Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, The Godfather II, Ten, Sun, 8.30pm

Gosh is it really 30 years since Al Pacino ascended to the head of the Corleone mafia family? Pacino delivers a sterling performance as Michael, the initially reluctant leader who turns soon turns into a cold-blooded tyrant. It lacks the original's power, but as a dynastic underworld saga, still packs plenty of punch.

Phenomenon, Prime, Fri, 8.30pm

Why subject yourself to the tedium of Eddy McGuire's questions (and I don't mean at the Logies) for $1 million when you can try the John Travolta method and wait to be hit by lightning. One minute he's an ordinary bloke, next he's carrying on like Barry Jones. It's a gentle drama about the nature of fame and how ordinary people cope when suddenly thrust into the spotlight - and suggests there's no fun in being bright if all the world is pestering you for answers.

The Hunt for the Hidden Relic, SBS, Fri, 8.30pm

A fast-paced four-part German adventure thriller in which a young archaeologist discovers what appears to be a time traveller who's been back to the time of Jesus. It's based on Andreas Eschabch's bestseller Jesus Video and will appeal to Indiana Jones fans.

Parkinson, ABC, Sat, 9.30pm

If only this episode was more current, since it features Mrs Becks, aka Posh Becks, talking about her marriage to the soccer star who's made Shane Warne look like a rank amateur in the SMS stakes. She's joined by expat Aussie Clive James and David Bowie.

The Block, NBN, Sun, 6.30pm

Nine months after all the scandal about the bloke with a drug conviction leaving the show, the latest round of game show/reality/renovation/real estate porn finally gets an airing, this time set in Manly. Amazingly, one of the contestants is a brunette.

My Restaurant Rules, Prime, Sun, 7.30pm

Now that it's moved on from a renovation show into actually showing the sheer hard work of a restaurant it's great entertainment which seems to prove that most chefs are lunatics.

The Logies red carpet arrivals, NBN, Sun, 7.30pm

Who needs the Oscars when you can watch Aussie telly stars turn up in nice frocks for magazine awards owned and run by Kerry Packer. The truly amazing part of this backslapping orgy is they take it so seriously. Expect a Festival of the Delta.

Much Ado About Something, ABC, Sun, 8.30pm

Aussie doco maker Mike Rubbo has an interesting conspiracy theory - the Bard was a fake. His contends that Christopher Marlowe faked his death, fled to Italy and wrote as Shakespeare. He puts together a pretty compelling case too.

The All New Simpsons, Ten, Wed, 7.30pm

14 years down the track, this enduring cartoon is still as topical, insightful and cheeky as ever. One of the few reasons to actually make watching commercial television worthwhile.