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

 
 
2015
Jun
12
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Orange Is the New Black begins Season 3 with a surprise or two – old faces returning, old issues resurfacing – but also with an overarching theme that launches the new season nicely. In the first episode, it’s Mother’s Day at the prison, and the inmates are allowed to concoct a kids’ carnival in the prison yard to get a one-day dose of family values. It allows almost every character a moment in the sun, literally as well as figuratively. The biggest
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
12
 
 
The women’s U.S.A. soccer team won its first match, putting it atop its division in the group stage of competition. Tonight, USA plays game two, against Sweden.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
12
 
 
Another summer movie TV treat, and a perfect one. Made in 1987, this William Goldman fantasy, directed by Rob Reiner, is, for my money, the best family fantasy movie since The Wizard of Oz. I really mean it. Anybody want a peanut?
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
12
 
 
This Coen Brothers movie is loaded with sly, strong performances – and, also like the filmmaking duo’s O Brother, Where Art Thou, is loaded with wonderful music. Watch, and listen, for “Please Mr. Kennedy,” a novelty song sung by Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and Justin Timberlake – it’s as entertaining as that trio is unlikely.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
12
 
 
Tonight’s guests in this new edition include Ed Begley Jr., who most likely pedaled his bike to the studio, as well as Jeff Ross, Ron Christie, and others.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
11
 
 
Oh, those summer nights: Here’s another of those perfect summer movies to which I keep referring – the kind that seem perfect TV diversions on slow weekday nights. This one, from 1978, somehow has managed to catch on with more than one generation, so road-test it with any young ones around. Chances are, they’ll like it, even with the lyrics slightly sanitized from the original Broadway musical production. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta star.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
11
 
 
Game 4. I’m rooting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James in this year’s finals, but not without admiration for the Golden State Warriors, who are heavily favored, and putting up quite a fight. Game 1, the Warriors won in overtime. Game 2, the Cavaliers won, also in overtime. Game 3, on home court for the first time, Cleveland built a lead as high as 20 points, but the Warriors cut the deficit to a single point before Cleveland toughed out the win in the final minutes. This pr
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
11
 
 
Fox isn’t playing coy here. In its own on-air promos, it promises that tonight’s episode reveals the secrets behind the mysteries of Wayward Pines. And it does. The problem is, those secrets aren’t so much tantalizing or revelatory as unbelievable and disappointing. So yes, if you tune in, your questions will be answered. But be careful what you wish for…
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
11
 
 
MINISERIES PREMIERE: Last year, CNN presented The Sixties, a thoughtfully and imaginatively assembled reflection of that turbulent decade. That series began with a look at how TV impacted the decade – and The Seventies, a welcome sequel miniseries, begins tonight with a similar TV-focused installment, including the impact of Roots and All in the Family.  Full disclosure: I was interviewed on-camera for both TV-focused installments of The Sixties and The Seventies, and advised on tonig
 
 
 
  
 
 
2015
Jun
11
 
 
This season, Gillian Anderson becomes a more central player on Hannibal, as a co-conspirator to devious and (in more than one sense) delicious murders, and as someone who may eventually find herself on Hannibal’s menu. Meanwhile, enjoy – and not only her performance, but the European scenery.