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

 
 
2017
Feb
26
 
 
While the broadcast networks tend to close up shop opposite the Oscars telecast, HBO and Showtime routinely proceed as though it’s business as usual. Here, then, is episode two of this new HBO miniseries. Watch for things to heat up considerably, especially in the private scenes between Nicole Kidman and Alexander Skarsgard, as a couple whose seemingly idyllic marriage is both fueled and eroded by violently passionate sex and arguments. Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern co-star.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
26
 
 
Last week’s episode of Girls delivered a major surprise in the form of an unexpected revelation about one of its characters. (For a full report, see Eric Gould’s Cold Light Reader.) This week, we carry on with the ramifications of that discovery – and the newest fissure between the core group of friends.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
26
 
 
This season of Billions seems not only to have upped the ante, but the arrogance, on the battle between Wall Street billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damien Lewis) and vengeful political watchdog Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). But this season more than ever, Billions, like Mad Men, seems to be telling a more interesting story through the eyes of its women. Maggie Siff, especially, is in a fascinating position, now that her character of Wendy is a step removed from both estranged husband Chuck and forme
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
26
 
 
In tonight’s second episode, the structure of Crashing really takes shape, with aspiring standup comic Pete (Pete Holmes) going from fellow comic to fellow comic, and couch to couch, to crash while putting his life back together. This week, Artie Lange, who was featured last week, passes Pete off to T.J. Miller.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
26
 
 
Maybe because it’s late Sunday night, either the end or the start of a rough week – but Last Week Tonight seems to give me the reassurance, perspective and laughs I need to keep putting up with the headlines for one more seven-day stretch. Thanks, John Oliver, for taking your show, and your comedy, so seriously…
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
25
 
 
Before we learn whether La La Land sweeps the Oscars Sunday night (ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET), let’s put it in a little context...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
25
 
 
Tonight’s second installment in this gorgeous, astoundingly photographed new nature series is called “Mountains,” and it includes footage capturing, for the first time, a snow leopard up close and personal, atop the world, with photography so breathtaking (taken with remote, movement-triggered cameras) that you absolutely must see them. As they say, there’s no leopards like snow leopards. And in case you missed last week’s premiere episode of Planet Earth II, it&rsq
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
25
 
 
This 2002 movie version of the long-running John Kander and Fred Ebb Broadway musical, directed by Rob Marshall and capturing the spirit of the original choreography and direction by Bob Fosse, is one of the best movie musicals ever filmed. The casting is surprising – Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John C. Reilly in a musical? – but each and every one of them delivers superbly. And Zellweger, as publicity-hungry murder defendant Roxie Hart, deserves another m
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
25
 
 
Nick Kroll and John Mulaney host this year’s “alternatives” to the Oscars. If you want to watch them live, you can go to the IFC website to see a live stream of the event, beginning at 5 p.m. ET. But if you can wait a few hours, IFC the TV cable network will be televising coverage of the ceremony beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Nominated for Best Feature: American Honey, Chronic, Jackie, Manchester By the Sea, and Moonlight.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2017
Feb
25
 
 
Because of the Planet Earth II doubleheader tonight, The Graham Norton Show is being pushed back to 11 p.m. ET. But with Saturday Night Live still on break, it’s the best place tonight to see some fresh late-night entertainment. Norton’s scheduled guests include Denzel Washington, as well as (pictured) Keanu Reeves and Whoopi Goldberg.