It was only two years ago, in 2012, that Jennifer Lawrence stepped forth to star as Katniss in this first Hunger games film. Now it’s a major movie franchise, with the latest installment, Hunger Games – Mockingjay, opening this weekend. It’s a good time, then, for ABC Family to repeat this original, co-starring Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, and Elizabeth Banks.

2014

Nov

THE TO DO LIST By David Bianculli

Aubrey Plaza, who plays April on Parks and Recreation, stars in this 2013 comedy as Brandy, a high-school senior who decides to apply the same diligent study habits she used to become valedictorian to become more sexually experienced before heading off to college. The movie, written and directed by Maggie Carey, is smart and funny, and takes a rarely seen female approach to the coming-of-age teen comedy movie. Costars include Andy Samberg, Rachel Bilson and Carey’s husband, Bill Hader, as

2014

Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE VINTAGE By David Bianculli

Here comes the perfect vintage episode of SNL to show the week before Thanksgiving: From Season 2 in 1976, it’s the episode hosted by Paul Simon, with George Harrison as the musical guest. (They perform together, singing both “Homeward Bound” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Fabulous.) But at the opening, to perform his solo hit “Still Crazy After All These Years,” Simon shows up in a holiday-themed costume that’s truly fowl.

2014

Nov

HELLO LADIES: THE MOVIE By David Bianculli

Stephen Merchant, usually paired on camera or as a collaborator with Ricky Gervais, stepped out on his own for his Hello Ladies situation comedy, and revisits the self-deluded “ladies’ man” character of Stuart in this movie-length comedy sequel, co-starring Christine Woods.

2014

Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

Cameron Diaz is the week’s guest host. The musical guests: Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

2014

Nov

DUEL By David Bianculli

Psst! Don’t tell my TV History and Appreciation of the 60s and 70s class at Rowan University, but this 1971 Steven Spielberg made-for-TV movie is on the lesson plan for Monday’s class. It was the masterfully directed action movie and psychological thriller that launched Spielberg’s career into a higher gear, leading almost directly to Jaws four years later. Dennis Weaver stars, as a meek man harassed on the open highway by a prehistoric-looking old truck and its mysterious, mos

2014

Nov

GREAT PERFORMANCES: "CATS" By David Bianculli

Consider this repeat telecast another of the nine lives for this 1998 Great Performances production of Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s once-ubiquitous stage musical based on the fanciful musings of T.S. Eliot. This production captures, for posterity, the performances of Elaine Paige as Grizabella, Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, and Carrot Top as Hairball. (Okay, I admit it: I made that last one up.) Check local listings.

2014

Nov

EAT: THE STORY OF FOOD By David Bianculli

Part 1 of 3. This network devotes three nights, and six hours, to an examination of what we eat, and why, and how it gets to our table and is prepared. You know that axiom about not wanting to know how the sausage is made? Be afraid. Be very afraid. Tonight: Processed foods and grocery stores.

2014

Nov

LOST SONGS: THE BASEMENT TAPES CONTINUED By David Bianculli

This is a fascinating special, and a glimpse at watching true creativity in action – and, at times, creativity inaction as well. Writer-director Sam Jones has cameras running during the two-week period in which legendary music producer T Bone Burnett invites a hand-picked gaggle of musicians to create an entire album, and suite of songs, out of a mother lode of rare lyrical artifacts: unpublished lyrics written by Bob Dylan during his Big Pink “Basement Tapes” year in 1967. The

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