Tube Notes
Tonight's Must-See
Professional football, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., ABC. This week, ABC has turned its broadcast into Football Central. For three straight nights, it aired bowl games. Now the pro playoffs begin. The first game has the Indianapolis Colts at the New York Jets. The second has the Atlanta Falcons at the Green Bay Packers. Yes, that will be a night game in Wisconsin in January. Don't expect pleasant temperatures.
Of Note
"A Beautiful Mind" (2001), 6 p.m., HBO. This is the cable premiere of a brilliant, Oscar-winning movie. Russell Crowe — who won best-actor honors for his work here — is stunning in the true story of John Nash, a math genius battling schizophrenia. Jennifer Connelly turns in an impressive supporting performance that nabbed her an Oscar as well. Rounding out the award-winning trio, Ron Howard won his first best-director and best-picture Academy Awards for the film.
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969, 6 & 10:50 p.m.) and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981, 8 p.m. & 12:45 a.m.), AMC. Two great adventure films run back to back. The late George Roy Hill directed the first film and it stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as cowboy bandits. The second is a Steven Spielberg film with Harrison Ford as an adventurer.
"TWISTER" (1996), 7:30 p.m., NBC. This story, about a pair of divorcing scientists chasing huge tornadoes across Oklahoma, is about as thin and flat as the Panhandle. But "Speed" director Jan DeBont's deft handling of action sequences and the film's ground-breaking special effects still make this a worthwhile watch. Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt prove themselves amiable leads. Cary Elwes winningly overacts his bad dialogue.
"Gotta Kick It Up" (2002), 8 p.m., Disney Channel. America Ferrera ("Real Women Have Curves") stars in this upbeat movie based on the true story of a makeshift dance team at a Los Angeles high school.
"The District," 8 p.m., CBS. Carjackings and robberies are linked to stolen prescription drugs.
"The Agency," 9 p.m., CBS. Agency members must go undercover in Afghanistan.
"Saturday Night Live," 10:35 p.m., NBC. Here's a rerun of the season opener, with Matt Damon hosting and Bruce Springsteen as musical guest.
— Mike Hughes, Gannett News Service; Derek Paiva, Advertiser staff writer
