Four-Star Films : ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Disney’s 30th full-length animated feature--its most satisfying in decades--has a striking and detailed look plus a strong story line. Sure to charm a wide audience for a long time to come, it benefits strongly from the brilliant lyricist Howard Ashman, who, with composer Alan Menken, created captivating, exceptionally alive songs. As executive producer, Ashman also was instrumental in conceptualizing the turning of the ancient fairy tale into a sprightly modern musical (Disney, Monday at 3:30 a.m., Saturday at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.).

Other selected Four-Star movies this week:

North by Northwest TNT, Sunday, 7 a.m.

That’s Entertainment Showtime, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

The 400 Blows Bravo, Thursday, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Ordinary People A&E;, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

Anatomy of a Murder TNT, Friday, 10 p.m.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind KCOP, Sunday, 2 p.m.