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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.

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