James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
Releases: Compared to last week’s long release list there are only two major films coming out in Week 3. The spotlight has to fall on the much awaited Robin Hood that is actually hitting the big screens for many on Wednesday instead of Friday. With this being billed as the ‘untold story’ of a character most believe to be fictional, it would be easy to dump on this, but with Ridley Scott directing (as well as Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in starring roles) this has a lot of promise.
Also out is Lebanon, the incredibly controversial Israeli film which took the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin film festival. Whilst this film has been widely acclaimed by many critics it has also seen its fair share of controversy both in its native Israel and whilst it was on the festival circuit. Such a history for a film that was only debuted last September makes for an interesting viewing prospect.
News: Great news for all Tom Cruise fans is that Mission: Impossible 4 has finally got a confirmed director in the form of Pixar whiz Brad Bird. The guess is that this will not be entirely CGI and include talking rats, but how many of us would actually object to an appearance from Ratatouille’s Remy in the middle of an action sequence?
In slightly related film news Twilight has struck again, but this time in the form of baby names. The name that appears to be climbing the American birth record isn’t Bella or Edward (due to them being actual names) but Cullen. That’s right; babies are now being christened with a pseudo-vampiric surname. Jesus wept.
News: long-time followers of Desperate Housewives, get ready for the return of a familiar face – creepy Paul Young, Mary Alice’s widower (played by Mark Moses) is coming back next season as a series regular! Maybe this will give the show the boost it needs after the snoozer Bolen storyline that’s been trudging along this season.
For anyone looking ahead to Pilot season across the pond, NBC has already made four pick-ups for new shows: Undercovers, a J.J. Abrams spy drama (a replacement for 24 perhaps?); The Event, a political conspiracy thriller (what FlashForward never quite became?); Outsourced, a comedy about an Indian call-centre for an American company (complete with a heavy British-Indian cast) and Love Bites, a romantic-comedy series of many intertwining stories (a smallscreen Love Actually?). Maybe there’s a future hit in there somewhere...
Awards: Despite a serious dip in quality since the 25th anniversary episodes, Eastenders cleaned up at the British Soap Awards, winning ten awards to Coronation Street’s three. More character cuts have been announced, with Ben Mitchell and Lauren Branning joining those due to leave later in the year.
Listings Highlights: Those annoyed at The Apprentice being postponed due to the general election will have to make do with The Junior Apprentice (Wednesday, 9pm, BBC1). It’ll be the first chance fans of the show get to see it without viewer favourite Margaret Mountford when her replacement, Karen Brady, joins Nick Hewer to look exasperated at the 16 and 17 year-old entrepreneurs as they attempt to impress Sir Alan.
Fans of the adorable Chris Addison will want to catch him on Have I Got News for You this Thursday (9pm, BBC1), and straight after you can see the return of Sue’s ridiculously annoying sister Angela in Outnumbered (9:30pm, BBC1). Friday sees the penultimate episode of Ashes to Ashes (9pm, BBC1) – so close to the end of the series, it should be extremely tense. And since there’s another episode to go, probably pretty frustrating too.
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