Tuning In

Castro meets Stone

It’s hard to imagine a documentary featuring Oliver Stone and one of the world’s most notorious dictators being anything less than compelling TV.

Midway through “Looking for Fidel,” Mr. Stone’s new documentary probing the mind of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, it becomes clear that appearances have tricked us once again.

The disappointing hourlong film debuts tonight at 8 on HBO.

The feature is a sequel, of sorts, to “Comandante,” Mr. Stone’s attempt to capture Mr. Castro’s essence after three days of interviews completed in 2002. That film was slated to air on HBO but got shelved after the Cuban government arrested 75 political dissidents and executed three men for hijacking a ferry to reach the United States.

The original film was seen by some as both overly kind to its subject and too heavily edited to prop up its filmmaker’s ego. Mr. Stone responded by returning to Cuba for a fresh round of interrogation with the graying Mr. Castro.

Give credit where it’s due. Mr. Stone did his homework, hammering the Cuban strongman with tough questions about the dissident crackdown and other dubious policies. The director is no journalist, though, and the lack of follow-up questions dampens the potential for candor.

Far more grating, though, is the film’s look. The shaky cameras can be maddening, with little reason for existence except artistic pretension.

Plenty can be assumed by watching “Looking for Fidel,” including the fact that Mr. Castro is obsessed with America and feels it’s trying to overthrow him at every turn.

Mr. Castro has an answer for every question — and on the rare occasions when he’s intellectually cornered, he seems too disinterested to construct a coherent lie.

Mr. Stone does include several Cuban activists in his documentary to balance Mr. Castro’s one-sided outlook.

For those curious about “Comandante,” Filmfest DC will screen it, along with “Looking for Fidel,” on Sunday at the Avalon Theatre in the District, and Monday at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring.

Play ’Ball’

PBS examines the inner workings of America’s pastime, peewee style, in a new documentary on Little League baseball airing tonight on WETA-TV (Channel 26).

“Small Ball: A Little League Story,” debuting at 8 p.m., follows a team of 11-and 12-year-olds as they make a run at the 2002 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The 90-minute documentary lets viewers tag along on a six-week journey with California’s Aptos All-Stars, their coaches — including former big-league pitcher Mark Eichhorn — and the parents rooting them on.

The team becomes one of eight U.S. squads to make the finals.

But will they win it all? And how will the children respond to the pressure?

’Park’ rules

Watching Comedy Central’s “South Park” can be as uncomfortable as getting an earful of comedian Chris Rock’s stand-up — especially if you’re the target.

Who wouldn’t squirm as their buttons get pushed every which way?

Yet after seven seasons, the amazing even-handedness of the animated series remains intact. Witness its celebrated take on “The Passion of the Christ” in recent weeks, which took grand liberties with both Mel Gibson and the hysteria surrounding the film.

On tonight’s new episode, airing at 10, Cartman renews his teasing assault on Butters by first befriending him under the disguise of a homemade robot named Awesom-O and then betraying him by learning his innermost secrets. Cartman’s plans are upset, however, when both the U.S. Army and some Hollywood producers hear about Awesom-O and try to exploit the robot for their own needs.

Compiled by Christian Toto from staff and wire reports.