TiVoPlex
TiVoPlex for Tuesday, September 16, 2008 through Monday, September 22, 2008
By John Seal
September 15, 2008
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Tuesday 09/16/08
1:30 AM Fox Movie Channel
Where Have All the People Gone (1974 USA): One of the more entertaining - and oddly thought-provoking — made for television movies of the 1970s returns to the small screen this morning in the form of Where Have All the People Gone. Peter Graves stars as Steven Anders, one of the few humans left unaffected by unusual solar activity that is turning most folks to a fine ash. It also disables electronic devices, meaning folks can't use their cell phones, iPods, and so forth...oh wait, this was the future as conceived in 1974, so I guess it just meant they couldn't operate their 8-track tape deck. At any rate, Anders must protect his family AND salvage a future for humanity, which is a pretty tall order for anyone, even a veteran of Mission! Impossible. Incidentally, the title of the film does NOT include a question mark, raising the question, Where Has All the Correct Grammar Gone?
9:05 AM IFC
Split: A Divided America (2008 USA): Disproving the theory about ‘two great tastes that go great together', Split examines the stark differences between perceived Red and Blue Americas via a coast-to-coast road trip by freshman director Kelly Nyks, who got his film career off the ground as Arrogant Aaron in 2001's Legally Blonde. Surprisingly, his film avoids the superficial in favor of a genuine dialogue about the political, economic, and cultural differences that divide the United States. It's an honest if all too brief attempt to find some common ground between the various tribes, and airs again 9/22 at 5:30 AM.
8:15 PM Sundance
Fido (2007 CAN): If you're a fan of Peter Jackson's outrageous zombie period piece Dead Alive, you'll also enjoy this well-made horror flick about a living dead household pet. Set during the 1950s and shot impressively in Super 35 widescreen, Fido tells the tale of young Timmy (K'Sun Ray) and his titular zombie pet (Scots comic Billy Connolly), whose craving for flesh is kept under control by an electronic obedience collar. The two bond delightfully — but when Fido ends up eating the neighbors, trouble ensues. One of the most enjoyable gut-munchers of recent vintage, Fido co-stars Carrie-Anne Moss as Timmy's mother Helen and Tim Blake Nelson as creepy gun enthusiast Mr. Theopolis.
Thursday 09/18/08
3:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
A Town Like Alice (1956 GB): Not to be confused with the Australian-made miniseries Alice to Nowhere, A Town Like Alice begins during the early days of World War II and stars Peter Finch as Joe, an Aussie soldier held captive in a Japanese labor camp. Joe meets fellow prisoner Jean (lovely Virginia McKenna), and the two develop a relationship that they hope will continue post-war in Joe's remote hometown of Alice Springs. Based on a novel by Nevil Shute (On the Beach), A Town Like Alice was Britain's box office champ in 1956, and though it might be hard in retrospect to understand how it achieved that feat, remains a well-acted and frequently moving love story.
Friday 09/19/08
12:30 PM Showtime
Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit, and the Era of Predatory Lenders (2006 USA): Produced during the relatively good economic times of 2006, this documentary is now more relevant than ever. Taking a cold-eyed look at the business of usury, the film exposes many of the dirty secrets and underhanded tactics engaged in by credit card companies, who have many of us working hard every day to insure their shareholders get a decent slice of our paychecks. Maxed Out also emphasizes that even if you don't carry a credit card balance, you DO own a slice of the national debt — a debt that has continued to grow since the film was produced. An unpleasant but necessary reminder that all bills eventually come due, Maxed Out was written and directed by James Scurlock, who (believe it or not) is not related to Morgan Spurlock.
9:00 PM IFC
Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989 USA): Not sure I understand IFC's decision to air the Elm Street films beginning mid-series, but Chapter 5 of the Kruger Kronikles makes its American widescreen television debut this evening. This time out Freddy tries to possess the body of an unborn child, thereby immeasurably raising the stakes in the pro-choice/pro-life abortion wars. Also airs 9/20 at midnight.
Saturday 09/20/08
6:00 PM Starz
Across the Universe (2007 USA): The film I most regret NOT seeing in 2007, Across the Universe makes its small screen debut tonight. Critics either praised it as an audacious attempt to blend music and narrative or damned it as a pretentious lump of hippy drivel, and this Beatles fan (who also doubles as a great admirer of director Julie Taymor) was too cowardly to pass judgment himself. Now I'm ready. I think. Also airs at 9:00 PM.
11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Hostile Witness (1968 GB): Ray Milland returned to his native Britain to direct and star in this very obscure feature about a man's unhealthy thirst for vengeance. Milland plays barrister Simon Crawford, whose daughter has been killed by a hit and run driver. Blinded by grief, Crawford swears to find the person responsible for the accident — but when a neighbor (who also happens to be a judge) ends up dead, things rapidly begin to unravel for our hero. Based on a play by Jack Roffey (who also adapted it for the screen), Hostile Witness has never had a home video release and rarely airs on TV, so be sure to take advantage of this evening's rare opportunity to see it.
Sunday 09/21/08
9:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
Escape To Witch Mountain (1975 USA): If more Ray Milland is what you want, you'll get it in this surprisingly good kid-thriller from Disney. This time out Ray plays multi-millionaire Aristotle Bolt, whose life has been saved by youngsters Tia and Tony Malone (Kim Richards and Ike Eisenman), siblings gifted with telepathy, psychokinesis, and ESP. In way of thanks, the grateful Bolt decides he wants the youngsters and their special talents all to himself, and despatches henchman Deranian (Donald Pleasence) to, ahem, obtain them for him. Friendly adult Jason O'Day (Eddie Albert) intervenes on behalf of the kiddies, and the trio take off on an exotic trip via mobile home to legendary Witch Mountain, where, with any luck, they will be freed of Bolt's malign influence. One of the better live action Disney pics of the period (which, admittedly, isn't saying a great deal), Escape To Witch Mountain was directed by John Hough, whose previous fright flick The Legend of Hell House proved him most adept at cinema fantastique.
5:45 PM IFC
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 TAI): One of the most overrated pictures of all time (though not nearly so overrated as this year's The Dark Knight), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon hit a chord with American moviegoers previously underexposed to Hong Kong cinema and became a critical and audience hit in late 2000. Directed by Ang Lee and featuring Asian stars Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh, the film introduced middle America to well-choreographed swordplay and wirework, and whilst I don't begrudge the film its success — it IS an above average genre effort — it's also far from the classic many mistook it for. Nonetheless, Crouching Tiger is worth seeing at least once, as long as it's airing in its correct aspect ratio, which is the case this evening. Also airs 9/22 at midnight and 8:45 AM.
9:00 PM Sundance
Nowhere to Hide (1999 ROK): This Korean thriller previously aired in pan and scan on (if memory serves) Starz, but appears for the first time on American television subtitled and in widescreen tonight. Directed by Myung-se Lee, it's the story of a uniquely talented criminal mastermind (Sung-ki Ahn) and the brilliant police officer (Jung-hoon Park) pursuing him. Stylish in execution but rote in narrative development, it's a satisfying if unexceptionable crime drama that will appeal to John Woo fans.
Monday 09/22/08
3:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
The 49th Man (1953 USA): Helmed by TiVoPlex regular Fred F. Sears and co-written by Ivan Tors and Harry Essex, The 49th Man is a rare espionage thriller about Reds trying to bring an atomic bomb into the United States. The title refers to a cabal of Soviet agents, 48 of whom have been captured — leaving one on the loose with the components and the will to set off a nuclear explosion. Richard Denning and John Ireland play the granite-jawed heroes assigned to the chase, which extends from New Mexico to San Francisco. Look for a young Mike ‘Touch' Connors in a bit part as a suspect.
6:00 PM Sundance
Shot In Bombay (2008 GB): Bollywood gets a bollixing in this unsentimental but hugely entertaining British documentary. Following the troubled production of an action flick entitled Shootout at Lokhandwala, the film also examines the legal case of star Sanjay Dutt, charged with possession of illegal weapons and forced to repeatedly leave the set in order to appear in court. It's followed at 7:45 PM by Sunset Bollywood (2005 IND), in which Indian film stars who have flamed out bemoan their sorry lot in life.
11:00 PM Fox Movie Channel
Mr. Billion (1977 USA): This slight but enjoyable comedy makes its American widescreen television debut this evening. Handsome Terence Hill plays Guido Falcone, an Italian auto mechanic who inherits a fortune when an estranged rich relative pops his clogs. In order to claim his legacy, however, Guido must arrive in California by a certain date — or estate executor John Cutler (Jackie Gleason) will get everything himself. Naturally, Cutler attempts to throw any number of roadblocks in Guido's way, and that's when the fun starts. Featuring a sterling supporting cast including Dick Miller, R. G. Armstrong, Leo Rossi, Chill Wills, Slim Pickens, Paul Bartel, and Mary Woronov, Mr. Billion was supposed to make Hill as big a star in America as he was in Italy. It didn't work, but it's still a fun time killer.