Nuclear terror hits in 'Meltdown'

LOS ANGELES -- "Meltdown" is a timely thriller about terrorism, stronger in its central premise than in its story. This FX telefilm's saving graces are compelling acting and taut direction.

With the exception of a couple of plot surprises, "Meltdown," airing tomorrow at 8 p.m., is a suspenseful by-the-numbers action film, a cautionary tale about whether nuclear power plants are really ready to withstand assaults by terrorists. The scenario includes squabbling political and military authorities, official denial of the truth, and intelligence agencies that routinely try to pass the buck.

Bruce Greenwood ("Thirteen Days") takes the lead role of FBI agent Tom Shea, who's had plenty of experience with conflict in the Middle East. He's called in to deal with the takeover of a California nuclear power plant by a small group of terrorists who skydive onto the facility grounds.

Soon, the terrorists are taunting US officials, speaking both Arabic and English as they point out that the government doesn't really care about the people. Homeland Security has evacuated everyone within a 5-mile radius of the plant as a cautionary measure, even though they're told a meltdown could affect a much larger area.

Greenwood handles his role with cool competence; his character questions the federal officials who want to rush right in and neutralize the terrorists. Tom urges caution, given that the terrorists are working from a "different play book" than the usual Al Qaeda operation.

But the hidebound officials refuse to listen, which leads to even more danger.

Arnold Vosloo ("The Mummy") portrays Khalid Jarrah, the terrorist leader. He's strong and sympathetic, generating a nice ambivalence about his unfolding plan.

Two central devices are the use of hand-held cameras and cutting from color to black-and-white without warning, apparently to add a documentary look. An authentic-looking fake Fox News broadcast about breaking "events" includes a text crawl at the bottom of the screen.

Leslie Hope ("Line of Fire") is California Highway Patrol officer Zoe Cox, who finds herself in a key position to help thwart the terrorists. She does a decent job in the supporting role, displaying concern and pain, but is not given much chance to show her range. Playing the experienced Colonel Boggs is James Remar ("Sex and the City"), who turns in an effective characterization.

It's all about the situation, and we don't learn much about the lives of any of the characters. Still, the telefilm doesn't pull any punches, portraying a government that unabashedly covers up the truth and lies to the public.

MSNBC re-creates coverage of D-day

NEW YORK -- Television viewers may get a peculiar sense of time warp if they tune in to MSNBC tonight.

For two hours (beginning at 8), MSNBC's reporters and anchors will simulate how D-day might have been covered if modern technology were in place in 1944. It's part of the special plans news networks have in place for marking the 60th anniversary commemoration this weekend.

Reporters will be stationed in France, Washington, London, and elsewhere. Military experts will pore over maps in the studio and attempt to explain what is happening. Someone "embedded" with the troops landing on the beaches of Normandy will report via satellite phone on what is "happening."

They will follow the type of restrictions familiar to people who watched the Iraq war coverage by not revealing precise locations. They don't show injured or dead Americans now -- as they would not have then, said Bruce Perlmutter, executive producer of the broadcast.

"One of the most interesting challenges we have is that we know how the story ended," Perlmutter said. "At what point do we have to draw the line and say, `This is how much we would have known at this moment in time?' "

MSNBC and CNN will also cover D-day commemoration ceremonies for most of the day tomorrow.

NBC's Tom Brokaw will appear tomorrow on "Meet the Press," interviewing Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, makers of the movie "Saving Private Ryan." Brokaw, author of "The Greatest Generation," also plans to interview President Bush and President Jacques Chirac of France during the weekend.

On tomorrow night's special, "Tom Brokaw Reports: D-Day: A Leap Into History," he'll profile a French town where civilians suffered terrible consequences for backing American liberators.

For night owls, ABC News is covering President Bush's remarks from the US Cemetery in Normandy at 4 a.m. tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice will be interviewed about D-day on ABC's "This Week" and Secretary of State Colin Powell will be on CBS's "Face the Nation."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Talk of the dial

10 a.m. WBIX-AM (1060) -- "Stu Taylor on Business." Guests: Mark DiMassimo, DiMassimo Brand Advertising; Dr. Murray Feingold, the Genesis Fund; the Rat Pack; Kevin Pepperal, the Palace Theatre.

Other radio highlights

1 p.m. WHRB-FM (95.3) -- "The Wilhelm Furtwangler Orgy."
Noon WGBH-FM (89.7) -- "A Prairie Home Companion Live." From Gilford, N.H. Leon Redbone; Vince Giordano; Duke Heitger.
8 p.m. WCRB-FM (102.5) -- "Boston Pops Orchestra Live." Keith Lockhart conducts from the Great American Songbook with special guest Vanessa Williams.