James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
News: If you ever watched Tropic Thunder, you will surely remember Tom Cruise’s ridiculous cameo as movie producer Les Grossman (or maybe your memory was refreshed following the antics at last weekend's MTV Movie Awards). Well, Paramount and MTV Films have announced they’re developing a film with Cruise which he will produce and star in alongside Ben Stiller.
In other movie news, Muppets fans get excited...a new film is planned for release in Christmas 2011.
Releases: The major release of the week, MacGruber, is one that will probably not mean much to us here in the UK. Based on a series of sketches featured in the American comedy Saturday Night Live, where the central character is an easily-distracted special operations agent tasked each week to disarm a bomb, the film sees him take on his biggest adventure yet. Whilst most of the humour involved will surely go over the heads of those who have never seen SNL, this comedy does appear to have some crossover potential.
Competing with MacGruber in the new comedy sweepstakes is Wild Target starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt. Victor Maynard (Nighy) is a middle-aged, solitary assassin who is feared by many because of his lethal efficiency. This is all changed when he falls for Rose (Blunt), a con artist and his latest contract, and he finds himself trying to save the woman from the murderous intents of his benefactor.
News: After last summer’s phenomenally successful Children of Earth mini-series, a fourth series of Torchwood has finally been confirmed. The co-production between the BBC and US TV network Starz will be a 10-part series which is expected to air next summer both here and in the US. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return to their starring roles, but speculation is already rife about who will make up the rest of the team as Torchwood expands and goes beyond Cardiff.
In other news, Dara O’Briain will replace Adrian Chiles on The Apprentice: You’re Fired when it returns to BBC2 later in the year.
New season: A new season of One Tree Hill is kicking off tonight (10pm, E4). This will be its first season without Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (Peyton) but Danneel Harris (Rachel) is coming back for a few episodes (yay!) and new characters are being introduced in the form of Alex, a young model for Brooke’s fashion line; Clay, Nathan’s agent; and Quinn, Haley’s sister.
A brand new sitcom is being imported from the US – Accidentally on Purpose, starring Jenna Elfman, airs its pilot on Thursday (10pm, E4), however seeing as its already been cancelled, try not to get too invested.
Listings highlights: This week is a busy week of finales; tonight sees the Glee kids (9pm, E4) at Regionals and we'll find out whether they manage to beat rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. The first episode of the Doctor Who two-part finale ‘The Pandorica Opens’ airs next Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC1.
Many programmes are taking a break over the next few weeks while the World Cup airs, including The One Show and Waterloo Road. Good TV is a bit scarce at the moment due to the World Cup, but anyone wishing to avoid the football could check out Gok’s Fashion Fix (Tuesday, 8pm, Channel 4) or the new episode of Midsomer Murders airing on Wednesday (8pm, ITV1).
I somehow managed to miss that the new series of Mock the Week was starting this Thursday - this is what happens when I don't have the Radio Times to hand!
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report