Hilary Mantel’s ‘Wolf Hall’ by the BBC

A Machiavelli for all seasons

For more than five centuries, Thomas Cromwell was perceived as the evil genius behind the machinations and marriages of England’s Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel’s brilliant novel Wolf Hall enables us to see Henry’s conspiracy-ridden court through Cromwell’s eyes. The BBC’s recent adaptation renders the experience even more compelling.

Dan Rottenberg

May 12, 2015 · Articles · 7 minute read

FX's 'Justified'

Good-bye to a great bad guy

Justified shows the edgy, hand-on-your-gun relationship between lawman and outlaw in “Bloody Harlan.”

Bob Ingram

Apr 28, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

John Ridley's 'American Crime' on ABC

ABC grows up

Improbably, ABC now steps up to challenge the best cable crime series. Honest.

Rick Soisson

Apr 14, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Sinatra: All or Nothing at All' on HBO

A man of contradictions

Frank Sinatra was born 100 years ago. HBO’s documentary reveals the flaws of this fascinating, contradictory man.

Steve Cohen

Apr 10, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

‘Bloodline’ on Netflix

How slow can you go?

I’m willing — nay, happy — to settle in with a show and see what happens, but Bloodline sorely tried my patience.

Judy Weightman

Apr 05, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

‘Kimmy Schmidt’ and ‘Broad City’ Take Manhattan

Both Kimmy Schmidt and Broad City feature socially awkward 20-something women struggling to thrive in New York City. That’s where the similarities end.

Paula Berman

Mar 20, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

'Downton Abbey,' Season Five

Downton Somnambuley

In previous seasons, the Facebook feed would light up on Sunday nights in January and February, gnashing over the latest twists and erupting in fury at spoilers. This year, one of the only statuses I remember about Downton Abbey was my former French teacher realizing that she had forgotten to tune in the previous night.

Alaina Johns

Mar 17, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Leonard Nimoy: An appreciation

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know Spock. And with his legacy of films and TV, Spock and Nimoy will live on, into the 23rd century and beyond.

Tara Lynn Johnson

Feb 28, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

The case against Oscar-bait biographies

Bio(nit)pic

My beef with biopics goes way back to when I was 11 and Gandhi beat E.T. for Best Picture.

Paula Berman

Feb 21, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read

Top ten reasons you should watch the Oscars Sunday night

In honor of David Letterman — the Worst Oscar Host Ever — Armen Pandola presents a Top Ten list of reasons to watch the Oscars.

Armen Pandola

Feb 17, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read