of terrified passengers, a Los Angeles SWAT team cop (Keanu Reeves) leaps aboard a city bus that has been rigged by a psychotic explosives expert (Dennis Hopper) to blow up if it goes less than 50 mph. Despite the ludicrous escapist plot that ultimately goes over the top in turns of impossible heroics, director Jan De Bont's nonstop action movie concentrates more on the steel-willed cop's efforts to prevent mass murder than on the mayhem committed by the crazed maniac. Intermittent violence, intense explosions, and frequent rough language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was R - restricted.

Sunday, June 30, 6 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "The Catholic Church in Russia: Parts 1 and 2." The Catholic Church in Russia was almost eradicated by 70 years of Communist oppression. Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Fr. Michael Shields, a missionary priest from the Archdiocese of Anchorage, discuss this persecuted country's struggle to rebuild its faith, its beloved church structures, and its community of believers. Repeats noon July 2; 2 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 5; Parts 3 and 4: 6 p.m. July 28; noon July 30; 2 a.m. and 10 p.m. Aug. 2.

Thursday, July 4, 7 p.m., WMSN (Fox) - "Trial and Error" (1997). Feeble courtroom comedy in which an actor (Michael Richards) tries to help a drunken lawyer (Jeff Daniels) by taking his place in a trial which drags witlessly on until the actor falls for the prosecutor (Jessica Steen) and the lawyer beds a dreamy waitress (Charlize Theron). Director Jonathan Lynn treats the lightweight material in laborious, heavy-handed fashion, though the chief drawbacks are the charmless principals who prove as bogus as the trial and as shallow as the plot. Sexual situations and occasional profanity. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Radio Programs of Note

Monday, July 1-Sunday, July 7, 4 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Bishop William H. Bullock's Weekly Radio Broadcast."

Sunday, June 30, 2 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "St. Joseph Radio Presents: The Sacrament of Reconciliation." With Stan Interrante and Fr. Edward Broom, O.M.V.

Tuesday, July 2, 5 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Catholic Answers Live: Crisis in the Middle East." With Nabil Mouannes. Repeats 8 a.m. July 3.