The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 217
Well buckle up and call be Bruce! It's only another retro movie filled weekend. Time to crack out some classics!
Like a super keen and well-prepared applicant awaiting a job interview, we'll let the anticipation slowly rise as the moment of truth draws ever closer. Taking deep and controlled breaths, we'll feel the tension rise as we scan our notes over and over, remembering to sit up straight, speak clearly and with confidence. Will we land the job of our dreams? Only time will tell.
Have a happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 15th OCTOBER
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Thunderbirds Are Go! (1966) Film4 4:35pm-6:25pm (1 hour 50 minutes)
International Rescue is called in to save the first manned space mission to Mars from sinister hijacker The Hood, and ensure a second attempt goes to plan. Puppet adventure based on Gerry Anderson's TV series, featuring the voices of Shane Rimmer, Ray Barrett, Alexander Davion, Peter Dyneley, Sylvia Anderson and Cliff Richard, voicing a puppet version of himself.
The Mask (1994) ITV2 7:50pm-100:00pm
A timid bank clerk stumbles on an ancient mask, which endows whoever wears it with untold superhuman powers, unbridled self-confidence and an irresistible charm for the ladies. Unfortunately, he earns the enmity of a local gangster for daring to flirt with his girlfriend - and when the crook gets wind of the artefact's existence, he covets the power for himself. Comic-book comedy, with Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert and Peter Greene.
Die Hard (1988) Sony Channel 9:00pm-11:45pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
New York cop John McClane visits Los Angeles to see his family over the Christmas holiday. Stopping off at his wife's place of work, he realises armed men have taken over the building and are holding the corporation's staff to ransom - and only he has the ability to fight back. Action thriller, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia.
Volcano (1997) Syfy 9:00pm-11:10pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
A river of molten lava spews from an erupting volcano onto the streets of Los Angeles, prompting the head of a crisis agency to team up with an intrepid scientist in a frantic and dangerous bid to save the city's residents. Disaster thriller, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffmann, Keith David and Don Cheadle.
Heartbreak Ridge (1986) ITV4 9:00pm-11:40pm
A hellraising US marine sergeant is assigned to whip a squad of raw recruits into shape for the invasion of Grenada in 1983 - but his old-fashioned methods meet with disapproval from superior officers. Action adventure, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. With Marsha Mason, Everett McGill, Moses Gunn and Bo Svenson.
Fun Fact: Interestingly, the US Defence Department originally supported the film, but withdrew their backing after seeing a preview in November 1986. Nevertheless, various members of the Marine Corps have later vouched for the film's authenticity.
Pulp Fiction (1994) Comedy Central 9:30pm-12:35am (3 hours 5 minutes)
A series of interlinked stories about the Los Angeles underworld. A hitman plays minder to his boss's wife, and he and his partner deal with a dead body following a mishap with a gun. Meanwhile, a washed-up boxer goes on the run after refusing to throw a fight, and two lovers plot a hold-up in a diner. Quentin Tarantino's crime drama, starring John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer.
Big Trouble in Little China (1986) Dave 12:00am-2:00am (2 hours)
A dim-witted and fearless trucker goes in search of his friend's kidnapped fiancée in San Francisco's Chinatown. He blunders into a supernatural world ruled by a powerful ghostly sorcerer, who needs the captured woman so he can rejoin the land of the living. Comedy fantasy adventure, starring Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, James Hong and Victor Wong.
SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER
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The Rescuers (1977) Channel 4 1:30pm-3:05pm (1 hour 35 minutes)
Two mice who are agents of an international rescue service leap into action to find a missing girl, enlisting an airsick albatross and a dotty dragonfly to help track her down. They discover the child has been kidnapped by an evil pawnbroker, who needs her help finding a pirate's treasure. Disney animated adventure, with the voices of Eva Gabor, Bob Newhart and Geraldine Page.
Fun Fact: The huuuuge popularity of this film almost led to a spin-off TV show later in in 1989, however when the animation department green-lit the films sequel the project was scrapped.
Big Momma's House (2000) Channel 5 2:50pm-4:35pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
A dedicated FBI agent will stop at nothing to catch a dangerous escaped convict, even if it means donning a fat suit and drag to pose as the obese old woman who lives across the road from the felon's girlfriend. Comedy, with Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul Giamatti, Jascha Washington, Terrence Dashon Howard and Ella Mitchell.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) Film4 4:50pm-6:35pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
A rebellious fox decides it is time to grow up and change his chicken-stealing ways for the sake of his wife and children. However, the presence of three wicked farmers near his woodland home proves a challenge he cannot resist. Stop-motion animated adventure based on the novel by Roald Dahl, with the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray.
Vertical Limit (2000) Film4 6:35pm-9:00pm (2 hours 25 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: The well-known climber Ed Viesturs plays himself in the movie. He also worked as a trainer for the actors who also performed many of their own stunts. Top work!
The Blues Brothers (1980) GOLD 11:00pm-1:40am (2 hours 40 minutes)
Two criminal brothers discover the orphanage where they were raised faces closure unless the nuns who run it can pay their tax bill, so the pair embark on an urgent mission to revive their old blues band to raise the money needed. Comedy, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Carrie Fisher, John Candy and John Lee Hooker.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, always plan for the best and prepare for the worst.