SATURDAY
JULY 28
2018

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

Dramas about young Queen Victoria are all the rage these days, but as recently as 2017, the movies exulted and examined a much more mature Queen Victoria. In Victoria and Abdul, Judi Dench plays the monarch on the eve of her Golden Jubilee – and in that ripe old age, finding herself unexpectedly amused by a clerk from India assigned to assist her. Abdul, played by Ali Fazal, challenges and alters several of her long-held notions of class and monarchy. It’s a charming character study, aided by other stellar character actors in this company, especially comedian Eddie Izzard and Singing Detective star Michael Gambon.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1957 film, directed and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, is one of the most powerful war movies ever made – and one of the most powerful anti-war movies as well. Set during WWI, in the trenches dug by French soldiers in hopes of impeding the German invasion towards Paris, Paths of Glory tells of a French unit commander, played by Kirk Douglas, whose men are ordered on an ostensible suicide mission to advance towards the German line. Some rebel and retreat, and the commander must then defend his men, and himself, against charges of mutiny and cowardice. Kubrick’s photography, much of it hand-held in the trenches, is like a landlocked Das Boot – and Douglas’ anger at his superior officers, and their literally entrenched ways, is palpable.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
HEFBT
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 218  | Go to page: 
4358 Comments
 
 
I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much
Jul 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is gold! I’ve already forwarded it to a couple of friends who were asking about this.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for the practical advice. It’s much more useful than theoretical concepts.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
The website style is perfect, the content material is really good
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You will see all styles and models of fashion blogs as being the internet is stuffed with them.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is my first visit to your blog! Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
One of the biggest competitions of today is staying fit
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Seen you are aware of the trend in this case.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You will discover all types and designs of fashion blogs since the internet is filled with them.
Jul 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
The Bahrain visa application status refers to the current progress
Jul 28, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really like how you balanced the pros and cons in this article.
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"Really enjoyed this blog.Much thanks again. Great.

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"You are a great writer. Please keep it up!

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"You are a great writer. Please keep it up!

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks, I have been hunting for details about this subject for ages and yours is the best I ave found so far.
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives in-depth information. Thanks for this nice article.
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"You are a great writer. Please keep it up!

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"Well I really enjoyed studying it. This article offered by you is very practical for proper planning.

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"Well I really enjoyed studying it. This article offered by you is very practical for proper planning.

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"Well I really enjoyed studying it. This article offered by you is very practical for proper planning.

"
Jul 27, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 218  | 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.