Clare Boothe Luce’s play was filmed, in this 1939 version, by George Cukor, who already had a well-deserved reputation as an actress’ director. As a result, this film is filled with women who were eager to take part: Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell and Joan Fontaine, for starters.

2013

Jul

666 PARK AVENUE By David Bianculli

SERIES FINALE: The devil gets his due tonight – or something like that, as this series about a demonic New York landlord deals with the fact that its own lease is up, and is not being renewed. So if this final episode of 666 Park Avenue feels a little frenzied, that’s because the writers scrambled to tie up loose ends, knowing that there would be no additional episodes. And don’t expect too much closure, because this final episode is called “Lazarus: Part 1.”

2013

Jul

BEING HUMAN By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: Though Syfy presents its own Americanized version of this genre series, this is the British original – embarking on what it has announced is its final season. The season begins with a flashback involving a bedroom showdown between a female werewolf and a male vampire, then returns to the present, where ghosts join in the fun as well. All of them almost supernaturally good-looking.

2013

Jul

BREAKING BAD FROM BELOW: BEST OF THE UP-SHOTS By Eric Gould

After supplying reviews for two years on the local version of Fresh Air in Philadelphia, this was my first TV review for the nationally broadcast NPR version – included as part of the opening-day broadcast. On May 11, 2012, NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross celebrates its 25th anniversary. Note, if you will, that I didn’t even include a clip, just the theme music. (What a missed opportunity.) Notice, too, that I sound clipped and stiff and drained of all emotion, like Jack Webb on ele

2013

Jul

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

This is a repeat, but a decent one: It’s the second time Zach Galifianakis shows up as guest host – this time with an extended musical number to kick off the show.

2013

Jul

TRUE GRIT By David Bianculli

This 2010 Coen Brothers remake of the 1969 John Wayne movie casts Jeff Bridges in the role of crusty U.S. Marshal Rooster – and puts most of the weight of the movie on Bridges’ shoulders. He handles it effortlessly, and with a twinkle in his eyes. Well, make that eye. Hailee Steinfeld co-stars as the persistent young girl who hires Cogburn to help her find her father’s killer, and Matt Damon plays another person who joins their quest. It’s a well-staged, enjoyable Western

2013

Jul

CULT By David Bianculli

SERIES FINALE: This is a note, not a recommendation. The show that CW canceled and yanked from its schedule almost immediately after it premiered, then brought back for a summer burn-off run, presents its final episodes tonight in a yawn-inducing doubleheader. At this point, Cult has so few fans, and viewers, they don’t even qualify as a cult. More like a gaggle.

2013

Jul

THE DEER HUNTER By David Bianculli

It doesn’t quite compute that this Michael Cimino movie is now 35 years old. But my, what a movie – so intense, it’s at times almost unwatchable. Yet it’s an important movie to see, because of the astounding work by its impeccable young cast. Robert De Niro already had made Mean Streets, Taxi Driver and The Godfather: Part II by the time he got to this 1978 Vietnam war movie, but The Deer Hunter was of that same high caliber. Yet he’s not the only standout here: Chr

2013

Jul

THE BRIDE WORE BLACK By David Bianculli

In 1967, film critic turned filmmaker Francois Truffaut wrote a book – a series of detailed conversational interviews, actually – in which he and Alfred Hitchcock examined and discussed every one of Hitch’s films. (The book was called Hitchcock/Truffaut, and a revised edition, covering Hitchcock’s final films, was published in 1985.) The original book, a marvel of detail and insight and cinematic passion from both men, was one of my inspirations to become a critic.

2013

Jul

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER By David Bianculli

Among tonight’s guests is someone who’s never failed to deliver both outrage and outrageousness at his seat on Bill Maher’s roundtable: Cornel West.

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