Scott returns to space
8.30pm, Maori TV Soundtrack for a Revolution This 2009 documentary tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music – the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. ‘‘Through vivid archival material and voice-overs, the film-makers create moving vignettes that, taken together, form a fascinating primer on nonviolence as a political force and discipline,’’ wrote The Washington Post’s Ann Hornaday. Shihad – Beautiful Machine 8.35pm, Prime This 2012 documentary tells the story of four Kiwi friends who almost took the world by storm. For more than 20 years, Shihad defined Kiwi rock music, from their roots in Wellington’s furious 90s punk metal scene, to their wild Berlin days. There was the tragic overdose of their manager and the international explosion of their album, The General Electric – and, of course, the infamous American name change from Shihad to Pacifier. Gangs of New York 8.30pm, Duke Leonard Di Caprio, Daniel Day Lewis and Cameron Diaz star in Martin Scorsese’s 2002 1860s-set drama about a young man seeking vengeance against his father’s killer. ‘‘Rips up the postcards of American history and reassembles them into a Saturday, 8.35pm Three Rather than a straight prequel, Ridley Scott’s 2012 return to the sci-fi universe he created in 1979 is instead something infused with Alien‘ s DNA.
We can see the beginnings of the evil mega- corporation Weyland-Yutani and the primordial ooze from which our xenomorph friends will evolve, but those expecting face-hugging, acid-bleeding action will be sorely disappointed.
The main protagonists are the lumbering ‘‘space jockeys’’, aka ‘‘gods’’ whose intentions are left clouded, which might open the door for sequels (one of which, partly shot in Milford Sound, will be unleashed early next month), but does frustrate those eager for answers.
Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof’s script wants to have its action cake and get the audience thinking too, and almost succeeds in pulling it off. Weighty discussions about God, Darwinism and the spaces in between abound. However, it’s also a film where a woman who shouldn’t be able to hang out the violent, blood-soaked story of our bare-knuckled past,’’ wrote Chicago Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert. The Naked Gun 8.30pm, Maori TV Leslie Nielsen stars as Police Squad’s own granite-jawed, rock- washing for six weeks is able to perform all sorts of athletic feats in order to survive.
In the end though, Prometheus proves that Scott still knows how to pace a movie and his time Supplied establishing the atmosphere, character and universe is well spent. Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace star. – James Croot copious amounts of death and destruction, this 2011, secondhelping of Kung Fu won’t be suitable for the very littlies or sensitive young souls (despite its constant pushing of the characters as cuddly toys). But for older primary school children and their parents, Kung Fu Panda 2 represents the most emotionally deep, dark and dense animated tale since Disney’s The Lion King with its troubled hero, blackhearted villain and mounting tension. Kung Fu 2 also benefits from a rich voice cast that includes the original film’s Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen and Jackie Chan, as well as newcomers Gary Oldman and Michelle Yeoh. This muscular story, although threatened with being overwhelmed by dark deeds, emerges as a fully entertaining package, thanks to a sprinkling of self-effacing humour, mainly from our main hero, which undercuts the po-faced plot. Panda-monium in the best sense of the word. Charlotte Gray 8.50pm, Maori TV Cate Blanchett stars in Gillian Anderson’s 2001 romantic-thriller about a young Scottish woman who joins the French Resistance during World War II to rescue her Royal Air Force boyfriend. ‘‘Has an intoxicating, old-fashioned feel about it. We are instantly lost in the period, thanks to cinematographer Dion Beebe’s almost haloed images and Joseph Bennett’s authentic, restrained production design,’’ wrote The Washington Post’s Desson Thomson.