Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, The Shipping News, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm:

After his obnoxious but adored wife (Cate Blanchett) dies, emotionally starved Quoyle (Kevin Spacey) retreats with their young daughter to the windswept family home in Newfoundland. With some gentle coaxing, a job as a journo on the local rag, growing understanding of his family's lot, plus a romantic spark with a local widow (Julianne Moore), he slowly finds his feet. E Annie Proulx's bestseller almost sinks under the gravitas of director Lasse Hallstrom's efforts, but a ripping cast, including Judi Dench and Pete Postlethwaite make it all worthwhile.

Australia v West Indies, NBN, Fri, 2pm:

At last the proper pyjama cricket starts. After the recent test series, fans won't really notice that the game lasts just one day.

Ireland: sculpted isle, ABC, Sun, 7.30pm:

A pretty travelogue of the Emerald Isle, worth watching with a Guinness in hand, though be warned - it's likely to lead you to ring your travel agent first thing Monday.

Dynasties: The Wentworth Family, Tues, 8pm:

Political columnist Mungo MacCallum rattles the skeletons of his esteemed, if slightly bonkers family, from wealthy pollie W C Wentworth, Australia's first native-born son and paper owner. It's a ripping yarn.

September 11 didn't happen, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm:

If French writer Thierry Meyssan's mad ideas about "what really happened" on S11 - the US Government faked the Pentagon crash and dark US industrial-military forces attacked the World Trade Centre - weren't so offensive, it would be black comedy. Sadly his best-selling book The Big Lie, is taken seriously by conspiracy theorists. Setting out to debunk this rubbish, this doco encounters more loopy theories along the way.

Missing, SBS, Weds, 7.30pm:

From war-torn Sudan to Parramatta, this haunting four-part doco about missing people and the agencies looking for them reveals what a tough ask the search can be. The first episode follows the NSW missing persons unit.

Taking Charge Of Cabramatta, ABC, Weds, 8.30pm:

Once regarded as the model of multiculturalism, this Sydney suburb is now notorious as the nation's heroin capital and Asian crime centre, where MP John Newman was murdered. This doco has taken five years to make it to air - it features former councillor Phuong Ngo, who was charged with murdering Newman a few weeks after it was completed. It's a telling tale about the debacle, rows and political infighting over a festival. Even the director gets involved.

Stories From The Stone Age, ABC, Weds, 9.30pm:

A three-part series explains why and how humans moved from being hunters and gatherers to farmers, as well looking at fascinating turning points like the domestication of animals, permanent settlements and the discovery of metals.

Australian Open, Prime, Thurs, 11am:

Finally, the real summer sport starts, with Australian hopes on L'il Lleyton, while the Poo plays the villain before his groin gives out. Keep an eye on Alicia Molik in the women's tennis.