The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 226
Mistletoe and wine! Another retro movie filled weekend is here folks.
Decking the halls and ringing the bells! We're busy hanging this and draping that as we skip our way around the house to the rhythm of festive tunes. We'll sprinkle a splash of this and spray a puff of...whatever that stuff is as we put the finishing touches to our ultimate festive home. Just in time for old Saint Nicholas.
Have a happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER
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The Great Outdoors (1988) ITV4 12:40pm-2:30pm
Easy-going family man Chet Ripley takes his wife and two sons to a lakeside cabin in the wilderness to enjoy a peaceful holiday. However, his plans to relax are ruined by the unwelcome and unannounced arrival of his obnoxious brother-in-law - as well as unexpected intrusions by the local wildlife. Comedy, starring John Candy, Dan Aykroyd and Annette Bening.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) ITV4 2:30pm-4:15pm
Two dim-witted teenagers with dreams of rock stardom seem doomed to fail a school history project, unaware the future of the human race depends on their success. A time traveller is given the job of making sure they pass the test by sending them on a series of adventures in the past. Comedy, starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and George Carlin.
The Specialist (1994) ITV4 9:00pm-11:10pm
An explosives expert is reluctantly persuaded out of retirement by the charms of a vengeful woman bent on destroying the gang that murdered her parents. He carries out a series of assassinations, but finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse when one of his targets hires a former colleague to track him down. Action thriller, starring Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Rod Steiger and Eric Roberts.
Coming to America (1988) Dave 11:00pm-1:15am (2 hours 15 minutes)
A bored African prince defies his father's plans for an arranged marriage and escapes to the USA to find a bride on his own terms. Comedy, starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in several roles, with James Earl Jones, Allison Dean, Eriq La Salle and Madge Sinclair.
SUNDAY 18th DECEMBER
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) ITV 2:55pm-4:45pm (1 hour 50 minutes)
An American householder is dismayed when his plans for a traditional festive family holiday are thrown into complete disarray by a succession of annoying neighbours and long-lost relatives, who turn up on his doorstep offering their own brand of Christmas cheer. Comedy, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Diane Ladd, Juliette Lewis, Miriam Flynn, Johnny Galecki and William Hickey.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Film4 3:50pm-6:05pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
A woman raises her six-year-old daughter to believe that Santa Claus does not exist, but they both have a change of heart after meeting a department store Father Christmas who claims to be the man himself. When the kindly fellow is accused of being a charlatan, his new friends engage a lawyer to prove his true identity. Remake of the 1947 family drama, with Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson and Dylan McDermott.
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) ITV 4:45pm-6:40pm (1 hour 55 minutes)
An impulsive elf walks out on Father Christmas during the hectic preparations for the festive season, and heads for New York determined to make a name for himself. However, he falls into the clutches of an evil toy manufacturer, who has a devilish money-making plan up his sleeve. Family fantasy adventure, starring Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith and Judy Cornwell.
Scrooge (1970) Channel 5 5:45pm-8:00pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
Hard-hearted Victorian miser Ebenezer Scrooge refuses to join in with the spirit of the festive season - until a succession of spectral visitors turn up to teach him the error of his ways. Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, starring Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Edith Evans and Paddy Stone.
Aliens (1986) Syfy 9:00pm-11:50pm (2 hours 50 minutes)
Lone survivor Ripley is rescued in deep space decades after an alien creature wiped out her ship's entire crew. She is recruited to accompany a military expedition to a colony on the planet where she first encountered the monster, only to find the aliens have been reproducing and there are now hordes of them. James Cameron's sci-fi thriller sequel, with Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen.
The Deer Hunter (1978) ITV4 9:00pm-12:45am
The lives of three American steelworkers and their families are torn apart in the wake of the Vietnam War. After enduring horrific treatment in a prison camp during the conflict, the three friends return to their homes but struggle to readjust to normal life. Oscar-winning drama, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Savage and John Cazale in his last film role.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, keep it festive and keep it funky!