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

 
 
2014
Nov
2
 
 
So, so intense. This series has served up one outstanding episode after another this season – and last week’s episode, which had the more “helpless” members of Rick’s actual and extended family hiding in a church as it was being invaded by ruthless killers, was among the scariest set pieces yet. And, just like the one that opened this season, generated all that horror without any zombies involved – just humans vs. humans, the most deadly predators of all. What
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
2
 
 
MINISERIES PREMIERE: Part 1 of 2. Frances McDormand stars in this two-part, four-hour adaptation of the Elizabeth Strout collection of interconnected short stories, playing a caustic woman whom we come to know well, and even care about deeply, over the course of this drama’s 25-year span. Richard Jenkins plays her husband, Bill Murray shows up late in a key role, and this miniseries (whose executive producers include Tom Hanks and McDormand herself), by honing its focus on one family and o
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
2
 
 
No question, Homeland has rebounded strongly this season. Last week alone, Carrie (Claire Danes) became a conflicted Mata Hari, throwing herself not only into her work, but at the young man whose secrets she has only a few days to unlock. Meanwhile, also last week, Saul (Mandy Patinkin) got close to the terrorist the CIA is hunting – too close. And this week, all three of them – Saul, Carrie and the young man – are in very serious danger.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
2
 
 
I’m tempted to ask, how can this series get any better? And then, after watching this season’s superlative shows, I get to anticipate the arrival this week of David Hyde Pierce, making his return to series TV with a recurring role on The Good Wife – and I have my answer.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
2
 
 
This series gets more complicated, and even more nuanced, as it goes on. Considering how impressive it was from the start, that’s quite a compliment. And the more we learn about all the characters in this drama, the more difficult it gets to favor one over another. Nice job. Nice show.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
1
 
 
Ernst Lubitsch directed this witty Jack Benny comedy, in which he and Carole Lombard star as married actors who use their thespian talents to aid the Polish underground against the Nazis. One noteworthy thing about this film is that it was made in 1942, when the real WWII was in full force. Another is that this movie was remade in 1983, starring Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
1
 
 
SEASON FINALE: Part 1 of 2. “Dark Water” is the title of this two-part season finale, which, based on the promos, promises to shed some light upon the origins, and true motives of the “mystery girl” known as Clara (Jenna Coleman), the current companion of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi). Could Clara, literally as well as figuratively, hold the key to the Doctor’s fate?
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
1
 
 
Tonight’s Saturday Night Live Vintage episode is from 2008 – the most recent Vintage cut-down episode yet – and features guest host Josh Brolin and musical guest Adele. He was fresh from No Country for Old Men. She was fresh from her breakout hit, “Rolling in the Deep.”
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
1
 
 
Another strong week for Norton: His couch guests, this week, include, but are not limited to, Benedict Cumberbatch. Adam Levine (who performs with Maroon 5) and actor Benedict Cumberbatch.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Nov
1
 
 
Look at the star power on tonight’s new episode: The guest host is Chris Rock. The musical guest is Prince. No more need be said.