The Short List of Things to Do
The Great Debaters
In 1935 the poet and teacher Melvin Tolson coached the debating team of all-black Wiley College to victories against top universities. Washington plays the Tolson role with his usual tamped-down rage. He directs this winning film in a tone that is inspirational and not a little angry, like a civil rights march moving to the cadence of gospel hymns.
Grade: B+
November 28
The new Elvis Costello television series, Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special and Chungking Express on DVD
November 21
The Monty Python Holy Grail on DVD, Gears of War 2 for the gamers, Bolt in movie theaters, and more
October 10
The good cheer of Happy-Go-Lucky, reliving the amazing life of John Lennon, cathing up with The Starter Wife on TV, and more
October 3
Greg Kinnear, in Flash of Genius, Richard Jenkins in The Visitor, Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married, and more
September 26
Jenny Lewis in the record stores, Dennis Lehane's The Given Day in bookstores, The Lucky Ones in movie theaters, and more
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