‘War Machine’ debuts in theaters, on Netflix
The differences between a theatrical release and a streaming debut continue to dwindle. The military satire “War Machine” (TV-MA), starring Brad Pitt, is available today on Netflix as well as in select theaters.
Some time in the making, “War Machine” is based on Michael Hastings’ nonfiction book “The Operators,” about real-life Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Brought in to wrap up America’s involvement in Afghanistan, McChrystal found himself embroiled in politics and eventually dismissed.
Advance reviews from movie critics have largely dismissed this effort as neither funny nor terribly smart satire. Clips made available indicate an emphasis on broad, goofy humor. An interesting cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Tilda Swinton and Ben Kingsley.
Pitt also stars as Achilles in the 2004 Homer adaptation “Troy” (8 p.m., Syfy).
ALSO ON NETFLIX
› Also streaming on Netflix today is the third and final season of the way-too-talky intergenerational family drama thriller “Bloodline” (TV-MA), starring Kyle Chandler.
› Showing that heroism is not limited to the battlefield, the documentary “Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” (TV-14) begins streaming on Netflix. After the Chinese government broke its 1997 agreement to treat Hong Kong as an autonomous state, high school student Joshua Wong encouraged fellow teens to take a stand, skip school and flood the streets with protests. Like “War Machine,” this documentary, an Audience Award winner at the Sundance Film Festival in January, also will have a limited theatrical release.
SGT. YORK’S STORY
A Tennessee man (Gary Cooper) whose religious convictions tend toward pacifism becomes a decorated World War I hero in the 1941 drama “Sergeant York” (10 p.m., TCM).
TCM devotes Memorial Day weekend to films about American servicemen and women. Saturday’s movies, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., are all set during the Korean War.
‘STAR TREK’ MARATHON
BBC America is in the midst of a marathon of “Star Trek” movies and series, having begun with “The Next Generation” (noon, TV-PG) and concluding with “Voyager” (7 p.m. Saturday, TV-PG). Check listings.
SOULFUL TRIBUTE
This TV kicks off Memorial Day weekend with three blaxploitation films: “Foxy Brown” (8 p.m.), “Hell Up in Harlem” (10 p.m.) and “Sheba, Baby” (midnight), all made between 1973 and 1975.
PICKLEBALL CHAMPS
Growing in popularity as a participant sport, pickleball has now hit the big time. Or at least the small screen. Catch the U.S. Open Women’s Championship of pickleball (8 p.m., CBS Sports). A repeat of the men’s championship (10 p.m.) also airs.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› A man confesses to having never been kissed on the season finale of “First Dates” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› Contestants put their pop-music knowledge to the test on “Beat Shazam” (8 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-PG), hosted by Jamie Foxx.
› John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby star in the 1969 Western “True Grit” (8 p.m., Outdoor). Look for a young, pre-“Godfather” Robert Duvall. The film provided a late-career Oscar for the Duke.
› American Masters” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) profiles chef and culinary writer Jacques Pepin, followed by a repeat of the 2003 “Masters” profile of Alice Waters (10 p.m., TV-G), who is credited for creating a demand for fresh, locally grown produce.
› A case reconsidered on “Blue Bloods” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Chopper down on “MacGyver” (8 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› On two helpings of “Shark Tank” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG), a new take on skates (8 p.m.), on Santa’s team (9 p.m.).
› Aspiring magicians audition on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-PG).
› Strange bedfellows on “Hawaii Five-0” (9 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› A two-hour “Dateline” (9 p.m., NBC).
› Andy Cohen hosts a reboot of “Love Connection” (9 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-14).
› “20/20” (10 p.m., ABC). Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.