DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

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MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

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GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2013
May
6
 
 
Made in 1950, this full-length Walt Disney classic continues to enchant, casting its spell on every generation of young girls who encounter it. That may or may not be a good thing – but Disney movies, like fairy tales, are a seminal part of childhood. What really matters is that parents are there to talk them through the thorny parts. (With Cinderella, for example, why wish for a Prince? Who not eliminate the middle man, and simply wish to be Queen?)
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
6
 
 
In the accompanying photo, that’s Cher at left, either yawning widely or reaching for a very early high note. Holding the former Cherilyn Sarkisian is her mother, Georgia Holt, the subject of this often touching, perhaps even surprisingly entertaining Mother’s Day special. Cher, her 86-year-old mom, and Cher’s younger sister, Georgeanne, all swap stories and share photos and old movies in this one-hour special. Its goal is to push mom’s new record album, but the story of
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
6
 
 
Tonight’s episode is called “Plato’s Cave,” which refers to a touching conversation Daniel (Aden Young) has with his mom. The crucial conversation in this installment, though, is between Daniel and Tawney (Adelaide Clemens), who connect on a level both intellectual and, even more surprisingly, spiritual.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
6
 
 
Not only is this a well-timed gift for Mother’s Day, but it features one of the most iconic TV moms in history: Barbara Billingsley as  June Cleaver, the unflappable nucleus of the nuclear Cleaver household...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
MINISERIES: In case you haven’t seen this unusual, involving Sundance miniseries yet, tonight the network repeats Episodes 1-3 in a convenient mini-marathon. It’s the story of a Death Row convict released after 19 years in prison – and it’s a mood piece that’s impossible to forget once you’ve seen it. Aden Young stars. By the way, this series has been renewed, which is very good news.   
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
Here’s another series that you should be watching, especially if you’re a Downton Abbey fan, because Call the Midwife is loaded with many of the same charming traits: quirky characters, class differences, historical backdrops, and unexpected bursts of both humor and drama. Tonight is Episode 6 of Season 2, but it’s never too late to dive in. Check local listings.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
Last week’s episode ended with news of upcoming nuptials for two members of the Lannister clan, but none of it was received as good news. Both Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Cersei (Lena Headey) were ordered to accept, and wed, the mates just chosen for them – and in this series, the penalty for disobeying an order is the same as the only way to avoid one. Sudden violence. So tonight, watch out.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
This season’s shows, so far, have unfolded at a slow, deliberate pace. Long-time fans of this show, by now, are apt to assess, and accept, this as the calm before the storm – and it’s a good bet that a storm will arrive on tonight’s episode. In what form, I can’t say. It’s only a guess, but I feel we’re due for a 1968 bombshell right about… now.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
This comedy series has sharpened considerably this season – enough to earn it a recommendation this week, as a photo of Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) appearing disengaged during a moment of political crisis becomes an embarrassing Internet sensation. Not her first, and surely not her last.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
May
5
 
 
Many viewers might be left wanting more after this very watchable film breezes by. That’s the Old Hollywood way, and Dear Mom, Love Cher makes a virtue of it...