Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Paradise Road, Prime, Tues, 8.30pm:

Aussie director Bruce Beresford enlists an all-star cast, from Cate Blanchett to Julianna Margulies, Frances McDormand and Jennifer Ehle, to tell the moving true story of a British socialite (Glenn Close) and a group of women made prisoners of war by the Japanese as they tried to flee the fall of Singapore. Amidst the brutality, they form a choir to lift their spirits and for a brief moment, even suspend the savagery of their guards. It's a beautifully filmed tribute to the human spirit's ability to triumph in the face of suffering.

40 Days and 40 Nights, Ten, Fri, 8.30:

A smutty, sexist and puerile romantic comedy about a bloke (Josh Hartnett) who, after breaking up with his girlfriend, decides to give up sex for Lent. Everyone's betting against him when a real spunk (Shannyn Sossamon) wafts past to make the task even harder. It' stoopid, but entertaining.

The National Karaoke Challenge, SBS, Sat, 7pm:

It's crap, which is what makes it so compellingly entertaining. This Australia-wide search for a street-Idol is a hoot.

Schools Spectacular, ABC, Sun, 7.30pm:

Some 3500 students, including many locals, performed in this recent mega-concert-cum-variety show in Sydney. It's an amazing exercise in logistics and creativity. And wonderful to watch.

The West Wing, NBN, Mon, 10.30pm:

At long last President Bartlet returns - but not under happy circumstances. Forced to step down after his daughter, Zoey, was kidnapped, the Republicans are now in charge. John Goodman's new president seems cartoonish, but he's a formidable leader, ready to bomb the world into peace. Sound familiar? It remains a crisp and clever series and we shouldn't have been left waiting a year for its return.

Dynasties: The Anthony Family, ABC, Tues, 8pm:

The nation's oldest continuous political dynasty is proudly homegrown. Three generations of Anthonys have been the federal MP for Richmond over seven decades - most recently, the defeated Larry Jr, son of Doug, who used to run the country from his beachside caravan over summer. It's a fascinating yarn, especially about walking in the shadow of your father, told with the recent election campaign as background.

Grass, SBS, Tues, 10.30pm:

A bemusing, darkly comic doco on sometimes laughable government efforts to demonise cannabis, it tells the yarn of the man single-handedly responsible - US Narcotics boss Harry Anslinger. It's a pro-hippie rant, but still interesting.

Iraq: War at any Cost, ABC, Weds, 9.25pm:

An insight into the behind-the-scenes scheming and politicking in the UN in the lead-up to the war, told by key players - Secretary of State, Colin Powell, the French, British and German foreign affairs ministers and chief UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix.