The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 156
Campfires and sleeping bags! It's only the bloomin' weekend already!
Setting off into far and distant lands, just off the A39, we find ourselves fully laden with all we'll need for the following days camping ahead. With a boot full of more rustling plastic sheets and coats all covered with zips than the GoOutdoors store cupboard (other stores are available), we find ourselves picking the perfect spot to set up base camp and setting to work bringing the bag of bits and bobs to life in the shape of our new home like unboxing your latest VHS tape and waiting to see what wonderful things might be trapped inside.
Have a happy retro weekend.
SATURDAY 18th JULY
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The Hunt for Red October (1990) More4 10:15am-1:00pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
A Soviet submarine commander creates an international crisis by piloting his experimental nuclear vessel, which is invisible to sonar, toward the American coast. The US and Russian navies think he is planning to attack and set out to destroy the submarine, but a CIA analyst suspects he intends to defect to the West. Cold War thriller, based on Tom Clancy's novel, starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin and James Earl Jones.
Three Men and a Little Lady (1990) 5* 2:00pm-4:15pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
Bachelor Jack and his two best buddies have brought up his baby Mary since she was left in their care by her mother, Sylvia. Now that Mary is five years old, Sylvia believes she needs a more conventional upbringing and decides to accept a marriage proposal from an English aristocrat, leaving the trio of dads rushing to stop the wedding. Comedy sequel, with Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg.
The Dark Crystal (1982) Film4 6:55pm-9:00pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
A survivor of a near-extinct race is given a dangerous quest as his world approaches an astronomical event that will decide its future. He must find a way to restore a broken piece to a magical crystal, which has become a source of dark power for the cruel creatures who wiped out his people. Jim Henson's puppet fantasy, with the voices of Stephen Garlick and Billie Whitelaw.
Fletch (1985) Film4 6:55pm-9:00pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
A wisecracking reporter and master of disguise is approached by a businessman who claims to be terminally ill and is looking to pay someone to kill him. The journalist discovers the supposedly dying man is in perfect health, and his strange request is part of a complex scam. Comedy mystery based on Gregory Mcdonald's novel, with Chevy Chase and Tim Matheson.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) ITV London 7:00pm-9:30pm (2 hours 30 minutes)
The young wizard continues his search for the artefacts containing fragments of the dark lord Voldemort's soul. Time is running out, as the evil sorcerer is aware of Harry's mission, and marshals his forces for a final, devastating attack on Harry and his friends at Hogwarts school. Conclusion of the fantasy saga, with Daniel Radcliffe, Ralph Fiennes, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Alan Rickman.
Rambo III (1988) ITV4 10:00pm-12:05am (2 hours 5 minutes)
Vietnam veteran John Rambo turns down a request from his old colonel to join a mission in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. However, when the officer is captured, Rambo sets off to save him, joining the Mujahedeen rebels in fighting against the Russian invaders. Action adventure sequel, starring Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Kurtwood Smith, Marc de Jonge and Sasson Gabai.
Batman Returns (1992) ITV2 11:15pm-1:45am (2 hours 30 minutes)
The masked hero returns to face the Penguin, a grotesque crime boss dwelling in the sewers who conspires with a corrupt businessman to make himself mayor. When the tycoon tries to kill his secretary, she returns as vengeful vigilante Catwoman, who soon forms an intense relationship with the dark knight in both their costumed and real identities. Tim Burton's comic-book adventure sequel, starring Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer.
SUNDAY 19th JULY
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Vertical Limit (2000) Movie Mix 2:00pm-4:20pm (2 hours 20 minutes)
A wildlife photographer is forced to master his fears and the elements as he leads an expedition to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, on a desperate mission to rescue his estranged sister and her fellow mountaineers, who have fallen into a crevasse. Action adventure, starring Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton, Scott Glenn and Robin Tunney.
Fun Fact: While the actual 28,000 foot "K2" is in the Karakoram Range in Pakistan, Mt. Cook in New Zealand served as the backdrop for all scenes involving the infamous peak.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) ITV London 2:40pm-4:50pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
A professional conman makes a career of seducing and swindling wealthy women on the French Riviera. However, his idyllic lifestyle is threatened by the arrival of a brash American trickster eager for a piece of the action. The pair make a wager - if one manages to trick a glamorous heiress out of her fortune, the other will agree to leave town. Comedy, with Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headly and Ian McDiarmid.
Back to the Future Part II (1989) ITV2 5:00pm-7:10pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
Time-travelling teenager Marty McFly travels to the 21st century, where he has to save his children from a terrible fate. However, this proves to have unforeseen consequences when the future version of arch enemy Biff sees a chance to rewrite history for his own benefit, leaving Marty stuck in a twisted parallel universe. Sci-fi comedy sequel, starring Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd.
Beetlejuice (1988) 5* 5:05pm-7:00pm (1 hour 55 minutes)
Recently deceased couple Adam and Barbara Maitland enlist the professional services of a hard-boiled veteran ghost to scare away the obnoxious yuppie family who have moved into their former home. Tim Burton's supernatural comedy, starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara.
A Knight's Tale (2001) Film4 6:25pm-9:00pm (2 hours 35 minutes)
A poverty-stricken squire spies an opportunity to make his dreams come true when his employer dies. He takes his place as a knight, launching himself on the road to riches by competing in jousting tournaments, but his ruse is jeopardised by a dastardly nobleman. Comedy adventure, starring Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, Mark Addy, Shannyn Sossamon and Rufus Sewell.
Jurassic Park III (2001) ITV2 7:10pm-9:00pm (1 hour 50 minutes)
Palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant is lured to a dinosaur-infested island by a divorced couple who offer to fund his research, unaware their real motive is to find their missing son - and that the creatures on the island are far more intelligent than anyone suspected. Action adventure sequel, starring Sam Neill, William H Macy, Tea Leoni and Alessandro Nivola.
Licence to Kill (1989) ITV4 8:00pm-10:45pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
James Bond plans revenge on a drug baron who maimed his friend. However, when the British government refuses to take official action, 007 finds himself stripped of his licence to kill and forced to go it alone without the backing of MI6. Spy thriller, starring Timothy Dalton, Robert Davi, Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto and Benicio Del Toro.
Fun Fact: At just 21 years old, Benicio Del Toro is the youngest actor to ever play a villain in a James Bond film.
The Negotiator (1998) Film4 10:50pm-1:35am (2 hours 45 minutes)
Hostage negotiator Danny Roman is framed for murder and turns the tables by taking captives of his own to ensure his pleas of innocence are heard. His colleague Chris Sabian is sent in to reason with him and save the hostages, leading to a battle of wits as Roman tries to persuade him to take his side. Thriller, starring Samuel L Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, JT Walsh and Paul Giamatti.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, make sure you have a full charge and don't forget to keep the receipt.
xoxo