An emotional rollercoaster
Hotel Rwanda 8.30pm, Maori TV Based on true events from the civil war in Rwanda, this 2004 drama profiles Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), the manager of a luxury hotel who opened his establishment to Tutsi refugees despite the danger to himself and his family. ‘‘An extraordinary and effective film, ‘‘ wrote the San Francisco Chronicle‘ s Mick LaSalle. Everest 8.30pm, Three This 2015 tale is a thrilling action movie, emotional rollercoaster and fitting tribute to one of New Zealand’s unsung heroes all rolled into one.
With its starry cast (vast enough to include virtual cameos from the likes of Keira Knightley and Robin Wright) and intimate stories set against an epic canvas, Everest feels like a 21st century version of the 1970s-era disaster movie ( The Towering Inferno, The Poseidon Adventure) crossed with Touching the Void.
Based on various books about the tragic 1996 disaster on Mt Everest, Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur recounts the lead up to and events of May 10 when the nascent commercial guiding industry on the mountain suffered its first, and then blackest, catastrophe.
Kiwi Rob Hall’s (Jason Clarke) Adventure Consultants and Scott Fisher’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) Mountain Madness were among those attempting to summit when a ‘‘perfect storm’’ of mishaps and weather conditions left all their fates in the balance.
Anyone old enough to remember what unfolded will recognise the dramatic and cinematic qualities that made it an obvious candidate for the big screen, but what Kormakur and his writers have achieved is both sensitive and nothing short of sensational. - James Croot 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 pofaced plot. The Curse of the Golden Flower 8.45pm, Maori TV The most expensive Chinese movie ever made at the time of its release, in 2006, Zhang Yimou’s actioner is essentially a 10thcentury version of Mr& Mrs Smith. Emperor Ping is slowly poisoning his wife, Empress Phoenix, while she plots a way to force him to abdicate. Sumptuous to look at and with more than a whiff of melodrama about it. AWalk Among the Tombstones 9pm, Duke While some of his character’s special skills are the same as that of Taken‘ s Bryan Mills, retired cop turned unlicensed private detective Matt Scudder allows Liam Neeson to march to a slightly different rhythm in this 2014 noir-esque thriller. Scudder is a technology-averse, ask questions first gumshoe – a Sam Spade who isn’t afraid to call one one as well. Point-of-view shots, terrific use of the full frame and a stalking camera really make you feel you’re with him every rainsoaked and grisly step of the way.