[Editor's Note: TVWW contributor Donna J. Plesh died April 2, 2015, from ovarian cancer. She was 71. Donna covered television since the early 1980s, initially for the Orange County Register and its TV magazine. She also was a member of the Television Critics Association. Donna was always a cheerful spirit within the TVWW network and often gave readers a kind, up-close viewpoint in her interviews with a wide variety of television stars. She will be missed.] BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Th

2013

Jul

DOCTOR WHO: THE DOCTORS REVISITED – THE SEVENTH DOCTOR By David Bianculli

As BBC America works its way through the history of the various Doctors – while working its way towards the show’s upcoming 50th anniversary in November – it’s now up to The Seventh Doctor, the title of tonight’s special. It’s a profile of the incarnation of the Doctor played by Sylvester McCoy, who embodied the doctor for a brief run from 1987 to 1989. The tribute also includes a taste of Doctor Who episodes of the McCoy vintage.

2013

Jul

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA By David Bianculli

This 2006 movie is most remembered for its star turn by Meryl Streep, who was nominated for an Oscar (but did not win) for her role as an imperious fashion editor, and for Anne Hathaway’s star-making turn as her new assistant. But the supporting cast is worth a second look. In addition to Stanley Tucci, who’s always great, there are key roles by actors who would attain greater fame after this film was released: Emily Blunt, Simon Baker and Adrian Grenier.

2013

Jul

TOOTSIE By David Bianculli

What a delight. Dustin Hoffman is a revelation as Dorothy, the woman he pretends to be to further himself as an actor – but he’s no less impressive as Michael, the passionate actor so dedicated to his craft. His on-screen arguments with Sydney Pollack, who also directed this film, are classic. And Bill Murray, Jessica Lange, Geena Davis, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, Charles During – all of them add something special to this breezy, witty comedy, which has heart as well as l

2013

Jul

MY FAVORITE YEAR By David Bianculli

This 1982 movie, a thinly veiled behind-the-scenes look at TV’s classic Your Show of Shows variety series, was produced by Brooksfilms. That’s Mel Brooks’ company, and Brooks, of course, was one of the writers on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows through its entire run. Richard Benjamin directs this wild comedy, which stars Joseph Bologna in the Caesar-type role, Mark Linn-Baker as the wide-eyed young comedy writer, and Peter O’Toole as a wild and crazy actor, a forme

2013

Jul

DINER By David Bianculli

Barry Levinson arrived, big time, with this 1982 character study, a smart and tender look at a bunch of friends in Baltimore at the end of the 1950s. Levinson both wrote and directed this movie, and deserves equal credit for both. He also deserves praise for his eye for casting, because the group of actors he assembled here is top-notch, and catches most of them at the start of their careers. Daniel Stern. Mickey Rourke. Kevin Bacon. Steve Guttenberg. Paul Reiser. Ellen Barkin. Tim Daly. And the

2013

Jul

IF DOCTOR WHO'S ON FIRST, WHAT'S ON SECOND? By Bill Brioux

BBC America celebrated the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who at the tony L.A. SoHo House in West Hollywood. Bill Brioux reports...

2013

Jul

MOYERS & COMPANY By David Bianculli

Bill Moyers’ guest this week, helping Moyers commemorate and evaluate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, is Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga), the last surviving speaker from the day Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial. The hour – a must-see, engrossing TV history lesson – begins with Moyers and Lewis chatting with young students at the base of Lincoln’s statue, and ends with Moyers thanking

2013

Jul

DAY FOR NIGHT By David Bianculli

In 1973, Francois Truffaut directed this head-spinning exercise in life imitating art becoming art imitating life imitating… and so on. The movie is about a director, played by Truffaut himself, working against strong odds, and strong-willed actors and actresses and assistants, to complete a movie that’s behind schedule and beset with production problems. Co-stars include Jacqueline Bisset, Valentina Cortese and Jean-Pierre Aumont.

2013

Jul

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN By David Bianculli

In this 2011 romantic comedy directed by the lyrical Lasse Hallstrom, a sheikh wants to bring sport fishing to the deserts of Yemen – and with an almost unlimited budget, and an enterprising scientist, the attempt is made. Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt star, which is good news. If there’s one thing that’s crucial to the success of a movie about salmon fishing, it’s the casting.

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