Need to catch a TV break and don’t know what to watch? Simon takes us through his top picks on must-see shows and films for the week. Click through to see what’s showing for your entertainment needs.
Wednesday 16th September 2015
Tom Felton Meets the Superfans-ABC2-8.30pm AEST
You may not recognise the name Tom Felton, but you will certainly recognise his alter ego Draco Malfoy, who he played in all eight movies in the hugely popular Harry Potter franchise. Directed by and starring Felton, this documentary sees the young star on a trip to meet a number of his ‘superfans’, and find out just why there are so obsessed with him. On his journey he discovers just how powerful J.K Rowling’s series is, as he meets a young man who escaped into the world of Hogwarts to retreat from schoolyard bullying and a woman who utilised the adventures of the boy wizard as a means to help her battle depression. An insightful documentary that is well worth a watch.
Thursday 17th September 2015
The Punk Syndrome-SBS2-9.30pm AEST
First released in 2012, The Punk Syndrome is a fascinating documentary that centres on the band Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat (Pertti Kurrika’s Name Day), who you may recognise as Finland’s representative at Eurovision this year. First formed in 2009 by band manager Kalle Pajamma, the band is both unique and highly inspiring for the fact that all of it’s members live with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The Punk Syndrome traces a year in the life of the Finnish rockers, as they grow from being a group of men meeting in a workshop program for adults with developmental disabilities to a rock phenomenon.
Friday 18th September 2015
The Terminator-Action Movies-6.35pm AEST
Go back to where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career all began, James Cameron’s 1984 classic The Terminator. Starring Schwarzenegger in the title role, The Terminator was something of a revolution when it was first released 31 years ago, an instant blockbuster classic which redefined the science fiction genre. When a young woman named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) finds herself under attack from a cyborg killing machine from the future, she also discovers a saviour in the form of enigmatic figure Kyle Reese (Michael Bien), who informs Connor that her unborn son will one day lead the resistance against the android race. A film that only gets better with age, The Terminator is essential viewing for sci-fi fans and Arnie aficionados alike.
Saturday 19th September 2015
There Will Be Blood-Masterpiece Movies-8.30pm AEST
Nominated for Best Picture at the 2008 Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is commonly regarded as one of the best, if not the best film, of the noughties. Starring Daniel Day Lewis as New Mexico prospector Daniel Plainview, the film spins a tale of corruption and greed set amongst the American oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As Plainview’s quest for wealth grows, he finds himself coming up against evangelical preacher Eli Sunday (a remarkable Paul Dano), a confrontation which quickly sets up a battle of wills where neither man can come out on top. A masterpiece of both acting and filmmaking in general.
Sunday 20th September 2015
Doctor Who-ABC-7.40pm AEST
Everyone’s favourite Doctor is back for another series of madcap adventures across space and time, aided by his valued companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman). The good Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is still reeling from the reappearance of his mortal enemy The Master, who last season revealed himself to now be a woman going by the name of Missy (Michelle Gomez). Little has been announced about the new season, but if the trailers are anything to go by Missy will continue to be a problem for The Doctor, with the trailer also hinting at appearances by classic Doctor Who villains such as the Zygons and the Supreme Dalek Davros. Show runner Steven Moffat has also promised that The Doctor’s mysterious wife River Song (Alex Kingston) is also set to feature in the upcoming Christmas special, meaning that there is plenty of things for diehard Whovians to get excited about this season.
Monday 21st September 2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert-Eleven-11.35pm AEST
After a short (and rather depressing) absence from our television screens Stephen Colbert is back, taking over the reins from funnyman David Letterman as the new host of The Late Show. Colbert is already making headlines for his hosting comeback, as he sheds his conservative ‘Stephen Colbert’ alter ego from his long running show The Colbert Report and instead introduces viewers to the “real” Colbert. In just a week of hosting The Late Show, Colbert has already entertained notable guests such as George Clooney, Amy Schumer and Vice President Joe Biden, with tonight’s episode featuring NBA star Stephen Curry and Senator Ted Cruz. If you can stay up late enough on a school night, it’s definitely worth the lack of sleep the next day.
Tuesday 22nd September 2015
Ballers-Showcase-7.30pm AEST
Starring everybody’s favourite former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ballers is US cable network HBO’s effort to re grab the audience of their former hit Entourage. In fact, the sports themed show has been officially marketed as “Entourage with balls”, just so there is no confusion as to what viewers are getting themselves into. Ballers centres on retired NFL player turned sports manager Spencer Strasmore (Johnson), who is trying to kick start his new career amongst the glitz and glamour of Miami. Honestly, Ballers looks like nothing more than a carbon copy of its Hollywood themed big brother Entourage, but with a cast that also includes the hilarious Rob Corddry as Strasmore’s boss, it is definitely a show worth checking out.
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