Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the Week, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, SBS, Sun, 8.30pm:

Bob Carr thought this was boring, but then he's an expert when it comes to tedium. The rest of us should enjoy this beautifully crafted martial arts melodrama from Ang Lee. It's a luscious blend of romance, action, Chinese folk legend, revenge saga and ancient mysticism, set in the 19th century, following the adventures of master swordsman Li Mu Bai. Despite his awesome skills, he yearns for the simple life. A confrontation with the dark side looms, in the form of old nemesis Jade Fox, but this film has something gentle to say about meeting your enemies on your own terms, with honour and wisdom. It's beautifully filmed, the fight scenes are spectacular and it's an epic story that inspires far more than the NSW Premier could ever hope to.

Naked World, SBS, Fri, 10pm:

American Spencer Tunick has travelled the world (including a visit to Melbourne) to photograph hundreds of people gathered together naked in the middle of the street. He calls it art. The stories behind why people do it are the interesting bit.

Bradman - reflections on the legend, ABC, Sun, 7.30pm:

This two-part doco shows there is a lot more to the cricket legend than weilding the willow. It delves into his personal life to see what made him tick - from his unparalleled powers of concentration, to his extraordinary intellect and his passion for privacy. It reveals a god with feet of clay, flawed in both business and cricket. But there's plenty to keep the purists excited.

The Federal Election Debate, NBN, Sun, 7.30pm:

There's a certain irony that Never Ever John and Biffo Latham should be going head-to-head in this banal spectacle for political trainspotters at the same time as the flawed life of the PM's hero is revealed on Aunty. It's cliches and slogans at 10 paces as they sling mud at each other.

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, NBN, Sun, 8.30pm:

The flogged dead horse of the Aussie outsider in the big smoke returns for a third impression of a now well-worn 80s tale. It's a family friendly, lame comedy, trotting out already told fish-out-of-water jokes. George Negus's son stars as their kid.

Behind Enemy Lines, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm:

Jingoistic junk food that plays like a video game. A disillusioned naval pilot (Owen Wilson) is shot down and pursued across eastern Europe after witnessing something he shouldn't. While trying to avoid capture, a battleship captain (Gene Hackman) is maneouvering through political waters to rescue him. There's plenty of tension and explosive action, but little plausible plot.

Seven Wonders of the Highways, ABC, Weds, 9.30pm:

The Big Pineapple, Big Banana, and even Nimbin's notorious Big Joint star in this entertaining look at oversized country tourist attractions and explores the facts and details of their genesis and the mysterious logic behind their origins.