The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 225
Crisps and dip! Another retro weekend is upon us. Better buckle up folks!
Boots on, winter hats nice and snug, we're about ready for another year of Christmas tree hunting! Faced with what seems like a incomprehensible amount of choice and variety, we begin the annual hunt for perfection as we analyse each and every evergreen in sight. This one's too wide, this one too tall and this one has some big gaps but alas, sitting perfectly proud and straight, we'll find THE ONE.
Have a happy retro weekend!
SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Film4 11:00am-1:00pm (2 hours)
When a popular New York department store Santa Claus is placed in an asylum for claiming to be the genuine article, a crusading city lawyer takes on the case, determined to prove the man's sanity. Christmas drama, starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, John Payne, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall and William Frawley.
Superman (1978) ITV4 3:50pm-5:10pm (1 hour 20 minutes)
A fledgling superhero crash-lands on Earth after evacuation from his home planet and is taken in by an elderly couple who raise him as their own. But with adolescence comes a greater understanding of his superhuman powers, leading to his rebirth as a crusader for justice and defender of the American way of life. Comic-strip adventure, with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder and Marlon Brando.
Peter Pan (2003) ITV2 4:40pm-6:50pm
The adventures of the boy who never grows old, as he whisks Wendy Darling and her brothers away to the magical world of Neverland - where they come face to face with fearsome Captain Hook. Adaptation of JM Barrie's fantasy novel, starring Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Jason Isaacs and Lynn Redgrave.
The Incredible Hulk (2008) ITV2 6:50pm-9:00pm
A bungled experiment causes a scientist to turn into a monster whenever he gets angry. He travels the world seeking a cure for his condition, while a ruthless general is determined to capture him and use the creature as a weapon. However, one of the soldiers under the officer's command undergoes a terrifying transformation of his own. Comic-book adventure, starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt.
Kingpin (1996) Channel 4 12:05am-2:10am (2 hours 5 minutes)
A former 10-pin bowling champion prodigy turns conman and hits the bottle when an accident leads to the loss of his hand. To revive his flagging fortunes, he goes all out to persuade a gifted Amish man to take up the sport professionally so he can cash in on his prize-winnings. Comedy from the Farrelly brothers, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Vanessa Angel and Bill Murray.
Hard Rain (1998) BBC1 12:20am-1:50am (1 hour 30 minutes)
Thieves plot to rob an armoured car but are foiled by a security guard, who takes the loot and hides it. However, the local sheriff does not believe his story and locks him up for the robbery. He escapes and sets out to clear his name, but must contend with the crooks, the law and a flood threatening to engulf the area. Action adventure, starring Christian Slater and Morgan Freeman.
SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER
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Short Circuit 2 (1988) Film4 1:00pm-3:15pm (2 hours 15 minutes)
Manic mechanoid Johnny Five meets an old friend in New York City and embarks on a fact-finding tour - but ends up entangled in a series of escapades culminating in a bank robbery. Sci-fi comedy sequel, starring Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean, Cynthia Gibb and Jack Weston, with the voice of Tim Blaney.
Jingle All the Way (1996) Channel 4 4:00pm-5:45pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
A workaholic father tries to make up for his perpetual absence from home by promising to buy his son a hugely popular action figure for Christmas - little realising every other father in town has the same idea. Comedy, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Jake Lloyd, Rita Wilson, Robert Conrad and Phil Hartman.
Field of Dreams (1989) Film4 5:00pm-7:05pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
A farmer hears a mysterious voice inspiring him to mark out a baseball diamond in a cornfield - which, to his surprise, is visited by the ghost of the star player of the 1919 Chicago White Sox team, whose career was cut short by scandal. It later dawns on him the pitch has a greater purpose - to give people who have sacrificed important parts of their lives a second chance. Fantasy, starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster and James Earl Jones.
The Mask (1994) ITV2 8:00pm-10:05pm
A timid bank clerk stumbles on an ancient mask, which endows whoever wears it with untold superhuman powers, unbridled self-confidence and an irresistible charm for the ladies. Unfortunately, he earns the enmity of a local gangster for daring to flirt with his girlfriend - and when the crook gets wind of the artefact's existence, he covets the power for himself. Comic-book comedy, with Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert and Peter Greene.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) ITV4 8:10pm-10:00pm
Two dim-witted teenagers with dreams of rock stardom seem doomed to fail a school history project, unaware the future of the human race depends on their success. A time traveller is given the job of making sure they pass the test by sending them on a series of adventures in the past. Comedy, starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and George Carlin.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, don't forget the milk and remember to leave time for picking the film, not just watching it.