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Sunday 9/06/10

11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Mexicanos al Grito de Guerra (1943 MEX): From the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema comes this patriotic paean to the man who penned that nation’s national anthem. As with their brother nation to the north’s The Star-Spangled Banner, Mexico’s is a martial little ditty entitled Mexicans, At the Cry for War, and was adopted by the republic in 1943 - suggesting this film was extremely topical in its day. The song’s writer is played by young Pedro Infante, and whilst the film is far from an easy sell for non-Mexican viewers, it’s always interesting to see how other countries wave the cinematic flag. Patriotism: the last refuge of scoundrels and filmmakers the world over!

Monday 9/07/10

5:00 AM More Max
Black Widow (1987 USA): This hasn’t been the most abundant week in the TiVoPlex, hence the inclusion of middling intriguers such as this one. Sorry, folks, but I have no control over the hand dealt me by network programmers. As for Black Widow, it’s not the worst eighties erotic thriller ever made, though the absence of Shannon Tweed is a little disconcerting. Theresa Russell plays titular bad girl Catharine, a woman unlucky in love but lucky in inheritance acquisition. Leaving a plethora of dead middle-aged men in her wake, Catharine has attracted the attention of G-Woman Alex (Debra Winger), who suspects that there may be a common thread connecting the killings. When Catharine aims to acquire the hand of wealthy art dealer MacAuley (Nicol Williamson, great as always), Alex gets wind of the plot and aims to intercede. Can she get to him in time, or will the Black Widow bag herself another legacy? Directed by Bob Rafelson, Black Widow co-stars Dennis Hopper, James Hong, Leo Rossi, Diane Ladd, and Terry O’Quinn.

9:15 PM Turner Classic Movies
The Rabbit Trap (1959 USA): Ernest Borgnine stars in this obscure but worthwhile family drama directed by Philip Leacock. Ernest is Eddie Colt, a workaday drone called back early from vacation by ogreish boss Everett Spellman (David Brian). After the family’s hurried departure from R&R, son Duncan (Kevin Corcoran) remembers he’s left a fully-set rabbit trap on the holiday premises, and is deeply concerned that an animal will die a slow and excruciating death within its gaping maw. Eddie must make a decision: continue back to work, or turn around and make sure Bugs doesn’t slowly bleed to death. I think we all know he’ll make the right choice.

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