The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
Death Row block is disrupted by the arrival of a gentle giant called John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), convicted of raping and murdering two 10-year-old girls. Over time, the new inmate befriends one of the guards, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), who has seen many guilty men pass through and who suspects that Coffey may be serving time for a heinous crime he did not commit.
WEDNESDAY
Den of Thieves (2018) (Film4, 9pm)
Ex-con Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber) and his crew bungle the robbery of an armoured truck outside a petrol station, where two unsuspecting police guards have made a pit-stop for coffee and doughnuts. “We’re cop killers now,” laments Merrimen, aiming that jibe at trigger-happy getaway driver Donnie, whose nervous actions could have dire consequences for muscle man Levi, surveillance expert Bosco and technical wizard Mack. Hard-drinking detective
Nick O’Brien is assigned to the case with his posse of police reprobates. It pales in comparison with the not-totally-dissimilar 1995 thriller Heat, but Schreiber and Butler make decent adversaries.
Dreamgirls (2006) (5*, 10pm)
In 1960s Detroit, girl group The Dreamettes – Effie (an Oscarwinning Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) – are groomed by car salesman-turned-manager Curtis (Jamie Foxx) as back-up singers for showman James “Thunder” Early (an electrifying Eddie Murphy). The trio is promoted to headline act and re-christened The Dreams. Tensions flare when Deena replaces Effie as lead vocalist. Effie eventually quits and turns to old manager Marty Madison and talented songwriter
trophy that survived a direct hit during the Blitz in the Second World War. Later, the experts turn their attention to a vintage portable typewriter, as well as an old shove ha’penny board.
Queens of the Street (STV, 9pm)
Sixty years ago today, a British institution was born. And to celebrate Coronation Street’s diamond anniversary, ITV is screening a series of special shows, including this one-hour programme championing the legendary women who have graced the Street over the last six decades. Among those featured are likely to be Liz McDonald, Elsie Tanner, Deirdre Barlow, Gail Rodwell (Platt), Audrey Roberts, Rita Sullivan, Vera Duckworth, Bet Lynch, Sally Webster, Hilda
gradually fades and she sparks a tender romance with a handsome plumber called Tony. The lovebirds marry in secret, but when a tragedy forces Eilis to return home to Enniscorthy, local boy Jim Farrell unexpectedly turns her head.
22 Jump Street (2014) (C5, 10.25pm)
After their success in the first film, officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are investigating criminal mastermind The Ghost. When a sting to capture him goes bad, Captain
festive period is when the hotel truly comes into its own, and this documentary follows the staff – from butlers and chefs, to reception and housekeeping – at their busiest time. From arranging a taste of Christmas movie magic with themed £3,000 welcome packages to planning the hotel’s star attraction, the Grand Christmas Buffet, viewers get priority access to see how much effort goes into ensuring that 400 guests have the happiest holidays. We also meet the guests who are willing to spend up to £30,000 a night for the Christmas holiday of a lifetime.
Harlots (BBC2, 9pm)
The third season of the grimy but decadent
Dickson recruits the pair for another hare-brained undercover operation. This time, they must pose as college students and unmask the suppliers of a drug called WHYPHY. Tongue-in-cheek, self-referential playfulness abounds in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s uproarious action-packed comedy sequel, which adheres unabashedly to a winning formula.
FRIDAY
The Mercy (2017) (BBC2, 9pm)
Amateur yachtsman Donald Crowhurst (Colin Firth) attends a 1968 trade show with his sons to sell their invention: a nautical navigation device. The family’s pitch is interrupted by a rousing speech from pioneering sailor Sir Francis Chichester, to launch the Golden Globe Race, which promises a £5,000 prize for the first sailor to single-handedly navigate the world non-stop. Donald has always been a dreamer and he informs his wife Clare (Rachel Weisz) that he intends to take up the mantle.
The Hurt Locker (2008) (BBC2, 12am)
The Hurt Locker is a master class in sustained tension as a three-strong bomb disposal squad attached to the US Army risks life and severed limb to defuse roadside IEDs. Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) is the new boy of Bravo Company, taking charge of sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and specialist Owen Eldridge on the streets of Baghdad, but his gung-ho, fatalistic approach to his job creates friction with his subordinates. Mackie and Geraghty are compelling as the voices of experience and exuberance, and there are pivotal roles for Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes as men caught in the crossfire.
period drama ends tonight, and although there hasn’t been an announcement regarding a fourth, fingers crossed that we haven’t seen the last of the Greek Street girls. As Blayne tightens his grip on power, Anne makes a massive sacrifice and ends up paying a tragic price. Meanwhile, North races to rescue Jack and Harriet from being shipped overseas into slavery, Lucy is released from debtor’s prison, and there’s huge confrontation between Blayne and Lydia at Golden Square.
MOBO Awards 2020 (BBC1, 10.45pm)
The MOBO Awards were last held in 2017, when Maya Jama and Marvin Humes hosted the ceremony in Leeds. It was hoped that the