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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.

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