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Saturday 10/18/08

8:50 AM Flix
Harry & Son (1984 USA): Perhaps I'm just feeling a little verklempt in the wake of his death, but I've developed warm feelings for this poorly regarded family drama directed by and starring (*sniff*) Paul Newman. Newman plays hardhat Harry, who's had an unfortunate encounter with a wrecking ball and, as a result, is no longer able to work. Forced to spend time with his good-for-nothing son Howie (Robby Benson), Harry must come to terms with his change in fortune — and with his less than ambitious son, who'd rather surf than operate heavy machinery. Benson isn't much good and the story is fairly predictable, but goshdarn it, Newman's excellent, and any film with both Ossie Davis AND Morgan Freeman in it can't be all bad, can it? Added bonus: Harry & Son makes its widescreen television debut today.

6:00 PM Showtime
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007 USA): I didn't love this Sidney Lumet noir as much as a lot of folks did, but there's still enough good stuff here to warrant a recommendation. Amongst the highlights: the always good Philip Seymour Hoffman as a particularly unpleasant corporate executive with some bad habits and a particularly lamentable get rich quick scheme; the generally good and frequently underappreciated Ethan Hawke as his gullible brother; and Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris as the lads' unfortunate parents. Go in with your expectations tempered, and you'll come out reasonably satisfied. Also airs at 9:00 PM and throughout the month.

Sunday 10/19/08

9:00 PM Sundance
Zebraman (2004 JAP): Good Lord, does director Takeshi Miike EVER take a day off? Here's yet another feature from this tireless toiler, one of four films he completed in 2004. The film features Sho Aikawa (Pulse) as Shinichi, a Japanese Joe Sake Pack who adopts the personality of superhero Zebraman in an effort to make up for the disappointments of his ‘normal' life. When he finds his alter-ego thrust into conflict with alien invaders, Shinichi must decide whether to embrace his inner action figure - or shuck off his costume and ignore the threat from outer space. Needless to say, he makes the right choice, and this briskly paced (if overlong) genre spoof takes off in all sorts of wacky directions.

Monday 10/20/08

7:30 AM Fox Movie Channel
Spaceflight IC-1 (1965 GB): I know I should be excited about the appearance of this low-budget British sci-fi film...but I just can't work up much enthusiasm. Let's try anyway: it features a seven-year-old Mark Lester! It's only 68 minutes long! It was written by the same guy who wrote The Day Mars Invaded Earth! Did I mention Mark Lester is in it?

11:15 PM HBO Signature
Cumbia Callera (2007 MEX): This almost-a-musical tells its story through Cumbia, an energetic style of folk music which migrated north from Colombia and found a happy new home in Mexico during the 20th century. In fact, there's very little dialogue at all in this film, which focuses on the lives of three young people in the mountainous municipality of Monterrey. If you like the music, you'll probably enjoy Cumbia Callera...if you don't, probably not so much.

6:00 PM Sundance
Third Monday in October (2006 USA): No, it's not a film about the Supreme Court — it's a documentary about middle school student council elections! If you're still feeling bitter about that time you ran for treasurer in 7th grade and lost, here's something guaranteed to soothe your soul: a cinematic reminder that running for office is rarely a good idea, and definitely not one for faint-hearted adolescents.

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