Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Battlestar Galactica: Razor," 7 and 11 p.m., Sci Fi Channel.
On an ordinary week, "Galactica" is far above most shows. It's written and directed with a fierce, life-and-death intensity. Now comes an extraordinary week. Through the eyes of young officer Kendra Shaw (Stephanie Jacobsen), we see two pivotal moments. There are the early days of the first Cylon attack, when Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes) took steps that stunned even her tough troops. And there was the first mission of the Battlestar Pegasus, after Lee Adama took charge. Shaw and Starbuck faced impossible odds. Wrapped in are surprises, shocks and ethical dilemmas. A great series hits a peak.
OF NOTE
"No Direction Home: Bob Dylan" (2005), 5 p.m., VH1. If you missed Martin Scorsese's superb documentary miniseries on PBS, here's a second chance. The fun is in tracing a deliberate enigma, following the twists and detours of a singer-songwriter who is deceptive, erratic and brilliant.
"Men in Black" (1997), 7 p.m., TNT. Barry Sonnenfeld ("Pushing Daisies") beautifully directed this offbeat comedy, with Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith policing outer-space aliens. That's followed at 9 p.m. by "Men in Black II," which isn't held in the same regard.
"CSI: Miami," 7 p.m., CBS. A woman is being charged with a terrorist plot against Miami. When her group tries to kill her, she escapes.
"Saturday Night Fever" (1977), 8 p.m., TV Land, "From Here to Eternity" (1953), 3 p.m., Turner Classic Movies), "Elf" (2003), 8 p.m., USA Network, "Spider-Man 2" (2004), 6 p.m., FX, and "March of the Penguins" (2005), 6 p.m. Discovery. Now, this is a day and night of great movies. "Fever" and "Eternity" have some darkly dramatic moments. "Elf" is a fun comedy, "Spider-Man 2" is a high-energy drama adventure and "Penguins" is a great documentary, sometimes warm and funny.
"CSI:NY," 8 p.m., CBS. Hawkes is arrested because he fits the description of a killer in a robbery. Mac must work on his own to clear him.
"A Grandpa for Christmas," 7 p.m., Hallmark Channel. At 90, Ernest Borgnine remains a vibrant and likable actor. This film, however, is relatively simple and predictable. After his estranged daughter is injured in a car accident, he temporarily cares for a granddaughter he's never met.
"Saturday Night Live," 10:29 p.m., NBC. With the writers strike holding up new episodes, this one was dubbed "Thanksgiving family leftovers."