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

 
 
2013
Jan
31
 
 
In this new episode, some of the boys invest some money on some new action figures – which doesn’t even sound unusual. But this time it is, because the action figures in question are specially commissioned replicas of… themselves.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
31
 
 
It’s been 12 years since Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis co-starred in this period Martin Scorsese film, playing a gang leader and a young man out for revenge, respectively, in this drama set in the 1860s era of Copper. This year, Day-Lewis is thought to be close to a lock at the Oscars for Lincoln, while DiCaprio, in a supporting role, wasn’t even nominated for Django Unchained. But they’re both doing quite well, thank you – and this 2002 movie demonstrates the ta
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
31
 
 
There’s so much to love about this 1965 comedy: the music, the light satiric touch, the all-out wild-man performance of Lee Marvin, and so much more. But for this showing, let’s sing the praises of Jane Fonda, who in this very early starring role, nailed every scene perfectly, from her walk to the gallows to her charmingly awkward revenge-filled seduction scene.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
31
 
 
You have to be in the New York area to catch this on Thirteen, or visit its website for clips and further information. But this second entry in WNET-Ch. 13’s series of historical specials about its own history is just as good as the first. The highlights in this 90-minute special, and there are many, include The Great American Dream Machine, Bill Moyers’ Journal, Watergate, Dick Cavett, The Police Tapes, and An American Family. Not mentioned, and sorely missed, are Woody Allen’
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
Capitalism at its most extreme: a one-hour prime-time special, on commercial broadcast television, presenting (and interrupted by) other commercials. But this has become an odd annual tradition, and an oddly accepted and acceptable one. Boomer Esiason and Aisha Tyler host this year’s edition, which includes ads from the past few years’ Super Bowls, as well as sneak peeks at a few upcoming ones. Included in the hour: a football-themed Victoria’s Secret spot.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
Part 2 of 3. Another thoroughly wonderful, awe-inspiring hour from Sir David Attenborough, this central hour of his three-part career overview presents more of the amazing people and places he’s visited, and natural events and animals he’s witnessed, over more than 60 years as the pre-eminent TV natural history host on the planet. Check local listings.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
The Super Bowl is days away, and this is the time for one last pre-game hurrah. Not that the Super Bowl needs any more hype – but with Showtime and CBS being sister operations, this year the Inside the NFL preview will be especially well-connected.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
What can today’s top C.S.I.-level forensic sciences bring to a really, really cold case? That’s what Nova asks tonight, as it poses, and attempts to answer, the question: Who Killed Lindbergh’s Baby? In 1932, the 18-month-old son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh was taken from his crib, kidnapped with a ransom note left behind. Yet two months later, the baby’s body was found, and evidence at the time led to the arrest, conviction and execution of German immigrant Bruno
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
30
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: Matthew Rhys from Brothers & Sisters and former Felicity star Keri Russell play Soviet sleeper agents, early 1980s era, in this new FX series, which counts Justified producer Graham Yost among its executive producers. The first two episodes are somewhat uneven, but also somewhat intriguing. For full reviews, check out my review today on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and read Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes. And if you're setting a DVR to record this premiere episode,
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jan
29
 
 
Dr. Jason Cole is at war with himself. Literally...