A revved-up history lesson: light on dates and heavy on sex, glamour and lovely table settings.

It’s crammed full of the dash, filmmaking flair, swashbuckling magic, impossible stunts and tongue-in-cheek humor that made the series such a phenomenon of its time, and — for those versed in its traditions — almost every frame is enjoyable on some level.

More than simply being outstanding, Friday Night Lights is an important series because of the way it takes family friendly television seriously. The issues covered here create the kind of family drama that can bring everybody to the table.

For all its portentousness, this is the best Harry Potter picture yet. In some ways, it improves on J.K. Rowling’s novel, which is punishingly protracted and builds to a climactic wand-off better seen than read.

A thought-provoking exploration of forgiveness and redemption features award-worthy performance by Jim Broadbent and Samantha Morton.

The world of the fanciful fable looks particularly vibrant this time with its signature blend of realism and fantasy. It is a pleasure to watch these fairy tale folk be themselves — yet again.