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9:00 PM More Max
Notes on a Scandal (2006 GB): I missed the American television premiere of this outstanding British drama late last week, but if you also happened to overlook it, it's popping in for a cuppa again tonight. The film stars Judi Dench as Barbara, a lonely school teacher who imagines she's become best friends with newbie instructor Sheba (Cate Blanchett) at a raucous north London comprehensive. The two bond immediately: Barbara with Sheba because she needs companionship (and possibly more); Sheba with Barbara because she finds herself completely at sea and needs the support of a more experienced mentor. Both of them proceed to cross the lines of propriety, and it's to the great credit of Patrick Marber's screenplay that the film doesn't descend into overwrought melodrama. Truly one of the best pictures of 2006, Notes on a Scandal features tour-de-force performances from both leads and fine support from the ubiquitous Bill Nighy as Sheba's estranged and crotchety older husband. Also airs at 10:00 PM.

Thursday 12/06/07

12:45 AM Turner Classic Movies
Heroes for Sale (1933 USA): Commie agit-prop from Warner Bros! This is a terrific pre-code drama with a surprisingly radical bent, even considering the standards of the time (and certainly the rock-ribbed conservative standards of the studio). See the capitalist bosses exploit the workers! See the workers march against the bosses! See the cops smash their heads! It's all here, brilliantly helmed by William Wellman with great performances by Richard Barthelmess and Aline MacMahon plus a hefty dollop of morphine addiction, and is a must see for fans of 30s neo-realism.

1:45 PM Turner Classic Movies
A Bullet is Waiting (1954 USA): The legendary Rory Calhoun, mooted in some quarters to be a baby polar bear, stars in this excellent Columbia crime drama from director John Farrow. He plays Ed Stone, a convict being transported by air in the custody of Sheriff Munson (Stephen McNally). The plane crashes, the two struggle, and Ed escapes, only to stumble across the Canham family farmhouse, where suspicious Cally (Jean Simmons) puts both Ed and the late arriving Munson under house arrest. Whilst a storm broods outside, things get pretty thick inside, and our three protagonists find themselves in a struggle for supremacy, with Stone lasciviously ogling Cally whilst plotting an escape into the mountains. Brian Aherne is also on hand as Cally's erudite father, who has decided to set his Oxford education aside in favor of a degree in slopping pigs. A Bullet is Waiting looks great in Technicolor, and Rory will, quite naturally, rock your world.

Friday 12/07/07
5:00 PM Showtime
Cocaine Cowboys (2006 USA): Not to be confused with the 1979 Ulli Lommel film of the same name, these Cocaine Cowboys rode the range from Colombia to the United States during the 1980s, making millions (if not billions) from the eponymous controlled substance and bringing mayhem to the mean streets of Miami, where much of their dope debarked prior to national distribution. Focussing on the underground activities of smuggler Jon Roberts, the film takes a look at the transformation wrought upon Miami, which went from cosy retirement community to drug-fueled playground almost overnight. Alas, the good times ended soon enough, as competitors (such as particularly warped Cuban drug kingpin Griselda Blanco) moved in on the action. There's lots of money, mountains of snow, and violence aplenty in this action-packed documentary which aptly features a score from Miami Vice composer Jan Hammer. Also airs at 7:00 PM and throughout the month.

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