Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Insomnia, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm:

It's been a long wait for a decent Sunday movie, so this smart thriller is a welcome return to tradition. A teenage girl's murder has shocked a remote Alaskan town. Two LA coppers, world-weary Will Dormer (Al Pacino) and family man Hap (Martin Donovan), arrive to investigate, but they are both under a cloud back home. Local plod Ellie (Hilary Swank) is thrilled to work with a legend, but soon discovers his feet of clay. Dormer picks the killer - a local writer (a spooky Robin Williams), but the murderer knows his assailant's secret. It a taught, well-crafted and knife-edge drama about a bloke coming to terms with his own demons - even when he's chasing someone else's.

Blue Crush, Ten, Fri, 9pm:

Surfing movies are never about the plot - it's the spectacular green room shots that count and this adrenaline-packed teen drama is no exception. Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) is struggling to get back on the horse having been thrown by a nasty big wave. She wants to go pro, but will her fears cut short her dream? A spot of romance, a skimpy bikini, groovy music etc etc. Enjoy the amazing footage.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, Prime, Sat, 8.30pm:

Not the 1958 version but a contemporary remake of the cheesy old wartime musical starring Glen Close, Jack Thompson, Harry Connick Jr and Natalie Mendoza. Best left to nostalgia buffs and musical fans.

Show White: the fairest of them all, NBN, Sat, 7.30pm:

You know the guff on this contemporary remake of a classic yarn - nice gal, evil rival, big sleep, big spunk, small guys.

A Pig, A Chicken And A Bag Of Rice, ABC, Sun, 9.45pm:

Aussie Phil Bathols and Sikkimese Ongmu Denzonpa met on the set of Miss Saigon and fell in love. This enchanting and whimsical love story of their wedding high in the Himalayas offers an insight into a traditional Buddhist wedding and looks at how love can bridge the cultural divide.

Outback trash and treasure, SBS, Weds, 10pm:

Broken Hill's 'diggers' have been scavenging for 50 years, but the council is cracking down on these 'trespassers', who are ruining the regeneration of an old dump. This is a great portrait of a country town hanging onto its past and suspicious of outsiders.

The Ashes, SBS, Thurs, 7.15pm:

The first four days are interrupted by live coverage of the climax of the Tour de France, but you can't help smiling about the multicultural broadcaster finally delivering an Aussie tradition the other stations have ignored for years.

Harry Potter, Ten, Thurs, 7.30pm:

You can only marvel at the global marketing. While this office has received a threatening lawyer's letter from JK Rowling's publisher should the publishing embargo be broken, the multi-millionairess author reads excerpts from the new book to kids in Edinburgh Castle.