DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: Matthew Rhys from Brothers & Sisters and former Felicity star Keri Russell play Soviet sleeper agents, early 1980s era, in this new FX series, which counts Justified producer Graham Yost among its executive producers. The first two episodes are somewhat uneven, but also somewhat intriguing. For full reviews, check out my review today on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and read Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes. And if you're setting a DVR to record this premiere episode,
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
Dr. Jason Cole is at war with himself. Literally...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
This third installment in the new season of this PBS series is devoted to Superheroes, from Adventures of Superman and the campy TV version of Batman to The Greatest American Hero. It does feature one of the last interviews with Robert Culp, and one factoid I didn’t know before previewing it: the creator of Wonder Woman comics also invented the lie detector, which was reflected in his heroine’s truth-compelling “golden lasso.” But so many of the stories told here, like so
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
Yo, Adrian! This boxing movie won the Oscar as the best picture of 1976 — an award it didn’t really deserve, not in a year when the other nominees were All the President’s Men, Taxi Driver, Network and Bound for Glory. But you have to give it to Sylvester Stallone, who wrote the script, for refusing to sell it unless he got to play the lead, thus launching his movie-star career. And for those of us who live in and around Philadelphia, Rocky is a terrific snapshot of Philly
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
This new American Experience biography fits its subject to a T – a Model T, the automotive innovation that made Ford both an icon and a tycoon. His impact on the history and popularity of cars remains obvious; his impact on production assembly lines, even more so. Check local listings.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
The popular actor from Lost and Lord of the Rings takes his second week behind the reins of this new nature series, seeking out strange things in strange lands. Tonight he descends into an underground cave, on an inflated kayak, in hopes of finding a giant spider that was identified only in this century. It’s an ambitious quest, with a charming and impressive finale. For a review of the show, and an interview with Monaghan, see Bianculli’s Blog.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
Last week, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) showed up for a scheduled tough-guy duel with Randall (guest star Robert Baker), the immensely strong – and violent – ex-husband of Raylan’s new girlfriend, Lindsey (Jenn Lyon). But Randall didn’t, and before the episode was over, Lindsey was gone, too, along with Raylan’s money. Tonight, Raylan goes in search of all three.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
The Americans enthralls with its complexities, simplicities and overall derring-do. Boris and Natasha need not apply...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
Grab one last bag of Sabor De Soledad, 30 Rock fans, and prepare to share a few final moments with the sitcom inspired by Tina Fey’s stint as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
28
 
 
Dallas soon will face a bumpy afterlife without Larry Hagman, even while milking his death for a few more twists and turns...