All the more reason to stay in this new year
0 Comments | Lincolnshire Echo, Dec 29, 2009
102 DALMATIANS (2000) (TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, BBC ONE, 2.35PM) What’s It About? Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) is released from prison, apparently reformed by hypnotherapy and devotes herself to good causes. However, the effects quickly wear off and she returns to her evil ways, plotting to make a coat out of her parole officer’s puppies.
Is It Any Good? Glenn Close is perfectly cast as pooch-hating rich type, tracking down the eponymous mutts for her new fur coat.
Director Stephen Herek’s decision not to go the Babe route and have talking pups was a wise one, while The Fast Show’s Mark Williams and Hugh Laurie are superb as the nasty henchmen.
Anything Else? If you thought Hollywood was ageist, spare a thought for the pups used here. Because dalmatians grow so quickly, they had to be replaced every two weeks with new, younger dogs. But, thankfully, many of them were adopted by members of the film crew and their trainers.
Starring: Glenn Close, Gerard Depardieu, Loan Gruffud, Alice Evans, Eric Idle Star Rating: Australia (2008) (Tuesday, December 29, Sky Movies Premiere, 9pm) What’s It About? Nicole Kidman heads the cast of Baz Lurhman’s lavish outback epic. She stars as an aristocratic Englishwoman who inherits a vast cattle station in Australia in the 1940s.
When her land comes under threat from rival farmers, she is forced to lead her herd across the wilderness, falling for a tough stock-man (Hugh Jackman) and forming a friendship with an Aboriginal boy along the way.
However, as they make their journey, the country is becoming drawn into World War Two. Is It Any Good? The stunning Australian scenery will leave viewers open-mouthed and Lurhman’s big-budget production looks the part.
Ladies will swoon at the sight of Jackman in stirrups, even if his on-screen romance with Kidman is a little unconvincing.
Anything Else? More than 1,500 wild horses were used during filming. Nicole Kidman prepared for the movie by touring the Outback, riding horses and even learning how to castrate bulls.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brandon Walters, David Wenham, Bryan Brown Star Rating: MARY POPPINS (1964) (WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, BBC ONE, 3.35PM) What’s It About? When a group of lonely children terrorise their nanny into handing in her notice, they advertise for a new grown-up to take care of them. She arrives in the magical form of Mary Poppins, who teaches the children to enjoy life and help others in Edwardian London.
Is It Any Good? It’s quite simply supercallifragilisticexpialidocious! It’s also the ultimate children’s classic and has lost none of its charm over the years. It’s almost impossible to watch the opening credits and not commit to watching the whole thing one more time. You’re guaranteed to find yourself singing along to classic songs such as Spoonful Of Sugar and Chim-Chim-Cheree. Co-star Dick Van Dyke’s Cock-erny accent is an unintentional scream.
Anything Else? Julie Andrews initially hesitated in taking on the part of Mary Poppins, as she was hoping that Jack L Warner would ask her to star as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. That call never came, prompting Andrews to cheekily thank Warner in her Golden Globe acceptance speech.
Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson Star Rating: THE GINGERBREAD MAN (1999) (WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, BBC ONE, 12.15AM) What’s It About? John Grisham’s story follows Deep South lawyer Rick Magruder, who meets alluring waitress Mallory (Embeth Davidtz) at a party and quickly strikes up a steamy affair. However, things between the couple become a lot more complicated when Mallory’s unhinged father (Robert Duvall, on scene-stealing form) comes into their lives. Despite not knowing much about his latest squeeze, Rick resolves to remove her father – by fair means or foul. Unfortunately, the suave legal eagle drastically underestimates his quarry.
Is It Any Good? Kenneth Branagh embraces his darker side in this weighty, but still enjoyable thriller from Robert Altman. The British thesp does his best, despite his character’s restrictions, but the real joy of this movie is in the supporting cast. Robert Downey Jnr and Famke Janssen sparkle, but it’s Daryl Hannah who has a real ball in a dowdier role than she’s perhaps used to.
Anything Else? After Robert Altman’s cut of the film scored low in test screenings, producers PolyGram took it from him and recut it. This prompted Altman to demand that his name be removed from the credits. PolyGram’s recut version tested even worse, so Altman’s cut was restored. The film opened in New York to largely good reviews.
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Robert Downey Jr, Embeth Davidtz, Darryl Hannah, Famke Janssen Star Rating: SUPERMAN (1978) (THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, ITV1, 3.55PM) What’s It About? An alien baby is rocketed from his disintegrating home planet and crashes on Earth, where he develops special powers.
After leaving his adopted home, he sets up a frozen base, moves to Metropolis, assumes the identity of a geeky reporter and fights crime as a costumed hero
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Jan 17, 2010
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