BIG SCREEN

Capitalism: A Love Story (R) -- Michael Moore's most impassioned cinematic plea for activism yet explores the recent banking and housing collapse and the increasingly larger -- and more destructive -- role corporations have played in the U.S. government since the Reagan era. Moore does an impressive job of compressing a complicated subject into two highly watchable and entertaining hours, replete with man-on-the-street examples of the toll of the recession on the middle class.

Whip It (PG-13) -- Drew Barrymore's smashing directorial debut is thoroughly predictable and formulaic, but it's still one of the most enjoyable crowd pleasers of the year. Juno's Ellen Page passed on Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell to star in this story of a small-town beauty queen-turned-roller-derby ruffian. Marcia Gay Harden co-stars as her outraged mother, while Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig and Barrymore play her fellow rough-and-tumble skaters. You are going to love this movie.

The Invention of Lying (PG-13) -- In an alternate universe in which the concept of lying does not yet exist, a man (Ricky Gervais) develops the ability to fudge the truth and discovers what countless politicians and CEOs have learned: Dishonesty can make you rich and powerful. Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor and Tina Fey co-star.

-- RENE RODRIGUEZ

SMALL SCREEN

Dexter (9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) -- In this economy, seems like everybody's got to do more with less, and serial killers aren't any exception. So it is that as he begins his fourth season, South Florida's one-man-butcher shop Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is not just a police technician by day and a serial killer by night -- he's now a husband and a daddy as well. And, oh yeah, FBI agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) is back in town, nosing around. Man, talk about multitasking.

The Cleveland Show (8:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox) -- If you like Fox's seriously twisted adult cartoon Family Guy, you'll love this spinoff. And if you hate Family Guy -- well, you get the picture.

Californication (10 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) -- Washed-up novelist Hank Moody (David Duchovny) boinked 85 percent of the women in greater Los Angeles during the first two seasons of this hilarious but absolutely filthy comedy. In season three, Hank's become a college professor. Oh my, there go the other 15 percent. Joining the cast this season: Kathleen Turner as a fading Hollywood agent.

Hank (8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) -- Kelsey Grammer is back as a hard-driving CEO whose corporation has been shot from under him. Which makes him realize he's got a wife and kids at home and no money in the bank, and neither situtation is working out very well.

The Middle (8:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) -- Yet another sitcom about a harried couple with kids who are either slackers or oddballs or both, . . . but this one's got Patricia Heaton, one of the funniest people in television, as the mom.

A Night at the Movies: Thrillers (8 p.m. Friday, Turner Classic Movies) -- From Rear Window to Psycho, from The Boys in Brazil to Valkyrie, this documentary looks at 'em all.

Superfetch (8 p.m. Saturday, Animal Planet) -- Nutball pet trainer Zak George, whose comic animal videos are all over YouTube these days, shows how to teach an old dog some very new tricks, including making the bed and opening a can of beer. A bunch of the dogs are from Miami, so maybe George will start with some simpler stuff, like getting elected to public office.

-- GLENN GARVIN

Let Miami Herald TV critic Glenn Garvin program your TiVo! Just click on his best bets for the week at www.tivo.com/guruguide.

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