Television series
Rod Lott
At least not in its initial release, I’m guessing not many saw 2010’s Tiny Furniture, an imperfect but smart and charming comedy that burst Lena Dunham, its star/writer/director, onto the indie-feature scene. On its strength and reception, Dunham scored a series deal at HBO with none other than Judd Apatow (Bridesmaids) producing

Drama
Rod Lott
Nearly every scene of the made-for-HBO Game Change, I recall from John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's excellent nonfiction book of the same name. But the movie directed by Jay Roach (of the Austin Powers and Meet the Parents franchises) tells only half — maybe even just one-quarter — of the story, ignoring the 2008 presidential-campaign narratives of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards for the one it finds most compelling: that of Sarah Palin and John McCain, and not the other way around.

Television series
Rod Lott
Ed Halligan, you bitter sonofabitch, how I’ve missed you.

Television series
Rod Lott
On the basis of Eastbound & Down’s first two seasons, if Kenny Powers were a real person, I’d advise readers to lock up their daughters. After watching the third season, I’d add infants and toddlers to that list.

Television series
Rod Lott
Earlier this week, HBO announced the cancellation of Enlightened, which just completed its second season. It’s a damn shame, because in her four-decade career as an actress, Laura Dern never has been better.