The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 218
Air tanks and flippers! It's time for another retro movie filled weekend.
Like an experienced and battle scarred shark diver, we find ourselves dipping our feet once again into troublesome water full of majestic and wild beasts. After checking all our gear and steadying our nerves, we'll push off and dive down into the big blue, home to our creatures of interest. With a perfect balance of tranquillity and awe-inspiring power, we'll swim with some of the most feared and respected beings on the planet as they quietly and curiously inspect our presence.
Have a happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER
.
Thunderbirds Are Go! (1966) Film4 11:00am-1:00pm (2 hours)
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.
A Little Princess (1995) ITV2 11:30am-1:25pm
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.
Fletch (1985) Film4 4:25pm-6:30pm (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.
Fun Fact: In an interview for Red Bull Music Academy, composer Harold Faltermeyer stated the anthem from Top Gun (1986) was something he originally composed for a dream sequence in the Fletch, but his friend Billy Idol, who was recording close by, stopped in and told him it would be great as the theme for Top Gun, so Harold later dropped it from Fletch.
The Parent Trap (1998) 5STAR 4:45pm-7:10pm
Identical twin sisters who are unaware of each other's existence meet by accident. They decide to join forces in a bid to reunite their estranged parents, and switch places to get the warring couple to kiss and make up. Remake of the 1961 Disney comedy, starring Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix and Lindsay Lohan in a dual role.
A League of Their Own (1992) Film4 6:30pm-9:00pm (2 hours 30 minutes)
An alcoholic former professional player reluctantly agrees to train an all-female baseball team during the Second World War. With star player Dottie Hinson and her sister Kit on board, they look set to dominate the league - until sibling rivalry rears its head. Comedy drama, starring Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks and Madonna.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) 5STAR 7:10pm-9:00pm
An eccentric but brilliant former cop sets himself up to champion the underdog - as a private eye specialising in locating missing animals. The zany detective is called in to find a kidnapped dolphin - the mascot of an American football team - and uncovers a plot involving high-level police corruption. Comedy, starring Jim Carrey, Courteney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc and Noble Willingham.
Rumble in the Bronx (1995) 9:50pm-11:35pm
A Hong Kong cop visits New York to attend the wedding of his uncle, who has just sold his market store to an entrepreneur. The policeman volunteers to stick around to help get the business running, but they soon fall foul of a local biker gang. Martial arts adventure, starring Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Francoise Yip and Bill Tung.
SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER
.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) Film4 1:00pm-2:40pm (1 hour 40 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.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) 5STAR 3:55pm-6:00pm
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.
Sister Act (1992) Channel 4 4:35pm-6:30pm (1 hour 55 minutes)
Nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier agrees to testify against her gangster boyfriend after witnessing a murder. Placed in protective custody by the authorities, she is less than pleased to discover she is expected to pose as chaste nun Sister Mary Clarence in a convent. Comedy, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Harvey Keitel, Maggie Smith, Bill Nunn and Kathy Najimy.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) 6:15pm-8:00pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
The eccentric pet detective is coaxed out of self-imposed exile in a Buddhist monastery to visit Africa and help search for a sacred white bat. However, his unique investigative talents are tested to the limits as he faces a race against time to find the missing creature and prevent a tribal war. Comedy sequel, starring Jim Carrey, Simon Callow and Bob Gunton.
Last Man Standing (1996) ITV4 9:00pm-11:10pm
A tough mobster pitches up at a lonely town on the Texan border during the Prohibition era, and spies an opportunity to cash in on the intense rivalry between warring Irish and Italian crime gangs by offering his services to both sides. Action adventure set in the 1930s, starring Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken and Alexandra Powers.
Withnail & I (1987) GOLD 11:00pm-1:15am (2 hours 15 minutes)
Two hard-drinking unemployed actors sharing a grotty flat in late 1960s London think they can escape their miserable existence by decamping to a cottage in the Lake District. But finding no respite from their problems, the less self-destructive of the pair comes to realise he has to leave his friend behind. Cult black comedy, starring Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths and Ralph Brown.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, be seen, be heard, be safe.
Save
Save
Save
Save