Critic’s log, stardate 10022017. Watched “Star Trek: Discovery,” a prequel to the 1966 series that got the phasers firing. CBS aired the first episode on network TV, but now fans must sign up for CBS All Access to catch the rest (episodes stream at 8:30 p.m. Sundays). That’s $5.99 a month with commercials, although you can get a week for free. The opening featured the warrior race Klingons speaking Klingon, […]
The sci-fi classic “Blade Runner” is beloved — and rightly so — not just for its compelling narrative of the lonely hunter, but for the package that the futuristic fable came wrapped in. Based on a 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick, Ridley Scott’s 1982 film was notable for its screenplay of oblique, muscular poetry (by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples); a cynical and gorgeously gloomy film noir sensibility; and […]
The first — and last — Star Trek: Discovery episode to air on CBS delivered ratings that were perhaps more impulse powered than warp speed given all the mystery and buzz, yet the glitzy sci-fi drama still picked up some impressive audience sampling. A special telecast of the series premiere of the first Trek series in more than a decade delivered 9.6 million viewers and a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49, according to CBS’ […]
You probably want to go see “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” because you enjoyed the 2014 original, but there’s only one reason why you should actually go spend upwards of $12 to watch the sequel, and her name is Julianne Moore. Sure, Matthew Vaughn’s action scenes remain dazzlingly choreographed and new cast members Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, and Channing Tatum are welcome additions, but Moore owns the entire movie as a […]
Def Comedy Jam, the HBO vehicle that launched the career of several of today’s most prominent black comedians, is celebrating its 25th anniversary not on premium cable, but on Netflix. After releasing a teaser last month, Netflix has released new trailer showcasing the featured comedians paying tribute to the series—and throw some jokes, too. Dave Chappelle, Sheryl Underwood, D.L. Hughley, Steve Harvey, Tracy Morgan, Tiffany Haddish, and Katt Williams are a few of the guest comedians who star in […]
The Vietnam War (WETA and MPT at 8) The latest installment of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s documentary series examines the growing antiwar movement of the late 1960s. Broad City (Comedy Central at 10:30) Abbi returns to Soulstice, and Ilana gets a new restaurant gig. This should be interesting. DOCUMENTARY Breaking2 (National Geographic at 8) Nat Geo partnered with Nike for this documentary, which chronicles three elite runners attempting to break the two-hour marathon. RETURNING Are You […]
'Phoenix Resurrection' revives the fan-favorite X-Men character, who last died in 2004. As part of Marvel Entertainment's upcoming relaunch of its superhero comic book line, Marvel Legacy, the publisher on Monday announced the resurrection of one of the original members of the X-Men — for the second time in her career. Phoenix Resurrection, a five-issue series written by Matthew Rosenberg with art from Leinil Yu, will revive Jean Grey, the eponymous […]
It wasn’t a perfect night, but like Reese Witherspoon said, let’s continue to “bring women to the front of their own stories.” When Lena Waithe took the stage on Sunday night to accept the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series alongside Aziz Ansari, she became the first black woman to win in the category. She’d already made history when she was nominated for her work on the “Thanksgiving” episode […]
he latest rumor spreading like wildfire through the Game of Thronesfandom doesn’t come from behind-the-scenes leaks, hacks, or set reports, but rather straight from the horse’s mouth. During an event at Bethlehem Moravian College, HBO’s head of programming, Casey Bloys, seemed to unveil the network’s plans to keep the final moments of Game of Thrones a mystery by filming multiple endings. Wait, really? “I know in Game of Thrones, the ending, they’re going to shoot multiple versions […]
