Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Mina Tannenbaum, ABC, Sun, 11.30pm:

Two Jewish French women meet as girls at ballet classes. Over the years their paths diverge, yet the experiences are strikingly similar. Mina (Romane Bohringer), thin and lovely, is a shy melancholic artist; the plumper Ethel (Elsa Zylberstein), is equally beautiful, but a self-conscious, ambitious journalist. This whimsical confection about friendship and its ups and downs is overly earnest in places, but there's much to enjoy, late night, with a box of chocolates and another of tissues.

Ali G Indahouse, Ten, Fri, 9pm:

Fans of Les Patterson will appreciate this English idiot, who inadvertently saves the day while bumbling through it. Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's satirical hip hop homeboy tackles every taboo in a spray of naive political incorrectness. The evil Chancellor (Charles Dance) enlists Ali G to inadvertently bring down the UK PM (Michael Gambon) with his inanity. It's all a bit puerile and laboured - so perfect for teenage boys.

In Search of the Perfect Penis, SBS, Fri, 10pm:

Only blokes would even want to contemplate the concept, in a moment of self-congratulation and adulation for the thinking end of their bodies. Surprisingly, it's not nearly as offensive as Big Brother - more a mix of serious and comic intent, with some moments that will bring tears to the eyes as boys squeamishly cross their legs.

Hell on Wheels, SBS, Sat, 9.30pm:

A great doco on the 2003 centennial Tour de France to whet the appetite in the lead up to Sunday's start. It an insider's account of the race, focusing on Eric Zabel and his support team. It's a fascinating and extraordinary account of some remarkable men and their extraordinary feats, the fanatical crowds and the circus that surrounds a legend.

Live 8, NBN, Sun, 8.30pm:

Bob Geldof made his name as a humanitarian 21 years ago with a global fundraising rock concert. The old bloke's back, our kids are watching and it stars young groovers - back then barely old enough to watch Live Aid - like Coldplay, Robbie Williams and P Diddy, along with the dinosaurs like Bon Jovi, Madonna and Stevie Wonder, in simultaneous concerts on five continents. It was a landmark all those years ago. Enjoy this one for the nostalgia - and hopefully, you've made enough in the interim to donate.

Wimbledon Men's Final, NBN, Sun, 10.45pm:

Since Lleyton will soon have another mouth to feed, we're hoping he can once again hang in till the final.

DNA, ABC, Thurs, 8.30pm:

The five-part series details the 50-year race to discover the structure of DNA, and outlines the implications for the future of humanity.