Movies offer summer fun — in theaters and beyond

As June arrives, we should propel our search for fun movies.
A few arrived recently, in theaters or via streaming . I’ll mention them (including “Anyone But You,” shown here) in a moment.
This has always been a time to search for bright spirits. “Each year, the summer season presents itself as a blank slate, full of opportunity,” John Malahy wrote in “Summer Movies” (Running Press, 2021), a book that manages to leap from “Gidget” and “Beach Blanket Bingo” to Spike Lee and Ingmar Bergman.
In his introduction to that book, film critic Leonard Maltin agreed: “Summer meant one thing above all else to me: the freedom to go to the movies any day of the week.” But where can we find fun now? A few suggestions: Read more…

Best-bets for June 1: memories of tragedy, comedy

1) “The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. June 12 will be the 30th anniversary of the deaths of Simpson (shown here) and Ron Goldman. Now her life is viewed by the people who made documentaries on R. Kelly and Gypsy Rose Blanchard; they include home movies and more than 50 people. That reruns at 10:03, midnight and 2:04, then at noon and 6 p.m. Sunday, before the second half. Read more…

Week’s top-10 for June 3: basketball, now and in its sad past

1) Basketball and hockey finals, ABC. This month, ABC turns into Sports Central, with the best-of-seven finals for two pro sports. Basketball — including the Celtics, show here — starts Thursday; hockey’s Stanley Cup finals start Saturday. Other basketball games are Sunday, then June 12, 14 and (if needed) 17, 20 and 23. Hockey continues on June 10, 13, 15 and (if needed) 18, 21 and 24. Most start at 8:30 p.m. ET, with Sundays at 8. Read more…

Best-bets for May 31: An evening with Broadway’s best

1) “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 80th Anniversary,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s a splendid blend – Broadway’s greatest songs, sung by amazing talents. Several of the stars are better known in London (where this was filmed), including a powerful Michael Ball (shown here) and a vibrant Marisha Wallace. But there are also Broadway stats, including Patrick Wilson, Aaron Tveit and the superb Audra McDonald.
Read more…

Best-bets for May 30: “Station 19” goes out blazing

1) “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19” finales, 9 and 10 p.m., ABC. Last week, the Station 19 crew fought a wildfire roaring toward Seattle. Now the “Grey’s” doctors face an overload of burn and smoke victims; then the firefighters and paramedics continue their struggle (shown here). That wraps the seventh and final season for “Station 19”; “Grey’s” will be back for its 21at. Read more…

Best-bets for May 29: new Ramsay, old “Conners”

1) “The Conners,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. There’s been bad news lately for this above-average comedy. It won’t be back until mid-season … and that will be its final season. Fortunately, there are four-rerun spurts today on ABC and Saturday on CW. At 8:30 p.m. today, Becky introduces her boyfriend (Sean Astin, shown here with her) to her daughter. At 9. there’s a pivotal moment involving Jackie’s mom. Read more…