The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
SATURDAY
Star Trek Beyond (2016) (Channel 4, 9.15pm)
Captain James T Kirk (Chris Pine) is considering relinquishing the bridge because “things have started to feel a little... episodic”. He keeps his plans secret from the rest of the crew including human-Vulcan science officer Spock. During a visit to a Federation starbase under the control of Commodore Paris, Kirk and the team respond to a distress call issued by an alien called Kalara. The Enterprise comes under attack from otherworldly despot Krall and his swarming drones.
Love & Mercy (2014) (BBC2, 10.15pm)
In the 1980s, Beach Boys’ songwriter Brian Wilson (Paul Dano) meets spunky car dealer Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks). A nervous first date exposes Wilson’s mental fragility, and while Melinda is not deterred by his quirks, she is angered when Brian’s personal physician tries to terminate the relationship, so she sets out to expose the medic as a madman.
This sensitive biopic juxtaposes the songwriter’s first battles with mental illness and the love affair 20 years later which provided the creative spark for this solo album, Smile.
SUNDAY
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) (BBC2, 12pm)
As the Second World War rages, Major General Clive Wynne-Candy (Roger Livesey) recalls his incredible life so far. He thinks back to the turn of the 20th century when a letter from English teacher Edith Hunter (Deborah Kerr) spurs him to visit Berlin, where a German spy is at large. Inadvertently,
Clive becomes involved in a duel with officer Theodor KretschmarSchuldorff and the two men become unlikely friends, both in love with Edith. She eventually chooses Theodor and Clive goes back to his life of routine and order, ascending the ranks to Brigadier General.
The Elephant Man (1980) (BBC1, 11pm)
John Merrick is a hideously disfigured man working as a fairground freak until ambitious surgeon Frederick Treves spots him. The medic initially believes the unfortunate fellow is an idiot and wants to use him to further his own career – until he realises that beneath the ugly
exterior is a beautiful, intelligent and sympathetic person. Quite simply, it’s one of the best films ever. John Hurt is superb as the title character, but it’s Anthony Hopkins who provides the movie’s heart as Treves.
MONDAY
Rocky III (1982) (ITV4, 10pm)
Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed and starred in this second sequel. The world heavyweight boxing champion settles down to a life of luxury – but a cloud appears on the horizon in the shape of brutal contender Clubber Lang, who demands a shot at the title. However, while Rocky is eager to take on the new fighter, his trainer Micky doesn’t want him entering the ring against such a brute.
Red Dragon (2002) (Channel 5, 11.05pm)
This Silence of the Lambs prequel is a real thriller with a twist in the tale. FBI Agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) investigates a serial killer nicknamed the Tooth Fairy, who slays families during each full moon. With three weeks until the next full moon, Will seeks the help of old foe Dr Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to get inside the mind of his prey.
TUESDAY
The Ladykillers (1955) (Film4, 12.50pm)
A criminal mastermind and his gang of accomplices rent rooms from an elderly woman in order to plan their latest heist. The landlady doesn’t suspect a thing, she thinks they are a string quintet, but the gang fear that she still poses a threat to their scheming, and realise they are going to have to kill her. However, bumping her off proves a lot more difficult than expected. Directed by Alexander ‘Whisky Galore’ Mackendrick and starring Alec Guinness, and Peter Sellers.
Notorious (1946) (Talking Pictures, 7pm)
A radiantly beautiful Ingrid Bergman stars as a Nazi’s daughter who is blackmailed into marrying ruthless German collaborator Claude Rains – only to fall madly in love with a US undercover spy, played by Cary Grant, who is supposed to be making sure she keeps her mind on the job in hand. As their affair develops, look out for what must surely be one of the most
passionate of all screen clinches. In truth, the tale is rather confusing, but thanks to the skill of director Alfred Hitchcock and the charisma of its stars, the movie somehow manages to be one of cinema history’s most memorable films.
WEDNESDAY Sunshine on Leith (2013) (Film4, 4.50pm)
Davy (George MacKay) and best mate Ally (Kevin Guthrie) return home to Leith after a roadside explosive kills one of their band of brothers during a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Ally falls into the arms of his girlfriend Liz, who is Davy’s sister, while Davy kindles romance with Liz’s best friend. Ally buys a ring, intending to go down on bended knee at the forthcoming 25th anniversary party of Davy and Liz’s parents but a dark secret threatens to tear the family apart. Heartwarming tale with rousing tunes from The Proclaimers.
You Only Live Twice (1967) (ITV4, 8pm)
When American and Soviet spacecraft go missing, both sides suspect the other – but British Intelligence believes a third party could be involved. Agent 007 is dispatched to Japan to investigate, where he comes face to face with Blofeld. Fans of the novel, the last published while Ian Fleming was alive, may be disappointed: the film bears little relation to it. For everyone else though, this is one of the better James Bond outings, thanks to a script by Roald Dahl, an explosive climax inside Ken Adam’s impressive set and some great special effects. Sean Connery – the best Bond – is terrific, as are the helicopter battle scenes.
THURSDAY
Great Expectations (2012) (BBC4, 8pm)
As a boy, orphan Pip has a disturbing encounter with escaped convict Magwitch in the marshes close to the home he shares with his haughty sister and her husband. Soon after, the boy is dispatched to visit the reclusive Miss Havisham, who requires a playmate for her ward, Estella. Fear of Miss Havisham is supplanted by infatuation with Estella and Pip falls under the spell of the girl, who has been raised “to wreak revenge on all men”. This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel doesn’t add much that we haven’t seen before, but Jeremy Irvine is an appealing
leading man and David Walliams offers comic relief as Uncle Pumblechook.
Lincoln (2012) (Film4, 9pm)
January 1865. Two months have passed since the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War rages on for a fourth year and the president’s thoughts turn to the contentious slavery bill. Secretary of State William H Seward counsels against the motion, but Lincoln is adamant the Bill must be passed before the end of the war. Meanwhile the president contends with the mood swings of his emotionally fragile wife. Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln artfully tears a page from history to immortalise the efforts of the 16th president of the United States to abolish slavery during a period of deep division. Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis leads the terrific ensemble cast in style, internalising his statesman’s maelstrom of emotions.
FRIDAY
The Full Monty (1997) (BBC1, 10.45pm)
Two unemployed Sheffield steelworkers fear they’ve been cast on the scrap heap, until they come up with an idea to raise some cash – stripping. They cast around for other unlikely exotic dancers to join their troupe, but even once they’re up to full strength, six packs and dancing ability are in short supply. So how can they compete with polished groups like the Chippendales? By offering something different – full frontal nudity. There’s a reason this modest British film became a surprise international smash. It’s a funny, charming and heart-warming comedy that will have you cheering the unlikely strippers on. Stars Robert Carlyle and Hugo Speer.
Oranges and Sunshine (2010) (BBC2, 11.20pm)
One woman can make a difference, as social worker Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) proved when she uncovered one of the most shocking episodes about children in care in recent memory. In late 1980s Nottingham, Margaret uncovers the organised deportation of children from the UK to Australia, tearing apart families. Having reunited one woman with her brother in Australia, Margaret sets out to salve the emotional wounds of dozens of other families, regardless of the threat to her own safety.