The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 173
Willy Wonka's factory! Can it be? So soon? Is it....really....the weekend?!
Like a hardworking, creative and ever so slightly extraordinary chocolate factory owner, we find ourselves once again in front of a whole world of possibilities. We could mix a touch of comedy with a splash of sweet, or perhaps mix some thriller flavours with a hint of romance. The choices are endless! After everything has set, we can take a taste of some of our creations and always dip back into them thanks to the magic of celluloid wonder.
Happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER
.
Evil Under the Sun (1982) ITV3 8:00am-10:20am (2 hours 20 minutes)
Hercule Poirot braves the heat and sand to investigate the murder of a glamorous stage star on an idyllic Adriatic holiday island. It becomes clear many people had reason to want the temperamental actress dead and the Belgian sleuth is soon hard at work figuring out which of her enemies eventually managed to kill her. Mystery, with Peter Ustinov, Diana Rigg, James Mason, Maggie Smith and Jane Birkin.
Toys (1992) Film4 1:00pm-3:20pm (2 hours 20 minutes)
A dying toy-maker leaves the company to his brother, a power-mad general, who turns the friendly family factory over to the production of weapons. It falls to the general's zany nephew and his equally childlike sister to stand up for their father's benign world-view. Comedy, starring Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack and Donald O'Connor.
Field of Dreams (1989) ITV London 3:45pm-5:45pm (2 hours)
A farmer hears a mysterious voice inspiring him to mark out a baseball diamond in a cornfield - which, to his surprise, is visited by the ghost of the star player of the 1919 Chicago White Sox team, whose career was cut short by scandal. It later dawns on him the pitch has a greater purpose - to give people who have sacrificed important parts of their lives a second chance. Fantasy, starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster and James Earl Jones.
Independence Day (1996) Film4 6:05pm-9:00pm (2 hours 55 minutes)
A fleet of huge flying saucers launches a devastating and unprovoked attack on Earth. As survivors try to flee the seemingly unstoppable alien invaders, the courageous US president, an ace pilot and a computer genius come up with a plan to take the fight to the enemy and save the human race. Roland Emmerich's sci-fi adventure, starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia and Harry Connick Jr.
Fun Fact: The scene in which Will Smith drags the unconscious alien across the desert was filmed on the salt flats near Great Salt Lake in Utah. Smith's line, "And what the hell is that *smell*?" was unscripted. The small of the Great Salt Lake picked up at that moment and Will only just noticed.
Willow (1988) 5* 3:55pm-6:30pm (2 hours 35 minutes)
A farmer with dreams of becoming a wizard finds an abandoned baby, who is destined to bring about the downfall of an evil queen. The wicked tyrant's minions have been sent to kill the child before she can fulfil the prophecy, and it falls to the would-be sorcerer to protect her, with the aid of a rogue warrior. Fantasy adventure, starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer.
The Fifth Element (1997) 5* 6:30pm-9:00pm (2 hours 30 minutes)
In the 23rd century, the world faces destruction from a seemingly unstoppable force of pure evil. Meanwhile, a New York cab driver encounters a mysterious woman destined to save the Earth from its fate, and has to protect her from a scheming arms dealer and a horde of alien mercenaries. Luc Besson's sci-fi adventure, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman.
Hulk (2003) ITV2 7:55pm-10:40pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
Scientist Dr Bruce Banner turns into the rampaging green Hulk after exposure to a huge dose of gamma radiation, prompting the military to embark on a no-holds-barred mission to destroy the monster. Meanwhile, Banner's unstable father resurfaces, holding the secret to his transformation. Comic-strip adventure from director Ang Lee, starring Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte.
Indecent Proposal (1993) Watch 10:00pm-12:30am (2 hours 30 minutes)
A couple dealing with financial difficulties are approached by a billionaire, who offers them $1million in return for one night with the wife. They accept the deal, but the husband's suspicions after the event threaten to tear their relationship apart. Adrian Lyne's drama, starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Oliver Platt and Billy Bob Thornton.
Fight Club (1999) 5* 11:20pm-2:05am (2 hours 45 minutes)
A disillusioned office worker grows weary of his humdrum existence, but after meeting the mysterious Tyler Durden he finds fulfilment in establishing a club where similarly frustrated men come to vent their anger in bouts of bare-knuckle fighting. Satirical drama, directed by David Fincher, starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf and Jared Leto.
SUNDAY 22nd NOVEMBER
.
Happy Feet (2006) ITV2 4:05pm-6:15pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
A young penguin disappoints his fellow seabirds with his inability to sing - but instead he displays a remarkable talent for tap dancing. However, his elders refuse to accept this outlandish behaviour and send the youngster into exile, marking the start of a wonderful journey. Animated adventure, with the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
The Mummy (1999) ITV London 4:15pm-6:30pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
A soldier of fortune joins an academic and her conniving brother on an expedition to an ancient Egyptian lost city. The explorers accidentally cause the spirit of a vengeful priest with awe-inspiring supernatural powers to rise from his tomb, leading to a desperate battle for survival. Fantasy action adventure, starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo and Oded Fehr.
Congo (1995) Film4 6:50pm-9:00pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
An expedition to find King Solomon's diamond mines in the jungles of the Congo disappears without trace. The tycoon behind the mission sends his assistant, a former CIA agent, to find out what became of the explorers - only to discover that the party met a grisly fate at the hands of a horde of vicious apes. Action adventure based on Michael Crichton's novel, with Dylan Walsh, Laura Linney, Tim Curry and Grant Heslov.
Liar Liar (1997) ITV2 7:15pm-9:00pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
A lawyer, whose underhand ploys to win cases leave him little time to see his son, discovers he is incapable of lying after the boy's birthday wish makes his dad tell only the truth. However, this causes a host of problems as the attorney tries to muddle his way through a high-profile divorce settlement. Comedy, with Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, Jennifer Tilly and Cary Elwes.
Stargate (1994) Channel 5 11:40pm-1:50am (2 hours 10 minutes)
An Egyptologist and a soldier head an expedition through a mysterious portal to an alien planet. The world they find resembles ancient Egypt and is under the rule of a tyrant who has convinced the downtrodden inhabitants that he is a god - until the humans incite the enslaved populace to fight back. Sci-fi adventure, starring Kurt Russell, James Spader and Jaye Davidson.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, always check the small print and remember to bring bags with you.
xoxo