Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, The Emperor and the Assassin, SBS, Sun, 9.30pm

Director Chen Kaige's sumptuous epic is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions, with contemporary resonances for leaders with imperialist tendencies. Set in 200BC, it's the story of China's first leader, the man sent to murder him and the woman they both love. The King's decency soon yields to violence as he tries to subjugate rival states. The luscious Gong Li adds to the beauty.

The Patriot, Ten, Sat, 8.30pm

A brief glimpse of Mel Gibson's acting career hints that Christ's life was a logical step. In this US War of Independence drama, he's a worldweary Southern plantation owner who single-handedly takes on those nasty Poms as they rampage, pillage and murder. Mel's the outsider, ahead of his time, tortured for his beliefs, who ultimately triumphs over evil. Sound familiar? My Favourite Wife, ABC, Sat, 10.30pm: Cary Grant stars as a widower who's since remarried when his supposedly late wife (Irene Dunn) suddenly turns up. It's a smart comedy about the social conventions, moral thresholds and etiquette of 60 years ago, which makes it a little dated, but still charming fun.

Francesco, SBS, Sun, 7.30pm

St Francis of Assisi was the young heir of a noble family, at war with the other nobs, when he was captured and imprisoned - a lifechanging experience, to say the least. His story unfolds in this well-crafted four-part series about his life.

Bounce, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm

Keep the sick bucket handy for this implausible, excruciating, mawkish soap opera. A self-absorbed advertising type (Ben Afleck), gives up his Christmas airplane seat to a family man so he can stay behind for a bonk. Plane crashes, guilt sets in, he meets widow (Gwyneth Paltrow) of man in his seat and they find lerv. Yuck!

Space Cowboys, NBN, Sun, 8.30pm

Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this enjoyable sci fi drama as a crusty old Air Force type begrudgingly dragged out of retirement along with Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and Donald Sutherland, to save the world from an ailing Russian satellite. A jolly Seniors Week romp.

Straddling the fence, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm

The security wall being built by the Israeli government in a bid to prevent Palestinian suicide bombers getting into Israel has become an international flashpoint. New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman looks at both sides of an argument that seems to generate more heat than light.

The Wog Boy, Prime, Weds, 9.30pm

Nick Giannopoulos stars as the ethnic chappy keen to prove himself to win the girl. After a clash with the Employment Minister (Geraldine Turner), he's branded Australia's biggest dole bludger (with a little help from Derryn Hinch as himself). It's gently amusing, although the overblown stereotypes get a little tedious.

The Secrets of Eldorado, ABC, Weds, 8.30pm

Is it real? Perhaps, but not as the gold-encrusted city envisaged by 16th century conquistadors. This part scientific mystery, part archaeological detective story explores clues that something was once in jungle at the foothills of the Bolivian mountains.

Welcome to the Waks Family, SBS, Thurs, 8.30pm

This suburban Melbourne Jewish family has 17 kids. They're raised in pretty strict orthodox fashion - no pop music, movies or novels, but as the kids approach adolescence, the outside world beckons. This fascinating doco follows them for five years. It's a powerful homage to the strength of family.