TV Reviews

Arts

'The Last Movie Stars' offers an intimate portrait of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

1:49pm July 21, 2022

by David Bianculli

A new six-part documentary, directed by Ethan Hawke, pulls from interviews with the couple as well as with their Hollywood friends to provide an unvarnished view of their careers and lengthy marriage.

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Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) in Rap Sh!t.

In 'Rap Sh!t,' women in rap strive and thrive

10:04am July 21, 2022

by Aisha Harris

A new comedy series created by Issa Rae taps into the complexities of being an aspiring female rapper in the age of social media.

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman are the subjects of the new series The Last Movie Stars.

Arts

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward and the complex legacy of 'The Last Movie Stars'

5:00am July 21, 2022

by Linda Holmes

A new documentary series directed by Ethan Hawke is a close examination of the lives and careers of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, one of Hollywood's most revered long marriages.

Arts

'The Bear' dishes up a sneaky, smart show that's just as manic as restaurant life

1:40pm July 20, 2022

by John Powers

Set in a sandwich shop in Chicago, this sharply written eight-part series is stingingly accurate about restaurant work — the merciless stresses, oversized personalities and battlefield camaraderie.

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Nathan Fielder walks people through different tricky conversations and scenarios on The Rehearsal.

Arts

In HBO's reality series 'The Rehearsal,' participants practice real-life scenarios

1:28pm July 14, 2022

by David Bianculli

Part comedy, part drama, Nathan Fielder's new show is a social experiment of sorts, where people work within elaborate sets to try to figure out ways to resolve complicated real-life situations.

Bob Odenkirk plays the title character in the Breaking Bad spin-off series Better Call Saul.

Arts

'Better Call Saul' might be the greatest of all time — if it can stick the landing

12:27pm July 11, 2022

by David Bianculli

The Breaking Bad spin-off has been excellent since it debuted in 2015. As the series wraps up, the final episodes will determine just how great a show Better Call Saul ends up being.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.

Arts

'Stranger Things' season finale succeeds by leaning into excess

5:23pm July 01, 2022

by Eric Deggans

The characters' relationships develop and they face an array of surprises and complications in the bustling storyline that closes the fourth season.

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Jeff Bridges makes 'The Old Man' worth a watch

5:15pm June 25, 2022

by Eric Deggans

FX's The Old Man can be predictable, but the performance by star Jeff Bridges — who plays a retired CIA operative living under a fake name — makes it worthwhile.

Jeremy Allen White as Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto, Lionel Boyce as Marcus, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie.

Arts

FX's 'The Bear': A funny, raw, real drama in a restaurant kitchen

5:00am June 20, 2022

by Glen Weldon

Jeremy Allen White plays a wunderkind chef who returns to his family's restaurant after a tragedy. The Bear knows exactly what it's doing, and it does it well.

National

Review: 'The Old Man' is worth watching for Jeff Bridges' performance

4:43pm June 16, 2022

by Eric Deggans

FX's The Old Man can be predictable, but the performance by star Jeff Bridges — who plays a retired CIA operative living under a fake name — makes it worthwhile.