DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
Immediately after TCM shows this 1939 John Ford Western, starring John Wayne, the documentary The Story of Film: An Odyssey will explain why it’s considered such a cinematic masterpiece. But by then, if you watched at all closely, you’ll know.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
Part 1 of 2. Highlights from this music festival, taped Sept. 20-21 in Las Vegas, are shown tonight and tomorrow night on the CW. Among the artists shown tonight: Katy Perry (pictured, with jump rope), Queen with Adam Lambert, and Elton John.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
Part 5. I hope you’re watching this 2012 documentary series, because it’s as smart as it is inspirational. Tonight’s edition is 1939-1952 – The Devastation of War and a New Movie Language, a period that covers many movie masterworks. (Hell, just the films released in America in 1939 are enough to fill a Brilliant Film Festival.) Two movies shown tonight on TCM as companion pieces are highlighted elsewhere in today’s Best Bets: 1939’s Stagecoach, John Ford&rsqu
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
In tonight’s Episode 2, Red (James Spader) goes from orange prison jumpsuit to black tuxedo – and takes Liz (Megan Boone) along for the ride, as part of an undercover operation to protect an alleged target. Said target, by the way, is played by guest star Isabella Rossellini.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
Orson Welles co-wrote this 1941 movie with Herman J. Mankiewicz. He directed it. He starred in it. And he changed cinema because of it. This movie is the culmination of my Film History and Appreciation course at Rowan University, and with good reason. Watch it – and try, these days, not to think about Rupert Murdoch.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
30
 
 
If we thought we knew where Breaking Bad was really going, of course... we didn't. In what may one of the finest hours of television ever, we got the tragic truth all too clearly...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
29
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: For Season 3, the setting moves, temporarily, from Storybrooke to Neverland, where some of the show’s characters have set off on a trip to the second star to the right, and straight on till morning. Emma (Jennifer Morrison) is aboard, of course, and interacting on board with an unexpectedly handsome Hook (Colin O’Donoghue), both pictured here. And soon to come are some new characters, including Rose McIver as Tinker Bell. This new episode is preceded, at 7 p.m. ET, b
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
29
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: The Good Wife ended last season with Alicia (Julianna Margulies) answering her door, and greeting Cary (Matt Czuchry) with the news that she would join him in his effort to defect from Lockhart/Gardner and start a new law firm. “I’m in,” she said – and so are we, for a reboot that promises to shake things up on a seismic scale. What kind of betrayal does that feel like, to Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and Will Gardner (Josh Charles)? For very diffe
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
29
 
 
SERIES FINALE: Welcome to the biggest TV event in years. That’s no exaggeration, even though the Nielsen ratings won’t see it that way. The ending of Vince Gilligan’s pitch-perfect drama series has suddenly become so anticipated, so discussed and so celebrated, even in advance, that it’s proof, all by itself, that TV still matters. So get ready for one last thrill ride, and enjoy. For a proper sendoff, see Eric Gould’s Cold Light Reader.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
29
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Season 3, based on the first two episodes provided for preview, begins with the intensity, intelligence and unpredictability that made Season 1 such a thrill to watch. The action begins a few weeks after the explosion, and its aftermath, that ended Season 2.  Brody (Damian Lewis) is nowhere to be seen, not even by us viewers – but Carrie (Claire Danes) is in full view, and off her meds. And, like Mandy Patinkin’s Saul, delivering one of the best TV performances