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Thursday 10/22/09

12:10 AM HBO Signature
Kiltro (2006 CHL): A martial arts movie...from Chile? Believe it or not, Kiltro is precisely that, and it's much better than you might think. Marko Zaror stars as Zami, a mulleted muscle man who makes common cause with the Korean immigrants living in his Santiago neighborhood. They're threatened by the equally buff Kalba (Miguel Angel de Luca), who's returned home after a lengthy absence to collect a debt owed him by Teran (Man-soo Yoon) and his fellow Tae Kwon Do enthusiasts. Zaror isn't much of an actor, but he's stunt doubled for Duane "The Rock" Johnson and is an impressive physical presence; the action sequences are fairly believable and well choreographed, and the entire package is a surprisingly good effort from first time director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza. Kiltro is also very different from most of the Spanish-language productions airing on HBO Signature, and it's nice to know not every film from South America is a road movie or a relationship drama.

3:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Sin Takes a Holiday (1930 USA): Now Sin's on holiday? I hope it waited until Death got back from vacation, because it would not be cool to have them both out of the office at the same time. Basil Rathbone takes the lead in this forgotten Pathe comedy as Reggie Durant, a rake competing for the hand of stylish and sexy secretary Sylvia (Constance Bennett) whilst she vacations in Paris. Sylvia works for top-drawer lawyer Gaylord Stanton (Kenneth MacKenna) — and she's also his wife of convenience in his struggles against gold-digger Grace Lawrence (Rita la Roy). The silly if slightly naughty pre-Code story pales in comparison to the film's art deco sets and lush costumes, which made Bennett a star and turned Sin Takes a Holiday into a substantial box office hit. Look for the wonderful ZaSu Pitts as Annie, Sylvia's working girl roommate.

6:00 PM Showtime
Bound (1996 USA): Every red-blooded American he-man's favorite lesbian fantasy-thriller returns to the small screen tonight in widescreen. Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly star as Corky and Violet, lipstick lovers who also happen to be hardened cons in search of One Last Big Job to set them up for life. When the opportunity arises to grab a cool two million smackers from Violet's erstwhile boy toy Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), the pair get busy — but when mob boss Gino (Richard C. Sarafian) disappears, things get rather complicated. The first film directed by the Wachowski Brothers, Bound may be no more than a few steps removed from your typical Skinemax erotic thriller, but benefits from excellent Gershon and Tilly performances. Also airs at 9:00 PM.

6:30 PM HBO
Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags (2009 USA): New York City's legendary garment district gets the documentary treatment in this brand spanking new HBO original. Directed by reliable if unflashy filmmaker Marc Levin (Soldiers in the Army of God, Protocols of Zion), it surveys the past, present, and uncertain future of "the rag trade", which has of late been hemorrhaging manufacturing jobs along with the rest of the United States. Beginning with the Triangle Factory Fire (in which HBO producer Sheila Nevins' great aunt was killed) and concluding with the outsourcing epidemic of the present day, this is a fine documentary about one of Manhattan's most fascinating ethnic and business enclaves. Also airs at 9:30 PM.

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