Week's Films to Stalk: 28th December 2007 to 3rd of January 2008!
Here we are again for another week of films on television and in the cinema. All this weeks UK releases are listed, and I've selected the better viewing to be had over Hogmanay (New Year) from UK's Freeview.
Remember that if you can't get Freeview or aren't even in the UK, some of this might just prompt a bit of discussion. I hope so anyway! All the television films have been selected by myself, and there's a lot on this holiday, and some have been awarded the Filmstalker Hotdog Award too.
There are some excellent films this week, especially because of the start of the year. Have a look at that list down the left hand side and then get discussing. Happy Hogmanay viewing!
Friday 28th
Saturday 29th
Sunday 30th
Monday 31st December Hogmanay
Tuesday 1st January 2008!
Wednesday 2nd January 2008
Thursday 3rd
Films:
*batteries not included
A Clockwork Orange
Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Animal Farm
Badlands
Balls of Fury
Being There
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Bonnie and Clyde
Bride & Prejudice
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Casino Royale
Closing the Ring
Crocodile Dundee
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Don't Look Now
ET the Extra-Terrestrial
Fantastic Four
Fluke
Frankenstein
Get Carter
Girl with a Pearl Earring
GoldenEye
Good Will Hunting
Henry V
House of Flying Daggers
I Am Legend
Jackie Brown
Jason and the Argonauts (Part 1 of 2)
Jason and the Argonauts (Part 2 of 2)
Kagemusha
Kill Bill Vol 1
Kill Bill: Vol 2
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life
Local Hero
Love Actually
Mallrats
Mary Poppins
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Mr & Mrs Smith
Muppets from Space
Murder on the Orient Express
Night Watch (Nochnoy dozor)
Octopussy
Paranoid Park
Peggy Sue Got Married
Pitch Black
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Princesas
Princess Mononoke
Prizzi's Honor
Pulp Fiction
Quatermass and the Pit
Red Rock West
Repo Man
Rob Roy
Rocketeer
Salem's Lot
Singin' in the Rain
Smokey and the Bandit
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Spartacus
Strictly Ballroom
Terms of Endearment
The 'Burbs
The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Color of Money
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Great Waldo Pepper
The History Boys
The Hurricane
The Insider
The Ipcress File
The Kite Runner
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Mean Machine
The Narrow Margin
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
The Princess Bride
The Railway Children
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Thief of Bagdad
The Third Man
The War of the Worlds
The Witches of Eastwick
The World is Not Enough
Titanic
Tomorrow Never Dies
Topkapi
Trading Places
Twins
Twins
Von Ryan's Express
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
WarGames
Watership Down
What Lies Beneath
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
Wolf Creek
00:10 - 02:15
Channel4: Night Watch (Nochnoy dozor)Repeated: Channel4+1 1:10 - 2:00
Date: 2004
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Well worth watching, the start of a great franchise, and this is filled with great effects and a powerful story that you have to keep up with, also a great implementation of subtitles, becoming part of the film rather than slapped over the top. All subtitles should be like this. The second film isn't as strong, but I'm keen to see the English language third and Bekmambetov's Wanted.
00:55 - 03:30
Film4: Repo Man
Date: 1984
Directed by: Alex Cox
01:10 - 03:10
ITV4: Red Rock West
Repeated: 22:00 - 00:00
Date: 1992
Directed by: John Dahl
Yes, Nicolas Cage can give a good performance.
02:15 - 04:45
Channel4: Henry V
Repeated: Channel4+1 3:15 - 4:00
Date: 1944
Directed by: Laurence Olivier
This keeps getting repeated, mind you there are many repeats that I've noticed since I've started doing this column. Why can't we ge the Kenneth Branagh version for a change?
07:50 - 09:50
ITV3: *batteries not included
Date: 1987
Directed by: Matthew Robbins
13:00 - 14:15
Film4: Frankenstein
Date: 1931
Directed by: James Whale
The original, and still the most effective adaptation. Boris Karloff stars.
13:15 - 15:10
Channel4: The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
Repeated: Channel4+1 14:15 - 15:00
Date: 1974
Directed by: Gordon Hessler
Not the best Sinbad story, but a good one, and it employs the great effects of Ray Harryhausen once again.
14:30 - 16:55
STV: Octopussy
Date: 1983
Directed by: John Glen
14:30 - 16:45
ITV2: ET the Extra-Terrestrial
Repeated: ITV2+1 15:30 - 16:00 Saturday ITV2 10:10 - 12:25
Date: 1982
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Beautiful lighting, wonderful scripting, great direction, and that amazing ability Steven Spielberg has to bring something unreal to life.
15:45 - 17:50
ITV3: WarGames
Repeated: Saturday ITV3 08:15 - 10:20
Date: 1983
Directed by: John Badham
Classic, and still such great fun. Do you want to play?
18:35 - 21:00
ITV2: The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Repeated: ITV2+1 19:35 - 21:00
Date: 1997
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
I was in two minds about this one. For all the good Spielberg does there are some poorer films, like this sequel - "more of the same please" was the call.
19:15 - 21:00
Film4: Watership Down
Date: 1978
Directed by: Martin Rosen
Oh no...I'll be in tears, but it's a classic story and beautifully brought to life. Bright eyes...
21:00 - 22:50
BBC2: The History Boys
Date: 2006
Directed by: Nicholas Hytner
Something recent on telly!
21:00 - 23:25
Film4: Good Will Hunting
Date: 1997
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Superb film, and Matt Damon and Robin Williams shine. Thankfully Ben Affleck has found his calling, which is so obviously not in front of the screen.
22:00 - 00:00
ITV4: Red Rock West
Date: 1992
Directed by: John Dahl
22:30 - 00:55
BBC3: Pulp Fiction
Date: 1994
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Excuse the moments of ranting dialogue that seems to power off at a pace too fast for the audience and you've got a really good film. Some sequences are better than others, but all in all it's a great film with some memorable and iconic moments.
22:40 - 01:10
ITV2: Love Actually
Repeated: ITV2+1 23:40 - 1:00 Saturday ITV2 21:00 - 23:45
Date: 2003
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Did you see it at Xmas? If not try and see it again. Of course it's contrived in places and overly sappy, but it's beautiful and had myself and my fiancee weeping with happy thoughts. Some wonderfully touching moments that you'll so easily find something to identify with.
23:25 - 01:45
Film4: Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Repeated: Wednesday Film4 01:10 - 03:45
Date: 2001
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Saturday 29th
00:00 - 01:55
ITV4: So I Married an Axe Murderer
Repeated: Saturday ITV4 22:00 - 23:55
Date: 1993
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
I remember this as being great fun.
01:45 - 03:35
STV: The Great Waldo Pepper
Date: 1975
Directed by: George Roy Hill
Classic with Robert Redford stealing the screen.
08:15 - 10:20
ITV3: WarGames
Date: 1983
Directed by: John Badham
10:10 - 12:25
ITV2: ET the Extra-Terrestrial
Repeated: ITV2+1 11:10 - 12:00
Date: 1982
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
16:25 - 18:05
Five: Fluke
Date: 1995
Directed by: Carlo Carlei
This, believe it or not for the time it's shown at, is the adaptation of the James Herbert novel, with some rewriting of course.
16:55 - 18:55
Film4: The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Date: 1976
Directed by: Blake Edwards
Classic Peter Sellers. There's another great film of his on this weekend, although it's not so much comedy but does show his acting ability to perfection. One of the best British actors of all time.
16:55 - 19:50
Channel4: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Repeated: Channel4+1 17:55 - 19:00
Date: 1957
Directed by: David Lean
Can I overuse the word classic at Xmas? This is such a fantastic film and ranks alongside The Great Escape for momentous war films. The story is based on truth, and harrowing truth at that, and has some great performances, especially from another great British actor, Alec Guinness.
18:00 - 21:00
BBC2: Titanic
Date: 1997
Directed by: James Cameron
Well it's a landmark film whatever you think of it, and if it is too cheesy for you wait for the big sinking scenes and the icy cold ending, amazing moments that will chill you and are too often overlooked in this film for the romantic storyline.
18:55 - 21:00
Film4: Local Hero
Date: 1983
Directed by: Bill Forsyth
Scottish and perfect.
20:20 - 21:55
BBC3: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Date: 2001
Directed by: Simon West
Now I rank this as perhaps one of the best videogame adaptations there has been to date. It captures the character, the essence of the game, and weaves it into a strong story with some great characters. Please Jolie, come back and give us another.
21:00 - 23:10
Film4: Mr & Mrs Smith
Date: 2005
Directed by: Doug Liman
Talking of Angelina Jolie, this sees another great performance amongst an adventurous and exciting story. Brad Pitt's just as good. Great entertainment.
21:00 - 23:45
ITV2: Love Actually
Repeated: ITV2+1 22:00 - 23:00
Date: 2003
Directed by: Richard Curtis
21:15 - 23:10
ITV3: Smokey and the Bandit
Repeated: Sunday ITV3 15:50 - 17:40
Date: 1977
Directed by: Hal Needham
I love this film. Action, laughs, and adventure with a hint of adult humour thrown in. Then there's Burt Reynolds at his best, great fun.
21:55 - 23:35
BBC3: Kill Bill Vol 1
Date: 2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Which do you prefer? The first or second film? Are they as good as Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction? Everyone has an opinion, I think that there are sections that are some of his best work, and others that could have done with a little bit more. The best Tarantino film?
22:00 - 23:55
ITV4: So I Married an Axe Murderer
Date: 1993
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
22:10 - 00:20
BBC4: Rob Roy
Date: 1995
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
I like the adventure and the over egging of some of the performances, but it does irk me being Scottish. Some of it feels right, and other moments just don't sit well with me. Still, it's a good film and has some strong performances.
23:00 - 01:20
FiveUS: Salem's Lot
Date: 1979
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
This is the best Stephen King adapted horror film, and features such iconic moments that have implanted themselves in my head for all time. Can I please urge you to watch this.
23:10 - 01:05
Film4: Wolf Creek
Date: 2005
Directed by: Greg Mclean
Superb horror. This really gets to you, and that single stick scene is chillingly evil. I'm glad I went backpacking well before watching this film!
23:55 - 02:00
Channel4: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Repeated: Channel4+1 00:55 - 2:00
Date: 1969
Directed by: George Roy Hill
Robert Redford and Paul Newman in their career defining roles. What a great story and an unforgettable ending.
23:55 - 02:20
ITV4: The Mean Machine
Repeated: Sunday ITV4 22:00 - 00:25
Date: 1974
Directed by: Robert Aldrich
Burt Reynolds again, this time in the original and better Mean Machine.
Sunday 30th
00:10 - 02:45
STV: The Insider
Date: 1999
Directed by: Michael Mann
Micheal Mann brings such power to the screen, and captures two great performances from Russell Crowe and Al Pacino.
00:20 - 02:10
ITV3: Badlands
Date: 1973
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Classic Malick film with Martin Sheen giving a great performance along with Sissy Spacek. Natural Born Killers the original.
01:55 - 03:25
E4: Jason and the Argonauts (Part 1 of 2)
Repeated: E4+1 2:55 - 3:00 12:25 - 14:05
Date: 2000
Directed by: Nick Willing
I'm interested to see how this star speckled version of the classic film fares on television and without the iconic animation. There are plenty of recognisable names and a pretty decent rating for the film.
00:10 - 02:40
STV: Casino Royale
Date: 1967
Directed by: Val Guest, Ken Hughes, John Huston, Joseph McGrath, Robert Parrish and Richard Talmadge
No this is the confused sixties version, I mean just look at the amount of Directors. It's completely crazy and was a dig at the Bond franchise since this was the only original Fleming story they didn't own.
12:25 - 14:05
E4: Jason and the Argonauts (Part 1 of 2)
Repeated: E4+1 13:25 - 14:00
Date: 2000
Directed by: Nick Willing
14:05 - 15:55
E4: Jason and the Argonauts (Part 2 of 2)
Repeated: E4+1 15:5 - 15:00 Monday E4 15:20 - 16:50
Date: 2000
Directed by: Nick Willing
14:10 - 15:45
Five: The War of the Worlds
Date: 1953
Directed by: Byron Haskin
The original again, although here I do struggle to decide which is the better, this or the Spielberg version. Still, this has some great moments and captures the fear well.
15:45 - 18:00
Five: Topkapi
Date: 1964
Directed by: Jules Dassin
Now here's something to catch. If you're looking forward to the sequel to The Thomas Crown Affair remake with Pierce Brosnan, then you should have a look at this as this is the story which is being used for the sequel.
15:50 - 17:40
ITV3: Smokey and the Bandit
Date: 1977
Directed by: Hal Needham
17:00 - 19:00
ITV2: The 'Burbs
Repeated: ITV2+1 18:00 - 19:00 Monday ITV2 14:00 - 16:00
Date: 1989
Directed by: Joe Dante
It has been a while since I've seen this, but I remember it being a big laugh, and Tom Hanks performance is superbly insane at points.
19:05 - 21:00
BBC2: Von Ryan's Express
Date: 1965
Directed by: Mark Robson
Sinatra wasn't a bad actor you know, and he's not bad here. I'm a big fan of these war films.
19:15 - 21:00
Channel4: Strictly Ballroom
Repeated: Channel4+1 20:15 - 21:00
Date: 1992
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
19:15 - 21:00
Film4: Crocodile Dundee
Date: 1986
Directed by: Peter Faiman
Oh it looks dated now though.
21:00 - 23:05
Film4: Bride & Prejudice
Date: 2004
Directed by: Gurinder Chadha
I saw this quite recently and was surprised at how well the mix of Bollywood and Hollywood worked, and how enjoyable it all was.
21:00 - 23:15
ITV3: The Witches of Eastwick
Date: 1987
Directed by: George Miller
I love this film, and the performances are great. The three witches are played by Susan Sarandon, Cher and the gorgeous Michelle Pfeiffer with Jack Nicholson playing Daryl Van Horne, the man who seduces them and their town.
21:00 - 23:30
BBC3: Jackie Brown
Date: 1997
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
I struggle with this film, although I love Pam Grier's performance, at times I find her forcing the character too much, Robert Forster feels wrong for the role, and the Tarantino moments stand out from this film rather than flow with it. What is great is to see the gorgeous Bridget Fonda once again. I miss her on screen.
21:00 - 00:25
Five: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Date: 1966
Directed by: Sergio Leone
Cracking western.
21:30 - 00:00
STV: What Lies Beneath
Date: 2000
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
I don't think this is hugely effective, you can see the plot coming a mile off and the ending is rather poor. However the journey is rather enjoyable, and the build up is well done.
22:00 - 00:25
ITV4: The Mean Machine
Date: 1974
Directed by: Robert Aldrich
23:15 - 01:50
ITV3: Prizzi's Honor
Date: 1985
Directed by: John Huston
Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner play mob hit-people in a story that influences that of Mr & Mrs Smith. They fall for each other without him knowning her real job, and when his family call out a contract on her, he's the one that has to carry it out.
Monday 31st December Hogmanay
00:00 - 02:40
STV: The Hurricane
Date: 1999
Directed by: Norman Jewison
00:35 - 02:20
BBC1: The Royal Tenenbaums
Date: 2001
Directed by: Wes Anderson
00:45 - 03:55
Film4: Kagemusha
Date: 1980
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
01:20 - 03:20
E4: Peggy Sue Got Married
Repeated: E4+1 2:20 - 3:00
Date: 1986
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
06:30 - 08:50
ITV3: Being There
Repeated: 13:30 - 15:50
Date: 1979
Directed by: Hal Ashby
One of Peter Seller's best performances of all time. Hugely touching.
10:25 - 12:05
ITV2: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Repeated: ITV2+1 11:25 - 12:00
Date: 1989
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Dude!
12:35 - 03:15
Channel4: Princess Mononoke
Repeated: Channel4+1 13:35 - 3:00
Date: 1997
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
13:30 - 15:50
ITV3: Being There
Date: 1979
Directed by: Hal Ashby
13:50 - 16:10
Five: Terms of Endearment
Date: 1983
Directed by: James L. Brooks
14:00 - 16:00
ITV2: The 'Burbs
Repeated: ITV2+1 15:00 - 16:00
Date: 1989
Directed by: Joe Dante
14:50 - 18:15
STV: Spartacus
Date: 1960
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann
This really is Spartacus, and the restored version at that. It's a fantastic story, wonderfully shot, and a great performance from a Hollywood legend. Don't miss this, really.
15:20 - 16:50
E4: Jason and the Argonauts (Part 2 of 2)
Repeated: E4+1 16:20 - 16:00
Date: 2000
Directed by: Nick Willing
15:50 - 18:00
ITV3: The Railway Children
Repeated: Tuesday ITV3 10:10 - 12:15
Date: 1970
Directed by: Lionel Jeffries
My Dad's favourite, I couldn't not include this.
19:30 - 21:10
BBC4: The Third Man
Date: 1949
Directed by: Carol Reed
Orson Welles really does steal this film with just a few scenes, and most of them without talking, and that's a shame with Joseph Cotten's doing so well in a wonderfully directed film.
21:00 - 22:45
Channel4: Monty Python's Life of Brian
Repeated: Channel4+1 22:00 - 22:00
Date: 1979
Directed by: Terry Jones
Oh now this should have been shown at Xmas. Classic Python and a superb film full of huge belly laughs.
21:00 - 23:20
Film4: William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
Date: 1996
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
21:35 - 23:05
BBC2: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Date: 2003
Directed by: Peter Webber
22:00 - 00:10
ITV4: The Ipcress File
Date: 1965
Directed by: Sidney J. Furie
I love thrillers, and there are some older ones which are just so powerful, in fact the sixties and seventies produced some superb thrillers, this being one, and it has Michael Caine to boot.
23:20 - 01:05
Film4: Mallrats
Date: 1995
Directed by: Kevin Smith
23:50 - 01:30
Channel4: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Repeated: Channel4+1 00:50 - 1:00
Date: 1987
Directed by: John Hughes
Very late for getting home for Thanksgiving.
Tuesday 1st January 2008!
01:40 - 04:25
STV: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Date: 1975
Directed by: Jom Sharman
I love this film, and I can sing you just about every song from it...yes I'm sad, but I just love the comedy, style and the musical numbers. Tim Curry rocks in this film.
02:55 - 04:10
BBC2: The Narrow Margin
Date: 1952
Directed by: Richard Fleischer
10:10 - 12:15
ITV3: The Railway Children
Date: 1970
Directed by: Lionel Jeffries
10:25 - 12:25
ITV2: Twins
Repeated: ITV2+1 11:25 - 12:00 19:00 - 21:10
Date: 1988
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Not my most favourite Arnie film, but I thought I would include it since he's considering a return.
11:15 - 13:15
Channel4: Rocketeer
Repeated: Channel4+1 12:15 - 13:00
Date: 1991
Directed by: Joe Johnston
A lot of people disagree, but I like the adventure of this film and the fifties feel. Oh and Jennifer Connelly is in it.
15:10 - 17:05
Five: Singin' in the Rain
Date: 1952
Directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Oh the dance numbers. Such style. Now bring on Guys and Dolls and I'll be in heaven.
16:05 - 18:40
STV: Mary Poppins
Date: 1964
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
18:30 - 21:00
ITV3: Murder on the Orient Express
Repeated: Wednesday ITV3 11:35 - 14:00
Date: 1974
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
19:00 - 21:10
ITV2: Twins
Repeated: ITV2+1 20:00 - 21:00
Date: 1988
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
20:10 - 22:00
BBC3: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life
Date: 2003
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Still the same character and story outline, but de Bont just can't handle it. Still there's Angelina Jolie for the men and Gerard Butler for the ladies...or any way you'd prefer.
20:10 - 22:10
Channel4: Fantastic Four
Repeated: Channel4+1 21:10 - 22:00
Date: 2005
Directed by: Tim Story
Big screen fun on the small screen, but don't expect any more depth than your LCD.
21:00 - 23:00
FiveUS: The Princess Bride
Date: 1987
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Another fantastic film hitting us for the start of the year! This is the ultimate fantasy film and I never get tired of watching.
21:00 - 23:10
Film4: Trading Places
Date: 1983
Directed by: John Landis
This is still fun and reminds us what Eddie Murphy used to be. Funny.
21:10 - 23:40
ITV2: GoldenEye
Repeated: ITV2+1 22:10 - 23:00
Date: 1995
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Bond isn't the saviour of this franchise, Martin Campbell is, repeatedly.
23:15 - 01:20
STV: Bonnie and Clyde
Date: 1967
Directed by: Arthur Penn
Another classic film with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie and Clyde. There's also Gene Hackman and the direction of Arthur Penn. This is another well worth watching film.
23:40 - 01:55
ITV2: Tomorrow Never Dies
Repeated: ITV2+1 00:40 - 1:00 Wednesday 21:00 - 23:15
Date: 1997
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
Wednesday 2nd January 2008
01:10 - 03:05
BBC1: The Color of Money
Date: 1986
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
An interesting direction for a sequel to take, and it actually works really well, especially with Tom Cruise and Paul Newman playing off of each other.
01:10 - 03:45
Film4: Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Date: 2001
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
03:10 - 04:50
STV: Quatermass and the Pit
Date: 1967
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
11:35 - 14:00
ITV3: Murder on the Orient Express
Date: 1974
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
21:00 - 23:15
ITV2: Tomorrow Never Dies
Repeated: ITV2+1 22:00 - 23:00
Date: 1997
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
22:00 - 00:45
ITV4: A Clockwork Orange
Date: 1971
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Honestly, I do believe this film is overrated. It's good, but not as much as everyone claims.
22:30 - 00:35
BBC3: Kill Bill: Vol 2
Date: 2004
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
The second Kill Bill film, which I find hard to remember much about. Does it hold up to the first?
Thursday 3rd
00:45 - 02:55
ITV4: Don't Look Now
Date: 1973
Directed by: Nicolas Roeg
Classic horror that really does pull out some surprises, not least being Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie looking like they're really going at it, but also for the most realistic death scene I've ever watched on film...apart from a real death that is.
07:05 - 08:25
Channel4: Animal Farm
Repeated: Channel4+1 8:5 - 8:00
Date: 1954
Directed by: Joy Batchelor and John Halas
11:15 - 13:10
More4: The Thief of Bagdad
Date: 1940
Directed by: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Tim Whelan, Alexander Korda, Zoltan Korda and William Cameron Menzies
Sinbad, Jason, and now more similarly themed excitement, and from the forties no less.
11:50 - 13:25
Channel4: Muppets from Space
Repeated: Channel4+1 12:50 - 13:00
Date: 1999
Directed by: Tim Hill
More Muppets, and these aren't in your local government!
21:00 - 23:15
Film4: House of Flying Daggers
Date: 2004
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
A beautiful film in every way, I love watching the spectacle of this on a good television.
21:00 - 23:30
ITV2: The World is Not Enough
Repeated: ITV2+1 22:00 - 23:00
Date: 1999
Directed by: Michael Apted
22:00 - 00:15
Five: Get Carter
Date: 1971
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Now this is the original with Michael Caine, not that poor copy with Sylvester Stallone. This is well worth watching for a really strong performance from Batman's butler.
22:35 - 00:35
BBC1: Die Hard with a Vengeance
Date: 1995
Directed by: John McTiernan
The third best Die Hard?
23:15 - 01:00
BBC4: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Date: 1961
Directed by: Irwin Allen
23:15 - 01:15
Film4: Pitch Black
Date: 2000
Directed by: David Twohy
I love this film, the only problem was the sequel which managed to destroy the great character of Riddick.
Cinema Releases
Balls of Fury
A ping pong tournament run by the head of an evil empire on his private island, and a ping pong genius who is recruited by the FBI to enter the competition and dig up some dirt on the baddie. It's a comedy version of Enter the Dragon.
I Am Legend
I almost went to see this tonight but I didn't. The much anticipated film starring Will Smith, will it stay clear of a Hollywood storyline? Smith plays a man who is immune to a plague that sweeps across the world, wiping out almost all of the population, and making those that survive a new breed of creatures.
The Kite Runner
An Afghani living in California returns home to help his childhood friend and his son, and discovers just how priviliged his life has become. Adapted from the novel that has received great critical and public acclaim.
Paranoid Park
Gus Van Sant delivers a film about a skateboarder who accidentally kills a security guard at the skateboarding park. He keeps quiet about it and soon the growing burden of guilt is becoming too much for him.
Closing the Ring
A man tries to find the rightful owner of a ring that belonged to a U.S. bomber pilot in World War II who had crashed outside Belfast in Northern Ireland in 1944. The film stars a strong cast and I haven't really heard that much about it. Christopher Plummer, Shirely MacLaine, Mischa Barton, Pete Postlethwaite, Neve Campbell to name but a few.
Princesas
A Spanish film about friendship and love amongst women who work as prostitutes. I noticed that the film gives thanks to Javier Bardem, and is receiving some positive reviews.
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