The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
SATURDAY
Precocious orphan Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is snatched from her bed by a hooded 24ft-tall figure, who introduces himself as the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). A tender friendship is forged between Sophie and the BFG, who is bullied by his fellow giants. In order to rid Giant Country of these man-gobblers, Sophie hatches a hare-brained scheme... The BFG is a gloriumptious rendering of Roald Dahl’s fantasy.
The Untouchables (1987) (BBC2, 9pm)
A fresh-faced Kevin Costner plays Elliot Ness, the FBI agent fighting underworld crime and police corruption in an effort to throw vicious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro) in the clink. Brian De Palma’s film may be one of the best gangster movies of all time, and there has never been a more stylish gunfight than in the stunning climax. But from the very start, this is a lesson in exquisite film-making, from the magnificent supporting cast (which includes the late Sean Connery, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his turn as a no-nonsense cop) to the superb score.
SUNDAY
The Grinch (2018) (STV, 5.20pm)
The mayor of the faraway town of Whoville (voiced by Angela Lansbury) decrees this year’s Christmas celebrations should be three times grander than usual. Everyone rejoices, except for The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch), who lives in a cave overlooking the town with his trusty pooch Max. The green-furred curmudgeon resolves to poison Whoville’s holiday cheer by dressing as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and stealing the town’s decorations, trees and presents.
on Britain’s Got Talent and for writing children’s books as he is for anything else. No doubt he’ll be promoting his latest tome, Code Name Bananas, as well as talking about his other new projects. Micky Flanagan describes what he’s been up to lately and his plans for the future. Music comes from Robbie Williams and rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
SUNDAY
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing (BBC2, 8.10pm)