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

Marian College spring concert

Student recitals at college

War World II: Programs show Wisconsin involvement

MADISON -- In May, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) offers the concluding chapters in its series about the role of Wisconsin families and individuals in the struggle for freedom and reclamation of democracy around the world in World War II.

The project is a partnership between WPT and the Wisconsin Historical Society, in association with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Wisconsin World War II Stories "Home Front" airs at 8 p.m. Monday, May 3. Airing the following night, 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, is Wisconsin World War II Stories "Pacific."

The programs encore on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 30, along with the other two offerings in the series. The 60-minute programs in the Wisconsin World War II Stories series air sequentially, beginning at 3 p.m. The order is "Struggle," "Europe," "Home Front," and "Pacific."

The new "Home Front" documentary includes stories of Wisconsin's contributions to the Allied War effort. These are the stories of the people who served on the home front, the ones who worked in the munitions plants, built submarines, canned food supplies, went without, and waited for the soldiers to come home.

"Pacific" has a format that will be familiar to those who have experienced the first two in the trilogy of veteran's recollections. The men and women who served so long ago recall their triumphs and their horrors, many for the first time since returning home.

The companion Web site to the World War II series is an educational and archiving resource that enhances the television broadcasts.

The site, wisconsinstories.org, will be updated with material from the two new programs.

The Web site will archive extended transcripts from program participants and provide streaming video from the two broadcast offerings. It also provides tips on preserving war memorabilia and how to complete an oral history project.

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.

Saturday, May 1, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Super Band XXX: 30th Annual UW Varsity Band Spring Concert. This program features Wisconsin favorites, fifth-quarter tunes, and tributes to musicians such as Billy Joel and ABBA. The band will also present a rendition of Porgy and Bess. Guest performers will be former Tonight Show Band drummer Ed Shaughnessy and country artist Amber Dawn Carter. Repeats 8 p.m. May 10.

Sunday, May 2, 7 a.m., WISC (CBS) -- Mass. Celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Campion, sponsored by Apostolate to the Handicapped.

Sunday, May 2, 6 p.m., EWTN (cable) -- C.S. Lewis and Catholicism. Host Fr. Michael Scanlan, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and author Joseph Pearce discuss Christian apologist C.S. Lewis, his books, and his relationships with Catholics and the Catholic Church. Repeats noon May 4 and 2 a.m. May 7.

Sunday, May 2, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Alone in the Wilderness. To live in a pristine land unchanged by man, to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed, to be a self-sufficient craftsman making what is needed from materials available. Thousands have had such a dream, but Richard Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country. This is a simple account of the day-to-day explorations and activities he carried out alone and the constant chain of nature's events that kept him company.

Sunday, May 2, 8:30 p.m., WYOU (cable) -- Christopher Close-Up: "'Tis Herself." Legendary actress Maureen O'Hara recalls the influence her parents had on her Catholic faith, working with film giants John Wayne and John Ford, and the loss of her beloved husband in a plane crash.

Monday, May 3, 8 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Wisconsin World War II Stories: "Home Front." See related article on this page.

Tuesday, May 4, 8 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Wisconsin World War II Stories: "Pacific." See related article on this page.

Tuesday, May 4, 10 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Nova: "Descent into Ice." Mont Blanc is one of the world's most popular destinations for Alpine climbers and scientists. But 200 years of winter sports, science, and tourism have done nothing to tame this mountain. The hazards generated by rock falls, ice avalanches, and sudden flooding are still poorly understood and almost impossible to control. Nova follows a team of daring "glacionauts" as they descend into a labyrinth of unexplored ice caves to find trapped flood water that menaces the populated valleys below.

Wednesday, May 5, 8 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most recognizable structures in the United States, and possibly the modern world, is the wondrous orange bridge that closes the mile-wide gap between San Francisco and Marin County. This hour-long documentary takes a closer look at this structure and the men who brought it into existence. Concise and well-written, the documentary was scripted and directed by Ben Loeterman. It is as much about the bridge as a work of art as it is about the personalities that shaped it.

Thursday, May 6, 9 p.m., WHA (PBS) -- Frontline: "The Jesus Factor." As an evangelical Christian, President Bush has something in common with the 46 percent of Americans who describe themselves as being "born again" or having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What is actually known about the rudiments of George Bush's faith? To what extent do the president's spiritual beliefs impact or influence his political decision-making? And how closely do Bush's religious views mirror those of the country's burgeoning - and politically influential - evangelical movement?