The Weekly Retro Movie Rundown 274
Crack, band, wallop! Another fiiiiled retro movie rundown is here and ready to take us to far and distant lands.
with our water bottles bulging, our pocked packed with treats treats and our minds free, we find ourselves setting off for a good old fashioned weekend walk. Discovering a whole list of local gems along the way, we'll make our way around the sights and sounds, we'll leave nothing behind but footprints and taking nothing but pictures as we stride, stroll and climb our way to our destination.
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Superman (1978) ITV4 10:30am-1:30pm
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.
Vice Versa (1988) Film4 1:00pm-2:55pm (1 hour 55 minutes)
A department store executive returns from a trip to Thailand in possession of a mysterious artefact that causes him to change places with his 11-year-old son. While the horrified father struggles to cope with a world of teachers and school bullies, the youngster is revelling in the perks of being a grown-up. Fantasy comedy, starring Judge Reinhold, Fred Savage, Swoosie Kurtz and Corinne Bohrer.
Goldfinger (1964) ITV4 4:00pm-6:15pm
James Bond is assigned to investigate a notorious German gold smuggler and discovers his quarry has ambitions much greater than first suspected. Pursuing the criminal mastermind around the world, Bond uncovers the villain's audacious scheme to destroy the global economy with a daring attack on Fort Knox. Spy adventure, starring Sean Connery, Gert Frobe and Honor Blackman.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) ITV2 5:25pm-9:00pm
Frodo and Sam continue their quest to destroy the all-powerful ring, bringing them face to face with the magical artefact's twisted former owner Gollum. Meanwhile, their allies prepare to make a desperate last stand against the vast armies of the corrupted wizard Saruman, who has declared war on a neighbouring kingdom. Part two of Peter Jackson's fantasy adventure trilogy, starring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis and Christopher Lee.
The Abyss (1989) Film4 9:00pm-11:45pm (2 hours 45 minutes)
An American nuclear submarine is sunk after a collision with a mysterious object, and the US government asks oil workers to help with the rescue. However, when they and a Navy Seal team arrive at the location of the vessel, a series of strange incidents leads to an encounter with aliens living in the depths. James Cameron's sci-fi thriller, starring Ed Harris, Michael Biehn and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
Cool fact: Ed Harris almost drowned during an underwater filming scene! He had been holding his breath and signaled for someone to bring him air but the crew member was stuck. A different diver brought him a regulator but gave it to him upside down, sending water down his throat. A third person soon realized it and righting the regulator so it would work properly. Ed Harris reportedly broke down punched James Cameron as he continued to film the whole time.
The Blues Brothers (1980) ITV4 9:00pm-11:40pm
Two criminal brothers discover the orphanage where they were raised faces closure unless the nuns who run it can pay their tax bill, so the pair embark on an urgent mission to revive their old blues band to raise the money needed. Comedy, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Carrie Fisher, John Candy and John Lee Hooker.
Jaws 3 (1983) ITV 10:45pm-12:30am (1 hour 45 minutes)
A shark is captured by divers and put on display in a Florida marine centre, where it ultimately dies. However, examination of the body reveals the seemingly fully-grown shark was actually a baby - and its enormous, ferocious mother soon comes looking for it. Thriller sequel, originally released in cinemas in 3D, starring Dennis Quaid, Simon MacCorkindale, Louis Gossett Jr and Bess Armstrong.
SUNDAY 21st January
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Sleepless in Seattle (1993) Sony Movie Channel 12:00pm-2:15pm
A widowed father is coping badly with his wife's death, but his son is convinced that what he really needs is some new romance in his life. He arranges for his dad to go on a radio phone-in show, and his touching story moves a reporter to respond, even though she is already engaged. She returns to her fiance, but the boy, certain she is the woman for his father, plots to bring them together. Romantic comedy, with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Big Daddy (1999) Channel 5 2:25pm-4:10pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
An immature 32-year-old is heartbroken when his girlfriend walks out on him. In a plan to win her back, he volunteers to look after his flatmate's five-year-old son, thus demonstrating he is finally ready to grow up. However, his ideas of childcare prove unconventional and chaos quickly ensues. Comedy, with Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Josh Mostel, Leslie Mann, Rob Schneider and Kristy Swanson, alongside Steve Buscemi in a cameo role.
Kindergarten Cop (1990) ITV 2:30pm-4:35pm (2 hours 5 minutes)
A tough detective is forced to pose as a preschool teacher in a bid to capture a drug dealer whose son is one of the pupils. However, his biggest challenge turns out to be controlling a class full of five-year-olds. Comedy, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Linda Hunt, Pamela Reed and Richard Tyson.
One Fine Day (1996) Film4 2:35pm-4:45pm (2 hours 10 minutes)
The working day for two mismatched single professionals is thrown into turmoil when their children have to stay at home after missing a school trip. The pair agree to take it in turns to babysit while struggling to stick to their hectic schedules - but during the course of the day their feelings for each other blossom unexpectedly. Romantic comedy, starring George Clooney, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charles Durning and Mae Whitman.
The Flintstones (1994) ITV2 3:20pm-5:05pm
Blue-collar caveman Fred Flintstone is promoted to an executive position at work and unwittingly becomes embroiled in an embezzlement scheme - thanks in no small part to his seductive new assistant. Live-action version of the cartoon comedy, starring John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell, Halle Berry and Elizabeth Taylor.
Fun Fact: Danny DeVito was Steven Spielberg 's first choice for the part of Barney. DeVito felt his acting style was too gruff to properly portray Barney, and turned the part down. Subsequently, DeVito recommended Rick Moranis for the part.
Aladdin (1992) Channel 4 4:50pm-6:35pm (1 hour 45 minutes)
A street urchin is caught up in a scheming grand vizier's plot to get his clutches on a magical lamp. Retrieving the object from a wondrous cave, he releases a powerful genie trapped inside, whose ability to grant wishes helps the young hero thwart the villain's plans and woo a princess. Animated adventure, featuring the voices of Robin Williams, Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) ITV4 4:40pm-6:45pm
A teenager plays truant from school and spends the day dragging his girlfriend and a reluctant friend into all manner of crazy adventures in the big city - while the school's dean of students vows to stop at nothing to prove the youngster is faking illness. Comedy, starring Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck, Jennifer Grey, Jeffrey Jones and Charlie Sheen.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Merchandise
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Channel 5 6:00pm-8:55pm
An English nobleman returns home from the crusades to find his father has been murdered and the local people are repressed by the tyrannical rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Branded an outlaw, he recruits a group of bandits to fight for justice and protect the downtrodden. Action adventure, starring Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) ITV2 6:10pm-9:00pm (2 hours 50 minutes)
As hobbits Frodo and Sam near the end of their journey into the dark lands of Mordor to destroy the One Ring, the evil Sauron unleashes the full might of his armies on Middle-earth. Meanwhile, Aragorn must fulfil his destiny of becoming king by leading his people into a climactic battle with the forces of darkness. Conclusion of the fantasy adventure trilogy, starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen and Sean Astin.
The Lord of the Rings Merchandise
Scarface (1983) ITV4 11:20pm-2:35am
Small-time crook Tony Montana emigrates from Cuba to the US, determined to become rich and powerful. Admitted into the inner circle of a Miami drug lord, he ultimately takes over his boss's empire and even his wife. However, his paranoia and cocaine addiction begin to spiral out of control, while his enemies circle, waiting for the chance to bring him down. Gangster thriller remake, with Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Loggia.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, wrap up warm and always have a plan b.