This 2020 WWII drama was written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, who tells the true story of a French resistance fighter who entertains children orphaned by the Nazis. What makes this fact-based story especially noteworthy is that the enigmatic entertainer, played by Jesse Eisenberg, eventually takes the name of Marcel Marceau. And it’s good that he came to useful prominence, even under such awful circumstances, because a mime is a terrible thing to waste.

2021

Jan

THE SEARCHERS By David Bianculli

This week’s entry in TCM’s “The Essentails” is essential for sure. It’s John Wayne, in what I consider the best role of his entire career, playing a bigoted but loyal and determined man hunting down a young girl (Natalie Wood) abducted by Indians. Amazing movie, and if it’s the first time you’re seeing it, not at all what you might expect. John Ford directs, and gets the most from both his leading man and the scenery, which Ford and this film helped make

2021

Jan

SERVANT By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: When it premiered last year as one of the inaugural new series on Apple TV+, M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant was, by far, the best offering of its opening schedule. Back then, the story of a woman (Lauren Ambrose from Six Feet Under) so traumatized by the death of her newborn baby that she begins caring for an infant doll in its place – and hires a nanny to sustain the illusion – was merely effectively creepy. Now, as Season 2 begins, with poli

2021

Jan

WANDAVISION By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: To this point, and it’s been 20 years now, the modern Marvel storytelling universe, outside of the comic-book and graphic novel world, has consisted of new movies, starting with such tentpole titles as The X-Men and Iron Man, and more focused second-tier TV series, the best of which have been Netflix’s Jessica Jones and FX’s Legion. Now, because of COVID-19, the newest phase of Marvel projects to roll out has been de

2021

Jan

CHARADE By David Bianculli

This 1963 film is a particular favorite of mine. It’s not a Hitchcock film, but certainly feels like one – with mistaken and alternate identities, deadly intrigue and villains, and a glamorous couple traveling through an evocative set of locations. In Charade, the location is Paris, the couple is played by the ultra-glamorous Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, the bodies pile up, and the plot is terrific.

2021

Jan

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: Bill Maher is back for an impressive 19th season – and he’s starting, in his studio but without a full studio audience, at an astounding time for U.S. politics, policies and history. And his scheduled guests for the Season 19 opener? Start with Katie Couric, Matt Jones, and – ready? – Kellyanne Conway.

2021

Jan

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

Graham Norton, with his mix of in-studio and Zoomed-in guests, has managed to keep his new talk-show installments both lively and intimate. Tonight’s guests include Jimmy Fallon, Watchmen star Regina King, and Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy.

2021

Jan

IS 'WANDAVISION' A SITCOM OR A SUPERHERO SERIES? YES. By David Hinckley

You might call it a toss-up as to which is further from reality: the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with its crazy gang of off-center superheroes, or the universe of the 1950s suburban television sitcom...

2021

Jan

'THE ULTIMATE PLAYLIST OF NOISE' REMINDS US TO LISTEN AND LIVE By David Hinckley

The Ultimate Playlist of Noise sounds like a rock 'n' roll blowout. In the end, it turns out to be less about music than a lot of other things, some of which it tackles better than others...

2021

Jan

1981: NBC'S INFLUENTIAL 'HILL STREET BLUES' DEBUTS By David Bianculli

This day in 1981 marked the debut of NBC's Hill Street Blues, which stands alone as the most influential series of its decade...

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