Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Maléna, SBS, Weds, 10pm:

Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore's (Cinema Paradiso) wartime coming-of-age tale of love, loss, and courage set in Sicily. The teenage lads are infatuated by the village siren Maléna (Monica Bellucci), who's subject to gossip, jealousy and innuendo. When her soldier husband is killed the men consider it open season. It's a moving, funny, bittersweet and dreamy ode to the burdens of beauty.

Naked Calenders, SBS, Fri, 10.30pm:

Remember the film Calender Girls about the media storm surrounding the novelty of elderly women posing naked to raise money for charity? Last year, 200 similar calendars were produced in Britain, with mixed results, as this doco shows. One hopeful was left with a $35,000 debt after breaking a golden rule and showing nipples, alienating her traditionally conservative market.

Dr Who, ABC, Sat, 7.30pm:

Forget that Star Wars rubbish, the Doc is back for Gen X to relive their childhood and introduce their kids to the scary, witty delights of time travel. There's a joyful madness, reminiscent of Tom Baker, in Christopher Eccleston's doctor and Billie Piper makes a sexy sidekick. Sure, we'll miss the amusingly cheap production values, but the Tardis - a 1950s police phone box - remains, so bring on the Daleks!

Descent into the ice, SBS, Sat, 9.30pm:

An eerie, unsettling doco about two glaciologists descending into the ice of Mount Blanc, including diving in the freezing water. There's a reason: 113 years ago, a lake inside the glacier burst, killing 200 people in the valley below - and it could happen again.

FA Cup Final, SBS, Sat, 10.30pm:

Arsenal challenge defending champions Manchester United for the title.

The Band Aid Story, ABC, Sun, 7.30pm:

The middle-aged men in this doco were once spunky optimists ready to change the world. 20 years after Band Aid, those involved tell the story of how it came together in this fascinating doco. It's slightly nostalgic, but looking at their once-young faces reminds you how far we've come and how little has changed.

Eurovision Song Contest, SBS, Sun, 7.30pm:

This annual exercise in cheese has a daggy charm, especially the clunky voting system which hasn't changed since it all started 50 years ago, despite smarter technology. Worth it for Terry Wogan's sardonic commentary - his final effort before hanging up the mike.

Monarchy: The Nation State, ABC, Thurs, 8.30pm:

From Alfred the Great and the Battle of Hastings, to the reign of the three Edwards, the murder of Richard II and civil war, this six-part series by historian David Starkey will keep fans of the British monarchy amused.