This is the original British series, not its U.S. version that borrowed the same format. And for this British version, which began Season 14 last night overseas, original host and executive producer Simon Cowell has rejoined the judging panel. So has Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who, before her marriage (and name change) earlier this year, was familiar to both U.K. and U.S. X Factor viewers as Cheryl Cole (seen here with Cowell, from the season premiere). Long-time judge Louis Walsh is here, too, a

2014

Aug

SHANE By David Bianculli

Here’s a classic Western indeed – one of the definitive examples of the ranch-wars subgenre. George Stevens directs this 1953 emotional confrontation between white and black hats, with Alan Ladd starring as Shane, the loner who rides in to help ranchers being squeezed out by a greedy adversary – and Jean Arthur and Brandon de Wilde play, respectively, the widow and her son that he protects at great personal risk. The scene-stealer, of course, is Jack Palance as Jack Wilson, a r

2014

Aug

THE STRAIN By David Bianculli

In this eighth episode of FX’s scary new series, Eph (Corey Stoll) learns that the creepy creatures he’s trying to hunt and eradicate have a particular aversion to ultraviolet rays – which means this series, in the same scene, may give viewers something both ultraviolet and ultraviolent. Let there be light!

2014

Aug

MANHATTAN By David Bianculli

In tonight’s episode, Abby (Rachel Brosnahan, pictured) learns that her husband Charlie is going on a top-secret field trip to check out the country’s first plutonium reactor, and is taking an “assistant,” Helen, with him. This could well lead to an explosion that has nothing to do with nuclear fission – just marital friction.

2014

Aug

THE SIMPSONS MARATHON By David Bianculli

This every-episode Simpsons mega-marathon has gained viewership every day in its first week, and has ended up ranking as one of the top five basic cable channels each night – something FXX has never done before, not even once, until pulling this stunt. No wonder, then, that FXX just announced that it will continue to run episodes of The Simspons in massive nightly doses (in six-to-eight-hour clumps) once the marathon is over. But while it’s on, today, make a special effort to catch o

2014

Aug

2014 U.S. OPEN TENNIS By David Bianculli

U.S. Open tennis shifts over to CBS for weekend coverage, so don’t be upset if you tune to ESPN and no tennis can be found there. Speaking of upset, expect an upset or two as the top-seeded players work their way through the bracket. This weekend, it’s likely we’ll lose at least one.

2014

Aug

MY COUSIN VINNY By David Bianculli

This 1992 comedy is one of those light, fluffy films that really grow on you. Joe Pesci’s performance seems to get funnier every time, and Marisa Tomei, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her Brooklyn Betty Boop character, does, too. Remember the scene where Pesci’s Vinny, in a Southern diner, confronts grits for the first time?

2014

Aug

DOCTOR WHO By David Bianculli

Let me just say, for starters, that last week’s Doctor Who season opener introducing Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor was almost laughably clever in its twists, performances and execution. I expect great things from this new team – especially since I consider the returning veteran half of the duo, Jenna Coleman as Clara, one of the most charming and natural actresses on TV at the moment.

2014

Aug

THE INTRUDERS By David Bianculli

If you watched last week’s super-hyped premiere, and want to return for more, here’s episode 2. I point this out more as a possible service, for those who were more taken by last week’s premiere than I, than with much degree of actual enthusiasm.

2014

Aug

IF IT'S LABOR DAY WEEKEND, IT MUST BE COLLEGE FOOTBALL KICKOFF TIME By Gerald Jordan

The only absent element is a crisp autumn breeze. Otherwise, the kickoff to the 2014 college football season is upon us...

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