Film choice

Julie & Julia (2009) SONY MOVIE CHANNEL, 6.35PM ★★★

 It probably seemed like a promising idea to splice two related literary efforts: superstar chef Julia Child’s apprenticeship in post-war Paris, and writer Julie Powell’s blog about cooking her way through 500 of Julia’s recipes in a year. It’s a shame, then, that the execution doesn’t quite get it right. Amy Adams is a colourless Julie, while Meryl Streep is a little mannered as Julia; director Nora Ephron mixes the ingredients as best she can.

Gallipoli (1981) FILM4, 6.45PM ★★★★★

 Director Peter Weir’s tale of war and friendship in 1915 is one of his very finest films, and it reaches a devastating finale in the clash between Australians and Turks on the shore of the Dardanelles. Mel Gibson’s race through the trenches with a crucial message – ignore the last order! – is every bit as pulse-quickening as any speech from Braveheart. You pray for him to beat that whistle every time. Harold Hopkins also stars.

Angel Face (1953, b/w) MOVIES4MEN, 7.10PM ★★★★

 This noirish psychological melodrama stars Mona Freeman as a controlling Beverly Hills heiress who seduces Robert Mitchum’s down-to-earth ambulance driver, much to the chagrin of his loving girlfriend (Jean Simmons). What follows is a stylised whirlwind of passion, murder and betrayal, all served up with unsettling coldness and detachment by The Man with the Golden Arm director Otto Preminger.