AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET
Now that I’ve given a name, “spider-web movies,” to those films that ensnare me on TV no matter how many times they’ve been televised, I keep running into – and getting trapped all over again by – more of them. Here’s another: a 1987 comedy classic starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Robin Wright, Andre the Giant and more. I consider this, without question, one of the best family movies of its generation. Every actor, every scene in The Princess Bride is a priceless one – and most scenes provide at least one memorable catch phrase, Inconceivable.
Sundance, 8:00 p.m. ET
Here’s another “spider-web movie” of mine – another film that I’ll recommend, and watch, almost every time it’s televised. I can’t believe this drama is 40 years old now, because it still grabs me by the throat like an action thriller should. Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Jon Voight and Ronny Cox play the four suburbanites who take two canoes for a weekend adventure paddling down the Cahulawassee River. What a trip. What a film. John Boorman directed, and screenwriter James Dickey adapted his own novel for the screen – which may be why it retains so much of its original poetry.
HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET
After a political convention week, there’s nothing like tuning in to a smart political satirist to get a timely take on things. Here’s one great place to do just that.
Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET
After a political convention week, there’s nothing like tuning in to a smart political satirist to get a timely take on things. Here’s another great place to do just that.
Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. ET
After a political convention week, there’s nothing like tuning in to a smart political satirist to get a timely take on things. Here’s still another great place to do just that – and by changing channels between Maher and Stewart, you can watch all three, in a row, as a stupendous political comedy triple-header.