Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, The Wizard of Oz, NBN, Sat, 7.30pm:

There's no place like home, so gather the kids for a true classic. It's sobering to think Judy Garland could be their great granny, since Oz is now 65-years-old. It retains not only its charm, with magical settings, infectious song and dance, and great extravagant costumes, but also delivers a clear message about self-discovery, compassion, wisdom and courage. And it's scary in places too.

Cricket: Aussies v Kiwis, NBN, Fri, 10.30am:

Strewth, it's that time of the year already. It's already day two at the Gabba. Most interest will centre around what new special effects gizmo Richie and the lads will unveil for the summer series.

Himalaya with Michael Palin, ABC, Sat, 7.30pm:

This is a great series that this week skirts through the foothills of the mountains, crossing the India-Pakistan border in a spot where the warring sides perform parade drills with a bellicose vigour that borders on Python-esque inanity.

Australian Idol Finale, Ten, Sun, 7.30pm:

This puts the federal election in perspective. The decision that has captured the imagination of Australian voters is whether to go for the shy Sydney teenager or the Melbourne pop hunk. Tonight, it's the verdict. If only politics was this entertaining.

Vanilla Sky, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm:

This film is now so old, Cruz and Cruise are history. She reprises her role in the original film Open your eyes (keep an eye out for it on SBS). It starts out promisingly, but soon disintegrates into soppy, overblown rubbish as a venal playboy (Cruise) loves and loses.

Guy Sebastian's Church, ABC, Sun, 10.15pm:

Compass screens a timely doco on the Idol winner's Adelaide-based Pentecostal evangelists. An intelligent insight into a growing cultural phenomenon that recently found a voice on the political stage.

Friends, NBN, Mon, 7.30pm:

Another icon bites the dust. While Carrie Bradshaw kept 30-something women laughing, this sitcom had teenage girls fantasising about grown-up life. The team bid their farewells with class, delivering a few final twists.

Through my eyes, Prime, Tues, 8.30pm:

Thanks to the efforts of Meryl Streep, most Americans greet Aussies with "A dingo ayut mah baybee". Now Miranda Otto delivers a convincing Lindy, with Craig McLachlan as Michael in this two-part drama based on the court transcripts and police interviews. It shows just how dodgy the police case was and how a nation convicted an innocent woman.

The Child Sex Trade, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm:

You'll need a strong stomach to watch this appalling doco about child prostitution in Europe. Street kids from Romania are popular fodder for paedophiles from America, Germany and Britain. Even the parents are involved in the pimping - it helps pay for cigarettes.