Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, A Clockwork Orange, SBS, Sun, 9.30pm:

More than three decades down the track, Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece still packs a punch. Anthony Burgess wrote the novel after his pregnant wife was sexually assaulted by US soldiers in WWII. Alex (a chilling Malcolm McDowell) is a hoon, not without culture, who relieves his boredom with ultra-violence. The disturbingly surreal opening has his Doc Martens assaulting a woman to the rhythm of 'Singing in the Rain'. It's a dark, vicious film, but not without sardonic humour.

D-Day, the shortest day, SBS, Sat, 7.30pm:

It's humbling to realise the biggest shock and awe campaign ever launched is 60 years old this Sunday. This breathtaking and moving doco looks at the planning that went into the Normandy landing and the extraordinary effort that went into keeping it all a secret from the Nazis.

The Jackal, Ten, Sat, 8.30pm:

Bruce Willis and Richard Gere face off as the assassins ready to hit a US VIP, and the IRA terrorist dragged out of mothballs to match wits with him. It's a taught and tense double-jeopardy thriller, even if the plot loses it on occasions.

Ten days to D-Day, ABC, Sun, 8.30pm:

3,000 Australian diggers hit the French beaches on June 6, 1944. Based on British historian, David Stafford's book, this doco follows the fortunes of 10 characters using remarkable archival footage, realistic recreations, insightful interviews, and unpublished letters and diaries. It does an amazing story justice.

Transplant Tourism, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm:

You know the apocryphl stories about waking up in a bath of iced water with a note about your kidneys being stolen. It's a sobering tale of rich western people who can afford to be queue jumpers to save their lives, those who see it as a chance to make money and the countless middle men and scavengers hanging around for their cut.

Stanley Kubrick: A life in pictures, SBS, Tues, 10pm:

In a 50-year career, Kubrick made some dogs of films (hello Tom & Nicole!), but he also delivered considerable brilliance as a groundbreaking director. This three-part profile, speaking to his wife, Christiane, other directors and countless actors, tries to reveal some of his private life and the passions which drove him. It coincides with the screening of six of his best works over the coming month, and should be a must for any film student.

Angels in America, ABC, Tues-Thurs, 8:30pm:

An impressive adaptation of the Broadway smash hit featuring a top-shelf cast, including Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson. Spanning 1985 to 1990, it's the story of how AIDS impacted on so many unsuspecting lives. It's incredibly moving, brilliantly delivered, wondrous TV.