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Thursday 7/5/12

12:15 AM Sundance
The Trial Begins (2007 ITA): Back in the 1970s, political corruption was one of Italian cinema's most popular themes. When the industry collapsed in the '80s, however, the theme disappeared with it - but thanks to 2007's The Trial Begins, it's apparently on the comeback trail. Written and directed by Vincenzo Marra, the film stars Michele Lastella as Filippo, an eager beaver young cop looking to make his mark by cracking down on corrupt businessmen and bent politicians. When he meets vivacious (and rich) older woman Caterina (Fanny Ardant), however, he finds himself being pulled into her world of back-scratching and under-the-table deal-making. Marra's film provides brilliant and searing commentary on both the state of Italian governance and the profligate oligarch whose hands were, until quite recently, in every pot.

5:00 PM Showtime
Thunder Soul (2010 USA): This exhilarating music documentary takes a look at the alumni of a Texas high school band and their efforts to pay tribute to their now nonagenarian mentor. Back in the day, Houston music teacher Conrad Johnson took the bull by the horns and turned Kashmere High’s meek jazz band into a tear the roof off the sucker funk outfit that recorded and released a few regional hits. Thunder Soul recounts the band’s illustrious history and includes footage of a reunion concert attended by Mr. Johnson - known to his students as "the prof." In addition to some great music, the film also provides a cogent and timely reminder of the value of a high school arts curriculum. Also airs at 8:00 PM.

Friday 7/6/12

1:15 PM The Movie Channel
Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010 AUS): A bit reminiscent of both Red Dawn and the British feature Attack the Block (in the case of the latter, minus the sci-fi trappings), Tomorrow When the War Begins is a solid if not terribly original adventure flick aimed at the young adult audience. Directed by Pirates of the Caribbean writer Stuart Beattie, the film tells the story of a group of Australian teenagers who return from a camping trip only to discover that the land down under has been invaded by another (unnamed) country. Based on a popular novel by John Marsden - well, popular in Australia, at least - the film exceeds expectations with solid character development and excellent cinematography. There’s a sequel in the works, and with seven novels in the series to date we can probably expect more. Also airs at 4:15 PM.

3:55 PM Showtime Extreme
The Deer Hunter (1978 USA): It’s been a long time since I’ve seen The Deer Hunter, and to be honest, it’s never been one of my favorites: as with all Michael Cimino films, there’s more than a touch of portentousness to the proceedings, and it’s pretty dang long, too. That said, any film featuring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, George Dzundza, John Savage, and Shirley Stoler definitely has a lot going for it. This is, I believe, the first time the film has appeared on Showtime Extreme, and I’m hoping it’ll be screening it in its correct 2.20:1 aspect ratio (to the best of my knowledge, The Deer Hunter has never been seen on U.S. television in letterboxed format).

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