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 25th November 2015
Kebab Kings – SBS – 8.30pm AEST
The drunken treat we all know and love finally gets the star treatment it deserves in Kebab Kings, an insightful new documentary airing on SBS. Created by filmmaker Michael Cordell, the three part series is a fly on the wall look at two different kebab shops – one in George Street, Sydney, and the other in Melbourne’s Collingwood. Cordell calls the film both an examination of contemporary multiculturalism and a unique insight into social issues such as drugs, alcohol, and homelessness, the latter due to the kebab shop’s unique position within the community. A classic example of utilising simple subject matter to examine real societal issues, Kebab Kings is a documentary you can really sink your teeth into.
Thursday 26th November 2015
Call Me Dad – ABC – 8.35pm AEST
The ABC continues its run of producing quality program around issues no other television network (besides perhaps SBS) would dare to touch, with a number of one-off specials this week centred around the domestic violence crisis plaguing Australian society. Though Call Me Dad isn’t the only show being aired around the topic this week, it is certainly the most unique, as it focuses not on the victims but the perpetrators. The major question asked by the filmmakers of the documentary is “can violent men change?” and it aims to attempt to answer this question by following a number of Aussie fathers who just happen to have committed acts of violence toward their families in the past. A particular highlight is a look into a Men’s Behaviour Change Program run by Melbourne’s David Nugent, a former perpetrator who challenges men with similar backgrounds to his to take ownership of their actions. Unmissable viewing.
Friday 27th November 2015
Pulp Fiction – SBS – 8.35pm AEST
There are few movies out there that truly changed the cinematic landscape, taking a film genre and completely and magnificently turning it on its head. Writer/Director/Cinematic Genius Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is one of these films. Starring such acting luminaries as Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis and John Travolta, the film effortlessly interweaves a series of loosely connected stories in a non-linear fashion so as to spin the day in a life of some of the lowlifes of Los Angeles in the early nineties. Largely, Pulp Fiction centres on the exploits of crims Vincent Vega (Travolta, in a career defining role) and Jules Winnifield (Samuel L. Jackson), as they negotiate the return of a briefcase (whose contents are never revealed) to their boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Though the film is light in plot, it is depicted in such a breathtakingly beautiful and hilariously macabre way that it remains one of the best-made films of the last few decades. If you are yet to see it cancel your plans and settle on the couch with some popcorn for a Friday night in.
Saturday 28th November 2015
Junior Eurovision – SBS – 7.30pm AEST
If you’re one of those few people who consider Eurovision to be one of the biggest events of the year on their social calendar, get excited – it’s Junior Eurovision time. Like the adult version of this popular singing contest, for the first time ever Australia is competing in the event, with Aussie Bella Paige flying the flag. With prizes in this version of the contest going to first, second, and third place, Paige has the chance to take out the top gong unlike her adult counterpart Guy Sebastian. Hosted by Ash London and Toby Truslove, Junior Eurovision is the perfect final ingredient to a Saturday night in with friends.
Sunday 29th November 2015
Lethal Weapon – Nine – 9.30pm AEST
Starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, the Lethal Weapon franchise remains one of the best loved film series of all time, a series which never takes itself too seriously but always delivers on the laughs and action. The first film is the series highpoint, and is still till this day the textbook on how to do a buddy cop action film right. Centred on LAPD cops Roger Murtaugh (Glover) and Martin Riggs (Gibson), the film sees the recently paired partners investigating the apparent suicide of the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s old war buddies. Not surprisingly, the duo quickly realise that all is not what it seems, and the suicide may actually be a murder. Whatever people may say, you’re never too old to watch Lethal Weapon, and there is no better way to sit down and relax before the week of work begins.
Monday 30th November 2015
Almost Royal – Comedy Channel – 10.30pm AEST
Hidden camera/Prank series have seen resurgence over the last few years thanks to the likes of Ashton Kutcher’s punk’d and the work of British funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen. Almost Royal is the latest series in this vein, with Brits Ed Gamble and Amy Hoggart starring as Georgie and Poppy Carlton, a pair of faux royal siblings on tour in the United States. As you can imagine, hilarities of varying success ensue, as the duo are unleashed on a number of unknowing yanks. Perhaps they should have done a quick Google check before agreeing to go on air with the ‘royals’. Worth a watch if you’re in need of a few laughs to get over your Mondayitis.
Tuesday 1st December 2015
Nightcrawler – Masterpiece Movies – 8.30pm AEST
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal in one of his best roles to date, Nightcrawler is a disturbing and visceral film that explores humanities obsession with violent imagery in the modern media. Set amongst the bright lights of Los Angeles, Dan Gilroy’s neo-noir film centres on the clearly deranged Louis Bloom (Gyllenhaal), an entrepreneurial young man (or so he would like to think) who uncovers the world of freelance crash scene videographers. After finding a mentor of some sorts in news anchorwoman Nina Romina (Rene Russo), Bloom buys himself a camera and endeavours to make a living in this otherworldly profession. But life quickly unravels for him when he himself becomes part of the story. A remarkable and underrated film upon its release, Nightcrawler is well worth your time.
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