Oscar season is under way, which means it’s time to be either a) blown away or b) severely underwhelmed. For example: Everyone agrees Mickey Rourke is brilliant in The Wrestler—but by the time you get to see him, in December, he’ll have to be Brando times Pacino for you not to feel a little let down. Meanwhile, Emmy-winning Mad Men hasn’t slipped in Season Two (yet); Life on Mars is our last best hope for a great new TV show (Imperioli! Wacky premise! British pedigree!); Fernando Meirelles stumbles blindly; and Harvey Weinstein’s very bad week makes him lovable again.

Related:

• Archive: “Movie Features”
• Articles by Adam Sternbergh
• Table of Contents: Oct 13, 2008 issue of New York | Subscribe!