James Croot
Stop-motion sensation
Based on Alan Snow’s 2005 novel Here Be Monsters,The Boxtrolls is another devilishly dark and delightful tale from stopmotion specialist Laika Animation. Like its previous efforts Coraline and ParaNorman, this eschews the modern-day animation tropes of superheroes and pop culture references and instead revels in the stuff of kids’ nightmares. The deep bench of vocal talent includes Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, Simon Pegg and Richard Ayoade. Although likely to be a little too scary for littlies, this 2014 film is refreshingly different and enormously satisfying.
TV3, Saturday, 7pm
Danish delight
Inspired more by an erotic novel than actual events, some viewers may bridle at the focus of 2013 Danish period drama A Royal Affair being more on the predictable bed-hopping than the pioneering humanism that King Christian VII championed. However, throw in smallpox, scandal and a maid with a keen sense of smell and you have the ingredients for an engaging tale. ‘‘With its sumptuous settings, urgent romance and intellectual substance, A Royal Affair is a mind-opener crossed with a bodice-ripper,’’ wrote The Wall St Journal‘ s Joe Morgenstern.
Maori TV, Sunday, 8.30pm
Boatload of evidence
Presented by legal expert Dr Chris Gallavin, this first slice of Sunday Theatre for the year – Doubt – promises to re-examine one of New Zealand’s most highprofile murder cases ‘‘from a fresh perspective’’. In the early hours of New Year’s Day 1998, Olivia Hope and Ben Smart boarded a yacht with a man, and were never seen again. The case enthralled the nation, and 18 months later Picton man Scott Watson was convicted of their murders.
TV One, Sunday, 8.30pm
Hail to the chief
House of Cards‘ Kevin Spacey narrates and executive produces six-part docuseries Race for the White House, which aims to capture the drama of how a highstakes presidential election can turn on a single issue and so much more. Using rare archival footage, interviews and stylised dramatisations, each episode tells the story of one iconic campaign for President of the United States. ’’It reminds us that American politics has always been a roughand-tumble affair, from the voting irregularities in Chicago that boosted Kennedy to the dirty tricks employed by Honest Abe’s campaign at the convention, where his surrogates bribed the head of the Pennsylvania delegation with a promised appointment,’’ wrote Variety magazine’s Brian Lowry.
History, Monday, 8.30pm
Dream team
Inspired by The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movies, three-part UK seriesThe Indian Dream Hotel follows actor Miriam Margolyes, dancer Wayne Sleep, actor Sylvester McCoy, and five other well-known Brits, as they head to India to see if they can set up a better, more rewarding retirement there than in the UK. ‘‘A lot more fun than the average travelogue,’’ wrote The Guardian‘ s Sam Wollaston.
Prime, Wednesday, 8.30pm.
The Conjuring 2 (R13)
Australia’s James Wan has come a long way since he broke into Hollywood with the grisly Saw series.
His latest exorcism story is more supernatural thriller than outright horror, but directed with real flair.
Wan’s technique can be too flashy for its own good, particularly when digital trickery is most apparent.
On the other hand, the relatively slow pace allows us to develop an attachment to the characters – especially Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), the real-life American ghost-hunters returning from the first Conjuring film, who this time take on a job in 1970s England. – Jake Wilson, Fairfax