The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 134
Macaulay Culkin's scream! It's only the weekend already!
With a house rigged up to the teeth with traps, spikes, ice and the odd red hot handle, we're ready and waiting for the weekend to hit and bring with is all the mischief that's been building up during the last school week. We'll let the paint cans fly, our BB gun fire and spiders free as we take on all that the weekend can throw at us while doing our best to take in all the celluloid wonder that it brings with it.
Have a happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 31st January
.
The Simpsons Movie (2007) Film4 1:00pm-2:45pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
Homer unwittingly pollutes Lake Springfield, so the US government decides to isolate the city underneath a giant dome. The Simpsons manage to escape and plan to start a new life in Alaska - but learn Springfield is about to be destroyed, and return to save their friends. With the voices of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) ITV2 4:35pm-6:50pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
A lonely boy befriends an alien who has been left stranded on Earth. The two develop a psychic connection as the boy helps the extraterrestrial to contact his own people and call for rescue. However, living on Earth starts to have a devastating effect on the visitor's health, and a government operative is determined to capture him for study. Steven Spielberg's sci-fi fantasy, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace and Peter Coyote.
Getting Even with Dad (1994) 5* 5:45pm-8:00pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
Spoilt child Timmy goes to live with his outwardly respectable father, but realises he is a small-time thief planning his latest robbery. Timmy sets out to reform his dad, and in the meantime manages to fix him up with an attractive undercover cop - leading to much confusion. Family comedy, starring Macaulay Culkin, Ted Danson, Glenne Headly and Hector Elizondo.
Fun Fact: Saul Rubinek was really hit in the nose with a bat during the scene where he falls down the stairs at the stadium. Since Rubinek was caught off guard, his reaction gave the scene a more realistic look so the director decided to leave it in the final cut.
Rocky V (1990) 5USA 6:50pm-9:00pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
The heavyweight champion is forced into retirement due to brain damage inflicted in the ring, and finds his fortune has been lost on the stock market by his accountant. Returning to his working-class roots, he trains an up-and-coming fighter, only to see his protege turn against him. Drama sequel, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire and real-life boxer Tommy Morrison.
Ghostbusters (1984) Sky1 8:00pm-10:05pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
Three eccentric scientists put their hi-tech gadgetry and knowledge of the paranormal to money-making use by setting up in business as freelance ghost catchers. A musician calls them in to investigate when she sees strange creatures in her kitchen, only to end up possessed. As the spook-hunting team members deal with an attempt to shut their operation down, they discover an evil demonic entity is being summoned into existence and it falls to them to stop this creature from destroying the world. Supernatural comedy adventure, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson and Rick Moranis.
Forrest Gump (1994) Comedy Central 9:00pm-11:45pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
A slow-witted man has a series of bizarre adventures, including becoming an American football star, Vietnam veteran, table tennis champion and millionaire businessman - but the love of his life from childhood continues to elude him. Robert Zemeckis's Oscar-winning comedy drama, starring Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) ITV London 10:35pm-1:10am (2 hours 35 minutes)
A banker is wrongly jailed for his wife's murder and over the course of a life sentence he forms a close friendship with a fellow inmate. He also earns a position of trust as book-keeper to the corrupt prison governor - but makes an enemy of his benefactor as he tries to clear his name. Frank Darabont's drama, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown and Gil Bellows.
SUNDAY 1st February
.
A Little Princess (1995) Channel 5 1:35pm-3:25pm (1 hour 50 minutes)
A wealthy English girl is sent to an austere New York boarding school, where she charms the other youngsters with her stories of life in India - until her father goes missing in action, leaving her destitute and in the hands of the wicked headmistress. Drama based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, with Eleanor Bron, Liesel Matthews and Liam Cunningham.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) ITV London 4:15pm-6:35pm (2 hours 20 minutes)
James Bond teams up with a KGB agent to recover missing British and Soviet nuclear submarines, before whoever stole them can use their warheads. Unfortunately, 007 was responsible for the death of his new ally's lover - and she is determined to make him pay before their mission is complete. Spy adventure, starring Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curt Jurgens and Richard Kiel.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) Film4 3:05pm-5:10pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
Youngster Dorothy Gale is whisked over the rainbow by a tornado into the magical land of Oz, where she inadvertently kills a wicked witch - incurring the wrath of another. Setting out to find the wizard who can show her a way home, she is joined on her journey by a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion, who all hope their own wishes will be granted. Musical fantasy, with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr and Frank Morgan.
Despicable Me (2010) ITV2 5:05pm-6:55pm (1 hour 50 minutes)
A criminal mastermind hopes to seal his reputation as the greatest villain of them all by stealing the moon. First he needs to get his hands on a shrinking ray owned by a rival evil genius, and adopts three orphan girls to help him - but finds that fatherhood brings out his long-buried caring side. Animated comedy, with the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews.
James and the Giant Peach (1996) 5* 5:25pm-7:00pm (1 hour 35 minutes)
An unhappy orphan living with his cruel aunts discovers a gigantic peach growing in the garden. Venturing inside, he meets six friendly insects and together they embark on a magical journey. Animated and live-action fantasy, based on Roald Dahl's novel, starring Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margolyes and featuring the voices of Susan Sarandon and Richard Dreyfuss.
The Matrix (1999) ITV2 9:00pm-11:40pm (2 hours 40 minutes)
A computer hacker discovers the world around him is nothing more than a virtual-reality fantasy created by malevolent living machines. Entering the devastated real world, he joins freedom fighters risking their lives to bring the truth out into the open and liberate the human race. Sci-fi action thriller, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving.
Fun Fact: In the combat training program before Keanu Reeves starts his furious attacks on Morpheus, he rubs his nose with his thumb and finger, a similar mannerism of Bruce Lee before he attacks on his opponents. The move was improvised by Reeves.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) ITV4 12:00am-2:20am (2 hours 20 minutes)
A reckless sports writer and his lawyer hit the highways in search of the American Dream, heading for the Nevada gambling capital in a convertible stocked with alcohol and drugs. Drama, adapted by Terry Gilliam from Hunter S Thompson's book, starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Ellen Barkin, Christina Ricci and Tobey Maguire.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, make sure your laces are done up and never run on the edge of the pool.
xoxo