HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET
The plot of this 2012 movie is thin as onionskin typing paper, a simile that ought to baffle an entire generation of film fans – but that generation, most likely, wouldn’t have seen this movie anyway. It’s about a group of British tourists who travel to India to stay at a resort that doesn’t exactly live up to the brochure. But the cast makes this movie a pleasure: Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy, just for starters.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
It’s
Dustin Hoffman night on TCM: five movies in a row, starting with this brave, touching character study from 1982. Hoffman gets due credit for transforming himself into the titular character, but I’ve always been equally impressed by how committed he is to portraying a committed actor, determined to remain true to his craft as he sees it. Also noteworthy in this movie, of course: Jessica Lange as the love interest, and Bill Murray as the comical best friend.
Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET
Yes, Starz tonight presents the TV premiere of the 2012 Men in Black 3, which teams a time-traveling Agent J (Will Smith) with a younger version of Agent K (played by Josh Brolin). But Starz does more than that. It prefaces that premiere with the two previous films in the series, beginning at 5:50 p.m. ET.
NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s Saturday Night Live, with Justin Timberlake making his fifth appearance as host, easily was the best installment of the season – and this cut-down, prime-time "instant" rerun ought to be even better, if NBC cuts the weakest two skits. But boy, did the show start strong, with Timberlake joining the ultra-exclusive “Five-timers” club – and sharing drinks with Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, and others. Later tonight, in the regular SNL time sot, there’s another rerun: of the show hosted by Jennifer Lawrence.
TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET
From 1970, this Dustin Hoffman movie is an acting triumph, and an underrated gem — an epic character study of a young man (Hoffman) raised by Indians and managing to be present for many key events in American history, including Little Big Horn. Oh, and Faye Dunaway is memorable as well — especially in the bathtub scene. Later tonight, as part of TCM’s
five-film Hoffman tribute:
John and Mary at 12:30 a.m. ET,
The Graduate at 2:15 a.m. ET and
Kramer vs. Kramer at 4:15 a.m. ET.