Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Devdas, SBS, Sun, 9.30pm

: In another rubbish week for movies, at least the most expensive and lavish Bollywood extravaganza ever made should raise a smile. If you've never seen one, try this sweeping mix of love story, drama and musical about a girl and boy childhood sweethearts thwarted by scheming, jealous relatives. It's a colourful and epic adventure.

Blurred, NBN, Sat, 9.30pm

: Woohoo! Schoolies week on the Gold Coast, the movie! Matthew Newton stars in a romantic comedy/road trip flick that's Queensland's answer to American Pie.

Carnivale, ABC, Sun, 8.30pm

: It's been a year-long wait to continue this darkly surrealist tale of good and evil, but worth it. Ben (Nick Stahl), a teenage fugitive in the Depression-era travelling through the American West, is on a collision course with a charismatic, but dark evangelist, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. It's compelling, challenging, intelligent and addictive drama.

Punjabi Love Story, ABC, Mon, 9.30pm

: This whimsical doco blends soap opera and reality TV in Pakistan, where Australian-born Jocelyn Ortt-Saeed has lived for 40 years. A poetry buff and idealist whose husband runs sugar mills, it follows the affairs of the heart among employees of the house, amidst community gossip and caste clashes. It spans 18 months and periods of growing tension in Pakistan and is quite simply wonderfully entertaining.

The Torture Question, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm

: Abu Ghraib was already terrifying for Iraqis under Saddam Hussein, when along came the US prisoner abuse scandal. Of course the Bush administration was quick to blame it on a few rogue soldiers, but even the general in charge of the prison challenges that view, and the evidence points to the contrary. This doco suggests robust US policies against terrorism led everyone down an inevitable path.

Shanghai Spell, SBS, Weds, 10pm

: Belle Epoque director Fernando Trueba offers a sumptuous mix of period drama and film noir homage, set in post-war Barcelona and a Hollywood-esque Shanghai. Like his previous effort, it's a tale of first love, characters with shady pasts and wondrous story telling.

RAN, SBS, Thurs, 8.30pm

: A steamy six-part drama, directed by David Caesar, about a remote area nurse (the luscious Susie Porter) working with an indigenous community in the Torres Strait Islands. It's great Aussie drama, about a little seen part of the country, and tackles delicate issues, such as alcohol abuse.

Picnic at Hanging Rock, ABC, Thurs, 12.15am

: Peter Weir's 30- year-old mystery drama remains one of the most beautiful and haunting films ever made in Australia. Set the video.