Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Doco of the year: The Man who stole my Mother's Face, ABC, Weds, 9.30pm:

Forget Michael Moore. Clunes filmmaker Cathy Henkel made a far more powerful, gutsy, harrowing personal documentary last year. Her mother was bashed and sexually assaulted in South Africa in the late 80s and left for dead. Her teenage attacker was identified, but never charged. Wanting to ease the pain, Henkel heads for her birthplace 14 years later, seeking explanations and justice, tracking down and confronting the man responsible. It's a deeply moving, and in places inspiring story of hope and redemption that explores community complacency about rape and ultimately becomes an understanding of healing. It's also one of the finest and bravest films ever made.

Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Prime, Sat, 3.30am:

This is how the Olympics are meant to be enjoyed - from the other side of the world, late at night, with some other government suckered into picking up the tab. Forget the drugs, the cheating, the bribes, the corruption, the backstabbing. Enjoy the spectacle, cheer brave Jana, marvel at Thorpie, and watch Robbie McEwan's stab at cycling gold on co-broadcaster SBS at 7.45pm in the men's road race.

The Dream with Roy & HG, Prime, Sat-Thurs, 11pm:

The best thing about Sydney was these two boofheads taking the you-know-what. They return to do it again, Greek style.

Get Carter, NBN, Mon, 8.30pm:

The 70s version starring Michael Caine (who returns in this remake as the mob boss) was a gritty thriller. Now Sly Stallone is the mob enforcer returning to his hometown to investigate his brother's death. It's all style over substance, with a throbbing soundtrack, dizzy editing and a bewilderingly confused storyline. And Sly's so plodding, he makes Mickey Rourke (as an Internet porn tycoon/thug) look positively Shakespearean.

The Sopranos, NBN, Mon, 10.40pm:

Tonight's penultimate episode is titled 'All due respect' - something NBN has shown little of, bumping off this program from its weekly timeslot more often that Tony rubs out a rival. It's all about to get very bloody and Tony's team is under siege.

Fear Factor, NBN, Weds, 7.30pm:

Cop that Olympics! Who wants to watch finely honed athletes when there's Playboy Playmates (we thought they became extinct years ago..) walking a tightrope (it should be in high heels if they're serious).

The Lost Film Of Dian Fossey, ABC, Weds, 8.30pm:

Remember the Gorillas in the Mist lady? Cinematographer Bob Campbell was there early on, but misplaced this footage, which shows how deep her empathy for our closest cousins was. It's an amazing adventure tinged with the sadness that so much understanding was lost with her brutal murder in Rwanda 15 years ago.