For years, I misunderstood the genesis and development of this outstanding Wolfgang Petersen WWII drama, told from the German point of view by staying with the crew of a claustrophobic U-boat. I used to think Das Boot began as a German TV miniseries, then was cut down into the shorter movie form that was distributed internationally to great acclaim. Nope. Turns out the movie was edited and released first, in 1981, followed four years later by the much-expanded miniseries version, enhan

2019

Nov

MONTY PYTHON DOUBLE FEATURE By David Bianculli

And now for something completely similar: Tonight at 8 ET, IFC presents a double feature of two Monty Python films, which share the same delight in comic anarchy and irreverence. With 1979’s Monty Python’s Life of Brian, the irreverence of this alternative biblical tale culminates with a musical number sung by men hanging from crucifixes (pictured). Then, at 10 p.m. ET, IFC follows that with 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a movie financed almost sin

2019

Nov

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY By David Bianculli

Tonight’s a very good night for movies on TV, on a night when lots of families are gathered together. Want a cinematic epic? Watch TCM. Want comic lunacy? Watch IFC. Want a heartwarming romantic comedy? Watch this 1989 movie, on Showtime, and watch director Rob Reiner’s mother react to Meg Ryan’s faked orgasm at Katz’s deli by telling the waiter, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Billy Crystal co-stars.

2019

Nov

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA By David Bianculli

In this 1962 epic film directed by David Lean, Peter O’Toole, as the title character, is a Lean, mean fighting machine. O’Toole plays T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who led the divided, often warring Arab tribes during World War I in a war against the Turks. Try to translate all that to today’s political and geographic landscape, and your head will spin.

2019

Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE THANKSGIVING SPECIAL By David Bianculli

So long as Paul Simon is shown singing “Still Crazy All These Years” while dressed in a turkey suit, in a vintage SNL clip from 1976, I’m happy with this annual special… and I’m there.

2019

Nov

THE PLASTIC PROBLEM By David Bianculli

DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL: This hour on ocean pollution, and other effects of non-biodegradable plastics, comes from the PBS NewsHour team, and comes armed with enough images and statistics that it attention should be paid. Here’s just one statistic I can’t shake: by some estimates, by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I don’t know whether that’s by number or tonnage – but either way, it’s dead wrong. Check local listing

2019

Nov

THE CRISIS OF 'THE PLASTIC PROBLEM' By David Hinckley

If you want to keep the mood light over holiday dinner, skip the PBS Thanksgiving Eve special on plastic waste...

2019

Nov

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? By David Bianculli

In 2017, FX presented the miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan, dramatizing the behind-the-scenes conflicts during the filming of the 1962 thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? That movie starred Bette Davis and Joan Crawford – who were played in the Feud miniseries, respectively, by Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. They gave great performances, but so did the original actresses, in this very original and very, very creepy movie. Davis plays a former child sta

2019

Nov

DOLLY PARTON: 50 YEARS OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY By David Bianculli

SPECIAL PREMIERE: Dolly Parton has been an official member of Opry family for 50 years, but actually has been associated with the Grand Ole Opry for more than half a century (she made her first appearance on the Opry’s radio show when she was just a kid). This special, taped last month, is a celebration of not only the durable and celebrated venue, but of the equally durable and celebrated Parton herself.

2019

Nov

LINDSAY VONN: THE FINAL SEASON By David Bianculli

DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE: This new sports documentary, about celebrated skier Lindsay Vonn, has a few rough early moments, emotional ones, when recounting her childhood – especially regarding her often estranged father, who coached her when she was young. But once this documentary gets going, it’s all downhill…

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