SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 14
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Sundance, 8:00 p.m. ET

Future Dark Knight Christian Bale was just a kid when he starred in this 1987 film by Steven Spielberg, a faithful adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s novel about a British boy who was in Shanghai in 1941 when the Japanese invaded, making him a prisoner of war in a strange land. John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson co-star, but this movie belongs mostly to Bale, and to Spielberg’s beautiful cinematic images.
 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

A night of movies about ships in trouble is on hand tonight on TCM – a fleet of films that includes 1957’s Abandon Ship! (10 p.m. ET) and 1953’s Titanic (midnight ET). But the evening leads off with a really good one: Alfred Hitchcock’s 1944 Lifeboat, which takes place aboard the confining craft of its title. So how does Hitch work his trademark cameo appearance into this film? It’s worth tuning in just to find out… And you’ll stay for the rest, a gripping wartime character study starring Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix and Walter Slezak.

 
  
 
 

Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET

In this new episode, the Queen leaves her royal chambers and heads to the battlefield, where what she sees leads to a new perspective on her kingdom, and her future plans. And she’s not the only powerful woman roaming the battlefields, either…

 
  
 
 

Syfy, 9:00 p.m. ET

The latest Syfy movie with a funny title, but no reason to watch, is tonight’s new Robocroc, which endows an artificial crocodile with Terminator-type sensors and sensibilities. I’m not asking you to watch it – just to spend a minute imaging some future possibilities for similar Syfy films along similar lines.  A mechanical wild pig named Cyboarg, perhaps? An artificial insect named Antroid? Or perhaps a boxing, hopping-mad Australian machine called Kangaroobot? I eagerly await your own suggestions… All of which will be more fun than tuning in to Robocroc.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:45 p.m. ET

Part 1 of 2. This is a repeat of last Sunday’s episode, but one that’s scheduled handily in case you missed it, as a catch-up session prior to tomorrow’s Season 2 finale. It’s election night 2012 on this show, and the gang at the newsroom is working as hard as it can to recapture its credibility and make no mistakes – sort of like Aaron Sorkin, behind the scenes, is working hard to stick the landing on this redemptive second season.

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
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3808 Comments
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article is packed with insights! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making it so engaging. Well done!
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Such an amazing read! Your ability to explain things in a simple yet detailed way is truly impressive.
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey sweetie,

It's not that complicated! It's TV!!! Do what I do!!!!! Grab a six pack of Miller Lite, crack the first one open and drink it. Rinse and repeat!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!!!

Just let the TV flow over you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
Apr 21, 2026
 
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was well explained since it stayed concise and clear. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
A thoughtful reflection on TV criticism’s evolution and legacy—blending nostalgia, personal memories, and appreciation for creators who shaped meaningful viewing experiences.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.