In the best week for a wide-ranging film choice since BC on TV began last September, Wednesday could, by itself, have filled all three of the week's choice slots (Hard Candy, 5.45 pm MaxW, Insomnia, 7.45 pm MaxW, The Crying Game, 10 pm TCM). Today's also-rans include a comedy rated one of last year's five best by BC on TV (Think Like a Man, 11.30 am HBO), a pair of hilarious-but-offensive comedies on HBO (Hall Pass, 3.45 pm, Horrible Bosses, 5.35 pm), a strong American animated family film (The Incredibles, 10 am MaxW), Steven Spielberg's best family movie (ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, 1.20 pm TCM) and a pair of groundbreaking horrors (Jaws, 11.50 am MCC, Final Destination, 10 pm MCA). The week includes a powerful mental health drama (*Take Shelter, 9 pm Monday, Max), a contender for the best anti-war film ever made (Bridge on the River Kwai, 10 pm Fri MCC), perhaps Viggo Mortensen's best role (A History of Violence, 9 pm Thurs Max) and a superior English drama (*Another Year, 9 pm Fri Max).
Today's best film:
Field of Dreams, (Phil Alden Robinson/ 1989/ USA/ Family-Fantasy-Sport/ 107 mins/ Rated PG), 11.35 am and 1.35 pm Movie City Family. Watch this if you liked Millions, Dances With Wolves or E.T.–The Extra Terrestrial. By far and away Kevin Costner's best film, this wonderful little fantasy of a man bringing legendary baseball players to life in his Iowa cornfield is not at all corny and, more important, avoids entirely the sentimentality of its chief competitor, Dances With Wolves (even though the aficionado would expect its subject matter, the relationship of fathers and sons, to give rise to the most cloying of Costner's excesses). Beautifully shot and deftly directed, this is a very strong, thoroughly satisfying film and far too good, really, to have any connection to the old Kev. Recommended like firing one with your dead Dad. A real family treat, once viewed with an open mind.
Rest of the week:
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (Sidney Lumet/ UK-USA/ Crime-Drama/ 117 mins/ R), 6.50 pm Movie City 552, 8.50 pm W 554. Watch this if you liked Reservoir Dogs, In Bruges or Haven. Sidney Lumet's last and perhaps best film, this heist-gone-wrong flick is superbly done, immaculately paced and features towering performances from Philip Seymour-Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and the very spectacularly nude Marisa Tomei. Dark, tense and worrying from the first frames (although said first frames are easily redeemed by said nude Marisa), the notions of betrayal and fidelity fit snugly into the plan of two brothers to solve their own money problems by robbing their parents' jewel business.
Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone/ 1968/ Italy-USA/ Western/ 175 mins/ PG-13 for Western violence and brief sensuality), 3.30 pm Wednesday and again 8.45 am Saturday Movie City Classics. BEST FILM OF THE WEEK. Watch this if you liked The Proposition, 3.10 to Yuma or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The great work of Sergio Leone and the meatball on top of the spaghetti Western, for BC on TV, this is as good as the Western gets. Henry Fonda plays one of cinema's greatest villains, with Jason Robards and the young Charles Bronson almost eclipsing him. Ennio Morricone's haunting score–and the mystery of the harmonica–add huge atmosphere. Leone takes ridiculous chances as a filmmaker–and every risk pays off. One of the great films of our time. Miss it only if you're dead.
Best of the rest: Mon: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 11.15 pm HBO; Tues: The Rite, 6.30 pm HBO; Wed: Million Dollar Baby, 10 pm MaxW; Thurs: Cocoon, 10 pm TMC; Fri: Before Sunset, 6.30 pm Max; Sat: Moby Dick, 1.35 pm MCC.
*Starred films have been chosen in the last three months. Scheduled Internet times often vary on the day, particularly around month-end.
