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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, May 10, 2008

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Ellen Page stars as a 16-year-old girl who was abused to death in "An American Crime," a true story, at 6 p.m. today on Showtime.

Showtime Networks

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TODAY'S MUST-SEE

"Special Investigations Unit: Notes From North Korea," 2 and 5 p.m., CNN. Lisa Kim's father once hid in the mountains, to avoid being in the North Korean army. Now, ironically, she's a violinist in the New York Philharmonic, which had a historic concert in North Korea. Kim is part of a documentary filled with contrasts. Christiane Amanpour — who spent eight years trying to get into North Korea — views a token effort at openness, in a country that has arrested people for performing anything except authorized songs. Amanpour offers a portrait of the country and even visits a nuclear facility, being slowly dismantled as part of complex negotiations with the U.S.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Medium," 7 p.m., NBC. If you missed this strong two-parter, catch a rerun over the next two Saturdays. Allison has visions of a kidnapping. That leads to surprises about the woman (Angelica Huston) who hired her.

OF NOTE

Basketball preview, 2 p.m., and game, 2:15 p.m., ABC. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers collide in a second-round NBA playoff game.

"CSI: Miami," 7 p.m., CBS. The bad news: A truck filled with weapons is hijacked before they can be disposed. The worse news: The dangerous Clavo Cruz may be involved.

"Patriot Games" (1992), 5 p.m., AMC; or "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), 6 p.m., Bravo. We wouldn't blame Jack Ryan for an identity crisis; he's been played by three actors in four films. Tonight, it's Alec Baldwin in "Red October" and Harrison Ford in "Patriot Games." Ford made one more, before Ben Affleck took over. Each film is from a Clancy novel, solidly constructed. We vote for "Red October," a complex tale that has Sean Connery as captain of a Soviet submarine.

"An American Crime," 6 p.m., Showtime. Brilliantly acted, this true-life story is also dark, dismal and pointless. Catherine Keener plays a frazzled mom, with Ellen Page ("Juno") as a teen staying with her. Then horrendous things happen. A surreal touch, near the end, can't save this from being a wretched monotone.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:29 p.m., NBC. Shia LaBeouf hosts, with My Morning Jacket as the musical guest.