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

Milwaukee cathedral concerts

Jesus Christ Superstar play

Theater Bus plans trip to Fireside

Art exhibit at Olbrich Gardens

Public TV: Special programming for July 4 holiday

MADISON -- Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) will air special programming on and around July 4, celebrating the United States' rich history and traditions.

The special week began on Monday, June 28, with the first installment in the six-episode series, Liberty! The American Revolution, at 9 p.m. The series portrays the events and circumstances leading up to the colonies' break from Britain.

Wednesday, June 30, provides a full evening of special programming starting with a tour of Washington, D.C.: Our Nation's Capitol at 7 p.m., followed by Rebels and Redcoats: How Britain Lost America at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m., Onstage at the White House: The Governor's Dinner goes behind the scenes in preparation for a formal White House dinner.

On July 4, a daylong Independence Day schedule is planned. A three-hour American Experience, "The Center of the World" at 12 p.m. examines the rise and fall of New York's World Trade Center. Ric Burns' film also captures the strong diverse community bonds forged after the terrorism attacks of 9/11.

The evening of the Fourth starts with the 23rd broadcast of a Capitol Fourth at 7 p.m. The annual concert from the grounds of the U.S. Capitol is filled with inspiring American music, topped off by an awe-inspiring fireworks display over the Washington Monument.

Where History Lives: A Tour of the White House at 8:30 p.m. takes viewers behind the scenes of the nation's executive mansion with firsthand insight from First Lady Laura Bush.

At 9 p.m., Pyromania! offers an up-close look at the preparation and potential danger that goes into creating one of the country's largest fireworks displays.

TV Programs of Note

Following are some theatrical movies and television programs of note. This information is being provided to assist people in making viewing choices.

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

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

Sundays, July 4 and July 11, 7 a.m., WISC (CBS) -- Mass. Celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Campion, sponsored by Apostolate to the Handicapped.

Sunday, July 4, noon, WHA (PBS) -- The Center of the World. See related article for more details.

Sunday, July 4, 6 p.m., WKOW (ABC) -- Meredith Wilson's The Music Man. An award-winning 1957 Broadway musical and 1962 hit movie gets a sprightly new TV adaptation. Robert Preston so captured the title role in the 1962 film, it takes some adjusting to accept the more restrained Matthew Broderick as cunning con man Professor Harold Hill. But this spirited TV version has charm as well and for maximum enjoyment is best seen on its own terms without comparison to the movie.

Sunday, July 4, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- A Capitol Fourth. See related article for more details.

Sunday, July 4, 8:30 p.m., WYOU (cable) -- Christopher Close-Up: "I Choose to Stay." Salome Thomas-EL, a school principal from Philadelphia, describes his education and mentoring programs that have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of inner city children.

Monday through Friday, July 5 through July 9, 3:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., EWTN (cable) -- Faith in the Heartland.

Monday, July 5, 8 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- History Detectives. Each episode reveals the historical significance of artifacts, buildings, and legends from cities and towns across America as four gumshoes tackle unanswered mysteries by utilizing the best in the fields of forensics, research, architecture, and archaeology.

Friday, July 9, 7 p.m., UPN (cable) -- Operation Condor (1997). Comedy-action tale of a secret agent (Jackie Chan) who is assisted by three bickering women in searching for Nazi gold buried in the Sahara as various villains track the quartet's every move. Also directed by Chan, the dubbed 1991 production uses the nonsensical plot as a vehicle for tongue-in-cheek displays of bold stunts and martial-arts feats. Much comic-book violence, sexual references, and brief nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, July 10, 7 p.m., EWTN (cable) -- The Heart has its Reasons. This program examines the L'arche community and its founder Jean Vanier. What started out as a single home for the mentally handicapped in 1964 in Trolie, France has blossomed into dozens of communities bearing the same name and under the same mold all over the world. Within these communities, assistants live and work with the handicapped under a Christian model of life based on the Beatitudes. Repeats 2 a.m. July 13 and noon July 15.

Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- A Program about Unusual Buildings and Other Roadside Stuff. This program tours some of America's most interesting and unusual buildings. Repeats 8 p.m. July 12.

Sunday, July 11, 8:30 p.m., WYOU (cable) -- Christopher Close-Up: "Finding Peace." Author and pastor Dr. Charles Stanley shares personal insights on dealing with divorce and offers advice on how to live a life free from regret, anxiety, and fear.