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10 best things our critics are watching this week

From the worst European vacation ever to the world's coolest travel accommodations, here's what we're tuning into.

June 17, 2021 at 3:28PM

Tom Hollander, Tom Taylor and Saskia Reeves in "Us."Colin Hutton/PBS (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

'Us'

Douglas (Tom Hollander) is determined to use a European vacation to keep his family from crumbling, but his ego and nitpicking keep screwing up the itinerary. Hollander, best known for "The Night Manager," is wonderful as our narrow-minded protagonist in this two-part "Masterpiece" edition. He can't appreciate visits to the Spanish Steps and the Louvre as much as you will. 8 p.m. Sunday, TPT, Ch. 2 (Neal Justin)

'The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals'

Viewers with wanderlust will want to check out this new series in which three youthful explorers search for jaw-dropping accommodations to serve every kind of travelers' budgets. The hosts are a little over the top, but you might be, too, if you were spending the night in a Bali treehouse or an igloo in Finland. Netflix (Neal Justin)

'Sweet Land'

Ned Beatty, who died this week at 83, may be best known for flashy performances in "Network" and "Deliverance" (his film debut), but one of his best films is "Sweet Land," by Twin Cities-bred director/writer Ali Selim. Shot in Dawson and other Minnesota locations, the gentle drama about an immigrant (Elizabeth Reaser) who comes here to marry and make a home, it features Beatty as a banker who is decidedly not Minnesota Nice. Amazon (Chris Hewitt)

'Soul of a Nation'

ABC's series of documentary specials continues with a Juneteenth celebration that includes Michael Strahan's interview with former President Barack Obama, plus performances by H.E.R., Leon Bridges, Jimmie Allen and Chloe Bailey. Leslie Odom Jr. hosts. 8:01 p.m. Friday, KSTP, Ch. 5 (Neal Justin)

'Starstruck'

Welcome back to "Notting Hill," except this time it's a nanny (Rose Matafeo) who captures the attention of a rising movie star (Nikesh Patel) in East London. Matafeo, who also created the six-part series, has seen enough rom-coms to borrow from the best of them, adding her own raucous twists. Keep an eye out for a hilarious cameo from Minnie Driver as a callous agent. HBO Max (Neal Justin)

'Horace and Pete'

Before his career was derailed by scandal, Louis C.K. wrote and directed this dark version of "Cheers" where you'll know just about everybody's name. Jessica Lange, Edie Falco, Paul Simon and Steve Buscemi are among those pulling up a bar stool. It's an engaging piece of theater, but some viewers may be uncomfortable watching CK's character talk about his perverse sex fantasies or Alan Alda playing a racist bartender. Hulu (Neal Justin)

'Intelligence'

The recent "Friends" reunion was a reminder that David Schwimmer is a top-notch physical comic. "Intelligence," now in its second season, is an even better showcase. He nails the role of a disgraced agent for the National Security Agency who's trying to work his way back up the ladder by helping out a cybercrimes unit in the United Kingdom. Watching him trip over his character's enormous ego is just as fun as watching him tumble in and out of love with Rachel. Peacock (Neal Justin)

'College Bowl'

The University of Minnesota is among a dozen teams competing for scholarship money and bragging rights on this no-frills game show that rewards geeks who know more about European history than pop culture. The Gophers squad squares off against the University of Michigan in the premiere episode. Peyton Manning may be the host, but it's his older brother, Cooper, serving as wisecracking sidekick, who ends up looking like an MVP. 9 p.m. Tuesday, KARE, Ch. 11 (Neal Justin)

'Two Gods'

This new documentary from PBS's "Independent Lens" follows a Black Muslim casket maker in New Jersey as he mentors two young people who could easily slip through the cracks. Director Zeshawn Ali uses black and white footage to make the mission seem even more poetic. 10 p.m. Monday, TPT, Ch. 2 (Neal Justin)

'Revolution Rent'

This film documents an attempt to stage the Tony-winning "Rent" in Cuba, the first Broadway musical produced in that country in 50 years. Even if you don't care for song-and-dance numbers, you'll be swept up in the behind-the-scenes footage, which includes trying to console a homophobic cast member and dealing with a nasty case of tardiness. HBO (Neal Justin)