Singing agent man
As spies go, John Tavner is only slightly more capable than Maxwell Smart, whether he's inadvertently passing off the money bag to the enemy or casually slipping classified information into folk songs at dive bars. His ineptness makes "Patriot" an addictive new addition to the genre with a terrific blank-faced performance by star Michael Dorman. Also terrific: Kurtwood Smith as a recovering addict who seems to be the only person on Earth sober enough to realize Tavner is an imbecile.
Now streaming on Amazon Prime
I remember Mama
What ever happened to Mama June? The transformation of the breakout star of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" through a series of plastic surgeries and workout sessions is documented in "Mama June: From Not to Hot," with guest appearances from the daughter who hasn't lost her cravings for the camera and junk food.
9 p.m. Friday, WE TV
Hurray for Hollywood
Hollywood is all set for its most intense back-slapping session of the year, starting with "The Independent Spirit Awards" (4 p.m. Saturday, IFC) hosted by John Mulaney and Nick Kroll. That's just a warmup to "The 89th Annual Academy Awards" (7:30 p.m. Sunday, KSTP, Ch. 5), with Jimmy Kimmel making his inaugural appearance as emcee. The Star Tribune will provide predictions, analysis and live tweeting throughout the weekend and Monday.
Overnight delivery
It usually takes months before mere mortals like me and you get a chance to see the top winner from the Sundance Film Festival. Not this year. Just a month after dazzling audiences in Utah, "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" is available for home viewing, with Melanie Lynskey delivering a much-buzzed-about performance as a depressed woman who discovers a new reason for living while investigating a home burglary.
Now streaming on Netflix
Neal Justin
