Neal Justin's TV picks for Nov. 27 – 'Broken,' 'The Irishman,' 'Lawrence of Arabia'

November 26, 2019 at 10:09PM
Joe Pesci, left, and Robert De Niro in the Netflix film "The Irishman."
This image released by Netflix shows Joe Pesci, left, and Robert De Niro in a scene from "The Irishman." (Netflix/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Not built to last

"Broken," a four-part documentary series that examines negligence in the production and marketing of popular products, may have you think twice before your next shopping trip. In an episode about unsafe dressers, the McGee family of Edina shares a heartbreaking story about how unstable furniture purchased at Ikea played a role in their son's death. Other episodes deal with plastics, vaping and beauty products.

Now streaming on Netflix

Gimme a break

Cinephiles will most likely insist that to really appreciate "The Irishman" you need to catch it on the big screen. But Martin Scorsese's latest may actually play better on TV, where viewers can take in the more than 200-minute mob movie in two or three sittings. The story's rather intimate nature — and ponderous pace — doesn't scream out for the full theatrical experience. Plus, you can take bathroom breaks without missing one of Al Pacino's signature rants.

Now streaming on Netflix

Sons of the desert

If you're looking for an epic film that will keep you engaged without ever thinking about pressing "pause," invest in 1952's "Lawrence of Arabia," quite simply one of the greatest movies ever made. At 227 minutes, it's even longer than "The Irishman," but director David Lean and star Peter O'Toole make sure you never look at your watch.

7 p.m. TCM

Neal Justin

April 18, 1963 Peter O'Toole and desert buddy In "Lawrence of Arabia" August 5, 1964
Peter O’Toole in “Lawrence of Arabia.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

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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