By Barb Oates
There’s just something about a good tearjerker that leaves you fulfilled — that emotional journey, where you are completely invested in the story and the characters who leave you forever touched. In honor of Mother’s Day, I reached out to some of my more sappy colleagues to compile Channel Guide Magazine’s list of the top tearjerkers airing this month. So set your DVR so you can sit back, grab your tissue and enjoy a good cry fest.
The Age of Innocence Winner of an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, The Age of Innocence is interwoven with passion, sacrifice and intrigue as two illicit lovers are kept apart by the rigid society they inhabit. This film tells the story of a man caught between two women and two worlds, and is based on Edith Wharton’s novel about timeless love and aching loss. Stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder. (3:30) ’93
OWN, May 14 2a
Antwone Fisher A sailor with an explosive attitude, Antwone Fisher is ordered to see naval psychiatrist Jerome Davenport about his volatile temper. Little does he know that his first step into the doctor’s office will lead him on a journey home. With the support of the doctor, who becomes more like a father than anyone Fisher has ever known, and the woman from whom he learns how to love, Fisher finds the courage to stop fighting and start healing. Only then can he call on the family he never knew and come to terms with the one he knew all too well. Stars Derek Luke, Denzel Washington and Malcolm David Kelley. (PG-13, 2:00) ’02
CINEMAX-E May 15 10a; 27 6a
AMAX-E May 7 12:45p; 10 10p; 13 8a; 19 11:45a; 22 7:20a; 30 11:50p
Audrey’s Rain A young girl’s promise to her dying mother that she will always look after her younger siblings (including one who is mentally challenged) proves devastating. Audrey denies herself any pleasures and grows into a bitter spinster. She blames her siblings for robbing her of any normal, happy life. Her life is further complicated when her sister commits suicide and she is forced to raise her sister’s two children. Her misery is comforted by her long ago boyfriend who begins to break her shell. Stars Jean Smart, Richard Gilliland and Allison Barcott. (NR, 1:36) ’03
HALLMARK CHANNEL May 15 3p
August Rush In search of his parents, a young orphan (Freddie Highmore) comes to New York City, where he is taken in by a community of homeless children. When the children’s protector — an enigmatic man known as Wizard (played masterfully by Robin Williams) recognizes that the boy is a musical prodigy, he names him August Rush and begins to exploit his extraordinary talent. The film is a touching journey of lost love and misunderstanding. Also stars Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. (PG, 1:53) ’07
LIFE May 8 2p
Awakenings Based on a true story, Robin Williams stars as a quiet doctor assigned to a ward of catatonic patients. Although his patients haven’t moved in decades, he believes they are alive inside so he begins to experiment with a chemical cure. There’s no such thing as a simple miracle when one of his patients, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), responds to the treatment. Together, the two teach each other on what’s truly important in life. Directed by Penny Marshall. Also stars Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller and John Heard. (PG-13, 2:01) ’90
TCM May 23 4a
Beaches This is the ultimate chick flick. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey star in the story of two women who meet as girls on an Atlantic City beach. Though they are complete opposites — one is rich and spoiled, the other poor and driven — a lifelong friendship ensues. The women keep in touch through letters as Hillary (Hershey) finds success as an attorney, and CC (Midler) struggles to become a famous singer. When the two are reunited in New York, their friendship survives the triumphs and traumas in their lives. This is a definite 5-Kleenex or more movie! Moms will melt at the scene when Hershey’s daughter is at her bedside and realizes she has the same hands as her mommy. (2:30) ’88
OXYGEN May 8 8a; 9 12:30a
The Best Years of Our Lives This 1946 film won seven Oscars including Best Picture. The film follows the lives of three World War II veterans who return to their small-town homes to find their former lives and families have been irreparably changed. Stars Myrna Loy, Fredric March and Dana Andrews. (NR, 2:52) ’46
TCM May 30 8p
The Blind Side This is the story of Michael Oher, and how a homeless and traumatized boy became an NFL first-round draft pick through the help of a caring woman and her family. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for Best Actress in this film. Also stars Tim McGraw and Quinton Aaron. (PG-13, 2:08) ’09
CINEMAX-E May 8 10p; 13 5p; 21 5:50p; 25 12:30p; 30 7:45p,
AMAX-E May 10 5:45p; 14 2:30p; 18 11:30a; 24 8p; 27 1:30p
5MAX-E May 7 11:30a, 9p; 11 6:45p; 16 10:45p; 20 11:15a; 29 3:15p, 11p
Changeling Anything involved in a parent’s heartbreak over a missing kid is a guaranteed tearjerker, and this film is no exception. In 1920s Los Angeles, a mother’s prayers for the safe return of her kidnapped son seem to be answered until she realizes the boy claiming to be her son is not hers. When no one believes her, she puts her life on the line to challenge the system. Stars Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich and Gattlin Griffith. (R, 2:21) ’08
FX May 6 8p; 7 9a
Charlie St. Cloud Zac Efron proves that he is more than just a pretty face in this thoughtful drama about a young man so overcome by grief and guilt over the death of his kid brother that he retreats into a fantasy world where he believes he can still see him. Also stars Charlie Tahan and Amanda Crew. (PG-13, 1:39) ’10
CINEMAX-E May 21 10p, 2a; 22 11:20a, 8:15p; 23 2:30p, 10p; 25 10:45a, 10p; 31 9:20a, 6:30p
5MAX-E May 28 9:30a, 7:15p; 30 9p,
MMAX-E May 24 9p, 12p; 27 9:15a, 9p
Cold Mountain Based on the best-selling first novel from Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain translates magically onto the screen. During the Civil War, the love-fueled journey of Inman (Jude Law) mirrors the journey of his beloved Ada (Nicole Kidman) from helpless socialite to self-sufficient woman. Stealing each scene in which she appears, Renée Zellweger (who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role) shines as Ruby, a tough-as-nails drifter who aids Ada in her transformation, while experiencing a profound change in herself. Surrounded by an all-star cast and glorious images, these three vastly different characters weave a story of longing for home, peace and family after living through the brutality of war. Also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Giovanni Ribisi. (R, 2:35) ’03 # USA May 12 8a
The Color Purple Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover star in this emotional saga about a black woman’s life, spanning more than 40 years of hard times in the South. It’s the movie that cast Oprah into fame, but more so a memorable tale of hardship and heartbreak. (PG-13, 2:32) ’85
LMN May 8 2p; 9 10:30a
Crazy Heart Jeff Bridges finally earned an Oscar for his beautifully nuanced performance as Bad Blake, a washed-up country singer with a weakness for alcohol who finds romance and possibly redemption while on tour. He also displays a good delivery of country songs composed, in part, by T Bone Burnett. Also stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall. (R, 1:52) ’09
MMAX-E May 6 11:15p; 12 5p; 18 2:45p; 30 8:20a
The Crucible In this suspenseful drama about the Salem witch trials, a young woman’s passion and jealousy create a web of lies that nearly destroys her community. The woman’s longing for her former lover leads her to forbidden nighttime rituals … and accusations of witchcraft and devil worship that threaten everyone in town. Stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen, Bruce Davison, Rob Campbell and Jeffrey Jones. (PG-13, 2:03) ’96
STRAZCI May 15 2:25p; 20 7:10a; 28 10:25a
Dead Poets Society Robin Williams stars as John Keating, a charismatic English teacher at a stodgy New England prep school in 1959. Keating’s infectious love of poetry inspires his students to “seize the day” and try to make the most of their lives, though their methods are not always on target. (PG, 2:08) ’89
HBO2-E May 13 9:15a; 23 3:30p
HBOF-E May 8 11:50p; 17 2a
Dear John A soldier home on leave meets a college girl in South Carolina who becomes the love of his life in this adaptation of a novel by Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook). The film’s not nearly as emotional as the aforementioned book, but it does provide some tearful moments. Stars Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried and Henry Thomas. (PG-13, 1:47) ’10
ENCR-E May 6:10p; 9 1:20p, 2a; 22 9:10a, 9:50p; 31 6:10p
STRAZED May 6 9p; 12 7:45a, 5:30p, 2a; 18 8:35a, 9p; 19 4:50a; 28 12:20p, 9p; 29 5a
The End of the Affair Set in World War II London, this haunting Neil Jordan adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel tells a story of doomed love. Brooding, passionate novelist Maurice Bendix has painful memories jarred when he runs into Henry Miles, the bland husband of Sarah, with whom Maurice had an adulterous affair. The scorned Maurice — desperate to know why Sarah left him two years earlier — hires a private eye to follow his old flame, leading to a shocking revelation … and a rekindling of fiery passion. An Oscar nominee for Best Actress. Stars Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea and Ian Hart. (R, 1:49) ’99
STARZCI May 12 12:10a; 13 5:45p; 15 3:30a; 16 11:40p; 25 6:15p, 2:50a
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Stock up on Reese’s Pieces and revisit the thrilling and deeply moving story of the special friendship between Elliott, a young boy living in suburban California, and a benevolent visitor from another planet who has been stranded on Earth. As Elliott attempts to help his extraterrestrial companion contact his home planet, the two friends embark on an adventure greater than either of them could have ever imagined. Stars Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore and Dee Wallace. (PG, 1:55) ’82
CINEMAX-E May 13 6a
5MAX-E May 7 9:35a; 15 5:30p; 23 1p; 28 1:15a
Extraordinary Measures Inspired by a true story, this gripping drama tells the story of two men — a father desperate to save his two youngest children, and a brilliant but unconventional and unappreciated scientist — who form a biotech company focused on developing a revolutionary drug. Stars Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford and Keri Russell. (PG, 1:46) ’10
TMC-E May 22 9:35a; 26 11:20a; 31 8p
TMCX-E May 9 11:15a, 7p; 12 3:45p; 15 3p; 18 9:30a, 11p; 24 9:15a, 5:35p; 28 3:40p
Field of Dreams A farmer is inspired by a voice to cut a baseball diamond in his cornfield. The field is soon inhabited by the spirit of Joe Jackson and the 1919 “Black Sox” team. Stars Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, Amy Madigan and Ray Liotta. (PG, 1:46) ’89
ENCR-E May 14 10:20a; 20 6:45a, 6:10p
STARZKF May 8 6a, 2:25p; 24 3:05a; 25 10:05a
ENCRD May 10 10:20a, 8p; 28 9:20a, 8p; 29 8:20a
Fly Away Home After her mom dies, 13-year-old Amy moves in with her inventor father — a man more comfortable with gadgets than his own daughter. When Amy finds abandoned eggs and takes them home, she learns that the young geese have no mother to show them how to migrate and will most likely die. So her father comes up with a daring plan to use motorized gliders to lead the flock south for the winter, but first Amy must bond with the birds so they will follow her to safety. In doing so, she forms a bond with her father that brings them closer together. Stars Anna Paquin, Jeff Daniels, Dana Delany and Terry Kinney. (PG, 1:47) ’96
ENCRD May 14 8:20a, 2:10a; 24 8:40a, 11:45p; 30 8:05a, 4:10p
ENCRWA May 18 1:20a; 19 11:15a, 6p; 27 1:35a; 28 6p
Forrest Gump On a shaded bench in Savannah, Georgia, sits a most unlikely storyteller. Forrest Gump is not the brightest of fellows, but he has witnessed and taken part in some pretty spectacular events in history. Forrest shares many of his life stories, from the football field to the battlefield, from the company of presidents to the clutches of the media and into the arms of his one true love Jenny (which is where you will need the Kleenex). Stars Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Gary Sinise and Robin Wright. (PG-13, 2:22) ’94
TNT May 31 8p
Free Willy An unlikely bond of friendship and trust develops when a 12-year-old orphan meets a 3-ton killer whale named Willy. Realizing the adverse fate of his new friend, the boy uses his strength, resilience, instincts and faith to help him do the impossible — free Willy. The boy must rely on help from friends and family, something he’s never been able to do. If the story doesn’t touch you, listen to the lyrics of the song that plays during the ending credits — Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There.” Stars Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside, Jayne Atkinson and August Schellenberg. (PG, 1:51) ’93
HDMOV May 10 7:30a, 11a; 16 7:30a, 11a; 20 1a; 29 8:30a
Good Will Hunting Will Hunting is a brilliant young genius who prefers hanging out with his buddies over developing his natural gift. A janitor at a prestigious Boston college, Will is able to solve complex problems that take top mathematicians months to figure out. But the one thing Will can’t control is his inner demons. Facing a pending jail sentence after his latest bar fight, Will’s only hope is Sean McGuire, a college professor/therapist with an admiration for the young man’s emotional struggles and a keen understanding of what it’s like to fight your way through life. Stars Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård. (R, 2:06) ’97
STARZED May 13 9:30a, 5p; 16 8:45a, 6p; 26 3:50p
STARZCI May 8 7:10a, 5p; 21 4p, 11:35p; 22 10a; 31 4a, 5p
A Home of Our Own A family learns the enduring lessons of survival in this comedic yet heartfelt drama of family love, courage and perseverance. Frances Lacey and her six children will do almost anything to have a home of their own. When accidental tragedy strikes and threatens everything they have ever worked for, the Laceys learn how far they’ve truly come to finding a home of their own. Stars Kathy Bates, Edward Furlong, Soon-Teck Oh and Tony Campisi. (PG, 1:42) ’93
STARZKF May 24 6:10a, 3p
ENCRL May 10 1:10p; 27 3:40p, 2:10a
I Am Sam With the help of an extraordinary group of friends, mentally challenged Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is raising his 7-year-old daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). But when Lucy’s intelligence starts to surpass that of her father, their bond is threatened by the scrutiny of a social worker who thinks that Lucy should be placed in foster care. Sam vows to fight the legal system and forms an unlikely alliance with high-powered and self-absorbed attorney Rita Harrison. Their struggle to convince the courts that Lucy belongs with Sam reveals a unique testament to the power of unconditional love. Also stars Michelle Pfeiffer. (PG-13, 2:12) ’01
STARZ-E May 13 2:15p; 14 8:10a
ENCRD May 9 5:40p, 1:45a; 17 10:15a, 8p
Ice Castles This 1979 classic is the story of a girl training to become a champion ice skater until an accident takes her sight. With the help of her family and a handsome young man, she learns that she can still fulfill her dreams. Stars Robby Benson and Lynn-Holly Johnson. (PG, 1:35) ’79
HALLMARK CHANNEL May 14 3p
Indecent Proposal David and Diana Murphy are high-school sweethearts, who share what they believe to be an invincible love. Their marriage is tested when a business tycoon offers them a million dollars to share the evening with Diana. The money means nothing when their relationship crumbles. Stars Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson and Oliver Platt. (R, 1:57) ’93
MMAX-E May 6 7p; 18 1a; 23 3:30p, 11:25p; 28 11:30a, 10:40p
John Q John Q. Archibald is an average guy (save for the part where he’s a ringer for Academy Award winner Denzel Washington) who works a factory job to provide for his family. But his world crumbles when his only child falls desperately ill, requiring a heart transplant that his insurance company refuses to cover. Out of options and with little time left, John Q. resorts to drastic measures to get his son the operation he needs to survive. Also stars Robert Duvall, Ray Liotta and James Woods. (PG-13, 1:58) ’02
STRZED May 6 7p; 9 4:10a, 11:55a, 8p; 22 9:10a, 7p; 23 5:10a
ENCRD May 14 10:10a, 6p; 18 11:05a, 8p; 26 10:50a, 6p; 27 8a; 31 8p
The Joy Luck Club Four remarkable women’s lives are sustained by the hopes and dreams they have for their daughters. When June is invited to join the Joy Luck Club, the weekly mahjong group of her deceased mother, she discovers the startling events and conditions that shaped the lives of the group as well as their precious daughters. Stars Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen, Lisa Lu, Ming-Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, Lauren Tom and Rosalind Chao. (R, 2:18) ’93
TMC-E May 8 9:30p; 20 3:30p; 25 2p; 26 4:10a; 30 11a
Legends of the Fall This epic romance follows a man’s fight to come to terms with himself, and a family struggling to preserve its simple way of life. This is the story of three brothers, their father, and the beautiful woman who irrevocably changes each of their lives. Through the courage and horror of war, lost years and returning home, theirs is a story of love and loss, betrayal and hope. Stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond and Henry Thomas. (R, 2:14) ’94
ENCRL May 8 10:50a, 9p; 9 4:40a; 17 2:15p, 9p; 23 3:10p, 10:50p; 28 3p, 9p; 29 4:20a, ENCRWS May 12 12:20p; 20 10:05p
Life as a House Stunned by the news that he will soon succumb to terminal cancer, down-and-out architect George Monroe decides to spend his remaining days fulfilling his life’s ambition: building his dream house on a bluff overlooking the sea. Facing the disapproval of his ex-wife Robin and the wrath of city officials — and unable to engage the interest of his self-destructive teenage son — George still finds a host of unlikely allies in his quest. And suddenly the man with nothing to live for is feeling more alive than he has in years. Stars Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas and Hayden Christensen. (R, 2:04) ’01
STRZCI May 8 11:20a, 7:10p, 3:40a; 12 3p, 10p; 13 9:35a; 24 9:20a, 6:15p; 28 6:20a, 6p
Little Women This 1933 version of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved tale of the loves and lives of the March sisters was a record-breaking box-office hit, and set the standard for all subsequent film versions. Katharine Hepburn, in one of her earliest film roles, shines as tomboy and budding writer Jo, and a very young Joan Bennett is terrific as Amy, determined to find a good husband. The faithful adaptation of Alcott’s novel makes the film perfect family viewing. (NR, 1:56) ’33
TCM May 12 3:30p
Love Is a Many Splendored Thing William Holden and Jennifer Jones star in this romance about a Eurasian doctor who falls in love with a male war correspondent in Hong Kong during the Korean War. Based on Han Suyin’s best-selling memoir, this movie won Oscars for the title song and costumes. (NR, 1:42) ’55
FMC May 8 8:11p
The Lovely Bones Peter Jackson directs this long-awaited adaptation of Alice Sebold’s bestseller about 14-year-old Susie Salmon, who is murdered by a neighbor and watches over her family from the afterlife as they cope with her death. Stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Saoirse Ronan. (PG-13, 2:16) ’09
5MAX-E May 7 3:20p; 12 8:30a, 6:45p; 22 12:15p; 30 10:45p
MAX-E May 9 6p; 17 2:10p; 21 1:40p; 26 11:05a
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter After a doctor delivers his wife’s fraternal twins, he keeps the son but gives the daughter, born with Down syndrome, to his nurse to put in an institution — but the nurse raises the infant as her own. Stars Emily Watson and Dermot Mulroney. (NR, 1:36) ’08
LMN May 18 11p
The Messenger A pair of American soldiers is charged with the task of telling families that one of their own has been killed in combat. Woody Harrelson’s performance as the more experienced of the two earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Also stars Ben Foster and Samantha Morton. (R, 1:52) ’09
SHO-E May 12 4:15p; 15 6p; 20 7:30p; 24 3:25p; 28 3:30p
SHO2-E May 21 1p; 30 7p
Monster’s Ball Halle Berry won an Academy Award for her role in this hard-hitting Southern drama that tells the engrossing story of Hank Grotowski, an embittered prison guard working on death row. When he establishes a friendship — and ultimately an intense affair — with Leticia Musgrove, the widow of a man he has just executed, Hank glimpses the powerful, life-changing effects of real love. This emotionally charged film takes an unflinching approach to the heavy legacies of family and race, the redemptive power of love, and truths that are at once brutal and sublime, shocking and healing. Also stars Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle. (R, 1:51) ’01
HBO-E May 9 2a
HBOS-E May 16 1:10a; 20 2:15a; 24 12:05a
Moonlight Mile When Joe Nast’s plans for marriage change due to an unexpected loss, he wants to be the man he believes everyone wants him to be: bereaved husband-to-be and perfect would-be son-in-law. But when another woman unexpectedly enters his life, he’s torn between fulfilling his dutiful role and following his heart. From Brad Silberling, the director of City of Angels, comes this emotional tale of disarming honesty and unexpected humor — a story about waking up to life, letting go and discovering that love comes in the most unexpected circumstances. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon. (PG-13, 1:57) ’02
ENCRD May 12 6p; 13 7:55a; 16 4:05p; 22 1:50p, 9:45p
Mother and Child This drama follows three women and how motherhood affects them. Karen is a 50-year-old woman who gave up Elizabeth for adoption 35 years ago. Elizabeth, who never desired kids, finds herself pregnant while Lucy, who very much wants children, struggles through the adoption process. Stars Naomi Watts, Annette Bening and Samuel L. Jackson. (R, 2:06) ’09 STRZIB May 18 2:15a; 19 11:35p; 23 11:40p; 26 1:30a
STRZCI May 11 1:45p, 10p; 14 11:45p; 31 7:10p
My Sister’s Keeper A girl, conceived in vitro to be a genetic match for her leukemia-stricken older sister, sues for medical emancipation from her parents, and the right to have control of her own body. Stars Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin and Alec Baldwin. (PG-13, 1:48) ’09
MAX-E May 14 2:50p; 25 8:50a
5MAX-E May 8 11:05a; 13 9:35a; 21 5:10p; 26 11:20a, 7:05p; 31 9p
National Velvet Elizabeth Taylor stars in this family classic about a young English girl who convinces a jockey to train her to ride in the Grand National Steeplechase. Also stars Mickey Rooney, Anne Revere, Angela Lansbury and Arthur Treacher. (G, 2:05) ’44
TCM May 17 8p
Of Mice and Men In this moving interpretation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, two desperate Depression-era drifters finally find work on a farm, and they imagine the onset of a stable and hopeful future. Their idyllic dreams collapse when the farm owner’s son plots revenge after he is humiliated in a fistfight. Stars John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. (PG-13, 1:50) ’92
ENCRD May 21 8:05a; 25 6:10a
An Officer and a Gentleman This film stars Richard Gere and Debra Winger in a wonderful love story about a naval aviator officer candidate and a woman from the townie side of the tracks who sorely wants a Prince Charming to come and take her away — but definitely not at any cost. The supporting role of the tough-as-nails drill sergeant won Louis Gossett Jr. an Oscar. It’s a story about how love tears you to pieces when you lose it — and how it lifts you up and carries you away when you find it. Cue soundtrack … “Love lift us up where we belong …” (3:00) ’82
OWN May 7 3a; 8 10a
On Golden Pond In his last feature, Henry Fonda gives an outstanding performance as a crotchety retired professor who is angry at being 80 years old. Jane Fonda stars as his distant daughter who brings her son to stay with her parents for the summer. Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and writer Ernest Thompson all won Academy Awards for their work in this heartwarming film. (PG, 1:49) ’81
SHO2-E May 8 12p; 14 11:15a; 20 8a; 23 12:30p; 24 4:15a; 29 7:45a
SHOS-E May 13 4:35p; 17 1p; 21 6a; 26 10:30a
Out of Africa Based on Isak Dinesen’s adventures of a Danish expatriate, this is the story of a woman’s struggle to farm in Africa, and her relationships with two men — her husband of convenience and an English big-game hunter. Stars Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Michael Gough and Klaus Maria Brandauer. (PG, 2:40) ’85
HBO2-E May 17 6:15a; 27 12:15p
HBOF-E May 11 11p; 29 1:05a
Pearl Harbor Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay’s recounting of the day FDR correctly announced would live in infamy has the grand scope and feel of an old-fashioned war movie, taking its time to introduce characters and events. History buffs might wonder if the film lingers a bit too long on its Ben Affleck/Kate Beckinsale/Josh Hartnett love triangle — but then those bombs start dropping on Hawaii. The attack is masterfully re-created, as is Col. Jimmy Doolittle’s famous raid over Tokyo. Stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Jon Voight and Cuba Gooding Jr. (PG-13, 3:03) ’01
AMC May 29 2:02a, 7p
Philadelphia Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) is fired by his prestigious law firm. The firm claims he’s not good enough. Beckett believes he was fired because he has AIDS. Determined to defend his professional reputation, he hires a brilliant personal-injury attorney, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). As Andrew battles for his reputation, life and justice, Joe confronts his own fears and prejudices about homosexuals. It’s a moving film of self discovery. Also stars Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio Banderas and Joanne Woodward. (3:00) ’93
OWN May 12 2a
Powder Sheltered since birth in the dark cellar of his grandparents’ farmhouse, a mysterious young man comes face-to-face with the prejudice of a narrow-minded community. Known as Powder because of his startling white skin, he is unprepared for the cruel rejection he receives. Though endowed with extraordinary abilities and a highly evolved intellect, Powder discovers that his peers are unwilling or unable to look beneath his skin to understand his uniqueness. Your heart will break over the cruelty he endures, but more so at his ability to forgive. Stars Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery, Lance Henriksen, Jeff Goldblum and Brandon Smith. (PG-13, 1:51) ’95
SYFY May 10 5:30p
P.S. I Love This one is a roller coaster of emotions — you’ll be laughing one minute, crying the next. Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) is devastated after the death of Gerry (Gerard Butler), her passionate and impetuous husband. On her 30th birthday, however, she receives a shocking surprise: a tape recording made by Gerry before he died, ordering her to get out and “celebrate herself.” In the months that follow, more letters arrive, guiding Holly into a new and exciting future. Also stars Lisa Kudrow. (PG-13, 2:06) ’07
LIFE May 28 9p
The Pursuit of Happyness Chris Gardner is a bright and talented salesman who nonetheless struggles to make ends meet. When he and his 5-year-old son are evicted from their San Francisco apartment, they must endure many hardships — including nights spent in shelters, bus stations and public bathrooms — as Chris pursues his dream of a better life for the two of them. Stars Will Smith, Thandie Newton and Jaden Smith. (PG-13, 1:56) ’06 TBS May 14 2:45a
Rabbit-Proof Fence What if the government kidnapped your daughter? From 1905-1971, “half-caste” Aboriginal children in Australia were forcibly and permanently removed from their outback families and transported as far as 1,500 miles away to be trained as domestic servants. This controversial film tells the story of three young girls who refused to accept this fate. Following a rabbit-proof fence that bisects the Australian continent, the girls mounted one of the all-time great escapes — with the authorities in hot pursuit. Based on the book by Doris Pilkington Garimara, Rabbit-Proof Fence is the true story of a family that defied a nation. Stars Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan. (PG, 1:34) ’02
STRZKF May 12 3:35a; 13 11:10p; 18 11:35p
STRZCI May 8 1:35p, 12a; 26 11:05a, 6:40p; 30 4:10a, 6:20p
Radio Inspired by a Sports Illustrated article, director Michael Tollin’s Radio is the inspiring story of James Robert Kennedy, a man “the same as everybody else, just a little slower than most,” and the high-school football coach who befriended him. Nicknamed because of his vintage radio collection and love of music, the real “Radio” is still one of the most beloved people at T.L. Hanna High School and in the South Carolina community of Anderson. Highlighted by powerful performances from Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as Radio and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris as Coach Harold Jones, Radio is an uplifting tale of a town changed by one simple man. Also stars Alfre Woodard, S. Epatha Merkerson and Brent Sexton. (PG, 1:49) ’03
STARZ-E May 11 4:50a, 4:20p
ENCRWA May 15 7:20a, 2:30p, 9:40p; 27 12:15p, 11:45p; 28 6:40a
STRZIB May 19 4:25a, 11:25a, 9:40p; 24 10:45a, 8p; 25 5:20a
The Reader Set in postwar Germany, this adaptation of the award-winning Bernhard Schlink novel follows a young man’s longtime obsession with an older woman as a war crimes trial looms. Kate Winslet took home an Oscar for her performance. Also stars Ralph Fiennes and David Kross. (R, 2:03) ’08
SHOS-E May 8 8p; 13 1:15a; 23 10:30p; 28 8p; 31 2:10a
Regarding Henry In this touching story, Henry is a cold-hearted lawyer who gets shot during a holdup and loses his memory. During his recovery, the new Henry displays compassion and conscience, and he becomes a nicer human being, establishing loving relationships with his wife and daughter. Stars Harrison Ford and Annette Bening. (PG-13, 1:47) ’91
HBOF-E May 11 9p; 12 4:10a; 16 12:40a; 21 1:50a
Remember Me After a night of hard drinking that leads to his arrest, Tyler (Robert Pattinson) learns that the arresting officer’s daughter Ally (Emilie de Ravin) also attends his college. He asks her out intending to dump her later, but soon they are in love, which angers her father. Also stars Chris Cooper. (PG-13, 1:53) ’10
SHO-E May 9 6:30a, 6p; 18 6:45a, 6p; 21 5:05p; 24 5:20p; 27 7a, 9p; 29 4:35p
SHO2-E May 10 4:15p, 11:45p; 20 7p; 23 10:45p; 28 5p
SHOS-E May 14 11:25a, 10p; 19 5:05p; 22 8:40a, 9p; 30 7:35a, 4:05p
Reservation Road Based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by John Burnham Schwartz, this film follows two fathers as their families and lives converge in a story of anger, revenge and — ultimately — great courage. Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Connelly. (R, 1:42) ’07
LMN May 16 2p
A River Runs Through It Robert Redford directed and narrates this 1992 adaptation of Norman McLean’s touching memoir, beautifully filmed on Montana’s Big Blackfoot River, with Oscar-winning cinematography. The film recounts how McLean’s father, a strict Presbyterian minister (played by Tom Skerritt), taught his sons (Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt) about life, grace and love through the art of fly-fishing. Now, more than 40 years later, Norman recalls his family’s story and the great river that runs through it. (PG, 2:03) ’92
ENCR-E May 25 2:10p; 31 4p
ENCRL 346 May 16 2p, 9p; 22 8:40a, 6:50p
Road to Perdition In Depression-era Chicago, hitman Michael Sullivan is uncompromising in his work and equally devoted to his private life as an upstanding husband and father. When his son accidentally witnesses one of his father’s associates, Connor Rooney, commiting a murder, a tragic sequence of events begins. In an attempt to silence him, Rooney kills the boy’s mother and brother, forcing Sullivan and his son to go on the run. Mired in these dire circumstances, the father and son discover a new depth to their relationship. But with only one way to make the world safe again for his son, Sullivan hatches a plan to find Rooney and avenge his murdered loved ones. Stars Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law. (R, 1:56) ’02
MAX-E May 8 2:45p; 13 8a; 23 1:05a
AMAX-E May 7 9:10a; 19 3:30a; 22 9:30a; 26 9:45p
5MAX-E May 12 4:45p; 18 10:45p; 21 7p; 24 10:15a; 29 10a, 9p
The Rookie Even if this tenderhearted real-life tale weren’t so winning on its own, Dennis Quaid’s your-dad’s-so-dreamy mug and the fun of seeing Six Feet Under’s screwball sexpot Rachel Griffiths morph into a pot-stirrin’ mama would still make it worthwhile. Quaid stars as Jim Morris, a promising minor-league draftee who blended back into life as an Everyman after blowing out his pitching arm. Settling into a comfy existence as a family man and the high-school science teacher and baseball coach in his small Texas town, Morris has his dream renewed when his team makes him an offer he can’t refuse: If they win their district championship, Morris has to make one last stab at the major leagues. Also stars Jay Hernandez, Brian Cox and Beth Grant. (G, 2:07) ’02
CMT May 27 12a; 28 8p
WGNA 239 May 15 12p; 23 4a
The Secret Life of Bees In 1960s South Carolina, a young girl (Dakota Fanning) and her caregiver flee an abusive household and are taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters. This is a heartwarming adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s best-selling novel. Also stars Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah. (PG-13, 1:50) ’08
LMN May 8 5:30p; 9 8a; 16 8p, 1a
Seven Pounds Oh, this one is gut- wrenching. Will Smith plays an IRS agent on a mysterious journey of redemption and sacrifice who changes the lives of seven strangers. An emotional and thought-provoking drama from Gabriele Muccino, who also directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness. Also stars Rosario Dawson and Michael Ealy. (PG-13, 2:04) ’08
FX May 25 8p, 10:30p
Sounder Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks star in this story about a black sharecropper’s family in the South of the 1930s. When the father is unjustly jailed, the mother and son keep the family together. (G, 1:45) ’72
TCM May 7 2:45a
Splendor in the Grass A girl in 1928 Kansas is in love with a boy from the town’s most powerful family. While she waits for him to finish college, he doesn’t wait for her — and she is driven to madness. If you just experienced a recent breakup, this movie is not for you. Stars Natalie Wood and Pat Hingle. (NR, 2:04) ’61
TCM May 20 10p
Steel Magnolias This is a must-see tearjerker. Thankfully there’s plenty of comedy interspersed into this absolutely gut-wrenching look at a complicated mother/daughter relationship. The film follows the lives of the women who congregate at a beauty parlor in a small Louisiana town. When a daughter of one of the patrons becomes seriously ill, they bond together and start to appreciate their own lives more. Stars Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts and Tom Skerritt. (PG, 1:58) ’89
ENCR-E May 15 5:10a, 12:45p; 28 7:15a
ENCRL May 6 1:35p, 9p; 7 5:40a; 10 11:10a, 9p; 18 3:20p, 11:10p; 30 1:40p, 9p; 31 6:15a
Thirteen In today’s America, the pressures on 13-year-old girls have never been greater. A unique project cowritten by its then 13-year-old star Nikki Reed, who lived many of the events seen onscreen, Thirteen explores the unhinged joy and high angst of hitting modern adolescence full force. Also stars Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter. (R, 1:40) ’03
IFC 131 May 11 11:35p; 22 2:05a
Titanic OK, so we all know the ending but it still doesn’t stop the tears. One of the highest-grossing films of all time is an epic, action-packed romance set on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic. The journey begins in the present, at the site of the ship’s watery grave. A fortune hunter is determined to plumb its treasures, only to bring to the surface a story left untold. This story recalls the glittering palace that was Titanic as it prepares to launch. Aboard the doomed vessel, destiny has called two young souls, daring them to nurture a passion that will change their lives forever. Rose DeWitt Bukater is an upper-class American, suffocating under the rigid confines and expectations of Edwardian society, who falls for a free-spirited young steerage passenger named Jack Dawson. Once he opens her eyes to the world that lies outside her gilded cage, Rose and Jack’s forbidden love begins a powerful mystery that ultimately echoes across the years into the present. Nothing on Earth is going to come between them — not even something as unimaginable as the sinking of Titanic. Winner of 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bill Paxton and Gloria Stuart. (PG-13, 3:15) ’97
A&E May 28 8p, 12a
To Walk With Lions In 1966, the Oscar-winning film Born Free captured the hearts of a generation with the story of how George and Joy Adamson raised and released Elsa, an orphaned lioness. Set two decades later, this stunning original production provides an unflinching look at George Adamson’s dramatic battle to save Kenya’s lions from the brutality of poachers and danger from local herdsmen. Stars Richard Harris, John Michie and Ian Bannen. (PG-13, 1:48) ’99
SHO2-E May 25 2:30p
STRZKF May 7 10:50p; 21 2:50a; 22 11:30p
Toy Story 3 While it was upsetting to see Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toys dumped in day care, the real heartbreak in this film is at the end. Young or old — and we’re not going to spoil it — you can’t help reflect on your childhood and what your favorite toys meant to you. Voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. (G, 1:42) ’10
STRZKF May 13 6:15a; 22 8a, 1:50p, 8p; 26 6:15a, 1:05p, 8p; 13 1:25p, 8p
STARZ-E May 8 7:10a, 4:30p, 1:45a; 30 10:10a, 7:10p; 31 8a
Up The trailer for this film sure had you fooled that this film was all one big laugh-fest about an old codger who ties thousands of balloons to his house to carry him to South America, and the Scout who accidentally rides along. The first half of the movie you’ll spend crying as you come to understand what made the old codger the cranky stubborn man that he is today. Voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai. (PG, 1:29) ’09
ENCR-E May 10 7:20a, 6:20p; 23 11a, 8p; 26 8:30a, 4:20p, 3:30a
STRZCO May 13 3:40a; 14 12:45p, 8p
STRZKF May 20 1:25p, 8p; 21 8:45a; 29 5:30a, 1:35p, 8p
Up Close & Personal Tally Atwater is one of the most trusted figures in the nation. She is a familiar and comforting face to the millions of network TV news viewers who invite her into their homes every day. A onetime waitress and casino craps dealer named Sallyanne, she pursued a dream with nothing but ambition, raw talent and a homemade demo tape. Her meteoric rise to prominence is aided and abetted by Warren Justice, a brilliant, older newsman who becomes her mentor and lover. As their relationship grows, so too does Tally’s celebrity status — to the point where her popularity begins to eclipse Warren’s. Each breaking story and every videotaped crisis that brings them together also threatens to drive them apart. Stars Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stockard Channing, Joe Mantegna, Kate Nelligan and Glenn Plummer. (PG-13, 2:04) ’96
TMC-E May 20 5:50p; 28 1p
TMCX-E May 8 9:45a; 30 6a, 4:55p
ENCR-E May 26 12:20p
STRZKF May 12 2:25p, 9:50p; 28 2:20p, 9:40p
A Walk to Remember Think all teen movies are fraught with four-letter words, gratuitous sex and the type of clothing you refuse to let your daughter bring home from the mall? Think again. Based on the novel by feel-good author Nicholas Sparks, A Walk tells the tale of big-man-on-campus high-school senior Landon Carter, who is “sentenced” to join the drama club after a prank goes horribly wrong, leaving his good friend paralyzed. Says the principal to Landon, “You need to meet some new people.” Enter minister’s daughter and social outcast Jamie Sullivan, who helps her former tormentor with both his acting and reexamining the things he values. Stars Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote and Daryl Hannah. (2:30) ’02
ABCFAM 180 May 30 2p
The Way We Were Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford star in this romantic classic. Can love survive different political leanings? A 1930s communist meets a man with different convictions, and their torrid affair is threatened by their divergent political views. Streisand’s popular ballad “The Way We Were” also heightens the emotions in this film. (PG, 1:58) ’73
TCM May 15 4p
Wendy and Lucy Wendy Carroll heads to Alaska, hoping to find a job at a fish cannery and a new life for herself and her loyal dog, Lucy. After her car breaks down in Oregon and Lucy disappears, Wendy faces economic and emotional challenges that threaten to derail not only her road trip, but her life as well. Stars Michelle Williams, Wally Dalton and Will Oldham. (R, 1:20) ’08
SUND-E May 12 8:30p, 1:20a; 16 9:10a, 1:50p; 24 6:40p
When a Man Loves a Woman Beneath the surface of Alice and Michael Green’s loving relationship simmers a painful, personal secret Alice has been keeping. A rich and engrossing story of love and commitment unfolds as this determined family embarks on a courageous struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives. Stars Andy Garcia, Meg Ryan, Ellen Burstyn, Tina Majorino, Mae Whitman and Lauren Tom. (2:30) ’94
OWN May 21 2:30p
Where the Wild Things Are Max, a disobedient little boy, runs away to a magical world where the wild creatures crown him king. Based on Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s story. Stars Max Records, Catherine Keener and voice of James Gandolfini. (PG, 1:41) ’09
MMAX-E May 12 9:45a; 22 6a; 28 8a
The Wrestler Mickey Rourke gives an incredible performance as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an over-the-hill professional wrestler whose days in the ring are numbered. As he tries to arrange a match with a former rival that might take him to stardom again, he’s also trying to find his place in the world once his wrestling days are over. Also stars Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. (R, 1:50) ’08
FX May 10 8p, 10:30p; 14 4p; 15 1:30p
