I recommended this 1989 Australian movie recently – and, as I often do with my Best Bet recommendations, find myself ensnared all over again by own traps. (Just last Monday, after pointing out the special showing of All the President’s Men on HBO, I watched it again from start to finish – for about the 50th time.) But Dead Calm, whether you’ve seen it or not, is worth a visit, too. It’s beautifully photographed, intensely edited, and the two male leads, Sam Neill an

2017

Dec

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND By David Bianculli

TCM is noting, and celebrating, the 40th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking sci-fi film, 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Just think of how much artistry and enthusiasm, and a sense of wonder and drama, Spielberg brought to this film, just as he had with Jaws two years earlier. Then think about how both Close Encounters and Jaws would be very different – and, most likely, very inferior – if not for the crucial musical contributions by composer John

2017

Dec

THE WALKING DEAD By David Bianculli

The midseason finale is presented tonight, bringing to a head – finally – the various battles and wars that, in a wider view, add up to this two-year Rick vs. Negan cage match.

2017

Dec

ENCORE! By David Bianculli

SPECIAL: I love this idea, and expect it to carry on to a series. Kristen Bell, one of the vocal stars of Frozen, hosts, and the idea of this program is to reunite members of a high school musical theater group, from 20 years or so earlier, and give them one week (with some professional help) to mount, once again, one of the musicals they performed in their salad days. For this special, it’s Into the Woods. And if a future show would open up the concept to a high school troupe that was clo

2017

Dec

PUNCHING IN AT 'LATE NIGHT' By Eric Gould

Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Amber Ruffin shows Seth how a real man apologizes, in the style of recent sexual harassers, after committing her own style of blatant assault – a left-cross to the jaw...

2017

Dec

MARY POPPINS By David Bianculli

An early holiday treat: This 1964 movie musical gave Julie Andrews one of her most iconic and beloved roles, as the magical nanny who speaks softly and carries a heavy bumbershoot. Dick Van Dyke co-stars. And after you watch this and put the kids to bed, find the 2013 movie Saving Mr. Banks, starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks in a film about the making of Mary Poppins, and enjoy a perfect double feature.

2017

Dec

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE By David Bianculli

Ever since NBC and parent corporation Universal locked up exclusive rights to this 1946 Frank Capra Christmas film, its appearance on TV during the holidays has shrunken from just about everywhere (because the movie had previously lapsed into public domain, and been free for stations to televise) to only a few times each year. NBC is one such place and time. Tonight, on cable sister network USA, is another. And every time Universal gets its profits, somewhere a bell rings…

2017

Dec

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

Tonight’s guests: Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry, Robbie Williams (my all-time favorite Graham Norton guest), and Pink.

2017

Dec

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

Tonight’s musical guest is SZA, and the guest host is James Franco.

2017

Dec

THE CROWN By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: Season 2 of The Crown appears today on Netflix, and begins with an episode focusing on tensions both personal and international. On the personal front, there’s the marriage of Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip (Matt Smith), which, as we meet them for this new season, is severely tested by his behavior at home and on tour. And on the international front, there’s the crisis at the Suez Canal, with the Egyptian uprising challenging British rule. And that&rs

Posts 111-120 of 169

11 12 13 14 15

New From TVWW

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy

Dispatches From TVWW

'Extinction: The Facts' is a Sobering Call to Action

How 'Mayans' Has Been Influenced by the Show's Creator Elgin James

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Take on Ernest Hemingway, the Man and the Myth

In the Final Season, Sutton Foster's Liza is Now the Genuine Version of Her 'Younger' Self

Season 2 of 'City on a Hill' Returns with Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, and Boston Corruption