John Cho goes on a memorable road trip in 'Don't Make Me Go'

What our critics are watching this week.

July 13, 2022 at 10:00AM
JOHN CHO and MIA ISAAC star in DON'T MAKE ME GO Courtesy of: Prime Video ' 2022 Amazon Content Services LLC
John Cho and Mia Isaac are a father and daughter on a road trip in “Don’t Make Me Go.” (Geoffrey Short, Amazon Prime/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

'Don't Make Me Go'
John Cho might have had a very different career if he hadn't risen to fame in the "Harold and Kumar" comedies. He demonstrated a light touch in the "Star Trek" movies and combines leading-man looks with the soul of a character actor in independent dramas such as the great "Columbus" and this tear-jerker. He's a dying man who takes his daughter (Mia Isaac) on one last road trip. It could be maudlin but Cho's subtlety rules the day. Debuts Friday, Amazon Prime
CHRIS HEWITT

'101 Places to Party Before You Die'
This series, based on a bestselling book, sends buddies Adam Pally and Jon Gabrus out on weekend jaunts where the main priority seems to be getting hammered. On their trip to Denver, museums take a back seat to bars that serve deadly cocktails and spicy wings. The comedians spend so much time cracking each other up that you suspect they'd have just as much fun hanging out in one of their basements. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, TruTV
NEAL JUSTIN

'The Rehearsal'
Those familiar with "Nathan for You" already know that Nathan Fielder is one of the oddest ducks in comedy. The audience can't tell where his role as social scientist ends and the role of prankster begins. The mystery deepens in his latest series, much of which centers on an elaborate experiment designed to help a devout Christian prepare for motherhood. Fielder inadvertently becomes too involved — or is it on purpose? Figuring out the truth is only part of the outrageous fun. 9 p.m. Friday, HBO
N.J.

'Good Clean Filth'
The title of Nikki Glaser's latest stand-up special doesn't quite prepare you for the X-rated material, especially an incest bit that may make some HBO viewers reconsider their subscriptions. But those who can handle a shock to the system are in for a treat. Glaser knows better than most that a dirty joke can be brilliant, as long as it's delivered with conviction and cleverness. Just don't invite her to prove it at your church picnic. 9 p.m. Saturday, HBO
N.J.

'Bottle Rocket'
In the wake of James Caan's death, everyone's talking about his performances in "Thief," the "Godfather" movies and even "Elf." But don't sleep on this indie gem. The debut of director Wes Anderson ("The French Dispatch"), it's a Coen brothers-ish caper comedy in which (also new to the movies) Owen and Luke Wilson play small-town guys drawn into Caan's den of thieves. He's sort of a dad/tough guy, which mirrors the genesis of the movie; Anderson has said Caan virtually taught him how to make it. HBO Max
C.H.

about the writers

about the writers

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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Chris Hewitt

Critic / Editor

Interim books editor Chris Hewitt previously worked at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, where he wrote about movies and theater.

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