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

 
 
2021
Jan
17
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: This is more a note than a recommendation. It’s only because the Marvel Universe just unveiled its newest TV series, WandaVision, on Disney+ on Friday, pushing boundaries and introducing a bold, still mysterious, new narrative. On the other hand, the DC Comics universe is presenting here the Season 2 premiere of Batwoman – which instead of moving forward with exciting initiative, is struggling to keep going at all. Last season’s central star
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
17
 
 
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE: Part 2 of 2. Last week’s first half of this documentary covered the rise of Tiger Woods, and his astounding sweep of the four major pro golf tournaments in a row. But it ended with the death of Tiger’s influential father, Earl, and suggested strongly that tonight’s conclusion would be more revelatory than laudatory. Especially on the personal home front. Part 1 ended with Woods’ infamous mistress, Rachel Uchitel, taking a seat in front of the documen
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
17
 
 
This week, another highlights package of sorts – this one focused on one of this series’ very best actors, Jeremy Allen White as “Lip” Gallagher. His growth over this series’ lengthy run has been as impressive from an acting standpoint as from a physical one. Here’s an actor, and character, who have matured significantly over the years.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
17
 
 
The two main characters of this series, Bryan Cranston’s Michael Desiato and Michael Stuhlbarg’s Jimmy Baxter (pictured), finally met at the end of last week’s episode. The former is a judge, the latter a mobster, and they met at gunpoint. That the mobster was holding the gun was no surprise. That he fired it, point blank, at the end of the episode, that was much less expected. But he wasn’t aiming at the judge at the time, so don’t worry. Or do worry, because someo
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
16
 
 
The second weekend of postseason NFL play presents two games each day, arriving relatively late. On Saturday, the NFC Divisional game begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, with the Los Angeles Rams (10-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (13-3) at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers hopes to continue his amazing late-career run as the Packers QB. Then, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, the AFC Divisional Game is between the Baltimore Ravens (11-5) and Buffalo Bills (13-3), at Bills Stadium.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
16
 
 
This 2020 WWII drama was written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, who tells the true story of a French resistance fighter who entertains children orphaned by the Nazis. What makes this fact-based story especially noteworthy is that the enigmatic entertainer, played by Jesse Eisenberg, eventually takes the name of Marcel Marceau. And it’s good that he came to useful prominence, even under such awful circumstances, because a mime is a terrible thing to waste.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
16
 
 
This week’s entry in TCM’s “The Essentails” is essential for sure. It’s John Wayne, in what I consider the best role of his entire career, playing a bigoted but loyal and determined man hunting down a young girl (Natalie Wood) abducted by Indians. Amazing movie, and if it’s the first time you’re seeing it, not at all what you might expect. John Ford directs, and gets the most from both his leading man and the scenery, which Ford and this film helped make
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
16
 
 
This day in 1973 marked the final telecast of NBC's Bonanza...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
15
 
 
This day in 1981 marked the debut of NBC's Hill Street Blues, which stands alone as the most influential series of its decade...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2021
Jan
15
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: When it premiered last year as one of the inaugural new series on Apple TV+, M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant was, by far, the best offering of its opening schedule. Back then, the story of a woman (Lauren Ambrose from Six Feet Under) so traumatized by the death of her newborn baby that she begins caring for an infant doll in its place – and hires a nanny to sustain the illusion – was merely effectively creepy. Now, as Season 2 begins, with poli