SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 21

2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

THE 2015 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

IFC, 5:00 p.m. ET

The Independent Spirit Awards, conceived 30 years ago as a sort of impertinent anti-Oscars, has developed into an awards show with a clout, and a charm, all its own. Held the day before the Oscars, when all the film talent already is in town, it celebrates the movies not released by major studios – and these days, that means a lot of really good, interesting movies. This awards show is repeated in prime time at 10 p.m. ET, but if you want to watch it live, IFC is televising it as it unfurls, beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The co-hosts are Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen – and given their respective musical talents, expect them to sing some sort of irreverent medley, or song, at some point in the show.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

Since starring as George Clooney’s daughter in 2011’s The Descendants, Shailene Woodley has made some impressive career choices. She’s starred in a successful new movie franchise, starting with last year’s Divergent – and also last year, starred in this film, a bittersweet romantic drama in which she and co-star Ansel Elgort play teens who meet, and eventually fall in love, at a cancer support group.

PATTON

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s TCM lineup is full of movies that dominated conversation in the early 1970s. This lavish biographical drama stars George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton, a military figure who was brazenly and proudly pro-war at a time (Patton was released in 1970) when “hawks vs. doves” was a major dividing point widening the so-called generation gap. Interestingly, the story and screenplay were co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, who would turn around and make The Godfather two years later – and the largely anti-war Apocalypse Now film seven years after that.

MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER

TCM, 11:00 p.m. ET

This 1971 Robert Altman film is a gorgeous piece of cinema, and a perfect representation of Altman’s vivid, visionary style of filmmaking. Warren Beatty stars as an Old West gambler who teams with a professional madam (Julie Christie) to offer their respective areas of expertise to the rubes in a remote Old West mining town. Think of it as an early version of Deadwood, if you like – but whatever you have to think to tune in, do it. This film is a distinctive, often underrated classic, and the images of winter, especially, rival those from the movies of Ingmar Bergman.

KLUTE

TCM, 4:00 a.m. ET

This 1971 movie has a plot which has been examined, and re-examined, hundreds of times on film and TV. A detective, working on a murder case, falls in love with the beautiful young woman who’s in danger of being the killer’s next victim. The twist here, and even that isn’t so unusual, is that the woman is a prostitute – played by Jane Fonda, in the role that won her an Oscar, and a new patina of respectability from mainstream Hollywood. The detective, who actually has the title role, is played by Donald Sutherland, and he delivers a performance that’s as moody and mysterious as the film itself. Alan J. Pakula directs, and does it superbly. This one’s worth recording, to catch at a more convenient time.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!

Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)

Name (required)

Email (required) (will not be published)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 140 | Go to page:

2797 Comments

Union Square Residences

Buying a home can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the process and get pre-approved, things start falling into place. I really appreciate how this post breaks down the steps clearly, super helpful for buyers!

Oct 17, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Hey homie,

I think you just took a wrong turn on the Information Highway!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!

Seriously, please remove your post. And if you decide to post again, please make it about the greatest Art that Man has ever Created: TELEBISION!!!!!

Warmly,

Dave

Oct 17, 2025

one allsport

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.!

Oct 15, 2025 | Reply

one allsport

Oct 15, 2025 | Reply

lsm99dna

You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this.

Oct 14, 2025 | Reply

one allsports

Awesome blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Many thanks!

Oct 11, 2025 | Reply

?????

You made karaoke night the highlight of the evening, fantastic job!

Oct 11, 2025 | Reply

lsm9999

Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. We will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with quality content.

Oct 9, 2025 | Reply

Godrej Thanisandra

Godrej Thanisandra in North Bangalore – a pre-launch residential project offering 2, 3 & 4 BHK luxury apartments across 20.33 acres. Enjoy premium amenities.

Oct 8, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Hey Godfrey - what-the-ever-loving-fuc%-are-you-even-fuc%ing-talking about??!
I think you took a wrong turn after hitting that meth pipe to end up here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!

Dave

Oct 8, 2025

one allsport

I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post

Oct 7, 2025 | Reply

coolgamingnews

We’re a small, passionate team based in Austin, Texas, whose love of the gaming hobby turned into a full-time mission

Oct 6, 2025 | Reply

lsm99 login

Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Oct 5, 2025 | Reply

lsm99dna

Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Oct 4, 2025 | Reply

Call girls jodhpur

Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit us:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

Call girls jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

jodhpur call girl

Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit now:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

??????

You sing with so much heart, it makes karaoke extra special.

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

stitch

????? ??????? ??????????????? ???????????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? 100% ?????????????????? ??????????????????? 1 ??? ?????????? https://one-ink.com/

Sep 30, 2025 | Reply

https://one-ink.com/

How could i never knew this before. https://one-ink.com/

Sep 30, 2025 | Reply

stitch

https://one-ink.com/

Sep 30, 2025 | Reply

???? ??????? ????????

I was recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I’m not sure whether or not this post is written through him as nobody else recognise such precise about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!

Sep 28, 2025 | Reply

Page: 1 of 140 | Go to page:

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.

New From TVWW

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

IFC, 5:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 11:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 4:00 a.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy