Get out the hot chocolate, unpack that duvet and snuggle up to what promised to be one heck of weekend jam packed with lots of action, romance, drama, comedy and musicals. There’s defs something for everyone and if you’re a Kevin Bacon fan then you’ll be treated to two of his movies this week (two good ones - the River Wild and Wild Things).
The Tri-Nations are still in full swing with the All Black facing the Aussies Saturday at 12:00 on M-Net and then there’s still the Currie Cup you could look forward to.
If that’s not your scene then maybe you would like to watch wannabe hopefuls making it big time in Idols on M-Net Sunday nights at 17:30 with a repeat on the Series channel Saturdays at 11:30. My absolutely have see movie of the week: Terminator Salvation
FRIDAY, 30 JULY 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 Battle in Seattle
Starring: Charlize Theron, Andre 'Andre 3000' Benjamin, Martin Henderson, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta
Director: Stuart Townsend
Activists arrive in Seattle, Washington en masse to protest a meeting of the World Trade Organization. Riots and chaos ensue as demonstrators successfully stop the WTO meetings.
Ch 103 MM1 20:30 The Boat that Rocked
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh
Director: Richard Curtis
In the 1960s a group of 8 rogue DJs on a boat in the middle of the Northern Atlantic, played rock records and broke the law all for the love of music. The songs they played united and defined an entire generation and drove the British government crazy. By playing rock 'n roll they were standing up against the British government who did everything in their power to shut them down.
Ch 103 MM1 22:45 Sex Drive
Starring: Amanda Crew, James Marsden, Josh Zuckerman, James Marsden, Charlie McDermott
Director: Sean Anders
A high school senior drives cross-country with his best friends to hook up with a babe he met online.
Ch 104 MM2 21:35 This is England
Starring: Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Joseph Gilgun
Director: Shane Meadows
A story about a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school, after a fight. They become his new best friends even like family. Based on experiences of director Shane Meadows.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 20:00 Agent Cody Banks: Destination London (**½)
Starring: Frankie Muniz, Anthony Anderson, Hannah Spearritt
Director: Kevin Allen
I was pretty disappointed in ACB’s sequel, where the first installment was fresh with some pretty cool stuff, the sequel falls flat. I can’t put my finger on it, but its defs not as good as the first one, but is still watchable.
Synopsis
CIA agent has stolen a top secret mind-control device and Cody has to go undercover in London to get it back. Posing as a student at an elite boarding school to get close to his suspects, Cody has to keep the other kids from discovering his true identity while infiltrating covert hideouts, spying on his sinister target - and going to class. With all-new gadgets, high-flying action, exciting chases and a wisecracking new handler, Derek, Cody has to retrieve the device before the world's leaders fall under the evil control of a diabolical villain.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 21:45 Varsity Blues (***)
Starring: James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Ron Lester, Scott Caan
Director: Brian Robbins
This movie is funny and touching but most of all raunchy – it’s defs not for the faint hearted, but if you can look past all that, you might just enjoy it – I did partly because I’m a huge fan of sport movies. It’s defs worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet. Just be cautious as this movie is defs not for children.
Synopsis
In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion. The head coach is deified, as long as the team is winning and 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night. In his 35th year as head coach, Bud Kilmer is trying to lead his West Canaan Coyotes to their 23rd division title. When star quarterback Lance Harbor suffers an injury, the Coyotes are forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of John Moxon, a second-string quarterback with a slightly irreverent approach to the game. "Varsity Blues" explores our obsession with sports and how teenage athletes respond to the extraordinary pressures places on them.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 The River Wild (****)
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Meryl Streep, Joseph Mazzello, Stephanie Sawyer (II), Buffy
Director: Curtis Hanson, Max Kleven
This is an excellent movie. It has just the right combination of suspense, action and drama which will keep you on the edge of your seat right until the end credits roll. It also boasts of a top notch cast who doesn’t disappoint. It’s a good movie and defs worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
Gail is a professional at water rafting. She twigs every day, and she is in a very good shape. She takes her family, one day, to a rafting trip down the river, but she has no idea that the planed trip is about to become a nightmare. Two escaping robbers with a handgun, meet the family in the way, and join them to the trip. Only later the Gail realize that their new friends are dangerous criminals, but it's too late. The two men force them to stay together, and to keep cruising down the river. The family's life are risked not only by the two men, but also by the river which becomes more stormy and wilder.
Ch 108 Universal 21:00 The Dead will Tell
Starring: Anne Heche, Kathleen Quinlan, Chris Sarandon, Eva Longoria Parker, David Andrews
Director: Stephen T. Kay
Emily Parker is haunted by visions of a woman from the past soon after receiving an antique engagement ring from her fiancé.
Ch 109 TCM19:25 On the Town
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Jules Munshin, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen
Directors: Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly
Three sailors on a day of shore leave in New York City look for fun and romance before their twenty-four hours are up.
Ch 109 TCM 21:00 The Age of Innocence
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Alexis Smith, Geraldine Chaplin
Director: Martin Scorsese
Set amid the stifled world of New York high society during the 1870s, an aristocratic lawyer struggles with his growing passion for his fiancée's beautiful cousin, an expatriate countess who has abandoned her marriage.
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 Wild Things (***)
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Theresa Russell, Denise Richards
Director: John Hugh McNaughton, Artie Malesci
How devious can people be – well in this movie that question gets answered. It’s a good movie with a top notch cast. It is a bit on the raunchy side, but it’s defs worth the watch. It has enough suspense to keep you glued to your screen and it has a nice twist towards the end. In the end everyone gets what they deserve.
Synopsis
A high school guidance counselor is framed for raping two of his students...or is he?
My Picks for Today: Varsity Blues, The River Wild, Wild Things
Movies that Might be Worth Watching: The Age of innocence, On the Town, The Dead will Tell
SATURDAY, 31 JULY 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 Soul Men
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal, Affion Crockett, P.J. Byrne
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Though it's been some twenty years since they have spoken with one another, two estranged soul-singing legends agree to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader.
Ch 103 MM1 19:00 Terminator Salvation (***½)
Starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander and Helena Bonham Carter
Director: McG
If you are familiar with McG’s work, then you’ll be completely shocked regarding his latest work. It’s in stark contrast to what we are used to (i.e. colourful camera work, over the top stunts etc but in this movie lots of dark, grey, black undertones were used - almost in abundance). It paints a bleak picture of the future where machines rule the world (I personally think they should have stopped with T2 – you know go out with a bang). But having said that it’s good action movie with some spectacular CGI/Special effects (I quite like Christian Bale as an actor – I think he’s brilliant). It has heart and it has Sam Worthington (sigh). It also has a nice sort of ‘unexpected’ twist, but I think McG underestimated his audience as you can see the ‘twist’ a mile away and if not, you’ll still wonder. It’s defs worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
John Conner is fated to lead humanity's war against the machines, but the arrival of stranger alters the future of mankind.
Ch 103 MM1 21:00 12 Rounds (***)
Starring: John Cena, Steve Harris, Aidan Gillen, Brian J. White, Gonzalo Menendez
Director: Renny Harlin
Believe it or not, but this movie is not half bad, but how else with the director of Die Hard behind the lens. It’s a mixture between Speed and Die Hard and is 10x better than The Marine. It has a decent storyline and some good action sequences.
Synopsis
Detective Danny Fisher discovers his girlfriend has been kidnapped by a ex-con tied to Fisher's past, and he'll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secure her safe release.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Juno (****)
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Olivia Thirlby, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Director: Jason Reitman
I just loved this heartwarming, extremely funny, unusual, original drama/comedy Thank goodness the director or should I say writers didn’t opt for the clichéd version, instead they kept it ‘almost’ clean. Clichéd in that Juno and Mark didn’t fall in love (it would have spoiled the whole story instantly) – you might guess why I would say something like that, it’s just that the on-screen chemistry between the two characters were sizzling when they were sharing scenes. Maybe they (Ellen and Jason) should consider doing a romantic comedy or any other movie together (I defs think it would work). This movie is a must see in my books.
Synopsis
Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.
Ch 104 MM2 21:30 Rush Hour 3 (***)
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow, Noemie Lenoir, Hiroyuki Sanada
Director: Brett Ratner
Jackie and Chris brings once again their own special brand of comedy to the screen. This movie is not as good as the original, but it still holds its own and is still funny with lots of action and over-the-top-stunts Jackie Chan style. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted, then this movie would be perfect.
Synopsis
After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han, Lee and Carter head to Paris to protect a French woman with knowledge of the Triads' secret leaders
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Babe: Pig in the City (***)
Starring: James Cromwell, Mickey Rooney, Steven Wright, Glenne Headly, E.G. Daily
Director: George Miller
I loved the original sweet innocent Babe – the sheep pig; the PitC not so much. It’s as if he ‘lost’ his innocence in the movie and his target audience (i.e the little ones). I thought that the sequel were too dark and scary – which would defs give some children nightmares. It’s a good movie, but it’s definitely not Babe.
Synopsis
Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 21:15 My Favourite Martian
Starring: Wallace Shawn, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Daniels, Elizabeth Hurley, Daryl Hannah
Director: Donald Petrie
A martian lands on Earth and makes friends with a reporter.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 National Treasure (****)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Oleg Taktarov, Armando Riesco, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Director: Jon Turteltaub
If you’re in the mood for some high octane action, over the top CGI/Special effects and some mind games, then you defs should not miss this one. It’s brilliant, but then again, I love movies like this and it has one of my favourite actors starring in it – so maybe I’m a bit biased. It would put you on a rollercoaster ride which will not stop until the end credits roll. It’s a must see in my books – can’t wait for NT3 which might be released either next year or in 2012.
Synopsis
A treasure hunter is in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries, while his employer turned enemy is onto the same path that he's on.
Ch 108 Universal 20:50 The Christmas Choir
Starring: Jason Gedrick, Tyrone Benskin, Michael Sarrazin, Marianne Farley
Director: Peter Svatek
A broken man meets a bunch of homeless people and touched by their warmth organizes them into a choir
Ch 109 TCM 19:35 Viva Las Vegas
Starring: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova, William Demarest, Nicky Blair (II)
Director: George Sidney
A race car driver, preparing for the Grand Prix, wiles his time in Las Vegas, working as a waiter to pay for his new engine. Soon, he strikes up a romance with a beautiful young woman.
Ch 109 TCM 21:00 Hope and Glory
Starring: Sarah Miles, David Hayman, Derrick O Connor, Susan Wooldridge, Sammi Davis
Director: John Boorman, Michael Dryhurst
Autobiographical drama about how John Boorman's family coped and survived in London during the blitz of World War II.
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 Clue
Starring: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Six guests are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery.
Ch 303 Disney 19:10 Dadnapped
Starring: Emily Osment, David Henrie, Jason Earles, Jonathan Keltz, Moises Arias
Director: Paul Hoen
Melissa has a bad case of sibling rivalry, only her competition is a fictional character in her father's best-selling novel about a teenage super spy. When her father is "dadnapped" by a group of overzealous fans, it's up to Melissa to help him by tapping her inner superhero.
My Picks for Today: Terminator Salvation, Rush Hour 3, National Treasure, Juno, 12 Rounds
Movies that Might be Worth Watching: Hope and Glory, Viva Las Vegas, My Favourite Martian,
SUNDAY, 1 AUGUST 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Starring: Jake Cherry, Thomas Lennon, Jay Baruchel, Mindy Kaling, Ben Stiller
Director: Shawn Levy
This movie is defs on my schedule to watch.
Synopsis
Security guard Larry Daley infiltrates the Smithsonian Institution in order to rescue Jedediah and Octavius, who have been shipped to the museum by mistake.
Ch 103 MM1 20:30 Caffeine
Starring: Marsha Thomason, Mena Suvari, Callum Blue, Mark Pellegrino, Katherine Heigl
Director: John Cosgrove
A fanciful battle of the sexes ensues when the relationships of the staff and patrons of a quirky London café are unexpectedly turned upside down by sudden revelations of terribly embarrassing secrets having to do with their sexual misadventures.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Kate and Leopold (***½)
Starring: James Mangold, Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Natasha Lyonne
Director: James Mangold
I enjoy RomComs and if they’re good it’s so much better – I’m a hopeless romantic. This one is defs one of the better Romantic Comedies that I’ve seen – it’s heartwarming, funny, has a little bit of action and suspense. Even though you know the outcome before the movie even started, the fun part is how it got there. I have to say that I only wish that men could learn from this (i.e. how treat a lady and how to behave in her presence) – that is an art that is slowly starting to become extinct which is quite sad. Most men of today don’t have any manners when it comes etiquette. I was lucky as I married one of the few who still has – he still opens the door, let me walk first, pull the chair out when we’re at a restaurant etc (even after 10 years of marriage!). It just shows respect from their side and guys if a woman tells you that, that doesn’t matter then you are the fool for believing her (try it you might just be surprised by the results). Anyway this is a must see in my books if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
When two strangers meet in New York City, a century's worth of differences came crashing together. Kate McKay is a modern-day executive, a 21st century woman driven to succeed in the corporate world. Leopold, the Third Duke of Albany, is a charming 19th century bachelor. Each has grown weary of waiting for love. But when a dramatic twist of fate lands Leopold in present-day New York, they must confront the prospect
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Four Weddings and a Funeral (****)
Starring: Hugh Grant, James Fleet, Simon Callow, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas
Director: Mike Newell
If you don’t mind foul language (swearing and lots of it) and you love British comedy – then this movie is defs for you. It boasts of a superb cast, the comedic timing is spot on and it’s hilarious. I felt sorry for the bride that was left at the altar – I think I would’ve done much worse than she did to the groom – but as they say rather late than sorry. This is a brilliant movie and defs worth the watch.
Synopsis
Romantic comedy about Charles, a noncommittal Englishman who meets Carrie (the American girl of his dreams) at a mutual friend's wedding and proceeds to awkwardly woo her through one funeral and three more weddings, one of which happens to be her own.
Ch 109 TCM 19:30 Cimarron
Starring: Glenn Ford, Maria Schell, Anne Baxter, Arthur O'Connell, Russ Tamblyn
Director: Anthony Mann
The epic saga of a frontier family, Cimarron starts with the Oklahoma Land Rush on 22 April 1889. The Cravet family builds their newspaper Oklahoma Wigwam into a business empire and Yancey Cravet is the adventurer-idealist who, to his wife's anger, spurns the opportunity to become governor since this means helping to defraud the indians of their land and oil.
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 The Quick and the Dead (***)
Starring: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobin Bell
Director: Sam Raimi
Russell Crowe as a gun-slinging priest – oh yes please. Sharon Stone as the women scorned – hell yeah and Gene Hackman as the dirty crooked old man – definitely. If you’re into westerns with a top notch cast like this one, a decent storyline and lots of blood then you should defs not miss this one.
Synopsis
Set in the Old West, a woman seeks revenge on the man who killed her father.
Ch 303 Disney 19:10 Cadet Kelly
Starring: Hilary Duff, Christy Romano, Aimee Garcia, Shawn Ashmore, Linda Kash
Director: Larry Shaw
As the clumsiest, most clueless cadet to enter George Washington Military Academy, Kelly seems to be fighting an uphill battle to fit in. But it's all out-out war when she butts heads with Cadet Captain Stone, a tough-as-nails, by-the-book "commanding officer" determined to break her spirit.
My Picks for Today: Kate and Leopold, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Quick and the Dead
Movies that Might be Worth Watching: NatM – Battle of the Smithsonian, Cadet Kelly