Cable films offer look at porn business
Never let it be said that we go classy when there’s another route.
Two movies about the porn industry top our viewing agenda tonight.
Neither one, alas, is “Boogie Nights” (1997), a certifiable classic both serious-minded and entertaining. But they’re closer to that than, say, a tease like “Showgirls” (1995).
“This Girl’s Life,” debuting tonight at 9 on Showtime, stars newcomer Juliette Marquis as a young adult film star of today, which apparently means that in addition to the nudity, she also has to know about the Internet. Expect plenty of nudity — the film carries an R rating — but since this is a serious look at the industry, she also has a disapproving boyfriend (Kip Pardue) and a dad with Parkinson’s disease (James Woods).
If that’s not working for you, you can switch over to Cinemax at 10 for “Wonderland” (2003), the flick with Val Kilmer as John Holmes, the 1970s porn star whose generous endowment was not enough to keep him away from trouble with drugs. The film centers on the notorious Wonderland Ave. murders in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, going for a bit of a “Rashomon” (1950) treatment.
It’s a “Boogie Nights” wannabe, but it’s not half bad.
Olympic Update
NBC’s prime-time festivities start at 8 tonight and 7 on Sunday, with events including track and field and swimming medal rounds tonight and gymnastics, track and field and diving medal rounds on Sunday.
Rest assured, there will also be beach volleyball, as much as NBC can find. Bob Costas hosts.
There’s also hour upon hour of events coverage on NBC’s corporate siblings, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo and Telemundo. Detailed schedules for all these stations are at nbcolympics.com.
One final note: “Saturday Night Live” is pre-empted for late-night Olympic coverage, including bicycling and weightlifting.
Highlights
“Big Brother 5,” CBS tonight at 9: A new hour of Orwellian soap opera, sandwiched between repeats of “Amazing Race 5” and “Navy NCIS.”
“60 Minutes,” CBS Sunday at 7.
“Oliver Beene,” Fox Sunday at 7: The family takes a Catskills vacation. Unfortunately, they will return. Repeat.
“Malcolm in the Middle,” Fox Sunday at 7:30: Hal runs afoul of the FBI, and when Reese finds his girlfriend cheating with Malcolm, he decides to join the Army. An action-packed repeat.
“Cold Case,” CBS Sunday at 8: Reopening the case of a high school basketball star murdered in 1987, right after winning the big game. Repeat.
“The Simpsons,” Fox Sunday at 8: Krusty admits that he never had a bar mitzvah and turns to his father, Rabbi Krustofsky (Jackie Mason), for help and asks Homer to guest-host his show. An excellent repeat.
“Arrested Development,” Fox Sunday at 8:30: It’s Valentine’s Day, and guests Liza Minnelli and Carl Weathers return. Repeat.
“Pay It Forward” (2000), CBS Sunday at 9: He can defend its positive message on talk shows all he wants, but this weepie with Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment marks some kind of low in the great career of Kevin Spacey.
“The Casino,” Fox Sunday at 9: A shaky wedding and a wild party highlight tonight’s new episode.
“Mystery!” KSPS Sunday at 8: An “Inspector Morse” repeat with Colin Dexter.
“The Days,” ABC Sunday at 10: Pregnant mom gets in a car accident, and pregnant daughter considers an abortion.
Family Fare
“Brandy & Mr. Whiskers,” Disney Channel tonight at 8: Animated series premiere. A dog and a wacky wabbit are stranded in a rain forest together and have many adventures.
Apparently they’re not eaten by an anaconda immediately, because four episodes air back-to-back tonight. Kaley Cuoco and Charlie Adler top the voice cast.
Cable Cast
NFL football, ESPN tonight at 5: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts.
“Raptor Island,” Sci Fi tonight at 9: Lorenzo Lamas! Steven Bauer! Dinosaurs! What’s not to like?
“Tigers of the Emerald Forest,” Animal Planet Sunday at 7: New special offers a vivid look at tiger society in Panna, India.