Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, The Dish, Ten, Sun, 8.30pm

A chirpy underdog comedy that pitches knockabout Aussies against the cream of America's space program. It's true that when Armstrong uttered his immortal lines at the Apollo 11 moon landing, the world watched it live thanks to four blokes at a radio telescope in a sheep paddock in Parkes (although the initial signal came from Canberra). Sam Neill leads an excellent ensemble cast (of Seachange stars), as they battle the elements, politicians and US boffins who think they know better.

Cave in the Snow, SBS, Fri, 8.30pm

Tenzin Palmo, aka Di Perry of England, became a Buddhist nun in the 60s, then, fed up with the sexism of her chosen religion, spent 12 years meditating in a Himalayan cave (her story is now an acclaimed book). She remains concerned about the treatment of women and even tackles the Dalai Lama about it. Watch his face carefully for the flicker of annoyance amid the chuckles.

Dick, Ten, Fri, 8.30pm

It sounds like a late night SBS flick, but the Dick in this silly romp is disgraced US President Nixon. It's Romy & Michelle meets All the Presidents Men, as two bimbettes (Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams) Forrest Gump their way through the Whitehouse during Watergate.

FA Cup Final, SBS, Sat, 10.30pm

Arsenal and Southhampon face off in Cardiff.

Dickens, ABC, Sun, 7.30pm

Dickens (Anton Lesser) had an odd life of guilt and secrecy - the mother he refused to acknowledge, the banished wife (Miriam Margolyes) and teenage actress he fell in love with aged 48. He started out in bankruptcy, forced into child labour, before rising to become the great Victorian-era novelist. This is a quasi-doco of Dickens, with actors as the people in his life.

Me, Myself & Irene, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm

The Farrelly Brothers are masters of the gross out comedy, but this effort is simply obnoxious and unfunny as it takes cheap shots at race, midgets, albinos and mental illness, along with the usual lavatory humour. Jim Carrey's a numbskull cop with split personality disorder, who falls in love with a crim (Renee Zellweger). It's nasty and crass - thus perfect for 16-year-old boys.

Bedazzled, NBN, Sun, 8.30pm

Liz Hurley pouts her way seductively through this rehash of the Faustian 60s comedy by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. A computer geek (Brendan Fraser) does a deal with the devil (Hurley) to score the perfect woman. It all goes awry.

Daniel Deronda, ABC, Sun, 8.35pm

A four-part adaptation of George Elliot's passionate masterpiece about troubled young lovers Dan (Hugh Dancy) and Gwen (Romola Garai). It's delicious costume drama, with a top-notch cast.

Micallef Tonight, NBN, Mon, 9.30pm

As an interviewer, Micallef makes a great comedian - he seemed lost up against Barry Humphries and Kath & Kim in the first show. But there's no doubt his surreal comedy is worth watching. And with typical television bastardry, it's up against the only other decent interview/comedy show - Denton's Enough Rope.

The Sopranos, NBN, Mon, 10.30pm

Finally, the long-awaited new series begins (after NBN yanked it earlier this year). The world has changed, and post S11, everyone's a little on edge. Tony's feeling the pinch and there's trouble brewing in The Family. It's great mafia drama, cleverly scripted, but on way too late.