 |
| Barbarella |
Jane Fonda has a blast in the central role of this kooky but charming slice of sci-fi which has surely gained cult status as much for its look at its narrative content. In the middle of its outlandishness, Fonda plays it straight as an astronaut on a mission to find scientist Durand-Durand (Milo O'Shea) and his dangerous Positronic Ray. Soft porn shenanigans mix with episodic storytelling involving everything from a grounded angel to vampire dolls. The end result is uneven yet enjoyable largely because Fonda's heroine is so gosh-darned nice.
The Place Beyond The Pines, 11.15pm, BBC2, Tuesday, October 3
Anne-Katrin Titze writes: Breathing and carnival noises - Ryan Gosling, covered in tattoos up to his throat, bleached blond, with a knife, invites us to follow him. Across the fairground we stroll, as he puts on layers of clothing, first a torn tank top, then a jacket, striptease in reverse. He signs autographs for little girls. He is Luke, a motorcycle stunt driver for the carnival. There is Eva Mendes as Romina, in a tank top of her own; does he remember her? He gives her a ride. Ben Mendelsohn, with the same acuteness he gives his dog trading idiot robber in Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly, adds a mysteriously benign presence. Bradley Cooper portrays police officer Avery Cross, a rookie from a wealthy family. He chews gum to calm his nerves. Ray Liotta, who plays the good bad guy in Killing Them Softly and a badly corrupt police officer called Deluca under Derek Cianfrance's direction, looks clean as a whistle.The Place Beyond the Pines, tells stories of fatherhood with a fine-tuned generosity, as haunted men cycle through patterns spinning out of control. Read more about fathers, sons and rebellion in the film The Place Beyond The Pines.
And Then There Were None, 9.05pm, Talking Pictures TV (Freeview Channel 82), Wednesday, October 4
If Agatha Christie adaptation A Haunting In Venice, currently in cinemas, has got you in the murder mystery mood then this Seventies flick is worth a look. You might also find yourself strongly reminded of the recent Glass Onion as you watch this cast of famous names assemble at hotel, where they begin to be picked off one by one. As with most Christie adaptations, the casting attempts to cover as many international audience bases as possible so there's Oliver Reed, Herbert Lom and Gert Fröbe not to mention Richard Attenborough and Charles Aznavor (who fully earns his corn by also singing a song). Shot with stylish verve by Peter Collinson and veteran Spanish cinematographer Fernando Arribas, it may look rather kitsch now, but somehow that only adds to the charm and the central whodunnit.
Prince Of Darkness, 1.05am, Thursday, October 5
Dark and ancient forces are at work as a group of grad students - plus a priest (Donald Pleasance) and a professor (Victor Wong) become embroiled with a sinister canister of devilment which, unnervingly, can only be opened from the inside. It may not be John Carpenter's best work but there's plenty here to enjoy as religion mixes with something altogether more science-fiction based in an apocalyptic tale that also includes one of the most effective jumpscares in the business - even when you know where it happens.
Fantastic Mr Fox, 5.05pm, Film4, Thursday, October 5
Whether Wes Anderson's adaptation of Roald Dahl's tale needed quite so much additional back story is debatable but there's no doubting this stop-motion tale is beguilingly rendered. It sees a fox family, led by dad (George Clooney) forced to take on a triple threat from obnoxious farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean - with the latter voiced by the late, great Michael Gambon, who left us last week. The Dahl story is here but there's also the unmistakable presence of Anderson, from the tailoring of Mr Fox through to the quirky additional characters that are along from the ride. The film may be a different animal from the source material - wilder in some ways, tamer in others - but it is entertaining in its own way and filled with the sort of carefully crafted oddity that Anderson fans have come to know and love.
The Guard, 2am, Film4, Saturday, October 7
If you enjoyed Brendan Gleeson's recent turn in Banshees Of Inisherin, on Netflix, then this film directed by Martin McDonagh's brother John Michael is likely to be up your street. This debut is fuelled by a similar black comedy to the other McDonagh's work, although perhaps a fraction less bleak. Gleeson plays Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a small town cop whose relaxed attitude is at odds with newly arrived partner Aidan McBride (Rory Keenan). When McBride goes missing, Boyle finds himself on the case with FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle). A neatly worked tale that dances on the edge of absurdity, but also subverts a fair number of clichés.
Henry V, 1.15pm, BBC2, Saturday, October 7
Kenneth Branagh was at the top of his game - and hailed as the next Olivier - when he adapted, directed and took on the central role in this faithful and stirring version of Shakespeare's play. Not 30 at the time, Branagh was the perfect age to play the heroic king rallying the troops for Agincourt and lands all the memorable lines impeccably - although that's perhaps no surprise given that he'd become the youngest actor to play the role for the RSC, at 23, five years before. Beyond Branagh, the cast runs wide and deep and includes Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Simon Shepherd and Brian Blessed.
The short of the week is on a short break but will be back next week.
