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

 
 
2016
Feb
11
 
 
This 1933 musical is a staple of my Film Appreciation class at Rowan University – and every year, it bowls over some of my students because of its Depression-era cynicism, humor and, with its stunning between-the-wars climax, topicality. And Ginger Rogers singing the opening number, “We’re in the Money,” in Pig Latin – well, that throws them, too. The Busby Berkeley numbers, especially the finale, are the real reason to watch, but the comedy’s very strong, too
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
We’re at the live portion of American Idol, for the first time in what’s supposed to be the last time. Half of the Top 24 contestants – one of whom will win the final American Idol crown, bookending a series that began with the crowning of Kelly Clarkson – compete tonight.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
Repeated from last week, this new documentary gathers an eclectic group of people, from some of Michael Jackson’s siblings to Rosie Perez, to talk about the impact of the “early” Michael Jackson, from his Jackson Five days to his Off the Wall solo album, released just before the mega-selling Thriller. It tells how Michael Jackson came to know and work with Quincy Jones, and takes viewers on a detailed track-by-track analysis of the songs on Off the Wall – and why they mat
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
The fact that this 1963 movie is based on actual events prevents it from having too happy a ending, but it’s an inspirational WWII film nonetheless. It’s about a group of Allied soldiers from different units and countries, banding together in hopes of escaping from a Nazi POW camp. There are lots of standout roles here, but watch, in particular, for the amazing coolness generated by Steve McQueen and James Garner.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
Tonight’s installment of Nova is called How Memory Works, and explains how the human brain retains and forgets what it does. There’s more in this documentary, too, but I’m having a problem remembering it. Check local listings.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
In tonight’s episode, protests hit the high school, upset about the very different punishments meted out to Hispanic and African-American students regarding the current controversy.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
10
 
 
The now-imminent end of CBS’s critically adored and modestly rated The Good Wife raises again one of TV’s most awkward questions: Can a good series run too long? The answer is yes...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
9
 
 
Perhaps coincidentally, on the heels of a Super Bowl, this week’s new episode features a plot in which Miss Piggy has a wardrobe malfunction. More notable, perhaps, and a lot easier to look forward to, is the week’s guest star: Joan Jett.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
9
 
 
With Zooey Deschanel on maternity leave, and her lead character Jess still on “jury duty,” New Girl needs a new New Girl. And it has one, beginning tonight. Playing a friend of Cece’s who moves in temporarily is Megan Fox.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Feb
9
 
 
TCM’s prime-time schedule tonight presents two stunningly photographed and imaginatively framed and sculpted movies from the 1970s. First up: 1972’s Cabaret, Bob Fosse’s tour de force of choreography and film direction, which handed Liza Minnelli the role of a lifetime. Which she, in turn, devoured. Joel Grey, as the emcee, is fabulous as well – though on Broadway in two revivals, Alan Cumming has been spectacular enough to claim ownership of the role. No one’s real