Netflix, Check local listings
SERIES PREMIERE: This is more advisory than recommendation. When House of Cards premiered all at once on Netflix two months ago, it was with an instant burst of impressive creativity – a demand, because of the new show’s cast, writing, direction and overall quality, that “attention must be paid.” The opening hour of Hemlock Grove – which, like all other hours in the first season, became available today – is less impressive, less original, and certainly a lot less addictive. It’s based on the book by Brian McGreevy, who’s a screenwriter on the series, and the pilot is directed by Eli Roth of Hostel. My reaction, too, was somewhat Hostel – even with Famke Janssen in the cast. I’ll keep watching the episodes and make a final decision, but first impressions count in this type of rollout – and in this case, they don’t count for a lot.
Flix, 8:00 p.m. ET
This 1989 movie semi-musical, a tossaway cotton-candy comedy confection, may seem like a very odd
“spider-web” film – but the performances keep me watching, whenever it pops up. (That, and the knowledge that it was one of my daughter Kristin’s favorite movies growing up.) Geena Davis plays a Valley Girl who is visited by three hairy, Play-Doh-colored space aliens – and when their fur is shaved, they’re all good-looking guys, played by Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans. All three of them add funny bits of comic flair to their roles, as does Julie Brown (who corwrote the script and wrote the music) as the hairdresser responsible for the trio’s galactic makeover.
Sundance, 8:00 p.m. ET
Made in 1989, this Civil War drama tells of the first all-black volunteer company of Union soldiers. Matthew Broderick plays the white colonel who leads them, and Broderick is, quote literally, in very good company. His follow actors in this strong character study include Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Andre Braugher.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
This 1940 version of The Front Page takes Ben Hecht’s 1929 play and revises it by making room for a leading lady. In this version, directed by Howard Hawks at breakneck verbal speed, Cary Grant plays newspaper editor Walter Burns, who adopts desperate measures when his ex-wife Hildy Johnson, played by Rosalind Russell, threatens to leave the paper. Ex-wife, he was fine with – but she’s so good a reporter, “ex-employee” is a deal-breaker. No wonder Cher, who co-hosts this TCM showing tonight as part of her celebration of female roles, is so high on this clever comedy.
HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET
The grim news from Boston this week, as well as the defeat of the gun control measure in Washington, ought to give Bill Maher and his panelists plenty to discuss this week, and with plenty of passion. Among the guests: One of Maher’s most outspoken regular guests, Salman Rushdie.